Abstract: An apparatus for converting optical information into an electrical information signal includes a plurality of one-dimensional conversion arrays arranged in parallel form. Each one-dimensional conversion array has first and second photoelectric conversion structures integrally formed. The first photoelectric conversion structure has photoelectric conversion elements each having a light receiving surface onto which an information light is projected. The second photoelectric conversion structure has photoelectric conversion elements each having a sweep light receiving surface onto which a sweep light is projected. The sweep light has a cross section which simultaneously scans the sweep light receiving surface of one of the photoelectric conversion elements included in each of the one-dimensional conversion arrays.

Abstract: A terminal banking apparatus for processing bills and checks includes an input apparatus for inputting the number of each account and the amount of bills or checks at a front counter of a bank, a tentative paying file for storing the number of each account and the corresponding amount input from the input apparatus, a magnetic ink character reader for reading the number of the account described by magnetic ink characters on each of the bills or checks carried, and an amount reader for reading the amount described on the bills or checks stored in the tentative paying file depending on the number of the account read by the character reader.

Abstract: A flash EEPROM with sector erasure, carries out the erasure by applying a negative voltage to a selected word line through an N-channel MOS transistor. P-channel MOS transistors are respectively inserted between row decoder level shifters and each of their respective word lines to which they are respectively connected. The turning-on and -off of the respective word lines and first level shifters is controlled by the turning-on and -off of the associated P-channel MOS transistor. An erase voltage is applied to one end of the source/drain path of the respective N-channel MOS transistor of the selected cord line, the other end to the respective word lines. The turning-on and -off of the N-channel MOS transistor is synchronized with the turning-on and -off of the P-channel MOS transistor connected to the same word line. The P-channel MOS transistor is formed on an N well biased to, for example, 5 V and the N-channel MOS transistor is formed on a P well biased to, for example, the erase voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including an address decode signal transmission circuit comprising address buffers; a predecoder; address buses provided before a main decode; a transmission circuit for outputting predecoded signals to the address buses while limiting amplitude thereof; and a receiving circuit provided before the main decoder for differentially amplifying signals from the address buses, wherein the memory cell array is divided into a plural number of sub-blocks and power can be selectively supplied to at least one of the sub-blocks.

Abstract: A data entry unit includes a bar code reader. The composition of the data entry unit consists of an entry face on which a main entry portion such as a keyboard is disposed and a bar code reader disposed on the bottom face of the entry unit. The bar code data are read by having the bottom face of the data entry unit adhere closely to the bar code.

Abstract: A serial data interface communicates data between a control processor (1) and one or more slave processors (2) via a serial bus (3). Typically the control processor (1) may be formed in a hand held or lap top computer and the slave processor (2) in a peripheral device for the computer. The control processor (1) transmits a clock signal over a clock line in the serial bus (3) to the slave processor (2). At the same time, control or data frames are transmitted from the control processor (1) the slave processor (2) or data frames are transmitted from the slave processor (3) to the control processor (1). Each data frame has a control portion which identifies the frame as a control frame or as a data frame, and following the control portion a plurality of data bits bounded by idle bits. Both the slave processor (2) and the control processor (1) free the data line for a change in the direction of data transmission during each idle bit.

Abstract: A credit card system comprises a central unit and plurality of local units communicating with the central unit. The central unit includes a central storage device for each subscriber for storing amounts to be charged to the respective subscribers, and each of the local units includes a plurality of local storage devices assignable to the subscribers, at least one card reader for receiving a subscriber's card and for enabling the subscriber to open a local account, to transfer thereto a predetermined sum from the central unit, and thereafter to order local transactions involving the sale of products or services from the local account, until a specified permitted sum is in the local account. When the local account drops below the permitted sum, a transfer is automatically effected from the subscriber's central storage device.

Abstract: A magneto-optical (M-O) storage detection channel which includes optical means for detecting edge transitions between magneto-optical domains. The beam returning from the storage medium is analyzed both spatially and in polarization. When a transition is centered under the read laser beam, the spatial reversal in the sign of the amplitude of the signal polarization due to the spatially nonuniform Kerr rotation is compensated by a reversal due to spatially nonuniform (split) detectors or a matched optical filter. The optical powers on the two sides of each split detectors or on two independent detectors sensitive to orthogonal polarizations become unequal thereby producing an electrical signal signal which comprises spaced peaks in opposite directions at the leading and trailing edges of the M-O domain or mark.

Abstract: The system includes containers for storing articles to be distributed, and a computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMUs) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. A security door in the CCU is selectively unlocked for obtaining a selected PTMU only in response to a coded ID input identifying the particular user of the PTMU. The PTMU is then mounted on the article container to off-load a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.