Abstract: A bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, an earphone jack and a battery are integrated into a pen sized device. The bar code reader is used to scan the product identification code or music packaging. The product code is sent to a central computer or a music store where one or more stored digital samples of the music reside in a database. One or more music samples are retrieved and sent to the pen sized device where the sample is converted to audio signals for listening by a user over the earphone jack.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes a window and a rotary spinner mounted therebelow having a plurality of circumferentially adjoining mirrored facets for sweeping light along a scanned arc. A light source projects a scan beam on the spinner, and a plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc in a forward path for diverting the scan beam outwardly through the window to a bar code for effecting a scattered beam therefrom. A collection mirror is optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc for receiving the scattered beam in a return path from the pattern mirrors and spinner in turn. A detector is optically aligned with the collection mirror for receiving the scattered beam, and a decoder is provided for decoding the scattered beam.

Abstract: A symbology reader employing an area detector and LEDs mounted at various angular orientations on a printed circuit board for illuminating a target object in an object plane. Each of the LEDs is oriented according to a desired beam vector to illuminate a particular area of the object plane so that the sum of the beams produces a desired illumination pattern. In one embodiment, the illumination pattern is selected to be inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the area detector to provide an even response over an entire image area. The individual LEDs are angularly aligned by an alignment board having an alignment aperture for each LED. The LEDs are mounted onto the printed circuit board with their body portions spaced apart from the board and supported by semi-rigid wire leads soldered to the board. Each of the alignment holes of the alignment board is laterally offset slightly from the mounting position of the LED.

Abstract: A data symbol reading device is provided with a white light source, a single-color LED light source, and mode selection switches. The reading device is controlled to have a symbol reading mode, a color image scanning mode, and a monochrome image scanning mode based on the position of the selection switches. The reading device transmits data as appropriate to a host computer. Alternatively, the symbol reading device is provided with red, green, and blue single-color light sources, and has the same modes. Further, the symbol reading device may be provided with a three or four color filter wheel and a white light source to generate the color and monochrome images.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.

Abstract: A chip card reading device for chip cards and/or SIM cards having different thicknesses is provided, comprising a frame, a receptacle within said frame, contact elements, first spring means for providing a contacting force of said contacting elements against contact pads on a chip card when said chip card is inserted, and second spring means for pressing said chip card against a bearing surface of said chip card reading device wherein said second spring means provide a spring force in excess of the contacting force provided by said first spring means.

Abstract: In a commercial transaction system, a magnetic stripe data card is used to interact with a point of sale (POS) terminal, equipped with a card reader/writer device, a computer system, and a display device, and an input means for entering cost information, to conduct coinless transactions with cash or paper bill currency. The POS terminal is capable of processing data which includes comparing the fractional transaction cost of the goods and/or services to be purchased with an existing balance of change stored on the magnetic stripe data card, and updating the balance of change at the end of the transaction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the balance of change associated with the card does not cover the fractional dollar cost of the transaction, the system provides a change renewal algorithm which automatically increases the balance on the card by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the transaction and the next highest whole dollar amount.

Abstract: A portable barcode printer includes a circuit coupled between a main battery and a read/write memory of the printer to provide power to the memory from the main battery with a minimal voltage drop across the circuit. The circuit is also coupled between the main battery and a backup battery to prevent leakage current from the backup battery from flowing through the circuit. The circuit in includes a P-channel field effect transistor having a drain coupled to the main battery and a source coupled to the read/write memory. A N-channel field effect transistor having a source connected to ground has its drain connected to the gate of the P-channel field effect transistor so that when the N-channel field effect transistor is turned, on the P-channel field effect transistor is turned on and driven to saturation to allow a positive current flow from the drain to the source of the P-channel field effect transistor.

Abstract: An optical funnel evenly distributes light from an array of LEDs to a bar code. A support member with a central aperture holds the LEDs. A shroud with an angled reflective interior surface spreads the light from the LEDs to the bar code. The funnel also optically isolates the LEDs from the photodector in the scanner.

Abstract: An electronic sign which includes a number of two-dimensional (2-D) bar code readers which read a two-dimensional bar code label on a back side of a corresponding number of item description cards. The two-dimensional bar code labels are situated adjacent the two-dimensional bar code readers when the item description cards are installed. Each two-dimensional bar code label contains price data for the item associated with the item listed on the item description card. The two-dimensional bar code label may additionally contain promotional data. Each two-dimensional bar code reader is activated by a switch only when necessary to read the two-dimensional bar code label. The switch is preferably activated manually.

Abstract: A method of displaying a government program message by an electronic price label which uses a government program indicator. The government program message is stored with the government program indicator in a first location. The government program indicator is stored in a second location. A control message addressed to the EPL is created by reading the government program indicator for the EPL from the second location and reading the government program message from the first location. The control message to the EPL is transmitted. The control message is received by the EPL. Finally, the government program message is displayed by the EPL. The first location may be a price look-up (PLU) file and/or an EPL data file.

Abstract: A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label which uses a product restriction indicator. The product restriction message is stored with the product restriction indicator in a first location. The product restriction indicator is stored in a second location. A control message addressed to the EPL is created by reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the second location and reading the product restriction message from the first location. The control message to the EPL is transmitted. The control message is received by the EPL. Finally, the product restriction message is displayed by the EPL. The first location may be a price look-up (PLU) file and/or an EPL data file.

Abstract: A ticket processing apparatus for reusable tickets, having a thermal print portion capable of repeatedly printing by heating at a predetermined write temperature and deleting the printed characters and the like by heating at a deletion temperature, and also capable of setting information about the number of printing times, wherein a control unit 23 causes a magnetic read head 10 to read reservation information and information about the number of printing done from a magnetic recording stripe 1b of a reservation airline ticket 1, and also causes a thermal head 8 to heat a thermal print portion 1a of the reservation airline ticket 1 at a deletion temperature to delete printed reservation information of the thermal print portion 1a, and when the number of times printing done of the reservation airline ticket 1 is less than a preset value, causes the thermal head 8 to print real-ticket information on the thermal print portion 1a and also causes information about the number of printing done added with "1" to be wr

Abstract: This invention relates to a transaction processing system including a host computer (1), a transaction device (2), a first customer card (3) and a second customer card (4). The first card (3) and the second card (4) directly transfer information representing monetary values between them on the basis of signals verifying a transaction processing received from the host computer (1) through the transaction device (2). When the information representing the monetary values are exchanged between the first card (3) and the second card (4), the host computer (1) updates the balance of the account stored in the host computer (1).

Abstract: In a non-contact type IC card having an electric part composed of a substrate and an IC chip attached to the substrate, the electric part is disposed outside a loop of an antenna coil. A reinforcing plate is provided on the substrate at the side of an attachment surface of the IC chip so as to surround an outer circumference edge of the IC chip. The non-contact type IC card is produced by filling a semisolid fixing resin into a resin hole formed of a resin film and a spacer having a hole wider than an outer area of the card and thicker than the electric part; embedding the electric part and the antenna coil in the fixing resin to temporarily fixing them; curing the fixing resin while a film is press-contacted with at least one surface of the fixing resin; and drilling a part of the fixing resin and the film at the same time.

Abstract: A display device displays information. An input device inputs information about a transaction. An operation unit includes a selection requesting unit and a selection processor. The selection requesting unit requests a user to input information in an alternative style via the display device. The selection processor performs a predetermined process based on information, selectively input by the user through the display device and a selection input unit of the input device, and the internal state. A transaction processor performs a transactional process based on the transactional operation of the operation unit. The transaction processor communicates with a host system in a center to accomplish a transaction.

Abstract: A moving vehicle specification system having an auxiliary specification function. If a vehicle could not be specified by a local controller, the license plate number is decoded from a license plate image in a method where a number database is referenced according to grouped information and number information is retrieved. Auxiliary specification of the vehicle is performed through a comparison between the searched result and the decoded result. This prevents any impairment in the real-time performance of the processing based on local controller and permits more accurate vehicle specification.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid 4 of a holding type is used to drive a discharge-deterring member 3, the discharge-deterring member 3 is fixed by the electromagnetic solenoid 4 before insertion of an IC card 40, but in a state after a card detector 7 detects the insertion of the IC card 40, the electromagnetic solenoid 4 allows the discharge-deterring member 3 to operate, so that a card discharging member 2 is deterred from operating.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) which uses a two-part overlay arrangement to avoid stacking of permanent adhesive overlays. The EPL includes a housing having a front surface containing an aperture exposing the electronic display. A first record member is substantially permanently attached to the front surface of the electronic display. The first record member contains information that is substantially permanent, and includes legends for the electronic display. A second record member is removably attached to the first record member. The second record member contains product information that is likely to change.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a plurality of states, and including a detection mechanism for detecting an external light and outputting a detection signal indicative of an intensity of the external light, a transition mechanism for making a state transition from a first state to a second state which is different from the first state and vice versa depending on the detection signal, and a varying mechanism for varying a light detection sensitivity of the detection mechanism depending on the detection signal when the state transition is made by the transition mechanism.