Abstract: A system for checking the right to access to sensitive information is described, said checking being based on current biometric data of a person whose right to access to the sensitive information is to be checked. The system comprises a data carrier and a processing unit. The data carrier comprises a memory containing sensitive information, a signal processing means and a communication means. The processing unit is adapted to receive the current biometric data from the person and comprises a memory, a signal processing means and a communication means. The process of the processing unit preprocesses the current biometric data and transfers the same to the processor of the data carrier via the communication means. The process of the data carrier compares the received preprocessed biometric data with biometric reference data stored in advance in the memory of the data carrier to determine whether the right to access to the sensitive information exists.

Abstract: A scanner comprising a data reader integrated with a weigh scale includes a processor that recognizes specific types of optical codes. In a preferred embodiment, when a weighable item is read by the data reader, a fixed delay timer, which prevents multiple reporting of the same item data before the timer expires, is not allowed to expire until after the item is removed from the weigh scale. In an alternative embodiment, the timer is set for one of several possible delay times depending on the type of symbol being read. The timer is not allowed to expire until the most recently reported data is no longer observed by the reader. Thus, the likelihood that multiple reads of the same symbol will be reported is greatly reduced.