Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) is already well known through a number of its more widely recognised technologies including:

• bar codes
• two-dimensional codes
• magnetic encoding and electronic codes
• Radio frequency identification (RFID)

AIDC is, however, much more than simple linear barcodes, and encompasses a range of  technologies including 2-dimensional multi-row or matrix bar codes, magnetic stripe cards, Smart-Cards and the rapidly expanding technologies that comprise Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) including Smart Labels. Feature extraction technologies are also an important part of AIDC, where Biometric techniques including fingerprint scanning, iris or retinal scanning and face or voice recognition techniques can be used to identify individuals.

ISO/IEC 19762 is intended to facilitate international communication in information technology, specifically in the area of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) techniques. It provides a listing of terms and definitions used across multiple AIDC techniques.

The European Centre of Excellence for Automatic Identification and Data Capture is the first centre in Europe to specialise in all matters of AIDC.