Abstract: A circuit for modifying a resonant frequency of a receiver for radio frequency signals. The receiver includes an inductor connected in parallel with a capacitor. The circuit includes a switch having an additional capacitor connected between two MOS transistors, the switch being connected in parallel with the receiver to add capacitance based on a control of the MOS transistors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading a distorted image of data collection symbol within a reader image generated and stored by a two-dimensional symbology reader begins by first locating a starting point in the distorted symbol image within the stored reader image. The method identifies edge contours of some or all of the bars and spaces in the symbol. The method then identifies one or more points within each of the identified edges. Thereafter, the method defines one or more sampling paths or lines that extend through the symbol, and through the points such that each line is constructed in a "connect-the-dot" fashion. The bars and spaces can then be sampled based on one or more of the defined lines, and the information in the symbol decoded from the sampled bars and spaces.

Abstract: A tag has an integrated circuit (IC), electrode plates included in the IC, an electrically insulating film covering the electrode plates, antenna terminals each facing one of the electrode plates with the insulating film sandwiched between, antennas each being connected to one of the antenna terminals, and packings.

Abstract: A dual-band antenna coupler for use in an adapter for portable radiotelephone. A plurality of curved bands of metal are positioned on a ground plane, with at least two of the plurality of curved bands of metal being electrically isolated from the ground plane so as to couple radio frequency (RF) signals to and from the antenna of the portable radiotelephone. The isolated curved bands of metal couple RF signals between the antenna of the portable radiotelephone and first and second matching circuits designed to match the portable radiotelephone antenna at each of the respective frequency bands. A selector switch coupled to the output of the matching circuits selects the appropriate matching circuit output for connection to an external antenna. The adapter also includes at least one ground pin mounted on the ground plane. When the portable radiotelephone is interfaced with the antenna coupler, the ground pin makes electrical contact with a ground reference connection on the portable radiotelephone.

Abstract: A smart card that includes a descrambler for descrambling entitlement information and data provides improved access control by controlling the manner in which the entitlement information portion of the data stream is passed through the smart card. Entitlement data that is descrambled and used in the smart card for functions such as key generation is reinserted in scrambled form in the high speed output data signal from the smart card. A variable delay device is included in the smart card for controlling when scrambled entitlement data is reinserted into the data stream. Varying the delay permits establishing a desired timing relationship between the reinserted data and other data in the data stream that is output from the smart card. For example, scrambled entitlement data in the output data stream can be made to exhibit substantially the same timing relationship to other data that exists in the input data stream.

Abstract: A system for authorizing card purchases includes a portable unit having a card reader for reading a card authorization code and a first wireless transceiver for transmitting the card authorization code to a base unit. The base unit has a second wireless transceiver. Responsive to receipt of the transmitted card authorization code, the base unit causes the second wireless transceiver to transmit a credit approval or denial.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a receipt transport and retracting apparatus (26). The machine includes a printer (30) which delivers a sheet (108) which is a transaction receipt for a transaction conducted at the machine. The sheet is transported in engaged relation with the lower flights of two transversely disposed belts (50, 52). A gate member (76) is positioned adjacent to the printer and is rotatably mounted. The gate member includes slots (78) which extend transversely between the arcuate outside surface (86) and inside surface (88) of the gate member. In the first position of the gate member the belt flights extend through the slots. Engagement of a sheet moving in an outward direction from the printer toward an outlet (118) moves the gate member to a second rotational position in which the sheet passes the gate member. The sheet moves in the outward direction until it reaches the outlet and extends through an opening (24) where it is accessible to a user.

Abstract: Apparatus for electronically transferring information between an electronic component and a reader. The electronic component is disposed on a substrate of a portable object, which substrate also carries a first antenna connected to the component. The reader includes a second antenna. The electronic information transfer is performed by inductive coupling between the first and second antennas, without electrical contact between the component and the reader. The reader includes a marker device suitable for writing a mark on the substrate in the event of the portable object being placed in the immediate proximity of the reader, and after information transfer is effected.

Abstract: A method of preventing removal of a smart card having a counter zone associated with a first reference zone, and a balance zone associated with a second reference zone. The counter zone has at least two levels of counters, each having at least two bits. The counter zone is operable in accordance with the abacus principle. The first reference zone has at least one register with at least two bits and is operable to display the proper erasing of the counters. The second reference zone has at least two fields. Bits of a balance are written simultaneously in the balance zone and in the second reference zone. The balance zone and the second reference zone each include one validation bit making it possible to know if the balance is fully written.

Abstract: A driving IC is face-down bonded to a substrate. The thickness T of the driving IC is greater than the thickness t of an opposing substrate of a liquid crystal panel and an upper surface of the driving IC is made higher than an upper surface of the opposing substrate. The upper surface of the driving IC is heated and pressed by a bonding tool to bond bumps of the driving IC to interconnecting lines and bond the driving IC to the substrate with an adhesive. It is thus possible to sufficiently heat and press the driving IC without contact between the bonding tool and the opposing substrate, thereby permitting bonding with high reliability.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can be prevented from mal-functioning by interrupting reflected beam. Polarizing plates (1), (3) are disposed at beam entrance and exit sides, respectively of a transmission liquid-crystal display device (2) as polarizers. Beam from the polarizing plate (3) has the change of light and shade presented in accordance with a video signal. An optical isolator using a quarter-wave plate (4) is disposed at the beam exit side of the polarizing plate (3). A glass panel (5) such as an optical filter is disposed at the beam exit side of the quarter-wave plate (4), whereby beam from the polarizing plate (3) is converted into linearly-polarized beam having an arbitrary plane of polarization. When this linearly-polarized beam is introduced into the optical isolator using the quarter-wave plate (4), inputted linearly-polarized beam is converted into circularly-polarized beam by action of the quarter-wave plate (4). The thus converted circularly-polarized beam is irradiated on the glass panel (5).

Abstract: To provide a plasma addressed liquid crystal display device which can enhance the bonding strength between the dielectric sheet and the plasma substrate glass, a frit seal is provided at the outside of the barrier ribs, and dummy barrier ribs and a frit seal are sequentially provided on the outside of the frit seal. The frit seal has a greater width than that of the frit seal and has a role as a reinforcing member. The dielectric sheet and a plasma substrate glass are provided so as to sandwich the barrier ribs. A liquid crystal layer is provided on a surface side of the dielectric sheet.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of electrode substrates at least one of which is transparent, a display medium having a liquid crystal region surrounded by a polymer region, and a plurality of pixels. The display medium is interposed between the pair of substrates. A difference between an upper limit value and a lower limit value of a phase transition temperature between a liquid crystal phase and an isotropic liquid phase of a liquid crystal composition constituting the liquid crystal region is 7.0.degree. C. or more.

Abstract: A rubbing treating apparatus, comprising: a stage for mounting thereon an electrode substrate provided with an alignment control film, a rubbing cloth for effecting rubbing treatment by rubbing it against the alignment control film, a rubbing mask mounted on the stage so as to cover at least a part of the electrode substrate, and a holding means for causing at least the rubbing mask to closely contact the stage, wherein the rubbing mask is caused to closely contact the stage at the time of rubbing treatment. The rubbing mask is effective in imparting an alignment control power to the surface of the alignment control film, effecting uniform rubbing treatment with respect to a desired region and preventing an occurrence of alignment defects and a deterioration of the rubbing cloth.

Abstract: A secured network system comprising a readykey controller connected to a st card reader and a power relay switch. The user inserts a microchip embedded card into the first card reader which transmits a first electrical authorization signal to the readykey controller indicating that the user is authorized to use a computer for receiving and processing classified data. The readykey controller then supplies a first enable signal to a power relay switch activating the power relay switch which couples the computer's power supply to an external power source. The secured network system also allows the user to receive and process classified data, by setting a manual A/B switch to a predetermined position which allows a secured network server to be connected to the computer. The user next inserts his proximity card into a second card reader which then transmits a second electrical authorization signal to the readykey controller indicating that the user is authorized to receive and process classified data.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the relocation of a postage metering system. The method includes initializing the postage metering system with a user postal code which is stored in the postage metering system. When a mailpiece is prepared, its return address postal code is compared to the user postal code. When the return address postal code is different than the user postal code, the user is alerted to the difference. When the user postal code is confirmed as being allowable, the envelope is printed. When the user postal code is not allowable according to postal regulations, the user postal code is reset to correspond to a licensing post office for the return address of the mailpiece.

Abstract: In a microstrip type antenna used in a radio transceiver, the microstrip type antenna comprises a push-button switch which has a locked state of a first height and an unlocked state of a second height being taller than the first height. The locked state and the unlocked state are changed alternately whenever the push-button switch is pushed down. A dielectric plate is connected to the push-button switch and has first and second surfaces which are parallel to each other. A plane antenna element has a principal part which is located in parallel with the dielectric plate and a supporting part which is connected to the first surface and which is contiguous to the principal part to support the principal part. A ground plate is located in parallel with the dielectric plate with a space interval which left between the second surface and the ground plate.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved material and method for use for providing diffuse reflectivity of light in backlighted visual displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD) employed in a wide variety of applications. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

Abstract: The display device using a transparent-scattering type liquid crystal element has such a structure that the light quantity to an observer is controlled as possible when a black image is provided, and a high efficiency of light is maintained in comparison with the conventional technique when a white image is provided. A prism array 2 is disposed at the back surface of the transparent-scattering type display element so that a sawteeth-like surface of the prism array 2 faces the display element 1, and a light absorber 3 is disposed at the back surface of the prism array.

Abstract: A reader for contactless data cards includes a printed circuit, contacts for establishing contact with a contact-type data card, and at least one drive coil for transmitting in contactless manner energy and data between the printed circuit and a data medium on the data card. The at least one drive coil forms a component of the printed circuit and the printed circuit in turn includes a flexible portion which establishes an electrical connection to outside the reader for both the contacts and the drive coil, thereby reducing the height of the reader. A variety of carriage configurations may be provided to bring the drive coils and/of contacts into proximity with the card, or for bringing the card into proximity with the drive coils and/or contacts in order to avoid wear on the contacts and ensure a good electromagnetic coupling between the drive coils and the card when the card is of the contactless type.