The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is designed as a universal identifier (using a idiosyncratic numerical code for each different commodity
) that provides a unique identity for every physical object anywhere in the world, for all time. The EPC structure is defined in the EPCglobal Tag Data Standard, which is a freely available standard. The canonical representation of an EPC is a
URI Uri may refer to:
Places
* Canton of Uri, a canton in Switzerland
* Úri, a village and commune in Hungary
* Uri, Iran, a village in East Azerbaijan Province
* Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, a town in India
* Uri (island), an island off Malakula Islan ...
, namely the 'pure-identity URI' representation that is intended for use when referring to a specific physical object in communications about EPCs among information systems and business application software.
The EPCglobal Tag Data Standard also defines additional representations of an EPC identifier, such as the tag-encoding URI format and a compact binary format suitable for storing an EPC identifier efficiently within
RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromag ...
tags (for which the low-cost passive RFID tags typically have limited memory capacity available for the EPC/UII memory bank). The EPCglobal Tag Data Standard defines the structure of the URI syntax and binary format, as well as the encoding and decoding rules to allow conversion between these representations. The EPC is designed as a flexible framework that can support many existing coding schemes, including many coding schemes currently in use with
barcode
A barcode or bar code is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form. Initially, barcodes represented data by varying the widths, spacings and sizes of parallel lines. These barcodes, now commonly referred to as linear or o ...
technology. EPC identifiers currently support 7 identification keys from the
GS1 system of identifiers, as well as a General Identifier and EPC identifiers that can be used for encoding supplies to the US
Department of Defense Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to:
Current departments of defence
* Department of Defence (Australia)
* Department of National Defence (Canada)
* Department of Defence (Ireland)
* Department of National Defense (Philipp ...
.
EPCs are not designed exclusively for use with RFID data carriers. They can indeed be constructed based on reading of optical data carriers, such as linear bar codes and two-dimensional bar codes, such as
Data Matrix
A Data Matrix is a two-dimensional code consisting of black and white "cells" or dots arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern, also known as a matrix. The information to be encoded can be text or numeric data. Usual data size is fro ...
symbols. The 'pure identity URI' canonical representation of an EPC is agnostic to the data carrier technology that was used to attach the unique identifier to the individual physical object.
The EPC is designed to meet the needs of various industries, while guaranteeing uniqueness for all EPC-compliant tags. Some of the existing
GS1 identification keys (such as the Global Returnable Asset Identifier (''GRAI'')) already provide for unique identification of individual objects. However, the
Global Trade Item Number
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier for trade items, developed by the international organization GS1. Such identifiers are used to look up product information in a database (often by entering the number through a barcode scanne ...
(''GTIN'') only identifies the product type or
stock-keeping unit
In inventory management, a stock keeping unit (abbreviated as SKU and pronounced or ) is the unit of measure in which the stocks of a material are managed. Or to put it another way; is a distinct type of item for sale, purchased, or tracked in ...
rather than an individual instance of a particular product type. To ensure that an EPC always uniquely identifies an individual physical object, in the case of a GTIN, the EPC is constructed as a ''Serialised Global Trade Item Number'' (''SGTIN'') by combining a GTIN product identifier with a unique serial number.
Both the
Universal Product Code
The Universal Product Code (UPC or UPC code) is a barcode symbology that is widely used worldwide for tracking trade items in stores.
UPC (technically refers to UPC-A) consists of 12 digits that are uniquely assigned to each trade item. Along w ...
and
EAN-13
The International Article Number (also known as European Article Number or EAN) is a standard describing a barcode symbology and numbering system used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type, in a specific packaging configurati ...
identifiers that are still found on many trade items can be mapped into a 14-digit
GTIN
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier for trade items, developed by the international organization GS1. Such identifiers are used to look up product information in a database (often by entering the number through a barcode scanne ...
identifier, by padding to the left with zero digits to reach a total of 14 digits. An SGTIN EPC identifier can therefore be constructed by combining the resulting GTIN with a unique serial number and following the encoding rules in the EPCglobal Tag Data Standard.
The EPC accommodates existing coding schemes and defines new schemes where necessary. Each coding scheme within the EPC identifier framework is distinguished through the use of a separate namespace. In the URI notations, this is indicated using a
URI Uri may refer to:
Places
* Canton of Uri, a canton in Switzerland
* Úri, a village and commune in Hungary
* Uri, Iran, a village in East Azerbaijan Province
* Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, a town in India
* Uri (island), an island off Malakula Islan ...
prefix such as
urn:epc:id:sgtin
or
urn:epc:id:sscc
In the compact binary encoding of an EPC identifier, the namespace is instead indicated using a compact binary header (typically the first 8 bits of the binary encoding of an EPC identifier). The EPCglobal Tag Data Standard provides details of the URI prefixes and corresponding binary header values.
Low-cost passive RFID tags were designed to uniquely identify each item manufactured. In contrast, bar codes for trade items and consumer products have limited capacity and typically only identify the manufacturer and class of products. Although
RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromag ...
tags are currently still more expensive than a simple optically readable label, they offer additional capabilities such as the ability to be read by radio waves, without requiring 'line of sight' between the reader or interrogator and the tag; this enables individual items within a large cardboard box (case) to be read without first unpacking each individual item from the box. Some RFID tags offer additional read/write user memory that could be used for storage of additional information, such as an expiry date or date of manufacture.
Plain text and barcoding are still useful in addition to the EPC tag, as liability obligations for the producer require durable and sufficiently fail-safe labels. Currently (2010) there are no applications in which RFID tags have completely replaced conventional labeling.
The EPC was the creation of the
MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the m ...
Auto-ID Center, a consortium of over 120 global corporations and university labs. EPC identifiers were designed to identify each item manufactured, as opposed to just the manufacturer and class of products, as bar codes do today. The EPC system is currently managed by EPCglobal, Inc., a subsidiary of
GS1. The specifications for the EPC identifiers can be found in the EPCglobal, Inc. Tag Data Standard, which is an open standard, freely available for anyone to download.
The Electronic Product Code is one of the industrial standards for global RFID usage, and a core element of the EPCglobal Network, an architecture of open standards developed by the GS1 EPCglobal community. Most currently deployed EPC RFID tags comply with
ISO
ISO is the most common abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization.
ISO or Iso may also refer to: Business and finance
* Iso (supermarket), a chain of Danish supermarkets incorporated into the SuperBest chain in 2007
* Iso ...
/
IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC; in French: ''Commission électrotechnique internationale'') is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and r ...
18000-6C for the RFID air interface standard.
Structure
The canonical representation of an EPC is a
URI Uri may refer to:
Places
* Canton of Uri, a canton in Switzerland
* Úri, a village and commune in Hungary
* Uri, Iran, a village in East Azerbaijan Province
* Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, a town in India
* Uri (island), an island off Malakula Islan ...
- the 'pure-identity URI' that is intended for use when referring to a specific physical object in communications about EPCs among information systems and business application software.
Each coding scheme within the EPC identifier framework is distinguished through the use of a separate namespace. In the URI notations, this is indicated using a URI prefix such as
urn:epc:id:sgtin
or
urn:epc:id:sscc
In the compact binary encoding of an EPC identifier, the namespace is instead indicated using a compact binary header (typically the first 8 bits of the binary encoding of an EPC identifier). The EPCglobal Tag Data Standard provides details of the URI prefixes and corresponding binary header values.
This namespace indicator (URI prefix or compact binary header value) in turn dictates the length, type and structure of the EPC. EPC encoding schemes are used to uniquely identify one object. Most EPCs include an element within their structure that corresponds to a serial number.
EPC Version 1.3 supports the following alternative coding schemes:
* General Identifier (GID)
GID-96
* a serialized version of the GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
SGTIN-96 SGTIN-198
* GS1
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
SSCC-96
* GS1
Global Location Number
The Global Location Number (GLN) is part of the GS1 systems of standards. It is a simple tool used to identify a location and can identify locations uniquely where required. This identifier is compliant with norm ISO/IEC 6523.
The GS1 Identifica ...
(GLN),
SGLN-96 SGLN-195
* GS1 Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
GRAI-96 GRAI-170
* GS1 Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
GIAI-96 GIAI-202 and
*
DOD Construct
DoD-96
From Version 1.4 these new coding schemas are also additionally supported:
* Global Service Relation Number (GSRN)
GSRN-96
* Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)
GDTI-96
All GS1 Identification Keys
GS1 identification keys includes detailed information about 12 GS1 ID keys, their purpose, use, allocation and maintenance rules, etc.
GS1 Application Identifiers defines the prefixes (AIs) used in barcodes and EPC/RFID-tags to define the meaning and format of identifiers, and currently lists 516 kinds of identifiers.
The EPC Tag Data Standard
(TDS) defines the possible kinds of EPC identifiers, including:
* Correspondence to GS1 keys and other existing codes.
* Specification of data that is carried on Gen 2 RFID tags, including the EPC, User Memory data, control information, and tag manufacture information.
* The formatting of the Tag Identifier (TID) memory bank and how to use Packed Objects for the formatting of additional data within the user memory bank.
* A mapping of GS1 identifiers to
URNs
An urn is a vase, often with a cover, with a typically narrowed neck above a rounded body and a footed pedestal. Describing a vessel as an "urn", as opposed to a vase or other terms, generally reflects its use rather than any particular shape or ...
to be used in
EPCIS (see EPCIS 1.2 section 6.4 Identifier representation).
The latest TDS version defines the following GS1 Identification Keys:
*
Global Trade Item Number
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier for trade items, developed by the international organization GS1. Such identifiers are used to look up product information in a database (often by entering the number through a barcode scanne ...
(GTIN), including RCN-8, GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13,
ISBN
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be unique. Publishers purchase ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency.
An ISBN is assigned to each separate edition and ...
,
ISMN
The International Standard Music Number or ISMN (ISO 10957) is a thirteen-character alphanumeric identifier for printed music developed by ISO.
Overview
The original proposal for an ISMN was made by the UK Branch of IAML (International Associat ...
,
ISSN
An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an eight-digit serial number used to uniquely identify a serial publication, such as a magazine. The ISSN is especially helpful in distinguishing between serials with the same title. ISSNs ...
for a class of products, goods or services
* GTIN + Batch/Lot (LGTIN)
* Serialised Global Trade Item Number (SGTIN) for an individual product with a serial number
*
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) for logistics assets
*
Global Location Number
The Global Location Number (GLN) is part of the GS1 systems of standards. It is a simple tool used to identify a location and can identify locations uniquely where required. This identifier is compliant with norm ISO/IEC 6523.
The GS1 Identifica ...
(GLN) or GLN with extension (SGLN) for parties and locations
* Global Location Number of Party (PGLN)
*
Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) for logistics assets
*
Global Individual Asset Identifier
Global means of or referring to a globe and may also refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Global'' (Paul van Dyk album), 2003
* ''Global'' (Bunji Garlin album), 2007
* ''Global'' (Humanoid album), 1989
* ''Global'' (Todd Rundgren album), 2015
* Bruno ...
(GIAI) for fixed assets
*
Global Service Relation Number – Recipient (GSRN)
* Global Service Relation Number – Provider (GSRNP)
*
Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) of a document instance
* Component / Part Identifier (CPI) for part numbers in technical industries, including automotive
*
Serialised Global Coupon Number (SGCN)
*
Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC)
*
Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN) for shipping
*
Individual Trade Item Piece (ITIP)
* Unit Pack Identifier (UPUI)
* General Identifier (GID)
* US Department of Defense Identifier (DOD)
* Aerospace and Defense Identifier (ADI)
* BIC Container Code (BIC) for
intermodal container
An intermodal container, often called a shipping container, is a large standardized shipping container, designed and built for intermodal freight transport, meaning these containers can be used across different Mode of transport, modes of trans ...
s used in rail and shipping, as per
ISO 6346
ISO 6346 is an international standard covering the coding, identification and marking of intermodal (shipping) containers used within containerized intermodal freight transport by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ...
*
IMO Vessel Number (IMOVN) of marine vessels
See also
*
Product code (disambiguation)
References
{{Reflist
External links
EPC/RFIDat
GS1 website
EPCglobal Tag Data Translation Standard Global RFID. The Value of the EPCglobal Network for Supply Chain Management€”Contains a lot of information by some MIT people involved in the development of EPC.
Identifiers
Radio-frequency identification
GS1 standards