Abstract: A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition techniques. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In addition, the scanner provides autodetect circuitry for determining the type of terminal to which it is attached and automatically converts the two-dimensional code information into an appropriate one dimensional format, as needed, for communication to an attached terminal.

Abstract: Coin-shaped one-wire communication modules with a flange for mounting convenience may be attached to contact extensions on items such as work totes for ease of communication.

Abstract: A grip held and grip operable data entry device for data collection by an operator having a hand includes a narrow grip unit for entry of data and a housing extension for carrying certain components that would otherwise have to be carried within grip unit, allowing grip unit to be narrow for comfortable and secure gripping without elimination of any desired functionality. Grip unit includes main housing having a first side and a second side, the first housing grasped by the operator's hand with the thumb extending along the first side and the middle finger engaging the second side. A housing extension extends from and is carried by main housing behind the operator's thumb such that operator support for holding device is furnished by the operator's thumb and the operator's middle finger acting upon the first side and the second side of main housing, leaving the index finger free to engage and disengage a pushbutton.

Abstract: A laser bar code system is described which includes a first scan module releasably affixed to a housing, which scan module is readily interchangeable with and plug compatible with a second scan module which is configured at least partly differently from the first scan module. In addition, a partitioned scan module is described which comprises a first laser diode subsystem, a first scanning subsystem, a first collection subsystem, and a first signal processing subsystem, a selected one of which is releasably affixed to a chassis, and readily interchangeable and plug compatible with a second laser diode subsystem, a second scanning subsystem, a first collection subsystem, and a second signal processing subsystem, respectively, which is configured at least partly differently from the first.

Abstract: A semi-retroreflective optical scanning system has an optical scanning element which directs a scanning light beam via a stationary holographic optical element in a scan path across indicia to be read. Light from the indicia is collected by an optical collector, such as a lens or a mirror, which focuses it onto a small optical detector via the scanning element. The field of view of the optical detector scans across the indicia in synchronization with the outgoing scanning beam from the holographic optical element. Since the incoming reflected light is not limited by the aperture of the scanning element, the signal-to-noise ratio remains high even when a small scanning element is used. In a further embodiment the light source, scanning element collector and detector are provided in a common plane, the collector and scanning element sharing a common optical axis and a light source being provided substantially off axis to allow reduction in the scanning element size.

Abstract: A fully automatic bar code symbol reading system comprising an automatic (i.e., triggerless) portable bar code symbol reading device with an omnidirectional projection laser scanning engine mounted within the head portion of its hand-supportable housing, and an associated base unit positioned within the data transmission range thereof without a physical wiring connection thereto. The hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device produces a narrowly confined scanning volume for omnidirectional scanning of code symbols presented therein, while preventing unintentional scanning of code symbols on nearby objects located outside thereof.

Abstract: An evaluation system having one or more scanner units providing arrangements to enable the computer controlled, rapid setup and calibration of each included scanner unit to be employed for evaluation. The calibration is effected with specific settings established using stored calibration parameter groups. The calibration parameter groups, which are previously determined using special calibration targets, are stored and available for later recall and use, as needed. The evaluation system arrangements provide for slidably mounted scanner units to enable the distance between the scanner unit and a target indicia to be adjusted to a known distance to produce a selected spot size for the subsequent evaluations. A computing unit is provided having a memory to store the plurality of calibration parameter groups, with each stored calibration parameter group available to provide parameter values to be applied for use with the included scanner units.

Abstract: When bar code data of a left or right block flanked by a guard bar and a center bar is input, several characters including the first character are demodulated, and a decision is made as to whether demodulation should be continued or not. If demodulation has already been performed a specified number of times, or demodulation free from significant distortion has already been performed, on the block currently subjected to demodulation, the demodulation process is discontinued and demodulation is not performed on the remaining characters.

Abstract: A memory card is to be inserted into an electronic device so as to add a memory function. The memory card comprises a parent card and a child card, the child card including a semiconductor memory element and a lead as an external terminal of the memory element. The parent card includes a child card receiving portion and a child card insert port for inserting the child card into the child card receiving portion through the child card insert port, and a contact to be contacted with the lead of the child card within the child card receiving portion. A contact opening/closing slide plate is provided for causing a contacting portion of the contact to be shifted to a position in which it can contact with the lead while moving in the child card insert direction pushed by the child card. The parent card also includes a connector element for contacting with the electronic device.

Abstract: A scanner guide for attachment to a pre-existing bar code scanner wand to enable such a wand to read bar coded labels disposed on a cylindrical surface of a relatively small diameter such as containers used for the collection of medical specimens. The scanner guide includes a cylindrical pin having a mounting base for positioning the same in generally parallel relation to a center axis of the scanner wand at a predetermined distance therefrom based upon the diameter of the cylindrical containers whereon the bar coded labels are disposed. A bottom surface of the mounting base is shaped to conform to the contour of the wand whereon it is to be mounted. In such an arrangement the scanner wand is held at a proper disposition in relation to the bar coded label as it is passed in a longitudinal direction over the same on the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base modules extend longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which is typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the out end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and network for successively making contribution data inputs by a multiplicity of individual contributors in sequence is provided. The apparatus includes a portable, self-powered, contributor data input dependant, non-contributor external data source independent, electronic donations management terminal sized and weighted for manual passing thereof between successive contributors.

Abstract: An antenna (1) has a radome (2) and a conducting ground plane (6) bridging between conducting end caps (4), a circuit board (5) supported on the ground plane (6), rf antenna elements (7) on the circuit board (5), opposite ends of the ground plane (6) being slidable relative to respective end caps (4) in response to thermal expansion of the ground plane (6), and the circuit board (5) being slidable relative to the ground plane (6) in response to thermal expansion of the ground plane (6).

Abstract: A transaction system having a first transportable integrated circuit (IC) device, a terminal, and a security device is disclosed. The first IC device includes a processor, memory, data stored in the memory, and an operating program stored in the memory. The terminal includes a reader/writer device, a processor, memory, and an operating program stored in the memory. The reader/writer device establishes communication with the first IC device whereby the processor of the first IC device is in communication with the terminal processor. The security device includes a processor, memory, data stored in the memory and an operating program stored in the memory. The security device communicates with the terminal so that the processor of the security device communicates with the terminal processor.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement for a portable transceiver is disclosed as including a printed circuit antenna mounted on the transceiver and coupled to be driven by circuitry of the transceiver. An extendable monopole antenna is also mounted on the transceiver and is adapted to be electrically coupled to the printed circuit antenna when in an extended position and to be electrically decoupled from the printed circuit antenna when in a retracted position. A connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit antenna at a first end and maintains contact with the monopole antenna at a second end as the monopole antenna slides between the extended and retracted positions. The monopole antenna includes a conductive portion which is in contact with the connector in the extended position and a non-conductive portion which is in contact with the connector in the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automatically reading bar code symbols. One aspect of the present invention concerns a method of reading bar code symbols using an automatic hand-holdable bar code symbol reading device. In general, the automatic bar code symbol reading device comprises a hand-holdable housing containing operative elements which provide an object detection field and a scan field each defined external to the housing. The method involves automatically detecting the presence of an object within the object detection field by sensing object sensing energy reflected off the object. In a preferred embodiment, the object sensing energy is IR radiation produced from an object sensing energy source disposed within the housing. In automatic response to the detection of the object within the object detection field, the hand-holdable device detects the presence of a bar code within the scan field using a laser beam produced within the housing.

Abstract: A card system prevents contacts of a smart card from being scratched by contact members of a card reader to prevent the smart card from malfunctioning. The smart card system includes a smart card having contacts and a perforation hole therein, a card reader body formed at an upper surface thereof with an aperture, a contact frame disposed within the aperture and having a plurality of contact members attached thereto so as to contact the contacts, a slide protrusion inserted into the perforation hole of the smart card when the smart card reaches a reading position in the card reader, and a detect switch for detecting the insertion of the smart card. The smart card system prevents the contacts of the smart card from being damaged, so that a malfunction of the smart card can be prevented. The smart card system has a simple construction, so it can be easily manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A credit card system has a card with first identification information written thereon, a reading/writing unit for writing information on and reading information from the card, an input device for entering second identification information, a processor for deriving second identification information from information written on the card, comparing the second identification information entered by the entering device with the second identification information derived by the deriving device, and controlling the reading/writing unit to write information representing allowance of issuance of the card on the card if the compared second identification information agrees with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having an hand-supportable laser bar code reading device which can be used in either an automatic hands-on mode of operation, or in an automatic hands-free mode of operation. The system includes a scanner support frame for supporting the hand-supportable device in a user-selected mounting position, and permits complete gripping of its handle portion prior to its use in the hands-on mode of operation. In general, the hand-supportable bar code reading device has long-range and short-range modes of object detection, bar code presence detection and bar code symbol reading. In the illustrative embodiment, the long-range mode is automatically selected when the hand-supportable bar code reading device is placed within the scanner support stand during the automatic hands-free mode of operation.

Abstract: A filing system is provided for locating a particular file contained in a file holder which contains a plurality of files. The apparatus includes a machine-readable code mounted on each of the files, a guide attached to each file holder, a scanner for reading the codes on the files in a file holder, and an indicator for indicating when the particular machine-readable code corresponding to the particular file is located. The apparatus uses an improved bar code in which character boundaries are eliminated and the number of ONE's and ZERO's in a code are variable, resulting in increased data density. The unique numeric values which result from the improved bar code sparsely populate the possible range of values, and therefore a mapping algorithm is provided to map the bar code values to a sequential numeric system for ease of use.