Abstract: A checkout counter includes an optical scanning system mounted therein and includes a cover member positioned in the top surface of the counter having an aperture through which the scanning system will scan a coded label on the merchandise item positioned adjacent to the aperture. A support member mounted on a rail portion of the checkout counter adjacent the cover member supports a writing pad, a keyboard, a display member and a card reader enabling a customer to conveniently observe the price of the item being scanned, and the amount of money due for the purchased items, when writing a check for the amount due, or when using a credit card or a debit charge to pay for the purchased merchandise items in response to information displayed in the display member.

Abstract: The system denies unauthorized access to a locked facility by a person having a weight characteristic differing from that of the weight characteristic of the person locking a facility such as an automotive ignition system. The system comprises a method and apparatus which may be selectively activated to measure a deflection caused by a person seated in the vehicle's driver seat. The deflection is a weight information which is stored. A person subsequently seated in the vehicle seat and attempting to operate the igniton causes a second measuring operation and a comparison of the newly measured weight information with the stored information to test for a substantial parity therebetween. A substantial parity of these weights allows operation of the starting motor of a vehicle. A disparity between the weights operates a timer and/or alarm means while disabling the vehicle starter motor. The system may be used to control access to various other kinds of locked facilities such as locked rooms or buildings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing and controlling inventories of food items and the like in which a plurality of individual elements are coded to identify both a corresponding inventory item and a magnitude such as a price associated with that inventory item. A holder member for collecting together a selected group of the individual elements to enable identification of the corresponding food items ordered by a customer as well as sensing the total price thereof. Coding each element so that one dimension thereof extends in a predetermined direction a distance proportional to the price of the corresponding food item.