Abstract: A fixed program processor having a timer relay and a comparator relay interprets, stores and compares inputted biometric data with pre-loaded biometric data and responds including activation of a vehicle's electronic systems. An electronic system interrupter allows the vehicle's electronic system to function with the interrupter maintained in the electronic systems functioning position by a signal from the processing unit thereby allowing the interrupter to be overridden by the processing unit to keep the electronic system in a functioning mode. An air pressure sensor detects the vehicle's speed and signals when speed is beyond a preset threshold. The processing unit, the input device, electronic system interrupter, air pressure sensor and a power source are electronically coupled.

Abstract: The invention is an optical reader having a plurality of image sensors. Each image sensor of a plural image sensor optical reader can be disposed on an imaging module that can include a light source. In one embodiment, a frame of image data captured via actuation of an image sensor of a first imaging module and actuation of illumination of a second imaging module is subjected to decoding. The various modules of a multiple imaging module reader can be adapted to have different best focus positions so that a field depth of the reader is improved.

Abstract: The present invention includes forming a coding symbology by disposing a plurality of light-reflecting segments separated by spaces on a substrate. The coding symbology represents fixed information and variable information.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens is axially moved along an optical axis to control a shape and size of a laser beam spot that is scanned across a symbol to be read by an electro-optical reader.

Abstract: An inventory management system and method for replenishing manufacturing kits includes a shelving system, a mobile pick station, a data server, and a network node proxy. The mobile pick station communicates with both the shelving system via the network node proxy, and to the data server via a communications interface. Manufacturing kit specification data is supplied to the system through the data server and is thus used to generate a map of the manufacturing kit onto a touchscreen display located on the mobile pick station. The map displays the type, quantity, and placement of parts within the manufacturing kit. System components are tracked using a barcode system that reduces the frequency of incorrectly selected and placed parts.

Abstract: System and method for the processing of MICR documents that produce read errors. MICR documents are read and sorted to a destination pocket for processing subject to a determination that existing digit errors do not prevent the routing of the document. In example embodiments, an error does not prevent the routing of the document if it is not related to the routing/transit field. An optical character recognition (OCR) process is performed on the stored, electronic image of the document to correct digit errors in the stored data read from the documents. If a determination is mode that the correction cannot be determined through the OCR process, the image and corresponding MICR data is displayed on a user terminal, for manual correction by reference to an image of the document, rather than the document itself.

Abstract: A variable optical gain control device is capable of amplifying an optical signal while controlling its luminous intensity. The device is made up of optical waveguide paths which are formed on a flat face of a substrate and includes an input directional coupler for combining an input optical signal and a pump laser light; a luminous intensity control portion in the form of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer for controlling the luminous intensity of the optical signal combined with the pump laser light; and an output directional coupler for separating the pump laser light from the resulting optical signal. The luminous intensity control portion is doped with a rare earth element so that the optical signal is amplified by means of the pump laser light, while a heater is applied to one of the optical waveguide paths forming the Mach-Zehnder interferometer to control the luminous intensity of the optical signal.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism used for card module opens and closes a card module slot of electronic device installed on a motor vehicle. The shutter mechanism has a shutter body and a card holding section. The shutter body is reciprocally movable between a closing position closing a slot and an evacuation position apart from the slot in a direction perpendicular to a direction of inserting the card into the slot and in a direction of a surface of the card inserted into the slot. The card holding section is arranged on the shutter body to press a rear end of the card, which is inserted into the slot when the shutter body stops at the closing position, in the insertion direction of the card.

Abstract: A method for the automated manufacture of personal optical security cards utilizing commercial equipment known in the art for creating integrated circuit chip cards, also known as smart cards. A cavity is milled in a card body. An optical security chip carrier is loaded onto the smart card manufacturing machine and the milled card is fed into the machine. The optical security chip carrier uses the same layout and spacing as an integrated circuit carrier chin so that the optical carrier may be loaded onto the machine. The optical security chip is removed, for example, by being punched out from the optical security chip carrier, and is embedded within the card cavity with the smart card manufacturing machine. Optical data and graphical elements may be recorded on the optical security chip and/or card body to personalize the card and to decrease the possibility of fraud.

Abstract: A barcode reader device for processing a plurality of documents having a transport system for transporting the documents along a travel path through a reading area; a blocking member; and a bearing member for pivotally suspending the blocking member along the travel path prior to the reading area, with the blocking member being disposed in spaced-apart relationship to the transport system so as to form an elongated, adjustable opening between the transport system and the blocking member for passing the documents one at a time.

Abstract: A method for enabling a mailer to infer the amount of business reply that he/she is going to receive on a given day and determine the amount of postage that is due. The foregoing is accomplished by placing a planet code that references the mailer's permit number on the business reply so that when a scanner at the USPS reads the planet code, the postage for the business reply will be calculated, and the mailer will be notified of the calculation so that the mailer may deposit sufficient funds in a deposit account to pay for the postage. The mailer may deposit funds in the account by issuing a check, having funds automatically transferred from some account, or automatically having a check issued so that someone may take the check to the USPS and receive the business reply. Thus, the mailer will be able to determine the amount of postage that is going to be charged to his/her account.

Abstract: A lid and lid drive mechanism for a portable, hand held device pivots a flat cover on the device in a predetermined controlled manner between a first position covering at least portion of the front of the device and a second position in which the cover extends towards the rear of the device. The drive mechanism comprises a spring/damper mechanism which pivots the cover of the device in a predetermined controlled manner between the first position and the second, thus forming a stand raising the top end of the device above a horizontal support surface upon which it rests. The top end of the device frame has left and right inwardly facing extension which enclose a first and second cylindrical hollow cavities. A coiled drive spring is located in one hollow cavity which a damping mechanism utilizing a damping drum and a viscous fluid is located in the second hollow cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes forming a coding symbology by disposing a plurality of light-reflecting segments separated by spaces on a substrate. The coding symbology represents fixed information and variable information.

Abstract: A method and system for executing electronic funds transactions using a merchant based debit (MBD) card in a merchant-centric system that provides for reduced fees to acquiring merchants and remitting a portion of the collected fees to issuing merchants. The system also preferably provides information sharing on consumer transactions with merchants to facilitate consumer based incentive programs and the like. The system operates over conventional card processing infrastructure and utilizes the ACH network, or equivalent, to settle the transaction from a consumer checking account, or a merchant account in the case of a prepaid MBD card. Using the system, merchants may elect to qualify customers based on their own criterion. A portion of the interchange fee is distributed to the issuing merchant associated transaction executed using the merchant based debit card. Embodiments are described for prepaid, fixed value, programmable, and refillable, forms of merchant based debit cards.

Abstract: A computer based lottery which allows entries to be sold over the telephone, by ATM or POS machines, by email, or via kiosks, in which participants are invited to choose at least one unique number from a defined range of numbers, e.g. between one and one million which hopefully no-one else has or will select before the end of the competition. The participant can register their selection with an entry-logging engine (which can be an automated call answering system allowing the user to key in the number chosen by using the telephone keypad). This records the identity or contact details of the participant (for example telephone number or email address), the number selected by the participant, and the date and time of the entry, the entry-logging engine giving the participant an optional receipt number.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave sensor is mounted on a card reader. A detection range of the ultrasonic wave sensor covers a front surface of an inlet. The ultrasonic wave sensor detects presence or absence of a foreign body at the time of standby until a card is inserted into a card slot. When a processing of the card is terminated and the card is discharged, the ultrasonic wave sensor detects presence or absence of the card or presence or absence of a foreign body. In the case where the ultrasonic wave sensor cannot detect the card although the card has been discharged, an abnormality signal can be output.

Abstract: An integrated circuit card includes a microprocessor, an integral memory element, and a pseudo-random number sequence file stored therein. The pseudo-random number sequence file includes a pseudo-random number sequence generator operable to generate an instance of a sequence of apparently random numbers when executed, values for the parameters of the pseudo-random number sequence generator, and an Initial Value for the sequence of random numbers. The microprocessor is operable to execute an operation on the pseudo-random number sequence file in response to a predetermined input from an external source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an LCD module and an LCD device that minimizes movement of a light guide plate. In an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide plate has catching jaws and projections. The catching jaws are formed by cutting at least one corner of an end portion of the light guide plate. The projections extend outwardly from sidewalls of the catching jaws, which have a thinner thickness than the catching jaws. A mold frame receives the light guide plate and the lamp unit and has catching bosses and recesses. The catching bosses are formed at positions corresponding to the catching jaws on a bottom surface of the mold frame to engage with the catching jaws to fix the light guide plate in the mold frame. The recesses are formed at respective positions corresponding to the projections at sidewalls of the mold frame to receive the projections.

Abstract: Connector systems for dynamically updating information related to a network and methods for developing the connector systems, are provided. A connector system for dynamically updating information related to the network, comprises: a connector; and an integrated circuit integrated in a surface of the connector. A method for developing the connector system comprises: obtaining a connector; and integrating an integrated circuit in a surface of the connector.

Abstract: A bar code is scanned and a line of image data is extracted in a process. The line of extracted image is divided into patterns forming characters in a process. The divided patterns are converted into characters in a process. In the process, a pattern is divided by the number of modules having the smallest width forming a black bar or a white bar, a module value indicating each module as black or white is determined, and each pattern is converted into a character, thereby correctly recognizing a bar code using general-purpose optical equipment for reading a bar code.