Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding profiles which fail to resolve narrow elements in machine-readable symbols formed as relief patterns, first begins by identifying which elements in the profile are resolved. Second, the distances between the centers of the resolved elements are determined. Third, closure boundaries are determined, and the widths of resolved elements are determined at the closure boundary. The type of resolved element is determined based on its measured width. Thereafter, a unit distance is determined for 1-wide narrow elements unresolved in the profile. Based on the unit distance and the width of two adjacent resolved elements, a matrix is constructed for determining the number of narrow elements unresolved between two resolved elements. Based on the measured center distances, the resolved element widths and the matrix, all of the unresolved narrow elements are identified in the profile and the profile is subsequently decoded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for receiving a chip card, especially a SIM card, into a hand telephone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic transaction security system for executing an electronic transaction between a transaction or having an individualized transaction identification code and a transactionee. A transaction initiation request is inputted into a transactionor computer associated with the transactionor. The transaction initiation request requests the electronic transaction and includes the transaction identification code. The transaction request is transmitted electronically from the transactionor computer to a transactionee computer associated with the transactionee. In response thereto, the transactionee computer transmits electronically a verification request requesting validation of the transaction initiation request to the transactionor computer. The transactionor computer receives the verification request and transmits electronically a verification response indicating one of a valid transaction and an invalid transaction to the transactionee computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking inventory for goods having a variety of styles and characteristics, and which have a variety of possible shipping destinations. The apparatus of the invention includes a multi-part label that is attachable to each of the goods and has a removable portion that can be detached from the original label and reapplied to a shipping carton for a collection of goods. The method of the invention includes utilizing information from indicia applied to each of the goods in conjunction with an inventory distribution system and shipping cartons to keep track of the location of all goods at any time between sorting the goods for shipping and packing the goods for shipment, without requiring any manual steps, such as scanning, during sorting and packing of the goods.

Abstract: A capsule, which is resistant to stomach acids, is shaped like a medical pill, and can be orally taken in the same manner. This capsule includes a pair of plastic shells surrounding a circuit board, and, in an alternative embodiment, a microprocessor. The circuit board includes memory circuits for storing personal identification data, which is made available when needed, but which cannot be changed without a code number or word. A battery, an antenna for wireless access, and a metal disk supporting the location of the capsule with metal detectors may be added. A device with such additional features can also be used to identify luggage, to be transported on commercial airliners, as belonging to the holder of the ticket and/or boarding card.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser-credit card reader control system for controlling the fuel dispensing process and accepting payment for the fuel dispensed through a card reader is disclosed. The dispenser controller has a microprocessor with read-only-memory for storing operating routines and command code and read-and-write-memory for storing responses. Configuration circuits translate the communication language of the dispenser controller into a communication protocol readable by the dispensers such that the dispensing process of various dispenser brands can be controlled and payment for the fuel accepted. A feature of the disclosure is that the controller includes a command for transmitting an encrypted PIN number data block from the card reader to a site controller without analyzing the data, manipulating the data, or permanently storing the data.

Abstract: A magnetic display erasing apparatus is provided wherein the distance by which an erasing head is moved when an unerasing operation is to be performed can be made as short as possible, thereby allowing the apparatus to be miniaturized and various designs obtained. A magnetic stripe an a magnetic display sheet are formed on a magnetic card. An erasing head is disposed on the side of the back face of the magnetic card which is conveyed. During an erasing operation, a magnetic field which is substantially parallel is formed at the position where the magnetic display sheet passes. When the magnetic display sheet is not to be erased, the erasing head is retracted from a card conveying path and then housed in a magnetic shield so as to be hermetically sealed. Accordingly, the magnetic field from the erasing head is weakened and cannot reach the magnetic display sheet.

Abstract: A chip card, such as a financial transaction card, having first identifying data written in a read-only memory portion of circuitry contained in the card, wherein second and third identifying data are respectively coded in a machine readable optically variable device (e.g., a hologram) and a magnetic stripe on the card. The authenticity of the card is verified by combining these different identifying data; for example, the second and third identifying data may be combined to produce an algorithm which is compared with the first identifying data for authentication of the card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking inventory for goods having a variety of styles and characteristics, and which have a variety of possible shipping destinations. The apparatus of the invention includes a multi-part label that is attachable to each of the goods and has a removable portion that can be detached from the original label and reapplied to a shipping carton for a collection of goods. The method of the invention includes utilizing information from indicia applied to each of the goods in conjunction with an inventory distribution system and shipping cartons to keep track of the location of all goods at any time between sorting the goods for shipping and packing the goods for shipment, without requiring any manual steps, such as scanning, during sorting and packing of the goods.

Abstract: A computer implemented gambling chip recognition system having the ability to capture an image of a stack of gambling chips and automatically processing the image to determine the number of chips within the stack and the value of each. The system processor determines the classification for each chip in a stack by way of processing performed in real time on the image of the stack of gambling chips. The system further includes the ability to communicate the information derived from the stack of gambling chips to a video monitor and the ability to communicate the information to a main database where information is being compiled and stored about an individual gambler.

Abstract: The portable type electronic apparatus of the present invention is provided with an apparatus body having an apparatus side connection contact, a card holder, having guide channels for guiding an IC card to a specified position. One end side is freely rotatably attached to the apparatus body via an axis, for retaining an IC card by causing a card side connection contact to come into contact with the apparatus side connection contact, and a stopper, having edges respectively provided at the apparatus body and the card holder, for unfolding a wall between the card holder and the apparatus body accompanying rotation of the card holder.

Abstract: A demodulated data storage buffer stores bar width data sets obtained during one scan with laser beams L through a scan optical system. A CPU sequentially demodulates these bar width data sets and stores the demodulated data storage buffer with the bar width data sets as a series of demodulated data strings. The CPU compares respective items of demodulated data with each other that are included in the demodulated data string and preferentially treats, as effective data, the demodulated data based on "continuous reading" and the "block reading". The CPU conceives as noise data the demodulated data logically impossible from a mutual relationship between these items of demodulated data and deletes the same demodulated data.

Abstract: A low profile optical unit for use in a 2D bar code reader. A vertically disposed light redirecting panel having contoured reflective openings therein is mounted in the front of the unit and an LED behind the panel. Light emitting diodes for illuminating a target are mounted on the LED board behind the contour openings whereby direct light and reflected light illuminates a target. An imager housing is mounted on the back of the LED board and contains a recess that passes through the back of the housing and a lens barrel that extends forward through holes provided in the LED board and the light redirecting panel. An imager board is secured to the back of the housing which holds a 2D imager that is contained within the housing recess. Circuitry for generating image data signals is mounted on the back of the imager board. A lens holder is threadably mounted in the lens barrel which contains a lens system having a short back focal length for focusing a target image on the imager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and decoding machine-readable symbols is provided. In a preferred embodiment, an image of the symbol is stored and a sampling path through the stored image is selected. The sampling path represents a reflectance signal profile formed through the symbol. Characteristic or critical points are selected along the profile, including minimum and maximum points of peaks and valleys in the profile. Distances between the centers of peaks and valleys are determined. The present invention locates a defined portion of the symbol, such as a finder pattern, by locating a predetermined series of measured distances, such as a series of adjacent, substantially equal distances. After having located the finder pattern, the present invention determines the location of the symbol within the stored image, and thereafter decodes the symbol.

Abstract: A credit card system has a card having at least identification information and management information recorded thereon, a first system for determining whether a credit card can be used or not, and a second system for determining whether the credit card can be used or not. The first system has a communication device for communicating with the second system, a card reader for reading the identification information and the management information recorded on the credit card, and a system processor for determining whether the credit card can be used or not, and judging whether usability of the credit card is to be determined by the first system or the second system based on the management information recorded on the credit card.

Abstract: An IC card issuing apparatus has a feeding mechanism which feed an IC card supplied form a card supply device along a feeding path. A head body of a head unit has an abutting portion and contact pins. When an IC card is fed along the feeding path, the leading end of the IC card abuts against the abutting portion of the head body and pushes it. By being pushed by the IC card, the head body moves from a standby position to a discharge position through a connect position. In the standby position and discharge position, the contact pins are spaced apart from connect terminals of the IC card, and in the connect position, the contact pins bring into contact with the connect terminals of the IC card.

Abstract: A code discriminating system checks the correspondence between a key code and each of a plurality of registered codes in a short time. The code discriminating system receives the key code from a transponder provided in a key so that the key code is compared with the registered codes. A priority is provided to one of the registered codes so that the key code is compared with the one of the registered codes first. Thus, the registered code having the priority is compared with the key code first. The registered code to be provided with the priority is selected so that the selected registered code corresponds to the key code provided to the most frequently used key. Thus, a time period spent on the determination process is reduced for the most frequently used key.

Abstract: A smart card device (10) including a portable housing (11) with a viewing aperture (25) and a virtual image display (30) positioned to provide an image at the aperture (25) of information contained on a smart card (13) as well as transactions processed in response to data transmitted by a transceiver (17) between a host database (96) and the smart card device (10). A sensor (15) in the housing (11) constructed to have the smart card (13) with data stored thereon positioned adjacent thereto in data sensing juxtaposition and electronics (16) mounted in the housing (11) and connected to the sensor (15) for processing data between the host database (96) and the smart card device (10), the electronics (16) further connected to the sensing structure (15) for reading and writing data thereto, the communications transceiver (17) for transmitting and receiving data between the smart card device (10) and the host database (96), and the virtual image display (30) for supplying image data.

Abstract: A wafer cassette for storing, transporting and processing a plurality of wafers has a versatile adapter for removably receiving and attaching a transponder device to any convenient, predetermined surface location on the wafer cassette. The apparatus including the versatile adapter allows the wafer cassette to be used with a wide variety of processing equipment and fixtures without modification or customization, in contrast to similar apparatus known in the art.

Abstract: A system for reading package information includes an imaging system and a label decoding system. The imaging system captures an image of a package surface that includes a machine readable code such as a bar code and an alphanumeric destination address. The label decoding system locates and decodes the machine readable code and uses OCR techniques to read the destination address. The destination address is validated by comparing the decoded address to a database of valid addresses. If the decoded address is invalid, an image of the destination address is displayed on a workstation and an operator enters the correct address. The system forms a unified package record by combining the decoded bar code data and the correct destination address data. The unified package record is used for subsequently sorting and tracking the package and is stored in a database and applied to a label that is affixed to the package.