Abstract: System for controlling communication between electronic information cards, such as IC-cards and a host computer, to be kept in secret. In order to protect the data, various countermeasures have been proposed in which the data are enciphered to be sent and deciphered for reading out. There is a problem, however, the cyphograph is difficult to keep secret when it is used for a long time. The invention intends to provide a device having at least two connectors for an IC-card stored with an algorithm for enciphering the data and another IC-card or other IC-cards for making communication with the host computer so as to readily change the first IC-card with a new one storing another algorithm.

Abstract: System for radio transmission of level data of liquid contained in a tank and for converting to the level data to volume data to be indicated. A transmitter includes a cell for supplying electric power, a microcomputer connected to the cell and normally dept in a standby state in which it consumes a small amount of electric power. A timer is connected to the cell and the microcomputer to provide the latter with activation signals to place it in a activated state at a predetermined interval. A level detector if supplied with electric power from the cell only when the microcomputer is activated to provide the level data. A memory is continuously supplied with the electric power from the cell to memorize the level data, and a modulator supplied with the electric power from the cell only when the microcomputer is activated to transmit the level data in the memory by carrier waves through an antenna, whereby the system saves power consumption of the cell.

Abstract: A reader and/or writer for an IC card as external memory, which has an angularly movable arm and an extended lever longitudinally movable respectively for locking the card at the trailing edge and a carriage holding the card at the same time and adapted to be concurrently disengaged from the locking so as to assure reliable reading and/or writing without adverse affection of locking force on the IC card. A contact head having a plurality of contact points to be electrically connected with those of the card is held by a link mechanism so as to assure a stable relative movement therebetween for automatic cleaning regardless of varied thicknesses of the cards.

Abstract: Device for reading/writing IC card as external memory, the device being electrically coupled with a data processing apparatus, and has a slit provided at one end of the device casing through which the IC card is loaded and unloaded in a horizontal direction. The device has a carriage member which operates upon angularly movable conductive terminals provided in the casing when pushed forward by the inserted card so as to cause angular movement of the conductive terminals and frictional contact of terminals of the card with the first terminals and holds the inserted card in a reading/writing position during a reading/writing operation of the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A device having a motor and rollers for conveying a card inserted in the slot forward so as to read a magnetic stripe of the card. A system is used for feeding a carriage between the waiting position and the reading/writing position. The carriage embraces a contact pin head, which is longitudinally movable together with the carriage and vertically movable relative thereto, so that when the card is conveyed to reach the carriage in the waiting position the feeding system is automatically driven to feed the carriage and the contact pin head to the reading/writing position where the card is brought by the conveying motor components with holding engagement with the carriage to be electrically contacted at the contact points thereof with the contact pins of the head vertically moved up. Reliable reading/writing of the magnetic card as well as the IC card can be assured.

Abstract: Fuel delivery display and control system having a dot-matrix panel on which normally a first message is indicated but when a nozzle is taken up for fuel delivery, the first message is replaced with a second message with scrolling for confirmation of no faults in the display elements whereupon the panel displays delivery information consisting of a unit volume price, a delivered fuel volume and a total price to be paid. If necessary, in advance of taking up the nozzle, a switch can be manually actuated so that the delivered fuel volume only is indicated on the panel.

Abstract: A reader/writer for an IC card as an external memory is constructed with a carriage longitudinally movable in a casing which is normally held in a waiting position. The carriage is held by a spring and moved to an operating position by manually inserting the IC card engaging therewith against the force of the spring. A block having contact pins is snugly embraced by the carriage and is adapted to vertically move relative to the carriage when the carriage is moving to the operating position by sliding up a sloped floor to establish an electrical connection with contact points on the IC card.The IC card is held by angularly movable hooks actuated by a lever to be moved by the carriage. The hooks are retracted by disengaging the lever from a latch. Concurrently, the carriage is returned to the initial waiting position to eject the IC card out of the casing.

Abstract: A device to be coupled with a computer for reading and writing IC external storage in the form of a card having a plurality of contact points arranged on a portion of the card includes a first board having a main board and an additional board which are arranged to receive and hold the card therebetween and a second board hingedly connected to the first board so that the first board is pivotally movable between a first position herein the first board is engaged with the second board and a second position wherein the first board is opened with respect to the second board so that the storage card may freely be loaded on and removed from the first board. A block member provided with contact pins of the number and arrangement corresponding to that of the contact points is mounted on the second board via a coiled spring so as to normally maintain an extended position while being yieldingly movable from the extended position.

Abstract: A data input/output system for gasoline stations which has a console arranged in an office cabin and electrically connected to each of a plurality of outdoor fuel dispensers, said console comprising a fuel dispensation control panel which has a fuel dispensation permission key to be operated for actuating the dispenser, in response to an order from a customer or an operator, a key board for inputing sales data on a dispensed fuel and other merchandise, a display for indicating operation instructions and input data, a printer for printing the data on a slip, a cash box, and a control unit connected to each of said elements to control the same. The system may have a card reader and a recording unit to allow and conduct credit sales.