Abstract: A magnetic cassette recorder is disclosed which has a microprocessor having stored therein a standard recording level. Inputting a signal representative of an actual amount of attenuation being offered by a level control rheostat to the input record signal, and a signal representative of the amplitude of the record signal that has traveled through the rheostat, the microprocessor computes the actual amplitude of the record signal before being attenuated by the rheostat. When the thus computed amplitude of the input record signal exceeds the stored standard amplitude, the microprocessor puts out a control signal for adjusting the rheostat to the standard amplitude. The standard recording level stored in the microprocessor is manually variable by switches to the liking of the particular user.

Abstract: A scanner constructed so that it includes a built-in stand which allows it to sit generally upright on a table when not held in the hand. The scanner can be programmed to automatically scan labels without needing to actuate the trigger, so that when it is set on the table in its "standing" position it can act as a "hands free" scanner. The scanner also includes aiming markings to make it easier for the user to intuitively aim the scanner at bar codes.

Abstract: A bar code scanner employs a digitizer for the signal produced by a photodetector in response to light reflected from a bar code symbol. The digitizer uses a first derivative of the signal to detect peaks, and determines the amount of movement of the signal after each peak to see if a threshold amount of movement has occurred. A second derivative of the signal is used to detect inflection points, and when one occurs after the threshold amount of movement following a peak, a valid transition of the signal is signalled. These valid transitions are decoded to recover the bar code pattern. The threshold used is adjustable to optimize the digitizing for different types of bar code symbols and other conditions, or to provide a squelch function. Dynamic control of the threshold provides a varying response to the scanned bar code symbol. Zero-crossing detectors used with the first and second derivative circuits may also have variable thresholds.

Abstract: An information storage medium apparatus is provided which comprises one or two reproduction-only optical disc(s) incorporated in a cartridge. The cartridge can be applied to a conventional information recording and reproducing apparatus without any additional operation.

Abstract: An Electronic Check Presentment System provides a bank with a fully automated capability for participating in the electronic exchange of check data. It allows banks that utilize the system to take MICR data that has been obtained through check capture methods, selectively extract particular check records and place them in the form of electronic cash letters, transfer the electronic cash letters to selected banks, receive electronic cash letters from other banks, reconcile the electronic cash letters against the paper cash letters when they arrive, and input the electronic MICR data into a database responsible for maintaining check records.

Abstract: A vehicle disk player is disclosed in which a disk is inserted through a disk inserting opening, the disk is fixedly mounted on a turn table by a clamper arm when conveyed to a predetermined position in the player, the turn table is rotated for reproduction of data recorded in the disk, and reproducing means including the clamper arm and turn table are supported in a floating manner. The player is provided with a centering mechanism for positioning said disk at the middle of the disk inserting opening with centering pins. The centering pins are arranged out of the range of vibration of the disk which is fixedly mounted on said turn table supported in a floating manner.

Abstract: A token for use, for example, in the gaming, vending, toll collection and amusement industries, has identifying indicia for automated discrimination of a token identification such as the issuing entity, denomination or the like. The token has a body, substantially shaped as a flat disk having opposite surfaces, with code marks impressed or minted directly into the token face surfaces on one or both opposite sides. The identification marks include surface variations aligned at least partly at an angle relative to a plane of the token surface, the marks being detectable as reflective or non-reflective variations, for example by an optical detector or by an optical emitter-detector pair. The identification marks can be annular rings or transverse variations elongated in a direction extending from a center to an edge of the token, which token preferably is round.

Abstract: A television display apparatus is disclosed for forming a small image area in accord with the television signal of a standard system within one portion of the region of a large image area on the screen in accord with the television signal of an HDTV system. The apparatus displays a picture in the small image area within the large area by locally substituting for a first signal to display on the screen a composite picture having a picture of a second signal nested in the picture of the first signal. The apparatus uses three field memories each having a video signal of the second television signal written therein with the cycle. Field detecting apparatus determines whether the video signal in each television signal is a signal form the first field or the second field. The field memory that is not being currently written and has a field which is identical to that of the video signal included in the first television signal being currently scanned is selected for the composite picture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving immunity to channel distortions of multiplexed analog component television signals by independently transmitting a clock recovery burst and a DC restoration reference level during the horizontal blanking interval of a video line. More particularly, the clock recovery burst and the DC restoration reference level are transmitted on independent lines. The integrity of the television receiver's system is not compromised if the clock recovery burst is not transmitted on every line. Accordingly, the problems inherent in the prior art are avoided by independently transmitting the clock recovery burst and the DC restoration reference level on separate lines during a portion of the horizontal blanking interval of the respective lines. The clock recovery burst and the DC restoration reference level could be transmitted on alternate lines or the clock recovery burst could be sent every Nth line with the DC restoration reference level transmitted on lines therebetween.

Abstract: A method for recovering lost or unavailable images in an image based document processing system. Images of documents having an ordered relationship are captured and stored while the documents are sorted by a document processor into respective pockets based on data read from the documents during sorting. If images are lost or unavailable after sorting, it would be very time consuming to collect the corresponding documents from the pockets and arrange them back into their original order for a re-pass by the document processor. This problem is solved by re-passing the documents without reordering, while using previously recorded document identification and sequence data derived during the first pass on the document processor, to electronically reestablish the original ordered relationship for the document images captured on re-pass when they are stored.

Abstract: A method of performing high-speed positioning of a light beam onto a desired track of a recording medium, such as an optical card, which has an ID portion formed on only one end portion of each of a plurality of parallel tracks. As seen in FIG. 1B, the ID portion 14 is formed by sequentially arranging an ID mark 21 representing the start of the ID portion 14 in a forward read operation, a PLL pull-in region 22 as a data separator in a forward read operation, a sync signal 23 representing the start of track information in a forward read operation, track (address) information 24, a sync signal 25 representing the start of track information in a reverse read operation, a PLL pull-in region 26 as a data separator in a reverse read operation, and an ID mark 27 representing the start of the ID portion 14 in a reverse read operation. The data information recorded on the data portion 15 is to be read either in the forward direction or in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A disk drive device is disclosed including a supporting mechanism for supporting a plurality of magnetic disks, a single motor, and a transmitting mechanism. The supporting mechanism comprises a plurality of bearing mechanisms, each of which rotatably supports each of the magnetic disks, respectively. Each bearing mechanisms is formed as a tube, and a rotatable shaft is connected to each disk and rotatably supported in each tubular bearing mechanism. The rotatable shaft is provided with grooves which generate a pumping effect when a fluid is passed therethrough, whereby the rotatable shaft is supported in the tubular bearing mechanism without friction therebetween. The transmitting mechanism comprises an endless belt for transmitting a rotation of the motor to the supporting mechanism.

Abstract: A reproducing optical device for a magneto-optical recording medium related to the present invention having light sources that emit linearly polarized lights towards a magneto-optical recording medium, polarization directions of the linearly polarized lights being mutually orthogonal. A quarter wavelength plate disposed between the recording medium and the light sources converts each of the linearly polarized lights into right and left circularly polarized lights respectively. Corresponding to recorded information, the recording medium has magnetized sections that are magnetized in a perpendicularly upward and downward direction with respect to a medium surface. Moreover, the recording medium displays the property of circular dichroism.

Abstract: An automatic teller machine according to this invention is equipped with a receiving/dispensing unit in a customer panel of a main body of the machine. The receiving/dispensing unit has a rotary body, which defines a gear, and an openable shutter. One ends of bill guides provided in the rotary body serve as a receiving opening through which bills can be received together. The rotary body is also provided with a unit for separating and feeding one by one the bills so received and also with a feed-in opening for feeding the thus-separated bills into the main body. A drive unit is provided to rotate the rotary body via the gear, whereby the bill guides are stopped at a receiving/dispensing position to perform a receiving/dispensing procedure.

Abstract: A unitary hand-held bar code scanner and reader produces an elliptical beam, oriented with its major axis along the direction of the bars, utilizing optics employing far field diffraction effects to shape the beam and maintain its elliptical aspect (length to width ratio) constant over a distance in front of the scanner were bar codes may be located. The optics eliminates parallax even though the photodetector and light source (preferably a laser diode) are located offset from each other on a board on which the optics are mounted. A housing assembly has channels which mount the board therein without shock absorbing devices. A digital microcomputer controller and peripheral devices regulate the optical power output from the laser diode and prevents catastrophic failure, if the electrical current through the laser diode exceeds safe limits.

Abstract: A price display system for a store includes spread spectrum radio broadcasting of UPC and price data from a transmitter in the store to a large number of receivers. Each receiver is connected to one or more LCD displays attached to the store shelves, and each receiver provides the relevant information to each of the connected displays. The displays and receivers are battery powered.

Abstract: In a non-contact IC card based on an electromagnetic induction system, N small thin-film coils formed by thin-film technology are arranged to perform N-bit parallel data transfer at an increased data transfer rate. Each thin-film coil may be constructed with a pot core to solve a problem relating to errors in positioning the card relative to a terminal unit and thereby improving the reliability of data transfer. Shielding walls may be provided between the adjacent thin-film coils to prevent interference therebetween. The N thin-film coils are integrally formed as a thin-film coil module.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a color image sensor which produces a time-sequential image signal which sequentially includes a plurality of color components, and a color temperature sensor which is independent of the color image sensor and produces a time-sequential sensed signal which sequentially includes a plurality of color components corresponding to the plurality of color components of the time-sequential image signal produced by the image sensor. A processor selectively processes the time-sequential image signal produced by the color image sensor and the time-sequential sensed signal produced by the color temperature sensor. White balance control circuitry controls the white balance of color signals output from the color image sensor which have been obtained through the processing means on the basis of outputs of the color temperture sensor which have been obtained through the processing means.

Abstract: A bar code scanner having a lens, a reflector, a sensor, and a detection unit. The lens is arranged to focus an image of a bar code to be scanned along an image path. The reflector is angled obliquely to the image path so as to reflect images at an angle to the image path. The reflector has reflector surface shaped so as to provide a plurality of reflected images of the scanned bar code, with one of the reflected image being an in-focus image and a remainder of the reflected images being out-of-focus images. The sensor is in the image path and simultaneously senses the plurality of reflected images and provides a sensor output signal corresponding to the sensed images. The detection unit is coupled to the sensor and decodes the sensor output signal and provides a bar code output signal that corresponds to the scanned bar code.

Abstract: A locking system is utilized to control the locking and unlocking of a lock, such as on a door. The lock includes a magnetic card reader for reading a coded key card into a lock computer which in turn determines functions of and access to the lock. The key card includes a key code, key level code, and key record number stored thereon. The lock includes a memory accessed by the computer which is partitioned and includes a level storage area with level records identified by a lock level code and operational information for the level, and a key storage area for storing lock key records identified by a lock record number and associated with at least one lock level for storing key information associated with the record number. The computer validates a key card by reading and comparing the key level code to the lock level code to determine the level and the key record number to one of the lock record numbers identified with the level in the key storage area.