Abstract: A method for identification of a roll and for determining its diameter, in which a device for reading the identifier and the sensor for measuring the diameter are mounted to a unit moving on a vertical lead, and its position is tracked by a position sensor. The diameter of the roll is detected by a mechanical detector that turns up when it contacts the surface of the roll enabling thus an uninterrupted movement of the unit past the measurement site. After the measurement of the diameter the identification unit moves to the center of the roll, inferred from the diameter, where the device for reading the identifier reads the identification code of the roll. During the return movement of the identification unit, markings can be made on the end of the roll by an ink-jet printer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical card wherein the irradiation position of laser beams is pulled back into an information recording section 1 in such a manner that the operation of recording or reproducing information can continue. In this optical card, information is recorded on or reproduced from a prescribed information recording section on a card surface in accordance with optical scanning along guide tracks provided in the card surface, and the optical card is provided with a mirror section arranged adjacent to the information recording section in the direction parallel to the direction of optical scanning of the information recording section. The optical card is characterized in that the mirror section is provided with at least one pair of curved auxiliary guide tracks that are connected to the guide tracks in the information recording section.

Abstract: A bar code reader decodes a bar code symbol, one character at a time, by analyzing the spaces of each character independently from the bars of each character. The reader determines the widths of each space and each bar. The reader then determines a space-width threshold based on the widths of the spaces and a bar-width threshold based on the widths of the bars. The reader then classifies each space as being either narrow or wide by comparing each space to the space-width threshold. The reader also classifies each bar as being either narrow or wide by comparing each bar to the bar-width threshold. The reader then decodes the character according to the narrow/wide classifications.

Abstract: An electronic device intended for use as a tag to be attached to identify contents of the container to which it is attached. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic tag which has a facility for storing delivery information and is equipped with a responding means for transmitting the delivery information stored therein in response to a query signal received from an interrogating apparatus. Codes, including items such as the names and addresses of the destination and the sender, and a sorting code are written into predetermined blanks of a delivery label, and into a memory. The memory responds to a query by transmitting the sorting information to allow automated sorting. The tag may be initiated only when torn, to extend battery shelf life.

Abstract: A chip card reader comprises a contact support (2) in which are arranged read contact springs (17) and an end position switch in the form of switch contact springs (21, 22) which indicates the operating mode. The read contact-springs contact regions of a chip card (13) inserted in a read position in the chip card reader. In its operating mode in the read position of the card, the end position switch acts approximately perpendicular to the direction of insertion (20) of the card. Hence, in the read position, no component of force is produced which would act in the direction opposite to that of insertion of the card.

Abstract: Bar code data read from a bar code card (4) by a bar code reader (1) is inputted to a data processor (3). In this data processor (3), noise included in the bar code data is extracted or detected. The noise is detected by dividing the noise into noise which exists outside of a start guard bar and an end guard bar in a bar code and noise which exists between the start guard bar and the end guard bar. After the noise is detected, the data processor (3) decodes the bar code by ignoring the noise or decodes the bar code after removing the noise to correct the width of each of bars. A game set (5) also performs the same processing as that of the data processor (3) with respect to bar code data inputted from a bar code reader (10). In addition, the game set (5) uses the inputted bar code data for processing for a game.

Abstract: The use of linear axicons or similar optical elements in a bar code scanner produces a scanning spot of a size correlated generally with dimensions of features of the scanned information, wherein the spot size remains substantially constant for varying distances between the scanner and the symbol over a substantial range of distances. Optical elements of this type produce a diffraction pattern comprising a central lobe and a number of rings surrounding the central lobe. An aperture is provided to limit the beam and thus the number of rings in the pattern which actually reach the symbol during scanning. The extent of the limited beam and the phase front tilt angle produced by the optical element are chosen to produce a desired resolution, which relates to the density of symbols the scanner is to read, and to produce a desired working range.

Abstract: A non-contact type IC card includes a power-supply receiving device for receiving power through electromagnetic coupling with a terminal unit; a signal transmitting/receiving device for exchanging signals with a terminal unit; a signal processing device, connected to the power-supply receiving device and the signal transmitting/receiving device, for processing signals; and a resetting device, connected to the signal processing device, for resetting the signal processing device when there is no signal exchange. A method of initializing a non-contact type IC card which receives power through electromagnetic coupling with a terminal unit and which exchanges signals with the terminal unit includes measuring elapsed time from a signal exchange between an IC card and the terminal unit and resetting the IC card if no signal exchange occurs after the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An arrangement for decoding a bar code symbol in which the data resulting from scanning a bar code symbol with a bar code scanner is evaluated to determine if the scanned bar code symbol is within the working range of the scanner. The data acquired by the bar code scanner is evaluated to determine if the detected widths of the bars and spaces of the scanned bar code symbol are too small, less than a threshold value, which indicates that the bar code symbol is too far and outside of the working range of the scanner. Moreover, the working range of the bar code scanner can be selectively changed by changing the threshold value, which can be easily implemented by having the bar code scanner scan a menu bar code which instructs the decoder to change the threshold value to a selected new value which may be pre-established for the particular operation.

Abstract: A secure toll payment system is realized by transmitting a changeable encryption code from roadside equipment at a toll plaza to a moving vehicle. Thereafter, the moving vehicle uses it to encrypt payment information according to the Data Encryption Standard algorithm. The moving vehicle transmits the encrypted payment information to the roadside equipment which performs a credit or debit transaction. Because the encryption code changes from time to time, so too does the nature of the signal which is transmitted by the vehicle; and fraud, based on electronic eavesdropping, is substantially eliminated. The encryption code comprises an 8-bit random number and a time/date number. Vehicle-mounted apparatus includes a transponder unit and a portable smart card which inserts therein. The roadside equipment includes a pair of spaced-apart antennas that are sequentially located along an express payment lane at a toll plaza and a computer (Plaza Server) which controls them.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus facilitate scanning an Add-On code portion of a bar code label to determine the bar code data printed thereon by sweeping a scanning beam in a scan path across the Add-On code portion of the label. The bar code label includes bar codes of the type which have a primary code portion and which may also have an Add-On code portion.

Abstract: A goods scanning device in which the goods scanning window fitted in a housing is arranged upright beside the goods conveying surface has already been proposed. Furthermore, goods scanning devices in which the goods scanning window is arranged in the goods conveying surface and level with or above the latter are known from practice. In the case of the novel goods scanning device, the goods scanning performed by the goods scanning window is to be facilitated.For this purpose, the housing (12) is adjustable in such a way that the goods scanning window (13) is located as desired in a horizontal or vertical position (B, C, D). In a preferred embodiment, the goods scanning window (13) is arranged in the horizontal position (B, D) as desired in the region of the goods conveying surface (11) and level with the latter or above the goods conveying surface (11) and at a distance therefrom.The goods scanning device is particularly suitable for registering heavy and/or bulky articles.

Abstract: Continuous data is divided into a plurality of portions and then recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or the like so that, even when a recording medium is exchanged, the divided data thus recorded can be continuously reproduced. During a period in which a recording head is moved to a second recording position after the recording at a first recording position is ended, corresponding data reproduced from a recording medium even when the recording medium is exchanged is written in a memory means in which an input signal applied to an input terminal is written.

Abstract: A data processing system, and method combine two alphanumeric data streams into a single bar code representation. Storing a first conversion table converts a first sequence of alphanumeric characters into a corresponding sequence of first bar code characters having character widths modulated in a first direction. A second conversion table converts a second sequence of alphanumeric characters into a corresponding sequence of second bar code characters having character heights modulated in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The system outputs a composite bar code sequence to represent both the first and the second sequence of alphanumeric characters.

Abstract: A multiple depth of field optical scanner employing a mirrored spinner which is rotated about a predetermined point between the geometric center and the periphery of the spinner. The rotation point is preferably located to provide the maximum variation in depth of field that will still allow a laser to continuously illuminate the spinner as it rotates. The spinner may be additionally rotated about its geometric center, if desired.

Abstract: A self check out/check in terminal is disclosed for facilitating independent withdrawal or return of articles having article identifying indicia on opposing surfaces thereof, and alterable security indicia for indicating the circulation status of the article. The terminal comprises first and second readers disposed at space opposed locations and operative to read the plurality of article identifying indicia and generate first and second article identifying signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry is provided in electrical communication with the readers and includes comparator circuitry for receiving the first and second article identifying signals and for generating a third signal when said first and second article identifying signals are substantially identical. Security indicia control circuitry is provided for altering the security indicia upon the article in response to the generation of the third signal.

Abstract: In a method for recording a new coded message in place of an old coded message recorded on a magnetic stripe carried by a support document by manual displacement of said document, the message being divided into a first part and a second part separated by a gap, the clock signal used to write the first part of the new message is a clock signal obtained by reading the second part of the old message. The clock signal used to write the second part of the new message is a clock signal obtained by reading the first part of the new message, newly written. The system for implementing this method comprises a write head between two synchronization heads and an electronic circuit which produces from the signals from the two synchronization heads a clock signal slaved to the speed of displacement of the support document. This clock signal is sent to a write signal generator connected to the write head. The write signal generator also receives the data to be recorded.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a bar code scanner for driving an oscillatory resonant motor therein which periodically oscillates in opposite rotary directions to impart an oscillatory motion to a scanning mirror of the bar code scanner. In the disclosed drive arrangement, the motor is driven at its own natural resonant frequency, which requires very little current to maintain the oscillatory motion. A scanning beam is directed against the oscillating scanning mirror, which causes the beam to be periodically scanned across a field of view of the bar code scanner. A detector detects reflections of the scanned beam, as by a bar code symbol being scanned, and generates an output signal representative thereof.