Backgrounder: Glossary of technical definitions and terms

Technology surrounding passport and document reading can be bewildering for the uninitiated. Here is a glossary of acronyms and technical terms:

Active Video document detection: A passport scanner equipped with Active Video will detect a travel document which is placed anywhere in the scanner window, in any orientation, and at any angle; the document does not have to be carefully placed in a precise location on the scanner, making the reading of passports much more efficient and quick.

ATB: Automated Ticket / Boarding pass. This now the most commonly used ticket and boarding pass format. It is made of light card stock, and measures about 3” X 7”. Replaced the OPTAT style ticket.

Dual illumination: This feature is used on airline swipe readers. It means that the optical “read head” uses infra red light to read passports according to ICAO rules, as well as a visible red light to read the direct thermal printing on ATB tickets. This device significantly reduces the chances of fraudulent or stolen air tickets being accepted. The world’s first dual illumination swipe reader was produced by Rochford Thompson in 2002.

Contactless RF Chip: This is a passive intelligent chip, embedded in modern passports from many countries, containing additional security information to validate the passport. ‘RF’ stands for radio frequency – the chip can be read automatically by a reader once it is placed in the near vicinity.

e-MRTD: An ICAO compliant Machine Readable Travel Document containing a contactless RF chip.

e-Passport: An ICAO compliant passport containing a contactless RF chip.

E-ticket: In an e-ticket, the data is stored digitally, and not just printed on the surface of the paper – in fact, the paper is really only printed out for the reassurance of the passenger. This is the future of airline ticketing, and if you haven’t already used an e-ticket (many airlines use them extensively), you soon will.

ICAO: The International Civil Aviation Organization (a United Nations organisation). This body promotes understanding and security through cooperative aviation regulation.

IATA: The International Air Transport Association. This organisation represents, leads and serves, the airline industry, creating regulations for international air transport.

Interoperability: The capability of a passport reader to read the MRTDs and e-MRTDs from any country. This means that an immigration control point or check-in desk needs only one reader. Interoperability is made possible by issuers adhering strictly to the document specifications defined by ICAO.

MRTD: Machine Readable Travel Document. A passport, visa or travel card which conforms to the international standards defined by ICAO in its Document 9303.

Multi-function reader: This is a unit which can read both optical documents and magnetic strips (the benefit is that one single reader can cope with passports, visas, and ID cards, as well as airline loyalty cards). It is used mainly by airlines. Rochford Thompson produced the world’s first multi-function reader in 1993.

OPTAT: Off Premises Transitional Automated Ticket. This is the older style of ticket, made of flimsy paper with red carbon. It is a ‘universal’ document (can be assigned to any airline by IATA licensed travel agencies) and contains flight coupons, passenger receipt coupon and the cover.

For further press information please contact Russell Jones on 020 8399 1184.