Abstract: A credit card security device which prevents credit card and bank card fraud. The device includes a case with an access door secured by a lock for storing the cards and a detection member within the case for determining an entry into the case when the door is locked. The detection member operates an electromagnet within the case upon the entry. The electromagnet scrambles the code within each credit card's magnetic strip and thereby invalidates the credit cards for future use. The detection member comprises a normally open electrical circuit when the door is closed and locked and includes switches for providing a current flow to the invalidating electromagnet upon the entry. At least one such switch is a normally open pressure switch mounted in wall of the case which closes when the entry to the case is through the wall, thereby providing the current flow to the electromagnet.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes photosensitive arrays for decoding optically readable portable data files. The invention accomplishes focusing, controlling image exposure, capturing data files, and processing information contained within optically readable portable data files.

Abstract: In a bar code reader, a field of view which includes a symbol to be read is imaged upon a light-responsive array such as a CCD imager device. The output of this array is transferred to a memory array to provide a bit-mapped type of binary representation of the image including the symbol. The memory is scanned (instead of the field of view itself being mechanically scanned) to recognize and decode the symbol. Because the angular orientation of the symbol is variable, this binary representation may be interpreted to determine how the memory array is to be scanned to recognize the bar code symbol. For example, the distinctive patterns of characters used in bar codes may be found by scanning the memory and the relative positions of these patterns interpreted to determine the position, size and shape of the symbol in the memory, thereby defining at what angular displacement the memory array need be addressed to traverse the rows of the bar code symbol.

Abstract: An optical scanning module has a metal base, a first circuit board mounted across one end of the metal base and a second circuit board mounted orthogonal to the first circuit board. The metal base supports a light emitter for producing a scanning beam and serves as a heat sink for the emitter. A flexible support attached to the metal base supports a mirror for oscillating motion. The module includes a drive mechanism, typically in the form of a permanent magnet and electromagnet, for producing reciprocal motion of the mirror. A detector included in the module senses light reflected from an indicia scanned by the beam. A flexible electrical cable connects the circuitry on the first and second circuit boards so that circuitry operates together to produce all signals necessary for operation of the scanner module and to process the electrical signals from the detector. Preferred embodiments include a flexible support consisting of a planar spring located between the mirror and one of the magnets.

Abstract: A hand held body for receiving, storing and transmitting information having a keyboard in the top thereof for manually entering information therein. A display is disposed on the top of such body for displaying information which has either been manually entered or scanned in or received from a base radio transceiver. A radio frequency transceiver is also disposed in the hand held body for receiving and transmitting information between the hand held body and the base radio transceiver. A scanner is provided for optically reading information and transmitting such information. A modular housing is provided for holding the scanner and a mechanism is provided for selectively attaching or detaching the housing to a bottom portion of the hand held body whereby the external portions of hand held body in the housing when attached together are small enough to be received in a shirt pocket, whereby the user can store the apparatus in such shirt pocket when not in use.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts the laser diode and optical element components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement relative to a stationary photodetector component to effect scanning.

Abstract: In a system for electro-optically reading coded indicia, such as bar code symbols, a light sensor in a scanning head generates higher amplitude electrical signals for symbols closer to the head, and lower amplitude electrical signals for symbols further from the head. To decrease this amplitude variation, and thereby increase the depth of the field of the system, various optical elements such as a lens, a louver, a filter and a shade, are proposed.

Abstract: The present invention provides machine and human readable information for a data cartridge or other item to be stored. In one embodiment, a label, on which human readable information is printed or similarly marked, is applied to cover an indicator area of the cartridge. The indicator area of the cartridge has recesses formed therein; corresponding positions on the indicator area of the label overlay the recesses and be either open or closed. An open position allows a mechanical, spring-loaded finger on a data drive to engage the exposed recess and activate or deactivate a connected switch. Information, matching the printed human readable information, can thus be encoded in the label and machine read by the data drive.

Abstract: A barcode scanner, which is particularly suitable for reading barcode information from surfaces having various reflective properties, includes a light intensity control for the light source of the barcode scanner. The light intensity control preferably comprises a means for ramping voltage and a summing circuit which allows the current flowing through the light source to be controlled. In addition, the light intensity control utilizes a clocking means which controls the rate of voltage ramping.

Abstract: A circuit for digitizing an analog signal generated from a photoelectric conversion of reflected light when scanning indicia having spatially-separated, light-reflective portions bounded by edges includes a differentiator for differentiating the analog signal to generate a first derivative signal of the analog signal. An inverter inverts the first derivative signal to generate an inverted signal and a peak detector detects amplitude peaks of the first derivative signal and the inverted signal and generates a first peak signal corresponding to the first derivative signal and a second peak signal corresponding to the inverted signal. An adder sums the first peak signal and the first derivative signal to generate a first sum signal. The adder also sums the second peak signal and the inverted signal to generate a second sum signal.

Abstract: A louver is mounted adjacent a sensor in a housing of a laser scanning head of a system for electro-optically reading bar code symbols. The louver includes a plurality of mutually parallel, permanently-open slots. The slats are inclined to allow more light from far-out symbols to reach the sensor as compared to close-in symbols.

Abstract: A system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, includes a light emitter and optical detector supported by a ring to be worn on a finger of a user. The light emitter generates a scanning light beam which scans the indicia and produces reflected light of variable intensity reflected from the indicia. The optical detector detects the reflected light and produces an electrical signal indicative of the reflected light intensity. The ring is worn in a position such that a light beam emitted by the light emitter is directed away from the user.

Abstract: A hand-held optically readable information set reader having one or more photosensor arrays, at least one information set illuminator, and an information set image transfer system for projecting a readable image of an information set onto the one or more photosensor arrays.

Abstract: A processing system for processing information in a card having a plurality of functions, comprising a reading unit for reading information stored in a card therefrom, a plurality of processing units, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of functions of the card, for processing the information read out by the reading unit in accordance with the respective functions, and an interlocking processing unit for interlocking at least two processing units which are included in the plurality of processing units when a card having a plurality of functions is supplied to the processing system.

Abstract: A system for scanning a symbol that has a plurality of modes including a learning mode and an adaptive mode. When the scanner is in a learning mode, a plurality of scans are generated using a plurality of sets of operating parameters. A decoder decodes the plurality of scans generated by the scanner. A data collector collects readability data indicating whether the generated scan decodes successfully or unsuccessfully for each of the sets of operating parameters. A processor determines whether the readability data is acceptable for each of the sets of operating parameters. An optimal set of operating parameters is selected from the acceptable sets of operating parameters. The optimal set of operating parameters is stored along with data identifying the symbol so that the optimal set of operating parameters may be recalled for use in scanning symbols of a similar type or in a similar environment.

Abstract: A hologram code reading system wherein the reconstruction light of a light source illuminates the recorded area of a hologram that contains codified data recorded as image data, and a code reading sensor is arranged at the reconstruction position of the hologram reconstruction image played back by the reconstruction light from the light source, and a control means is provided for obtaining codified data from the hologram reconstruction image readout by the code reading sensor.

Abstract: An optical system and method for data reading having a light source which generates an optical beam directed toward an object to be read and a focusing system in the outgoing light path which establishes multiple beam functions. In a preferred application, a scanning system includes a multifocal lens having a single lens element having an inner lens portion of a first focal length and an outer annular lens portion with a second focal length, the optical system of a bar code scanner therefore establishing two separate focal positions from a single light source. Alternately, the system includes a focusing lens system with an corrector element disposed in the outgoing optical path, the corrector element having a plurality of optical zones, each zone having a different optical characteristic for modifying a portion of the outgoing optical beam. A zone may be a refractive region, a reflective region, a diffractive region, an empty region, a window region, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An interface selection and configuration system for a computer peripheral in which configuration for the peripheral and/or the host interface is at least in part accomplished by the interface connector cable. In a preferred embodiment, the computer peripheral is equipped with one or more hardware interfaces. The interface connector cable has a first end connector for attaching to the computer peripheral. The first end connector of the interface connector cable is typically a multiple pin connector constructed and arranged to be properly physically and electrically connectable only to a specific computer peripheral or class of computer peripherals, the first end connector including at least one electrical connection between two pins for completing a circuit within the computer peripheral thereby enabling the computer peripheral.

Abstract: Cash transaction machine and method for receiving and/or dispensing money by user's manipulation to transact the money comprise a bill receptacle, a bill dispense port, a bill storage and a transport unit for transporting the bill between the receptacle and/or the dispense port, a disinfection unit, and the storage. The bills received and/or to be dispensed are disinfected by the disinfection unit arranged in the transport unit by heating the bills by a heated roller, irradiating the bills by an ultraviolet ray from an ultraviolet ray lamp or applying disinfecting liquid to the bills. Alternatively, the bills are disinfected by a disinfection unit arranged in the storage by heating the bills by a heater or irradiating an electromagnetic wave to the bills.

Abstract: A multi-applications portable card that can be plugged in notably into a reader of a personal computer comprises a first connector designed for a connection with the reader and positioned on the periphery of a pack. The portable card comprises, firstly, a mobile rack positioned on an edge of the card that gets fitted into a cavity of the pack, the mobile rack further including a housing provided with a bottom and designed to receive a chip borne by a token and, secondly, a second connector electronically linked to the first connector. The disclosed device can be applied in particular to PCMCIA cards.