Abstract: Architecture for presenting m-commerce transaction data to a user. An m-commerce device includes a device reading apparatus adapted to read a dataform. At least one item for purchase has associated therewith an item dataform readable by the m-commerce device, the item dataform linked to item information of the item. A terminal is provided for interactive presentation of information to the user. The m-commerce device and terminal are in communication over a network such that item information input to the m-commerce device is transmitted to the terminal for interactive presentation to the user.

Abstract: Architecture for presenting m-commerce transaction data to a user. An m-commerce device includes a device reading apparatus adapted to read a dataform. At least one item for purchase has associated therewith an item dataform readable by the m-commerce device, the item dataform linked to item information of the item. A terminal is provided for interactive presentation of information to the user. The m-commerce device and terminal are in communication over a network such that item information input to the m-commerce device is transmitted to the terminal for interactive presentation to the user.

Abstract: A high efficiency multi-image scanning method is disclosed. It involves the use of a special scanning window, or panel, containing a plurality of rectangular fields provided therein. The scanning window also contains a plurality of fiducial marks which associates each rectangular field, respectively, with a pre-defined location relative to the fiducial mark and a pre-defined scanning area. Prior to the scanning operation, a plurality of documents to be scanned are placed inside the rectangular fields. A pre-scan operation is performed to find and identify the fiducial mark. Then the scanner is moved to a selected rectangular field according to the information contained in the fiducial mark to scan an image having the pre-defined scanning area. Optionally, the method further contains the step of determining whether an image is present in the rectangular field, and if so, then adjusting the scanning area to compensate for any inadvertent misplacement of the image in the rectangular field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a two-dimensional bar code symbol using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, charge-modulation device (CMD) camera, or other bar code reading device such as a hand-held reader, light pen or wand, scan mouse, or stationary laser scanner. The CCD/CMD camera or reading device optically images the bar code symbol to obtain digital image data, which is stored in a memory.

Abstract: In order to provide a latent image forming member which is capable of surely reading information to have high reliability and which can be used for a long time, the latent image forming member comprises a base (4a), and an information indication layer (2) formed on the base (4a) and having a latent image pattern, in which fluorescent grains are dispersed and held, so that the information indication layer (2) is irradiated with light having a predetermined wavelength to excite the fluorescent grains and luminescent light information from the fluorescent grains is optically read, wherein reflectance of a surface of the base (4a) with respect to light having the predetermined wavelength is 20% or higher, a projection amount T of the information indication layer 2 from the top surface of the base (4a) is restricted to a range of 0.5 to 20 .mu.m, and a protection sheet (6a) is laminated onto the base (4a) as to cover all over the information indication layer (2).

Abstract: A bar code (14) on an object (12) is read a distance from the object by a television camera. The output signal of the camera is thresholded to obtain a binary signal indicative of the image information associated with at least one scan line. This binary signal is written into a FIFO storage device (28) at a rate corresponding to the rate at which the camera images the bar code. Once the binary signal is fully written into the FIFO storage device, the binary signal is read from the FIFO at a second, much slower rate for decoding by a bar code decoder (36). In this way, the image of the bar code can be obtained by a television camera which is capable of imaging the bar code at a distance, while the image information can be decoded by a bar code decoder that operates to perform decoding at a rate much slower than the rate at which the camera acquires information.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus, such as a film recorder, uses the scanning mechanism provided for imaging photographic film to read the DX bar code on the film cassette. The DX bar code indicates the film type, film speed, and roll length. The bar code information is used to automatically set one or more parameters necessary for the proper exposure of the film.

Abstract: A coded information reading device for reading code pattern displayed on a CRT display unit of a television receiver and for outputing information signals corresponding to the code pattern includes a suction cup to be attached to the surface of the CRT display unit and a photo sensor integrally installed in the suction cup for reading the code pattern displayed on the CRT display unit.

Abstract: A real time coding system for the transmission and reception of pictorial o-dimensional information at television (TV) rates. In one coding system, the input signal and a coding signal are modulo added in an operational amplifier and are transmitted therefrom as a coded signal, which may be a coded video signal. In the receiver, an operational amplifier receives the coded video signal along with an exact replica of the coding signal. The coding signal is subtracted from the coded video signal wherein the resulting original input signal is produced and fed to a TV type display, such as a CRT or electroluminescent flat panel. In a second coding system, a coding pattern is comprised of a transparent matrix structure which is substituted for a time varying signal. A flying spot scanner receives a voltage input signal from an operational amplifier and is controlled by a selected code for selectively scanning the transparent coding pattern matrix.

Abstract: An enhancement circuit for code readers of the variety employing a video input wherein transitions within each horizontal scan are detected and sampled for code correspondence. The enhancement develops a sequence of time spaced memory columns for each horizontal scan into which arithmetic values are submitted upon the occurrence of a transition and from which arithmetic values are decremented upon the failure of an occurrence of a transition. Thus, a statistical likelihood of occurrence of code component transitions is maintained in memory to electronically "stretch" the code components to enhance readability. Special cases are accommodated for for overrun and underrun conditions in the arithmetic adjustments which are carried out. A magnitude comparator functions to provide an output to the system representing an enhanced transition.

Abstract: An article handling system, particularly for baggage routing, has a tag affixed to each article of baggage, each tag bearing human and machine readable destination data disposed immediately adjacent to a uniquely configured target symbol of predetermined and known characteristics. Video cameras disposed adjacent to the baggage transport assembly are effective, in combination with control networks, to detect the target symbol and electronically read the destination data on the tags, so that the baggage can be routed along transport paths respectively corresponding to the intended destination of each article of baggage. The control network is also effective to transform the video image of the target to a desired orientation and configuration, as well as to select for processing the destination data viewed by the camera having the best image of the target.

Abstract: An optical card reader for reading marks made on the face of a preprinted card utilizes a video camera and a memory device to capture and store an image of at least a portion of the card. Positioning indices are printed on the card, and the reader has stored therein information defining possible locations of valid marks relative to the positioning indices. The centroids of the positioning indices on the cards are determined to define the possible locations of valid marks on the cards. The densities and centroids of the marks located in the possible locations are analyzed to determine if a valid mark is present.

Abstract: A coded document is provided for use in a document reading system having a plurality of markable areas defined thereon and a first and second coded pattern disposed in predetermined relation to the markable areas. Each of the coded patterns has an identical predefined signature when viewed from any direction. A coded document reader includes a video camera that captures the image carried on the coded document. Pixel data is stored in a memory corresponding to the document area scanned by the video camera. The stored data is analyzed to identify detected signatures corresponding to the coded pattern signatures. Based on the location of the identified detected signatures and stored data defining the positions of the markable locations relative to the coded patterns, the position within the stored data of each of the markable locations on the card is determined.

Abstract: A code reader and method which is capable of reading "black-on-black" codes such as bar codes which are molded in the surface of an object. The code is illuminated so as to provide light-to-shadow transitions which are read by an imaging device such as a video camera. The resultant video signal transitions representing light-to-dark transitions are differentiated and converted to a train of pulses which are submitted to a delay line sequencing network to develop a series of timing signals. These timing signals are utilized to operate a sampling network to derive 0-bit and 1-bit code information which is submitted serially to a serial-to-parallel shift register to permit code reading by a microcomputer function. Legality checks are carried out with respect to sampling and the developed work and quiescent zones are developed with respect to the start and stop of a given code sequence.

Abstract: A method for the coded tagging of articles, such as garments, comprises fitting to each of a plurality of articles a tagging element, such as a rigid plaque, bearing coded information in the form of portions of the element which permit the passage therethrough of a form of radiation, such as X-rays, which also passes through the material of the articles but to which the rest of the element is opaque. At least the portions of the articles bearing the tagging elements are conveyed in succession between an X-ray emitter and an X-ray detector, the detector producing output signals corresponding to the coded information on each tagging element, the output signals from the detector being supplied to a computer which processes the signals to store and process the coded information on the tagging element.

Abstract: A distribution installation for piece goods moved on a conveyor track which are distributed from a common feed conveyor to several stations of a distribution conveyor; each piece good is provided for that purpose with a coding containing an information which is detected or scanned within the area of an objective field of a scanning station arranged upstream of the distribution conveyor by a video camera connected to an electrical evaluation circuit in order to determine an exit information; to speed up and simplify the distribution, the video camera is arranged vertically above the detection station and each piece good is moved through the objective field non-oriented in the transverse direction and angularly independent about the vertical axis with a coding disposed at the top thereof which consists of a single bar group or the like whose precise detection for position and content is made possible by positioning bars and is thus reduced to a short period of time; the detection efficiency is thus unequivocal

Abstract: An electronic control system for a television receiver (12) incorporates a light pen (10) which can be applied to selected portions (16) of the screen (14). These portions (16) are modulated (FIG. 2) at the field scan rate by data inputs such that in successive television fields they are black or white in accordance with the values 1 or 0 of the bits of the data. The data can be used to pre-program the receiver, or alternatively simply stored or printed. The light pen can also be used to read bar codes (36) in a broadcasting periodical (38), and to distinguish whether the light pen is reading the CRT or a bar code a differentiator (42) and asymmetry detector (44) sense whether the light pen output pulses have sharp or decaying trailing edges. In an alternative arrangement the light pen can be used with a light emitting diode such as on a radio receiver or a telephone.

Abstract: A document processing system including a video camera and raster scan television monitors. The apparatus comprises a document transport that sequentially passes documents by both a machine readable data reader and a video camera. The data reader reads and stores in a digital memory the machine readable data encoded on the documents. The video camera captures the entire image of each document and stores the images in a video memory. In one embodiment the images are stored as analog signals and in another embodiment as digital signals. The system further includes a plurality of video terminals at which the operators of the system can recall and display on command both the machine readable data and the video images of the documents.

Abstract: A television camera for picking up a bar coded label is controlled to produce scanning lines contacting each other as by halving its vertical sync frequency, producing an elliptical beam, alternating narrow beams with wide beam, or utilizing wobbling technique. Also a raster formed of the scanning lines is stepwise rotated by a pulse motor. Alternatively a pair of horizontal and vertical deflection coils disposed in quadrature relationship with the other pair of similar coils are supplied with sawtoothed deflection currents varying in amplitude at predetermined equal intervals and in quadrature relationship with similar current supplied to the other coil pair. For spaced scanning lines, a video signal from the television camera affected by its after-images is blocked by a gate. Alternatively, the signal is subtracted from a video signal due to the preceding scanning line correlative to the same to remove the effect of the after-images.