Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus for embossing diffraction patterns on a sheet, the apparatus including: an elongate, rotatable, cylindrical roll; a plurality of arcuate embossing shim segments disposed on the surface of the roll; and the embossing shim segments being rearrangeable and/or replaceable to change the pattern embossed on the sheet. In another aspect of the invention, a method of slitting, into a plurality of strips, an embossed sheet, each strip having thereon a plurality of rows of diffraction grating segments vertically spaced apart a multiple of a selected distance, the method including: providing on a portion of the sheet a plurality of index marks vertically spaced apart a multiple of the selected distance, the index marks being provided for the alignment of cutting apparatus such that the sheet will be slit so that a selected row of the segments will be disposed a desired distance from an edge of each strip.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of providing secure identification for an article, including: providing on the article a diffraction grating strip including a pattern of a series of diffraction grating elements, each the diffraction grating element to diffract light, from a light source, in one of at least three selected different planes; serially illuminating the diffraction grating elements, detecting changes in plane of diffracted light as the diffraction grating elements are serially illuminated, and generating first information representative of the changes in plane; storing the first information representative of the changes in plane; subsequently, serially illuminating the diffraction grating elements, detecting changes in plane of diffracted light as the diffraction grating elements are serially illuminated, and generating second information representative of the changes in plane; and then, comparing the first and second information to determine the authenticity or not of the article.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a system for sequentially unlocking a series of locked compartments, the system including: apparatus to unlock a first one of the locked compartments so that the first one of the locked compartments can be opened and then closed; and apparatus to sense closing of the first one of the locked compartments and to automatically unlock a second one of the locked compartments in response to the closing of the first one of the locked compartments.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a method of reading indicia disposed on a substrate moving relative to a reader, the indicia being parallel to and at a known fixed distance from a linear portion of the substrate, and the indicia normally moving relative to the reader along a fixed plane which passes through the reader, the method including; optically sensing the position of the linear portion relative to the reader; and in response to optically sensing the position of the linear portion, adjusting the reader such that the reader can read the indicia when the linear portion is skewed with respect to the reader such that the indicia no longer move along the plane.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of producing embossed first and second elongate, edgewise side by side, repeating, optical patterns on a sheet for use in producing secure identification means, the method comprising: continuously embossing the first and second optical patterns on the sheet, such that the first and second patterns repeat at different rates, so that the first pattern will "walk" with respect to the second pattern.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for reading identification strips on both planar card substrates and containers, the identification strips being disposed on the substrates and the containers parallel to, and spaced a given distance from, edges on the substrates and containers, comprising: a hand carryable, portable housing containing therein apparatus for reading an identification strip through an aperture defined through a first planar surface thereof; conversion apparatus to selectively place the apparatus in one of first and second configurations; in the first configuration, a the identification strip on a the container can be read by the apparatus by moving the aperture along the identification strip, with the first surface in contact with the surface of the container on which the identification strip is disposed, and with a portion of the housing engaging a the edge on the container so as to maintain the aperture the given distance from the edge; and in the second configuration, an identification

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of of of determining if a compound diffraction grating has been forged, the compound diffraction grating including a plurality of diffraction grating elements of different types, the compound diffraction grating being read by serially detecting light diffracted by the diffraction grating elements, including: determining the amplitude of diffracted light signals as the compound diffraction grating is being read; and determining that the compound diffraction grating is forged if the amplitude is below a selected threshold level. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method determining if such a diffraction grating has been forged, the method including: measuring the number of transitions between diffraction grating elements across the strip; and comparing the number with a pre-recorded number of the transitions and determining that the diffraction grating strip has been forged if the numbers are not the same.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of authenticating an identification article, the identification article having thereon first and second optical strips bearing compound diffraction grating patterns, each optical strip including at least first and second diffraction grating elements, the method comprising: optically reading the first optical strip to detect when the first diffraction grating elements are present; and simultaneously optically reading the second optical strip to detect the relationship of the first and second diffraction grating elements on the second optical strip relative to the first diffraction grating elements on the first optical strip, thereby to develop an optical signature for the identification means.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a memory device for insertion and retention in a hole defined in a planar identification card having upper and lower surfaces, the memory device comprising: electronic circuitry disposed in a cylindrical housing having upper and lower surfaces; the housing being held substantially within the hole after being snapped thereinto; and the housing having a total height substantially the same as the thickness of the card. In a further aspect of the invention, electronic circuitry in the housing is accessible by temporary attachment to an electronic terminal, the electronic circuitry being powered by a charged capacitor, the capacitor being adapted to be charged by the terminal with a charge sufficient to power the electronic circuitry for only a selected period of time. The capacitor may be charged over a communication line to the memory device. The memory may be disabled if a use limitation stored therein is exceeded.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of battery-operated radio frequency transmitters that are located throughout a travel route, which transmitters periodically broadcast location numbers, each transmitter having a location number uniquely identifying that transmitter and its location. A radio frequency receiver is located in the object or on the person being monitored. When the receiver detects the carrier frequency of a transmitter, it activates a microprocessor which stores in memory the identification number of that transmitter and the date and time when the number was received. This is repeated within the broadcast range of each transmitter. When the receiver is taken to a home base, the memory is unloaded and the travel route that was taken can be determined together with the times the various check points were passed. The transmitted signal may also include a message that the state of charge of the transmitter battery is low.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a cover for a sensor button having a shell portion and a touch zone on the upper surface of the sensor button, the cover comprising: an electrically conductive wall portion surrounding the shell portion; an electrically conductive upper portion attached to the wall portion and substantially overlying the upper surface of the sensor button; and an opening defined in the upper portion to expose a small portion of the touch zone, the opening being sized so as to accept therein a touch probe having a cylindrical shell with a contact disposed concentrically therein and extending from the end thereof.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, one or more timing stations disposed around a racecar track. At each station, a timing signal in the form of a repeating or oscillating beam of laser light causes a photodetector mounted on a racecar to turn on and off, the photodetector outputting a stream of electrical pulses. A microprocessor associated with the photodetector receives the stream of pulses, determines the real time when the signal is received, and stores that real time. When the microprocessor receives an RF polling signal, unique to that racecar, from a base station, the microprocessor transmits the real time data to the base station. When a second timing signal is received from the same or a second timing station, a second real time is determined, stored, and transmitted to the base station. The base station then computes the difference between the two real times. The base station processes data from all racecars in a race by sequentially polling the racecars.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of limiting access to computer systems which method includes scrambling identification card information with time information so that the resulting code can be used for only a limited period of time, thus preventing unauthorized persons from using the code at a later time. In another aspect of the invention, one or more .mu.-metal shields are embedded in an identification card, thus identifying the card as being valid and also providing means to indicate when a valid card is being removed from a card reader.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of conduits extending from a kitchen area to bins in a level beneath the kitchen. In one embodiment, the upper ends of the conduits are concealed behind a vertical panel hinged at the lower edge to an "island" cabinet and forming a surface of the cabinet. The upper ends of the conduits are accessed by rotating the panel outwardly from the cabinet to expose the ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading bar codes on integrated circuit wafers during both the integrated circuit manufacturing process and the wafer manufacturing process which include placing a wafer in fixed position over a bar code scanner. The scanner includes a motor whose gearing moves a reader head in a linear raster pattern at a constant focal point over the bar code. The bar code scanner may be retrofitted to existing reading equipment used in the manufacture of the wafers or in the manufacture of the integrated circuits. In another aspect of the invention, the bar code scanner may be provided as part of a desk-top unit. The present invention is especially useful in reading bar codes in any situation where the bar codes are difficult to read because of varying print/contrast and reflectivity.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method and apparatus for identifying a tampering or malfunction condition in a slot bar code reader which include providing a test signal to the detector in the reader which test signal is present whenever a bar code is not being read. If, for whatever reason, the test signal is not being detected, an alarm or other signal apparatus identifies that a tempering condition is present or that there is some malfunction with the reader. If the lack of a signal is due to tampering, the person responsible can be immediately identified. In any case, the condition can be promptly corrected. The test mode may also be used during the manufacturing process to test the bar code reader. The test signal is provided to the detector in the reader by disposing a reflective surface at the place in the slot that a bar code would be read, so that the test signal from the light source may be reflected to the detector.

Abstract: There is provided, in one preferred embodiment, a bar code reader which has a variable scan angle, with the amplitude of the scan angle initially being relatively small and then increasing in magnitude until a bar code is read. As the amplitude of the scan angle increases, the scan frequency is decreased, thereby keeping the scan rate across the bar code relatively constant. Consequently, for example, a high-density bar code may be read at either a close distance or a far distance without sacrificing resolution. Additionally, the reading of a selected bar code in the presence of other, closely-spaced bar codes is facilitated. In another preferred embodiment, the scan frequency is held constant and the clock rate in the bar code reader is increased with increasing amplitude of the scanning angle.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of limiting access to computer systems which method includes scrambling identification card information with time information so that the resulting code can be used for only a limited period of time, thus preventing unauthorized persons from using the code at a later time. In another aspect of the invention, one or more .mu.-metal shields are embedded in an identification card, thus identifying the card as being valid and also providing means to indicate when a valid card is being removed from a card reader.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method and means to aid shopping which includes the use by a consumer of a portable bar code scanner having an electronic memory. The consumer enters desired items into the memory by scanning bar codes on, for example, containers, coupons, advertisements, and pamphlets furnished by a store. The memory is then read by a store terminal which may compile a printed shopping list and/or may transmit the order to a warehouse environment for manual and/or automatic order picking. The memory may be read by the store terminal over a telephone line via a modem.