Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a laser scanner which projects a laser light beam in a scan pattern to facilitate finding a label on a package and reading the symbols thereon. The apparatus comprises a window, positioned adjacent the laser scanner which has an illuminating portion through which the scan pattern is transmitted and a background portion through which the scan pattern is not transmitted. The apparatus also comprises graphic means, adjacent a first part of the background portion of the window, for delineating a target area towards which the package should be directed by an operator to ensure that the label is properly oriented within the scan pattern for the laser light beam to acurately illuminate and read the symbols on the label. The apparatus may also comprise mask means, superposed on a second part of the background portion of the window, for substantially obstructing the laser scanner from the view of the operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forgery security, issuing and monitoring or reducing the value of data carriers such as value cards, entitlement cards, travel tickets, etc., are described, the data being written into a magnetic layer. According to the method, physical authenticating features of the data carrier are evaluated as inhomogeneities in the magnetic layers which carry the data. Suitable data carriers comprise an individual and characteristic inhomogeneity produced, for example, by fluctuations in thickness, discontinuities (13) etc. The second side of the data carrier (1) is provided with an absorbent coating (15) which serves to receive ink sprayed on by an ink jet printer. For reading and/or coding the data carriers which are provided with two magnetic strips (12, 12') independently of the position of the data carriers, there are in an apparatus two reading-writing heads (60, 60') and two pressure applying rollers (61, 61.degree.

Abstract: A system for maintaining the secrecy of information stored in a multiple issuer IC card, comprising an IC card which has its memory divided into a plurality of discrete portions, each of which may be accessed only by means of a predetermined different identification code, and a terminal which is used to write an identification code into a portion of the card memory only when it is supplied with an input code which corresponds with an issuer code which was previously stored in that portion of the memory.

Abstract: A reader and/or writer for an IC card as external memory, which has an angularly movable arm and an extended lever longitudinally movable respectively for locking the card at the trailing edge and a carriage holding the card at the same time and adapted to be concurrently disengaged from the locking so as to assure reliable reading and/or writing without adverse affection of locking force on the IC card. A contact head having a plurality of contact points to be electrically connected with those of the card is held by a link mechanism so as to assure a stable relative movement therebetween for automatic cleaning regardless of varied thicknesses of the cards.

Abstract: A connector provided in an external device for an IC card having a card shutter provided with slide members, the shutter being capable of advancing and retreating and adapted to cover and protect external terminals of the IC card when the card is not used. This connector is provided with electroconductive pins adapted to move the shutter in the direction opposite to that of the insertion of the IC card so as to open the shutter of the IC card by contacting the slide member of the card shutter when the IC card is inserted into the connector, and an earth line for grounding the pin.

Abstract: A memory card having: a card-like package; a semiconductor module disposed within the package; a plurality of electrode terminals mounted on the package for external electrical connection of the semiconductor module in the package to an external circuit; a metallic shutter disposed on the package and movable between an open position in which the electrode terminals are exposed for the electrical connection and a closed position in which the electrode terminals are covered; and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the shutter which faces the electrodes.

Abstract: A personal data card (10), comprised of a semiconductor chip (28), sealed by encapsulant (38) in an opening (26) in a body (12), is advantageously provided with a shock absorbing device (38) which substantially circumscribes the encapsulant to substantially isolate the encapsulant from the body of the card. By isolating the encapsulant from the card body, the shock absorbing device reduces the stresses transmitted from the card body into the capsulant and into the chip when the card is flexed. In this way the incidence of cracking of the chip caused by the stresses generated upon flexing of the card is reduced.

Abstract: A system for recognizing characters printed in magnetic ink on a document has a write head including a permanent magnet and soft iron pole pieces curving arcuately from opposite poles of the magnet to juxtaposed ends forming a gap underlying a curved, nonmagnetic cap along which a document is moved. The pole pieces are unequally magnetized to provide a component of magnetic induction normal to the upper surface of the cap that has opposite signs on opposite sides of the gap and differing peak values, the peak value to one side of the gap being in the range from 450 gauss to 650 gauss and the peak value on the other side of the gap being in the range from 200 gauss to 340 gauss.

Abstract: An identification system in which power drain is minimized is disclosed. The system comprises a reader (10) including a first signal generator (12) for generating a first signal (F1) which is then radiated by an antenna (17). An identifier (11) is shown which includes an antenna (20) for receiving the first signal for transmission to a signal modulator (32) which operates to modulate the first signal in accordance with a preassigned code for the identifier. The modulated signal is then used to periodically unload or change the reactance of the antenna (20) which action in turn changes the reactance of the reader antenna (17) and the consequent voltage on the reader antenna. By detecting the change in the voltage on the reader antenna the code of the identifier is determined. Power is used efficiently by low frequency oscillation within the signal modulator, by unloading during modulation, and by changing circuit reactance without changing the circuit load.

Abstract: A plastic package for a card having a built-in storage medium is provided which comprises two plastic half case bodies having the same structure. Each of the half case bodies is provided with a convex portion and a concave portion which can engage with the corresponding concave portion and convex portion of the other half case body. The convex portion and the concave portion of each half case body are disposed symmetrically with respect to a reference line on each half case body. Therefore, the two half case bodies can be simply and precisely located and can be efficiently bonded by engagement between the convex and concave portions. In addition, since it is not necessary to charge and permeate an adhesive into joint portions from the peripheries thereof, the workability for jointing is good and no adhesive will be squeezed out from the joint portions to adversely affect the appearance of the joint portions.

Abstract: A method of identifying a workpiece in the course of its manufacture, in which the workpiece carrying an existing identification marking is supplied to an apparatus in which it is to be subject to a process that removes or obscures the marking, the marking is machine-read after the workpiece has been placed in the apparatus but before the process begins, data from the reading is put in store, and at the end of the process the identification is re-marked on the workpiece in accordance with the stored data while the workpiece is retained in a predetermined position in the apparatus.

Abstract: An optically readable/writable card has such a structure that a transparent protection layer is laminated so as to cover a recording medium layer on a card substrate. A recess portion is formed in the transparent protection layer at the position over the recording medium layer. The flat bottom surface of the recess portion is located lower than the card surface. With this recess portion, the transparent protection layer over the recording medium layer is protected from scratches because it is difficult to be come into contact with the card casing or the like, so that the recorded information can be accurately certainly read out or written.

Abstract: A fault tolerant smart card is provided having primary functional units including a standard ISO interface, a first microcontroller, a clock, and main memory. Secondary functional units including a secondary microcontroller, secondary memory with bit checking capability and an alternate battery power source are also provided. A microcontroller error detector is connected to both microcontrollers. Should a discrepancy between microcontrollers occur known test patterns are run on the second microcontroller to determine which microcontroller is faulty. A private access port provides alternate access to information stored in the fault tolerant smart card. Registers for funds remaining, error condition and access account are also provided.

Abstract: The system comprises memory cards and card readers. The card memories (MEM) include validation memory points V.sub.j and credit memory points C.sub.i,j. The addresses of the validation points V.sub.j and the addresses of the associated credit point C.sub.i,j are defined by a reference table (TRR) and a permutation table (TP) which make use of a data item (Z.sub.F) which is specific to the card.

Abstract: The essence of the invention is a socalled "data bit variable spacer generator", block 79, which contributes to the generation of a control output "c" from a combinatory logic circuit group 78. The logic level of "c" determines whether a clear data bit from the parity flip flop FF6 is to be sent out or a random bit from block RMG. The `variable data bit generator` is controlled by a number of parallel bit outputs from registers SH1 and SH2 which hold an encryption key after being conditioned by other logic inputs derived from key parity flip flops (FF1 and FF2) and clear data bit levels from block 81. Registers SH1 and SH2 shift and recirculate when the `c` output is high. Similar principles are used when data are decrypted. The circuit is suitable for integration with other functions on a single substrate chip.

Abstract: An identification authenticating system includes a first memory for storing a program to perform a preselected calculation on an input value to obtain an expected result. An input value is supplied to the program wherein calculation is performed thereon. An external signal is supplied, and that signal is compared the expected result. A comparison determines whether the expected result and input value correspond to one another, thereby authenticating an identification.

Abstract: A reliable electronic lock comprises means for reading a key card upon insertion and withdrawal. Sets of data read from the key card are compared to CRC data read from the key card to determine which set contains actual data and no false data erroneously read by the electronic lock. The CRC data is stored in scrambled form on the card to minimize the possibility of match to a set of actual and false data.

Abstract: A bar code reader comprises a smart scanner with a processor that can be configured to send to the host either (a) the digitized video signal from the scanner's optical section, (b) the unprocessed time interval data measured from the transitions of the video signal, (c) the decoded data message, or (d) the combination of (b) and (c).

Abstract: An automated transaction system employs microprocessor-bearing user cards each issued to a respective user for maintaining a history of user account transactions and a user account balance, microprocessor-bearing master cards issued to vendors for maintaining a history of master account transactions and a master account balance, and terminals in which a user card and a master card are inserted for performing account transfer transactions wherein value from the account balance of one card is debited and the account balance of the other card is correspondingly credited. A transaction history recorder is used to produce or record the transaction history stored in the card for the user of the vendor. In the preferred embodiment, each master card is assigned to a respective terminal of a vendor and maintains a history of the transactions executed at that terminal between the master card and user cards presented for transactions at the terminal.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus having a data transmitting portion, a data receiving portion, a detachable memory device such as an IC card or optical card in which received items of data are memorized, and a controller for controlling the process of transmitting and receiving data. In the memory device is set identification codes for identifying the receiver in a confidential communication process. The form of data transmitted by this apparatus is preliminarily converted in accordance with the function of the other party's apparatus.