Abstract: A portable card reader is provided which reads data stored in a card inserted thereinto and/or records given data on the card. The card reader includes upper and lower casings which are pivotably supported so that they are opened to expose a card feeding path defined in the card reader for facilitating easy removal of the card if jammed. The card reader also includes a memory for storing therein the data read out of the card and an input/output terminal for establishing data communication with an external device such as a computer.

Abstract: A polarization diversity device for reducing a fading effect. The polarization diversity device for reducing a fading effect, which has a microstrip disk type of antenna for outputting a signal received from a first position, in the form of a field dipole polarized in a direction of X, and outputting a signal received from a second position perpendicular to the first position, in the form of a field dipole polarized in a direction of Y, a phase shifter for phase-shifting the signal received from the second position, thereby to set the signal having the most appropriate value to a fading environment of a corresponding channel, and a combiner for combining the signal received from the first position, with the signal outputted from the phase shifter.

Abstract: An antenna assembly (100) includes a substrate (101) having a notched portion (103) and one or more attachment apertures (105). An antenna (107) includes a conductive coil (109) that is inserted within the slotted portion of the substrate (101) such that a loop of the conductive coil (109) is fastened within the attachment aperture (105) for holding the antenna (107) into a fixed position. The antenna assembly (100) for a low cost and easy method of assembly that rigidly attaches an antenna to a substrate without the need for additional mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A nomographic apparatus for providing solutions to a mathematical relationship has a panel and several scales along three axes on a surface of the panel, the scales being arranged and calibrated in a nomographic relationship so that values on a straight line intersecting the scales satisfy the mathematical relationship. Guides are adjacent two selected ones of the scales, the two selected scales being separated by at least one other scale. First and second sliders are movable along the guides and strings extend between the sliders in substantially straight lines. The first and second sliders are positionable so that the strings intersect first and second locations on the selected scales, the locations representing selected numerical values of the mathematical relationship. As a result, a third value of the mathematical relationship is readable adjacent the other of the scales.

Abstract: In a data transfer system having at least one terminal and at least one portable data carrier configuration, for example a chip card, and a method of recharging the portable data carrier configuration through the use of the terminal, an area of a non-volatile memory of the card representing a monetary value is subdivided into two value areas of which only one is activatable into a non-volatile state and the other can only be activated temporarily in each case. When the card is recharged, the new counter status is written into the value area which has initially only been activated temporarily. It is only after checking the correct writing that this value area is switched in such a way that it is activatable into a non-volatile state.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held reader reads a symbol associated with a product selected by a customer. A database of a host computer stores attribute data of many products. The database is accessed on a real-time basis to automatically retrieve the stored product attribute data. The retrieved data is displayed on a display associated with the reader. A card reading device is provided on the hand-held reader, for charging a customer's account, all at one location. A printer prints a written memorandum of the transaction.

Abstract: An electronic card having an electronic control circuit, an elector-optical element configured as a normal operation indicator, and a power supply source. Electrical tracks connect the electronic control circuit with the electro-optical element and the power supply source, and affixing elements attach the electronic card to a substantially planer surface. The electrical tracks having embrittlement grooves which destroy the connections made by the electrical tracks upon removal of the electronic card from the substantially planer surface to which the electronic card is attached. The electronic card is suited for applications in the identification and automatic detection of objects and in particular, stolen vehicles.

Abstract: A coupler for managing communication between a portable data medium and a data exchange device. The coupler includes bistable control circuitry (25) input-activated by at least two control signals (DTR, RTS) delivered by the data exchange device in one of two first and second predetermined input sequences, and arranged to output at least one power supply signal (VCC) and a data medium reset signal (RST) in a predetermined output sequence, such that the portable data medium is activated only when one specific input sequence of the two input sequences is received.

Abstract: A code read apparatus optically reads, by manual scanning, a two-dimensional code recorded on a recording medium. The code comprises a plurality of blocks having dot patterns arranged in accordance with multimedia information. An area sensor of an imaging section of the code read apparatus outputs an image signal in accordance with a clock signal generated by a clock generator. The area sensor is constructed and the clock signal is determined such that a maximum scan speed V of 160 mm/s to 200 mm/s, at which the code can be read at the time of manual scanning, is achieved, the maximum scan speed being given by ##EQU1## where m=the number of blocks in one imaging screen in the scan direction, lm=the length of one block in the scan direction, and t=the imaging cycle.

Abstract: A system for focusing a light beam includes a housing having a sealed cavity filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. A housing having a hollow cavity is provided. The hollow cavity is filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. Thereafter, the pliable gel is sealed within the hollow cavity.

Abstract: An electronic calculator for determining truck driver log book values including a liquid crystal display. Also included is a conventional numeric keypad having a matrix of numeric keys for allowing the entering of value signals representative of whole numbers upon the successive depression of the numeric keys and subsequent depression of an enter key.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing having first and second obliquely adjoining windows. Disposed in the housing is a laser for projecting a laser beam against a rotatable spinner having a plurality of mirrored facets for sequentially reflecting the laser beam to effect a scan beam. A plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting the scan beam through the first and second windows to effect a plurality of individual scan lines arranged in first and second patterns corresponding with the first and second windows. The pattern mirrors include a triad set of mirrors optically aligned in series between the spinner and the first window for scanning the first scan pattern to a back edge of the first window for scanning at least the back side of a multisided item.

Abstract: An automated prescription filling system which assists the physician in providing a prescription and/or assists he pharmacist in filling a prescription in which the physician enters prescription information into his/her computer by which a bar coded prescription may be printed out. The prescription printed out includes a bar code containing all pertinent information including drug specification, dose strength, taking instructions, physician identification as well as corresponding human-readable typed information. The patient takes the prescription into the pharmacy and the pharmacist fills the prescription either in the conventional fashion since the prescription contains all the necessary information in typed form, or the pharmacist scans the bar code(s) and the prescription is automatically entered into pharmacy computer. The pharmacist then selects the matching drug from the shelf container and scans the NDC (National Drug Code) bar-code on the container.

Abstract: A chamber has a safe and a bill receiver for validating bills of various denominations and for signaling the denomination of each bill. A cash dispenser mounted on the chamber dispenses cartridges containing units of cash one at a time in response to the bill denomination signal. An electronic cash control system is mounted within the safe and includes software for recording each deposit into the bill receiver, recording each withdrawal from the cash dispenser, and providing detailed reports of all such transactions.

Abstract: A transaction card includes at least two read-only magnetically encoded stripes encoding different data in accordance with standard data encryption protocols readable by conventional transaction card reading systems. The stripes are associated with areas of the card which may have different indicia, such as, for example, being different colors or different textures. In accordance with one embodiment, superimposed upon the card may be two sets of raised printed indicia including, for example, the transaction card number, the expiration date and the name of the card user. One set of the raised printed indicia is inverted with respect to the other set so as to indicate to the user which one of the magnetic stripes is being processed. In accordance with another embodiment, only one set of raised letters is used; the other set being flush with the surface of the card if there are two sets. In this way, magnetically encoded information on the same transaction card may be segregated at the point of sale.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an AMLCD with TFTs comprises the steps of: depositing a metal layer on a glass substrate; forming gate bus line pads, gate bus lines, gate electrodes, and storage capacitance electrodes by patterning the metal layer; forming a first anodized layer on the gate bus line pads, gate bus lines, gate electrodes, and storage capacitor electrodes; and forming a second anodized layer on the first anodized layer except portions thereof overlying the gate bus line pads and the storage capacitance electrode. Accordingly, hillocks, resulting from overetching of the metal layer by a photoresist developer can be prevented, and the capacitance of the storage capacitance electrode is increased. Also, the second anodized layer improves electrical isolation between conductive components of the LCD.

Abstract: A bar code reader system includes a record, a bar code reader, a decoder, a processor, a transferring element, and a printer. The record includes a substrate with an information area containing first data removably encoded on the substrate in an error-correctable machine readable format and text. The bar code reader converts the first encoded data from the record into electrical signals which are decoded by the decoder. The processor encodes second data entered through a keyboard, and generates transfer drive signals for controlling the transfer of the second encoded data onto the record. The transferring element detects the presence of the first encoded data on the record, and in response to the drive signals when the first encoded data is present on the record, subjects the record to an erasing operation to remove the first encoded data. The printer then prints the second encoded data on the record.

Abstract: A system for using OCR processing to read human readable characters that correspond to an unsuccessfully decoded code word in a bar code symbol. An imaging system captures an image of a label that includes a bar code symbol and corresponding human readable characters. The system attempts to decode the bar code symbol by decoding each of the constituent bar code characters. If a bar code characters is not successfully decoded, the system locates the associated human readable text and segments the text into individual character images. The unsuccessfully decoded bar code character is mapped to one or more of the alphanumeric character images, which are converted into text characters. The resulting ASCII data is used to create a substitute bar code character in the bar code symbology. After the bar code symbol is decoded using the substitute bar code character, the symbol is validated through check summing or other means.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning data acquisition memory card is disclosed. The device possesses the ergonomic benefits of a a card, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter where great portability as in medical records acquisition is desired. In order to achieve the high density electro-optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size ratio the present device employs a low profile scan module which is turned on by novel methods. Collected information is processed by signal processing electronics and stored in solid state low power memory devices. Novel triggering and scan actuating methods are also disclosed as are novel integrated scanning applications. In one embodiment components are integrated into a thin PCMCIA card or pen type scan device.

Abstract: A system and method for granting a customer visiting a store with personally associated prices for selected items is provided. The customer receives a portable customer unit which communicates with a check-in unit for establishing personal prices for selected items. In one preferred embodiment the personal prices are then downloaded into the portable customer unit, and in an alternative embodiment the identity of the portable customer unit and the respective reduced price is then downloaded into the shelf labels whose price is reduced. During shopping, the customer unit transmits coded signals to the electronic shelf labels. Electronic shelf labels respective to items whose code is included in the items for which a personal price is effective respond with an eye-catching signal to attract the customer's attention.