Abstract: An encoded sheet material includes a sheet of material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material, the edge having indicia arranged thereon to form a code uniquely identifying the sheet of material. A system for managing an encoded sheet of material, includes a code reader operative in conjunction with the encoded sheet of material for reading the code, a sheet processing apparatus for reading information from and/or writing information to at least one of the first and second surfaces, and a processor in communication with the code reader device and the sheet processing apparatus for associating the information with the read code.

Abstract: A memory card fitted with contacts contains a memory and its access circuits. The memory access circuits are modified to allow recording or reading the memory via electric signals supplied by a terminal according to an asynchronous-type communication protocol with integrity check of the codes transmitted. The signals received on the contacts are analysed by an analysis circuit, then switched to address and data registers by a switch circuit. The analysis circuit and a control circuit transmit messages and codes to the terminal via a transmission circuit.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The colorimeter includes several light emitters, each with distinct color spectra, wherein the emission of each color is modulated at a specific frequency. These light emitters may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or lasers. The colorimeter also contains at least one light sensor which samples light reflected from an object illuminated by the light emitters. The rate of sampling is at least twice the modulation frequency of the emitted light. A microprocessor computes the fourier transform of the intensity of the reflected light over time, wherein the fourier transform provides the light intensity at each possible modulation frequency and determines the relative contribution of the reflected light from each light emitter, as well as the contribution of ambient light. A color value is calculated and a color name is selected and presented to the user.

Abstract: A payment accepting trash receptacle including a hollow body having an interior space and a first opening, a receiving assembly pivotably mounted within the first opening, a payment acceptor attached to the hollow body, and an access restrictor cooperatively connected to the payment acceptor and receiving assembly for regulating access to the interior space.

Abstract: Procedures for the performance of electronic chip-card personalization and/or initialization and/or a chip-card application, characterized by the following procedural steps: contacting the chip card by a first device; setting up or providing a connection between the first device and a separate second device designed to establish a logical communication link to provide for communication between the chip card and the second device via the first device; requesting the performance of chip-card personalization and/or initialization and/or a chip-card application, with the request directed to the first device by the second device; and performing the requested chip-card personalization and/or initialization and/or the requested chip-card application by way of a transparent transfer of data and/or commands back and forth between chip card and second device via the logical communication link.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device for providing a computer system with user input data and user biometric data includes an event sensing portion for detecting a user action and for converting the user input into a data first stream, the user action of a type appropriate for the computer peripheral device, a biometric acquisition portion for acquiring biometric data from the user at substantially a same time the event sensing portion detects the user action, and for converting the biometric data into a second data stream, and a processor coupled to the event sensing portion and the biometric acquisition portion for reversibly encoding the first data stream and the second data stream to form a third data stream, and for providing the third data stream to a computer system or a network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for enabling the operation of a vehicle or other equipment by using a smart card for transmitting an authorization code to the vehicle or the other equipment. Without the authorization code from the smart card the vehicle or other equipment in inoperable.

Abstract: A predetermined contact pressure required between the two metal pieces 60, 70 when they are come into contact with each other is produced by a pressing force of the two metal pieces 60, 70 acting in the direction of height or width of the connector 1. This arrangement prevents the inserted card from coming off and reliably and stably holds the inserted card.

Abstract: A reference wavelength light generating apparatus is disclosed in which light emitted from a light source is branched by a light branching unit, one of the branched lights is extracted as a measuring beam and the other is extracted as reference wavelength light by passing through a collimator and an absorbing member and then being reflected by a reflecting member to return to the branching unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes components for presenting audio as well as video information to the customer. The audio and/or video information corresponds to one or more of the customer's user preferences.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transponder of the type including an oscillating circuit upstream of a rectifier adapted to providing a D.C. supply voltage to an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit including circuitry for transmitting digitally coded information, and the transponder including circuitry for detuning the oscillating circuit with respect to a determined frequency, the circuitry for detuning the oscillating circuit being used when the transponder has to transmit information while it is very close to a read/write terminal.

Abstract: This electronic card (10) is adapted to coact with a reader (2), one edge of the card however remaining outside the reader. It has at least one light wave guide (24) integrated into the thickness of the latter, opening on one edge (16) of the card and permitting carrying a light wave when the card (10) is introduced into the reader (2) from within the interior of the reader to the external edge of the card and/or vice versa.

Abstract: A caddy receivably retains a two-way messaging pager. The caddy has a connector for power and data transfer between the pager and caddy. The caddy is equipped with a magnetic strip card reader. This enables remote transactions using a magnetic strip card such as a credit card or debit card. The caddy has serial bus ports for attaching the caddy to peripheral devices such as printers and taxi fare meters.

Abstract: A circuit, of a simple structure, for detecting the presence or absence of a proximity IC card (PICC) in a proximity coupling device (PCD) which transmits data to and receives data from the PICC. This circuit includes an antenna for receiving a carrier signal outputted to a proximity IC card, a D.C. detecting device for rectifying a carrier signal received from the antenna and for detecting a D.C. component of the received carrier signal, and a level judgment device for determining the level of the D.C. component detected by the D.C. detecting device and for judging, when the level of the direct component is within a predetermined range that a proximity IC card is present in an RF field.

Abstract: A method for handling goods returned by customers of a plurality of different merchants. Merchants who have authorized return of merchandise transmit data identifying the customer and the merchandise to be returned to a central return facility for inclusion in a database. Customers of these merchants package the merchandise to be returned and are provided with a return authorization shipping label by the central return facility. This label includes a scannable bar code identifying the merchant and the customer. After the merchandise is received at the central returns facility, the scannable bar code is scanned so that the merchandise can be sorted by merchant, and the merchandise is then inspected to determine if the merchandise authorized for return has been received. If so, the appropriate merchant is advised, and the customer is electronically credited for the return of the merchandise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the recognition of codes has a light transmitter for the transmission of light signals in the direction of a scanning region, a light receiver for the reception of a light signal remitted from the scanning region, and a control and evaluation unit for the control of the light transmitter and the light receiver and for the determination of a code from the light signal received. The control and evaluation unit includes a trigger circuit triggering the determination of a code and a distance determination unit or image detection unit (which acts on the trigger circuit) for the detection of an object present in the scanning region which is integrated into the apparatus.

Abstract: A value or security product such as a banknote, ID card or the like, is provided with luminescent security elements which are excitable in an electromagnetic alternating field. A production method of applying the required colors and substances to the value or security product is also provided. Also included is a respective security technology arrangement for visual and machine-operated detection of authenticity, where electrical fields in particular and optical radiation, preferably in the UV wavelength range, are used to excite so-called phosphorous colors, and additional optical effects in the visible UV wavelength range can be achieved by secondary excitation mechanisms.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a chest portion (14). Transaction function devices such as an input device (18) and a display screen (24) are supported on the chest portion. A generally one-piece polymer body (28) is operatively engaged relative to the chest portion and extends in generally surrounding relation of the input device and display screen. The body includes at least one opening (30) such that the display screen is visible and the input device is accessible through the body.

Abstract: An exposure substrate of the invention is characterized in that at least one mark representing information related to the exposure substrate is provided on a part of the exposure substrate, and at least one of the marks contains information related to a mark readout operation. This information may include; the number, the position, or the order for reading the other marks to be read, or an end of information to be read. According to the present invention, information for other marks can be obtained from one mark, therefore, an optional number of marks can be read automatically.