Abstract: There is disclosed a semiconductor memory device comprising memory cells (M11 to Mmn) for storing binary data, and first reference cells (DM11 to DMm1) and second reference cells (DM12 to DMm2) corresponding to respective two storage states of the memory cell, to make comparisons between the storage state of the memory cell and the storage states of the both reference cells at first and second sense amplifiers (1, 2) to compare outputs from the both sense amplifiers at the third sense amplifier (3) to thereby detect storage data of the memory cell. Thus, there can be provided a high speed memory device which has a less number of memory cells and of a high integration structure, and which has a little possibility of an erroneous operation in reading.

Abstract: A bar code scanner employs an electronic means for causing the light beam to scan a bar code symbol, rather than using a mechanical device to generate the scan. A linear array of light sources, activated one at a time in a regular sequence, may be imaged upon the bar code symbol to simulate a scanned beam. Instead of a single linear array of light sources, a multiple-line array may be employed, producing multiple scan lines. The multiple scan lines may be activated in sequence, or activated simultaneously (time-division or frequency-division multiplexed. The multiple scan lines can provide signal enhancement, noise reduction or fault correction if directed to the same bar code pattern. Multiple scan lines may be generated using a single light source and a beam splitter, with mechanical scanning, as well as by the sequentially-activated light suorces. Multiple simultaneous scan lines may be employed to generate a raster scan at lower mechanical scan frequency.

Abstract: An optical scanning wand is disclosed that provides improved illumination of the document scanned and improved visual control of the movement of the wand. The wand comprises a handle having a hollow tip disposed at an oblique angle thereto. The tip has a scanning window opening at its distal end that defines the target zone through which the image being scanned should pass. In one embodiment light is directed to the document through the transparent tip. In another embodiment the light is directed toward the document by optical fibers from a light source located behind the wand's light sensor and the tip is cut away to provide viewing window openings.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory according to the present invention comprises a voltage stress test pad to which a stress voltage is externally applied when a voltage stress test is carried out, transistors which turn off when the stress voltage is not applied to the voltage stress test pad and which, when the stress voltage is applied thereto, transmit the stress voltage to more word lines than those selected in response to an external address signal in a normal operation mode, and a noise killer control circuit for turning off a noise killer circuit connected to a word line to which the stress voltage is applied when the voltage stress test is carried out.

Abstract: In an output circuit for an integrated circuit memory, the current drawn by output transistors is lower at high V.sub.CC voltage range than at nominal V.sub.CC. Maximum current is drawn at the low end of the V.sub.CC voltage range.

Abstract: An IC card which operates at either one of an operation mode and a power save mode, the processing in the operation mode being carried out in accordance with a command signal inputted from a predetermined external equipment, and the power save mode being capable of terminating its operation and returning to the operation mode upon reception of a predetermined release signal. The IC card includes an information processing circuit and a release signal generating circuit for outputting the predetermined release signal to the information processing circuit within the IC card at the time when the command signal from the external equipment is received. The information processing circuit executes the process corresponding to the command signal received from the external equipment during the operation mode, and thereafter causes the IC card to enter to the power save mode.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of arrival or the racing time of a large number of participants in the track and field events, the method comprising steps of bar-coding a racing number of each participant; causing a bar-code label to be carried by each participant; sequentially reading, by a bar-code reader, the racing number on the bar code label carried by each participant who has passed the finish line; and introducing, as inputs, into a computer with timers being incorporated therein, those data as read by the bar code reader.

Abstract: A deselect circuit (10) receiving a variable number of input signals which enables an output stage to generate a logic state signifying a deselect condition at a deselect output (12). The deselect circuit (10) operates synchronously having a clock signal (21) and inverted clock signal (22) to control internal timings. The deselect output (12) is preset to a logic state signifying a select condition prior to starting a deselect sequence, thus eliminating the need for circuitry to generate the select condition. The path for generating a deselect condition comprises a transmission gate which couples the inverted clock signal to a driver stage, a multiple input switch which couples the driver stage to a output stage, and the output stage which generates a logic state signifying a deselect condition at the deselect output (12). A sensing circuit is used to sense the select condition and enable a second driver stage to maintain the select condition.

Abstract: A label and a process are provided for encoding target acquisition information and data information on an optically readable label at different resolutions. A multiplicity of cells is arranged in a regular pattern wherein each cell in the pattern may have one of at least two different optical properties to permit acquisition information encoding of the cells. Target acquisition information is encoded in the cells at a low resolution by assigning one of the plurality of optical properties to the cells in the pattern. The information-encoded cells are divided into a plurality of subcells. Data information is encoded at a high resolution in the subcells of the information-encoded cells.

Abstract: Systems for interchanging information, for example, obtaining cash from a terminal by use of a portable device such as a credit card are well-known but suffer from being vulnerable to fraud. In the invention a highly secure information interchange system is achieved by utilizing an intelligent card as the portable device which verifies that the terminal is a valid one and the terminal in turn verifies that the card is valid. Unauthorized users are screened out by means of a physical characteristic scan of the user such as a fingerprint which is then compared with comparable data stored on the portable device. If an invalid terminal attempts to communicate with the card, the card erases the data and programs from its memory. All programs and data in the terminal are stored in memory which loses its contents when power is interrupted, thus improving the security of the system by making unauthorized use of a terminal very difficult.

Abstract: A card having retroreflective bar codes is comprised of a card substrate on which there are provided a first information recording portion formed of a retroreflective material portion of a predetermined pattern and a second information recording portion which can be read out from a nearby place. Also, a card having retroreflective bar codes is formed of recorded tracks comprised of retroreflective material portions and nonretroreflective portions which are formed on a heat distortion material formed of a retroreflective member or retroreflective material by a selective heating and distortion process in response to information to be recorded.

Abstract: A optical reader for scanning optical marks from a substrate. The reader employs a novel optical geometry to eliminate undesirable specular reflections from entering the optical detection system. A stage area is provided for receiving the substrate, the stage having a window through which an incident beam of light passes at an oblique angle with respect to the window. A retrocollection system is used to return reflections from the substrate to the optical assembly. By directing the beam at an oblique angle with respect to the window, specular reflections are not collected in the retrocollection system and thus are not received by the optical detection system. The invention also utilizes a permanent magnet, direct current motor for controlling a scanning mirror, and further has a motor control circuit for preventing the introduction of electrical noise from the motor during the scan. A sensor may be provided to detect the presence of the card on the stage and provide "on demand" scanning.

Abstract: A multiple resolution optically encoded label is readable at two or more optical resolutions, and is able to store two or more respective channels of optically encode information. Low resolution information is encoded in a plurality of large cells arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern. Each of the large cells includes a plurality of smaller cells for storing high resolution information. Method and apparatus are disclosed for encoding both high resolution data, and low resolution data, as well as for finding and reading both high resolution and low resolution data.

Abstract: A magnetic optical disk player comprises a turn table for turning a magnetic optical disk, guides for guiding a recording head carriage and an erasing head carriage along two different radial directions of the turn table, drivers for individually driving the recording head carriage and the erasing head carriage, and bias magnets for generating bias magnetic fields distributed along moving areas of the recording and erasing head carriages and having the directions opposite to each other, wherein the drivers include movable coils coupled with the recording head carriage and the erasing head carriage, drive magnets for generating drive magnetic fields interlinking the recording head coil and the erasing head coil, and a leaking flux from the drive magnets passes through the plane in the same direction of the bias magnetic field. The directions of the bias magnetic fields for erasing and recording heads are opposite to each other.

Abstract: A token for use, for example, in the gaming, vending, toll collection and amusement industries, has identifying indicia for automated discrimination of a token identification such as the issuing entity, denomination or the like. The token has a body, substantially shaped as a flat disk having opposite surfaces, with code marks impressed or minted directly into the token face surfaces on one or both opposite sides. The identification marks include surface variations aligned at least partly at an angle relative to a plane of the token surface, the marks being detectable as reflective or non-reflective variations, for example by an optical detector or by an optical emitter-detector pair. The identification marks can be annular rings or transverse variations elongated in a direction extending from a center to an edge of the token, which token preferably is round.

Abstract: A method of reading positional information on photographic film in which items of positional information are read during the feeding of an elongated photographic film, the positional information items being provided in a predetermined sequence and in correspondence with a plurality of image frames recorded on the film in the longitudinal direction thereof. The number of feed pulses that corresponds to the direction and the distance which the photographic film is fed is calculated. On the basis of the calculated number of feed pulses and of the corresponding item of positional information, the number of feed pulses corresponding to a predetermined reference position is calculated. On the basis of the calculated number of feed pulses corresponding to the predetermined reference position, the position at which each of the following items of positional information have been read is checked.

Abstract: The useful life of a laser, such as a laser diode, is extended by causing the laser to operate only intermittently when continuous operation is not required. When such a laser diode is used in a scanner for scanning coded symbols, such as bar codes, in merchandise check-out operations, continuous operation is required only when a coded symbol is present in a target area. A sensing device is provided for sensing the transitions in light reflected back from the target area, and a counter is provided for counting the number of such transitions. Since a much larger number of transitions are sensed and counted when a coded symbol is being read than when no such symbol is present in the target area, this difference in number of transitions is used to distinguish between the two conditions and to cause the laser diode to be turned on for continuous operation only when a coded symbol is present in the target area to be read.

Abstract: A clocking control circuit for a computer system and method for receiving a microprocessor clock signal which drives a microprocessor and for supplying a support clock signal having a lower frequency. The support clock frequency drives support interface circuitry such as a peripheral controller, a CPU/memory controller, and a bus bridge interface, and thus causes the support interface circuitry to operate at a lower frequency than the microprocessor. The clocking control circuit ensures synchronization between the support clocking signal and the microprocessor clocking signal. The transmission of control signals between the microprocessor and support interface circuitry is controlled to ensure proper communications between the microprocessor and support circuitry.

Abstract: A technique for recording a performance of a musical work having a persistent, accented beat in which substituted for this beat are synthesized sound effects simulating those associated with arcade electronic games in a percussive format. Hence when the recording is played back, the listener receives an acoustical image in which the music is heard in an arcade-like environment. To produce this recording, a system is provided in which characteristic arcade game sound effects are simulated in a music synthesizer for audio duplication and are reduced to a single keystroke, thereby enabling an operator to generate a percussive audio pulse which is mixed in a recording with the other components of the performed work. When the recording is played back, it incorporates these arcade game sound-effects pulses which define the accented beat of the music.

Abstract: A magnetic marker has a plurality of thin strips or wires of saturatable magnetic material having square .phi.-H characteristics and coercive forces different from each other. Amorphous magnetic material may be used. When the marker is subjected to magnetization reversal by an external magnetic field, variations of magnetic flux corresponding to a plurality of magnetization reversals can be chronologically detected as a voltage pulse train by detecting coils. By processing this voltage pulse train, a pattern can be made, recognized, so that the magnetic marker effectively identifies the kind of article to which it is attached. A magnetic marker reading and identifying apparatus has a plurality of exciting coils for producing a rotating magnetic field, with the axis of at least one of the exciting coils being orthogonal to the axis of at least one other exciting coil. The rotating a.c.