Abstract: A bar code reader includes a laser source for emitting a laser beam, and a scan device for scanning a bar code with the laser beam according to a predetermined scanning pattern. A window passes the laser beam from the scanning device toward the bar code which is in the vicinity of the window. A condenser condenses reflected light return from the bar code through the window and scanning device along the route traced by the laser beam. A photosensor detects the condense light and provides an electric signal which is proportional to the intensity of the detected light. A main body accommodates the laser source, the scanning device, the window, the condenser, and the photosensor. A cover is attached to the main body, and has an opening corresponding to the window. A buzzer is provided, to create a buzzing sound which resonates in a space formed between the main body and the cover.

Abstract: An interactive I/O terminal supplies information to a user and inputs information based on operations of the user in accordance with the information supplied to the user. The interactive I/O terminal includes an I/O display panel for displaying a predetermined screen having a display area on which messages are to be displayed and operation keys for outputting signals corresponding to the operation keys operated by the user; a first controller for controlling the I/O display panel so that messages are displayed on the display area in the screen formed on the I/O display panel, a second controller for controlling the I/O display panel so that the screen is maintained on the I/O display panel until operations corresponding to a plurality of messages displayed on the display area are completed, and a processing unit for performing processes corresponding to the signals supplied from the I/O display panel based on operations of the user.

Abstract: Method and a system for automatically and securely performing computer power up and logon functions. In one embodiment, the system is implemented in a personal computer ("PC") and comprises a central processing unit ("CPU"), a card reader for reading data encoded on user identification cards "swiped" therethrough, and a power supply capable of constantly providing a low power, or "flea power," signal to various components of the PC, including the CPU and card reader, for enabling a soft power startup of the PC. Responsive to detection of a user identification card being swiped through a slot on the card reader, the card reader reads information for identifying the user, in particular, a user ID and security code, encoded on the card and transmits the read information to the CPU. If the CPU determines that the user identified by the user ID is authorized to access the PC, the PC is powered up and the user is logged onto the PC using the data read from the card.

Abstract: Disclosed is the implementation of a statistical basis for use in a self-scanning checkout system for determining how many items to check in a shopper's shopping cart for incorrect or missing scans as well as which particular or types of items to check to determine if they were properly scanned by a shopper who may use a portable scanner or scanning terminal to scan bar codes on selected items. In the present invention, every or nearly every shopper will be checked by a cashier or security guard, but only a limited and select number of items will be checked for each shopper. The present methodology determines how many items to check for a given shopper as well as which particular items to check for that shopper.

Abstract: An illuminating umpire counter and timing device including a hand-held housing having three apertures through a top face thereof. Each of the apertures have distinguishable indicia adjacent thereto. Three indicating wheels are rotatably disposed and extending outwardly of side walls of the housing. The wheels has illuminated numbers disposed circumferentially thereon. The three wheels are positioned within the housing whereby the numbers selectively aligning with the three apertures of the housing. An illuminating digital watch/stopwatch is secured within the top face of the housing.

Abstract: An automatic passenger gate of the present invention is adapted for both one time use wireless medium and repeat use wireless medium. The automatic passenger gate includes an antenna for receiving information stored on the wireless medium, an input port for accepting the wireless medium, a collecting portion for collecting the accepted wireless medium, an output port for returning the accepted wireless medium. The automatic passenger gate collects the accepted wireless medium in the collecting portion when the accepted medium is a one time use wireless medium and the passenger is allowed to pass said automatic passenger gate. The automatic passenger gate returns the accepted wireless medium from the output port when the accepted medium is a one time use wireless medium and the passenger is prohibited from passing said automatic passenger gate, and when the accepted wireless medium is a repeat use wireless medium.

Abstract: A document dispenser comprises a document guide defining a guide portion of an advancing document path and a document identification code reading aperture formed in the document guide wherein a single detector in communication with the dispenser controller is positioned proximate the document identification code reading aperture and is operative to read a specific document identification code through the document identification code reading aperture. Correlated data, indicative of a specific document identification code and corresponding document data input during dispensing of a document carrying the specific document identification code, is generated subsequent the reading of the identification code. A plurality of alternative document identification code reading apertures are formed in the document guide.

Abstract: A contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic components has a housing with a base plate and a contact field provided at a side of the housing leading when inserted into a computing device. A PCMCIA card is placed into the housing parallel to the base plate such that between the base plate and the PCMCIA card an insertion channel for a chip card is formed. The housing has an insertion slot for inserting a chip card into the insertion channel. The insertion slot is arranged opposite the contact field. Contact elements are connected to a face of the PCMCIA card for contacting the chip card inserted into the insertion channel. An insertion guide surrounds the insertion slot. The insertion guide has lateral cover portions extending to the leading side of the housing. Abutments are connected to the housing in the vicinity of the contact field for limiting an insertion depth of the chip card into the insertion channel.

Abstract: Discretionary data encoded on a track of a magnetic strip card is used to improve the reliability of recovery of the card data and, when coupled with complementary processing in the EFT terminal, protects the PIN on an end to end basis (that is between the transaction terminal and the card issuer), as well as providing for end to end card authentication. An issuing bank encodes cards under the control of a number of encryption and encoding keys which are unique to the Issuer Identification Number (IIN). The result of this is an individual encryption key (Card Key CK) for each card which is derived from this key. The encoded Card Key (CK) which is stored in an encoded form within the track discretionary data is used as the basis of a key to firs encrypt the PIN. The Card Key is combined with transaction variables such as amount of the transaction to produce a unique PIN key for this transaction. The Card Key is not transmitted by the terminal to the controlling computer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for measuring the distance between a measuring device and an object in which a light signal transmitted over the measurement path undergoes a phase shift which is converted into a frequency change in an oscillating circuit.

Abstract: High speed scanning arrangements in scanners for reading bar code symbols by oscillating a scanner component in a single line pattern, the scanner assembly being suspended from a flexural assembly for oscillating movement. A drive is operative for moving the scanner assembly from a rest position in a circumferential direction to one of two scan end positions. The flexural assembly is tensioned and stores energy, which energy is released in order to return the scanner assembly in the other circumferential direction to the other scan end position.

Abstract: A batteryless non-contact IC card, using electromagnetic waves as a communication medium, includes an antenna resonance circuit for data transmission and reception; a phase variation detector for detecting a phase variation of a voltage of the antenna resonance circuit due to a received signal, on the basis of an amplitude variation of the received signal; and a demodulator for demodulating data in accordance with the phase variation detected by the phase variation detector.

Abstract: A charging apparatus suitable for use with a wireless device, which is capable of eliminating the occurrence of an electric shock and an electrical short due to an operator's contact with charging terminals of the wireless device upon non-charging of the wireless device. The charging apparatus comprises a charger including a wireless device placement portion, a pair of charging terminals exposed to the wireless device placement portion, a charging circuit portion for supplying power for charging the wireless device to the charging terminals, and a built-in magnet; and the wireless device including a secondary battery, a pair of power receiving terminals respectively provided at positions where they are brought into contact with the charging terminals when the wireless device is placed in the wireless device placement portion, and a magnetic switch.

Abstract: An image-based transaction processing system which captures and stores images of debit and credit transaction documents, while also extracting document data for storage in a computer data base. The computer processes the extracted document data to identify out-of-balance transactions. The document images of an out-of-balance transaction are sent to a balancing workstation which provides a multi-window display for controllably displaying the transaction in a manner which permits the cause of the out-of-balance condition to be readily determined and corrected. The multi-window display includes windows for displaying selected images of debit and credit documents as well as windows for displaying credit and debit amounts and the out-of-balance amount of the transaction.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal display panel having different-pitch transparent electrodes to be inspected, a first inspection region defined for stripe electrodes on a transparent substrate included in the liquid-crystal display panel, and a second inspection region defined for other electrodes, allows for the use of multi-purpose inspection probes arranged at regular intervals to inspect all the electrodes without difficulty. The first inspection region includes a plurality of stripe electrodes arranged at regular first inspection interval, a plurality of stripe electrodes arranged at intervals different from the first interval, with the stripe electrodes connected to first inspection electrodes included in the second inspection region. When the first inspection electrodes are located in the second inspection region, their spacing is arranged at a second inspection interval characteristic of the second inspection region so they can be inspected with inspection probes spaced at the second inspection interval.

Abstract: A color code system for encoding information on products and other substrates. The color code is printed by a color printer using single intensity colors in specific shapes aligned side by side successively. The code is predetermined. The code can be read by a video device and decode by a computer. The present invention allows for densely packed encoded information in a small space that can be cheaply and easily read and decoded.

Abstract: A method and a system are proposed for increasing the data integrity on smartcards. In accordance with the invention a sequence of write processes on a smartcard is defined as a unit for which the integrity of the data to be written is ensured. The write process may involve the writing of data to one or more files. The data of an integrity unit i.e. a unit of data for which the integrity is to be ensured is preferably written to shadow memory. The method in accordance with the invention decreases considerably the likelihood that data will be corrupted through an error in writing the data on the smartcard. Data can be restored or completed through the interface of read-write units. The method in accordance with the invention can serve as a basis for maintaining data files external to the smartcard consistent with data on the smartcard.

Abstract: A multiple window data reading device and method for reading symbols such as bar codes through each window, data reading being focused to different focal distances in the scan volume with sensors provided to control focal distance setting from each of the windows.

Abstract: A low cost, compact projection display source that serves as a very bright image source for an automotive head up display. The present invention is comprised of a high intensity halogen light source and a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display is controlled by display electronics that write images onto the liquid crystal display that are to be displayed to the driver or passengers of a vehicle. Light output from the high intensity light source is transmitted through a piece of infrared energy absorbing glass, a decentered lens, such as a Fresnel lens, and a diffuser that uniformly backlights the liquid crystal display. Crossed polarizers are used on either side of the liquid crystal display. The high intensity light output transmitted by the liquid crystal display is passed through a yellow-orange output window which is projected onto a toric combiner for display to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical scanner module for directing a light beam to scan an optically encoded symbol includes an optical element mounted for oscillatory motion to scan the light beam in one direction by a flex element capable of torsional flexure. This oscillatory motion is induced by the interacting magnetic fields established by a permanent magnet mounted to the flex element and an electromagnetic coil driven by an AC current. Bidirectional light beam scanning is achieved by mounting an assembly of the flex element, optical element and permanent magnet to one or more additional flex elements for oscillatory motion to scan the light beam in a second direction. This oscillatory motion is induced by the inclusion of an additional permanent magnet and/or electromagnetic coil.