Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reading magnetic information, comprising a magnetoresistive bar and a first differential amplifier connected to the magnetoresistive bar. A reading system according to the invention also comprises a second differential amplifier arranged in parallel with the first amplifier, a first capacitor arranged between the first transistor and the magnetoresistive bar, and a second capacitor arranged between the fourth transistor and the bar, and an analog adder combining the output signals of the first and second amplifiers. This structure allows integration of the decoupling capacitors and thus prevents the occurrence of external resistances and inductances which are detrimental to the common-mode reject rate.

Abstract: A scanning system is capable of open or closed loop operation for generating arbitrary rotatable multi-dimension with frequency compensation of scanning element. The system includes at least two scan elements positioned substantially orthogonally to each other for generating the arbitrary rotatable multi-dimensional scanning patterns. A power supply is responsive to respective control signals from a set of drive waveforms as inputs to the at least two scan elements. A controller includes an information processing system to store in digital form the desired set of arbitrary rotatable multi-dimensional scan patterns. In a closed loop mode, the controller stores feedback parameters for each scan element with a particular rotational angle and a feedback value at a particular frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using electronic security coupons in connection with locking mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to or removal of internal components of vending and gaming machines. A security coupon is received in the bill validator section of the machine, the security coupon is recognized, and the locking mechanism is unlocked. The security coupon optionally can be stored in a currency cassette.

Abstract: A scanner for reading an object having a width larger than that of the distal end portion of a scanner main body, has an exit opening for outputting a light beam formed at the distal end portion of the scanner main body. An LED for generating a light beam, and a solid-state image pickup element for receiving the light beam which is reflected by the code, are arranged in the scanner main body. A gap portion for increasing the irradiation width of the light beam to be larger than the width of the distal end portion of the scanner main body is formed at the distal end portion of the scanner main body. Therefore, when a code is read by bringing the scanner main body close to or into contact with the code, the gap portion increases the width of the light beam to be larger than that of the distal end portion of the scanner main body, and therefore, a code having a width larger than the width of the distal end portion of the scanner main body can be read.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the electronic management and redemption of coupons. The system includes an integrated coupon card comprising a microprocessor, a random access memory, a scanner, and a communications port. The coupon card is capable of scanning coupon bar codes from paper coupons and receiving redemption requirement data from a periphery device. The coupon card will allow bar codes and redemption requirement data to be transferred to a periphery device and will store what bar codes were redeemed because they corresponded to purchase data received from a cash register memory. The system further includes one or more periphery devices having a microprocessor, a first communications port for communicating with said coupon card, and a second communications port for communicating with a cash register.

Abstract: A reader generates a scanning beam for reading a bar code symbol on a selected item. The reader includes a motion sensor or software program for discriminating between the selected item and other items also having bar code symbols thereon. The motion sensor or software program for discriminating between the items may discriminate between an item swept past the reader and stationary items, or an item moved into the field of view of the reader, held stationary and moved out of the field of view and stationary or moving items or between an item placed within a predetermined distance range and other items.

Abstract: A method of writing information securely in a portable information medium fitted with a firmware electronic component. According to the invention, information is written in at least two stages on at least two distinct sites, with information depending on the chosen second site being written in a first step at the first site, and with information necessary for operation of medium being written in a second step at the second site. Application to protecting portable media for electronic transactions against theft.

Abstract: A rotary type sheet counter disc gradually counts corner portions of stacked-up sheets from the top sheet to the bottom sheet. The sheet counter disc includes an upper disc and a lower disc on which the upper disc is placed, the lower disc having a plurality of sheet suction fins equally spacedly arranged on a peripheral edge portion thereof. The sheet suction fins each have a sheet suction port which is open at a lower surface thereof, and the lower disc has a plurality of sheet loosening claws projecting in a rotating direction of the sheet counter disc from leading ends of the sheet suction fins. A plurality of sheet introduction slits are formed between upper surfaces of the sheet loosening claws and a lower surface of a portion of the upper disc which covers the sheet loosening claws.

Abstract: A self-scanning checkout device includes a registration section having a stationary scanner for permitting a customer to input article information for a purchased article, a counter arranged on the downstream side from the registration section in the article moving direction, for receiving a purchased article which has been registered thereon, and a monitoring section for monitoring a movement of the purchased article. The monitoring section sets an article registration flag when information of the purchased article is read by the stationary scanner, checks the article registration flag when the passage of an article is detected by article sensors disposed near and on the downstream side from the reading position of the stationary scanner, resets the article registration flag when the article registration flag is detected to be set, and issues an alarm indicating the passage of an unregistered article when the article registration flag is detected to be reset.

Abstract: In an issuing method of a portable storage medium having a data memory and a control element, a plurality of issue data to be written are stored in the data memory, whether the issue data are to be written into the data memory is selected for each of stored issue data and then, selected issue data only are written into the data memory of the portable storage medium.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which comprises: a shield casing made of a metal plate and having fixing pawls and fixing hooks; an middle frame for holding a liquid crystal display; and a lower casing for packaging back lights, wherein the fixing pawls of said shield casing are bent in corresponding recesses formed in the middle frame, and wherein the fixing hooks of said shield casing are fitted on corresponding projections formed on the lower casing.

Abstract: An automated teller machine which issues media such as receipts is provided, this machine having as an object the provision of functions which satisfy a customer's desire for service, while saving space and improving installation efficiency. The automated teller machine has a holding section which holds each of a plurality of paper rolls, a plurality of paper roll drive motors which feed out and returns the paper from each of the paper rolls, a common printing unit which performs printing onto each of the paper fed out by the plurality of paper roll drive motors, a common cutter which cuts the paper from each of the paper rolls to a prescribed length, a common transport belt which transports cut pieces of paper, and a common ejection opening which ejects the thus transported cut pieces of paper.

Abstract: A device for automatically reading checks, wherein a scanner includes a reading unit for reading an identification code on the check, and a reading unit for taking an image of the surface of the check, and the device also includes a central processing unit receiving the digitized image of the check, and for defining an the image, on the basis of the identification code, at least two subimages respectively containing the numeric amount and the alphabetic amount of the check. The device also provides for binary-coding the subimages to automatically read the numeric and alphabetic amounts in the binary-coded subimages, and for correlating the two amounts to elect a final amount, which is displayed on a video of the processing unit together with the image of the check.

Abstract: A wrist-mounted terminal for use in electro-optically reading bar code symbols, includes a main body having a display, and a strap for securing the body on and around a wrist of an operator. The terminal includes a detector for detecting light reflected off a symbol. A keypad is mounted on the body for movement between a concealed position in which manually depressible keys are hidden by the body, and an exposed position in which the keys are accessible. The keypad is preferably slidingly received within the body, or hinged to the body.

Abstract: On an information recording medium, multimedia information including at least one of audio information, image information, and text data is recorded as an optical readable code. The code is constituted by arranging a plurality of blocks, and each block has a data dot pattern including a plurality of dots arranged in correspondence with the data contents, and a marker which is arranged to have a first predetermined positional relationship with respect to the data dot pattern and determines a reference position required for reading the data dot pattern. The dots of the data dot pattern and the markers are recorded on the information recording medium so that the dots, the markers, and the information recording medium have different predetermined reflectances or transmittances. More specifically, in order to reduce code redundancy, the dot code is recorded as follows.

Abstract: A sensing section reads the dot codes by optically scanning a recording medium on which multimedia information has been recorded in the form of optically readable dot codes. The thus obtained dot codes are processed and restored to the original multimedia information by a scanning conversion section, a data string adjusting section, an error correction section, a reproducing section and a controller. An output unit reproduces each piece of information and outputs them. In this case, on the basis of the dot codes thus read, the scanning conversion section and controller sense information reproduction parameters, such as the dot size. The sensed parameters are then stored in a parameter memory. According to the parameters stored in the parameter memory, the dot codes are then subjected to a reproducing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved image scanner which has a hollow platen, with a motor mounted inside the platen. A drive mechanism is coupled between the motor and the inside surface of the platen to rotate the platen. Preferably, a circuit board containing circuitry for at least controlling the motor is also mounted inside the platen.

Abstract: A magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) encoder device which is used for processing checks. The MICR encoder utilizes a dot matrix printer head for printing numerical information on checks. The MICR encoder comprises a self-contained housing for housing a guiding assembly, a transporting assembly, a detection assembly, a printing assembly, a microprocessor, and a stepper motor. The printing assembly includes a ribbon cartridge and a dot matrix printer head coupled to the ribbon cartridge for printing characters on the check. The dot matrix printer head has an extended head portion with nine tip wires thereon, where the characters are printed continuously on the check while the check is traveling through the guide assembly, thereby eliminating the need to stop the check for printing as taught by prior art MICR encoder devices.

Abstract: A hand-held processing system wherein a peripheral module may receive therein a computer processor basic module of standardized construction, with a user-immune real-time multi-tasking operating system. Advantageously the peripheral module or computer processor module may include a touch screen or other highly versatile and compact data input/output device adaptable to graphical and/or other input/output modes suitable for different applications, languages and the like.

Abstract: An electronic wallet or terminal for a portable financial IC card having arrangements for versitle use by both visually-impaired and non-impaired persons. The electronic wallet or terminal is provided with a cabinet provided with a display, an IC card housing accommodating removable insertion of an IC card, and a privacy speaker and/or an earphone. Use of the privacy speaker or earphone accommodate visually impaired persons while affording financial confidentiality. Such terminal is programmed such that an appropriate language suited to an owner of the financial IC card or terminal is automatically determined (without user polling) from stored historical data such as a last financial transaction or personal data. The terminal is further provided with irregularities (e.g.