Abstract: The system comprises a parking terminal (20) having an electronic memory and a card reader (26), a portable terminal (22) carried by a parking checker, a card (10) having a magnetic track containing a confidential identification number, and a label (14), for sticking to the windshield of a vehicle, with said label bearing information (16) which is unambiguously related to the information stored in the card.

Abstract: A method of vending a containerized product using multiple fillings of the same container. The method includes the steps of placing machine-readable indicia on the container indicative of the price charged for both the container and the product contained therein, and at the time of placement of said indicia, or subsequently to such placement, including at a location adjacent said indicia, a stimulus-responsive machine-readable indicator capable of responding to a stimulus to undergo a change of state which is readable, conjunctively with said indicia, by a machine, to indicate a price to be charged solely for the product in the refilled container.

Abstract: System for controlling the supply of utility services, such as electricity, gas, water, and oil, and other services, such as telephone, cable television, and the like to a consumer. The system includes one or more service supply control units for controlling the supply of the service to a consumer location over a predetermined time period. A timing device is connected to the supply control unit for setting the time period over which the supply control units supply the service to the consumer. A deactuating device is connected to the supply control units for effecting termination of the supply of the service upon expiry of the predetermined time period. An actuator card is provided for actuating the supply control units.

Abstract: In an automatic depositing/dispensing apparatus, a plurality of note storage sections is provided in a housing. Each of the note storage sections stores deposited notes of a denomination and includes a cash box into which notes are collected in one direction, collection/takeout device disposed at one end portion of the cash box, whereby the deposited notes from a note inlet are led and collected into the cash box, and the notes collected in the cash box are taken out and delivered to a note outlet, and a partitioning mechanism capable of selectively assuming a first posture to engage both side edges of the notes stored in the cash box, or a second posture removed from the side edges, and movable between a first position inside the cash box and a second position adjacent to collection/takeout device, so that a temporary storage space is defined between the collection/takeout device and the partitioning mechanism in the first posture and in the first position.