Self-Service Kiosk Glossary

CE / FCC / RoHS / UL · Digital signage · E-passport chip · EMV · ICAO Doc 9303 · IK rating · Infrared · IP rating · KDS · Key card encoder · Kiosk mode · MOQ · MRZ · NFC · OCR · OEM / ODM · OTA · Panel PC · PCAP · PCI PTS / EPP · PMS · POS · SAW · SDK / API · Self-checkout kiosk · Self-order kiosk · Self-service kiosk · Thermal printer

CE / FCC / RoHS / UL

Common product compliance marks: CE (EU declaration of conformity), FCC (US radio-frequency emissions), RoHS (restricted hazardous substances) and UL (US safety listing by a recognised laboratory). Related →

Digital signage

Networked displays that show advertising, menus or information, managed remotely. Touch versions add interactive wayfinding or catalogs. Related →

E-passport chip (RFID)

A contactless chip embedded in a passport that stores the holder's data and photo. Readers access it using ISO/IEC 14443 at 13.56 MHz. Related →

EMV

The global specification for chip-card payments set by EMVCo. A kiosk card reader that accepts chip or contactless cards must be certified for EMV in the target market. Related →

ICAO Doc 9303

The International Civil Aviation Organization standard that defines the layout, MRZ and electronic data of machine-readable travel documents such as passports. Related →

IK rating

A code (IEC 62262, IK00–IK10) that states how much impact energy an enclosure or screen can withstand, relevant for vandal-resistant public kiosks.

Infrared (IR) touch

A touchscreen technology that detects touch by interruption of an infrared light grid over the screen. It works with gloves or any object and scales to large sizes.

IP rating (ingress protection)

A two-digit code (IEC 60529) for protection against solids and liquids. For example, IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets.

KDS (kitchen display system)

A screen in the kitchen that shows incoming orders from kiosks and POS devices, replacing or complementing printed order tickets. Related →

Key card encoder

A device that writes access data to hotel room key cards. Check-in kiosks use it, with a card dispenser, to issue keys; it must match the hotel's lock system. Related →

Kiosk mode (lockdown)

A configuration that restricts a device to one application and blocks system menus, settings and unneeded ports so the public cannot tamper with it.

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

The smallest number of units a factory will produce or sell in one order. It rises with customisation such as new enclosure tooling. Related →

MRZ (machine-readable zone)

The two or three lines of OCR-B characters at the bottom of a passport or ID card that encode the holder's details in a standard format for automated reading. Related →

NFC (near-field communication)

A short-range wireless technology used for contactless card and mobile-wallet payments and for reading some cards and tags. Related →

OCR (optical character recognition)

Software that converts images of printed text, such as the MRZ or data page of a passport, into machine-readable characters.

OEM / ODM

OEM: a factory builds a product to a customer's specification and brand. ODM: the factory supplies its own design that the customer rebrands or modifies. Related →

OTA (over-the-air) update

Remote delivery of software or firmware updates to kiosks over the network, avoiding site visits.

Panel PC

A computer built into a touch display panel, often fanless and rated for continuous operation, used in kiosks, machines and industrial control. Related →

PCAP (projected capacitive) touch

A touchscreen technology that senses the electrical field of a finger through glass. It supports multi-touch and a smartphone-like feel and is the usual choice for indoor kiosks.

PCI PTS / EPP

PCI PTS is the PCI Security Standards Council requirement for devices that accept PINs. An EPP (encrypted PIN pad) is a keypad that encrypts the PIN at entry. Related →

PMS (property management system)

The hotel software that holds reservations, rooms, rates and guest folios. A check-in kiosk connects to it to look up bookings, assign rooms and post charges. Related →

POS (point of sale)

The system or terminal where a sale is recorded and paid. In restaurants and shops it manages menus, prices, tax and receipts. Related →

SAW (surface acoustic wave) touch

A touchscreen technology that uses ultrasonic waves across the glass surface. It offers high clarity but can be affected by contaminants on the surface.

SDK / API

A software development kit (SDK) and application programming interface (API) are the libraries and documentation that let an integrator's application control kiosk peripherals such as readers and printers. Related →

Self-checkout kiosk

A retail kiosk where shoppers scan their own items, pay and bag them. It usually includes a barcode scanner, receipt printer and payment device, and may add a weighing scale. Related →

Self-order kiosk

A kiosk used in restaurants and cafes where customers browse the menu, customise items and pay, then send the order to the kitchen through the POS or kitchen display system. Related →

Self-service kiosk

An unattended touchscreen terminal that lets customers complete a transaction or service themselves — ordering, payment, check-in, identity verification or information lookup — without staff assistance. Related →

Thermal printer

A printer that creates text and images by heating special paper. It is the standard for receipts and tickets in kiosks, usually with an auto-cutter.

Need help specifying a project? Talk to our engineers.