Abstract: A read/write head circuit that insures the equivalence between the driving signal frequency and the resonance of the tank made up of an inductive sensor in parallel with a capacitor. The invention makes use of a voltage controlled oscillator (38)--VCO--to generate synchronism pulses (54) from the driving current generator (33), the controlling voltage being obtained from the comparison between the driving current and voltage phases through the resonant tank made up of the sensor (11) and capacitor (17) connected in parallel. The circuit further provides an amplitude limitation of the driving signal through the control of the driving current pulses applied to the inductive sensor.

Abstract: A plastic smart card, such as a card having a radio frequency identification (RFID) proximity function, including at least one electronic element embedded therein and a physical contact card function and the hot lamination process for the manufacture of this dual function smart card and other plastic cards including a micro-chip embedded therein. The process results in a card having a preferred overall thickness in the range of 0.028 inches to 0.032 inches with a surface suitable for receiving dye sublimation printing--the variation in card thickness across the surface should not exceed 0.0005 inches. A card manufactured in accordance with the present invention also complies with all industry standards and specifications. Also, the hot lamination process of the present invention results in an aesthetically pleasing card. The invention also relates to a plastic card formed in accordance with the hot lamination process of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting objects in a warehouse includes a movable apparatus that is automatically moved to a location where objects are to be taken from a shelf of a warehouse rack. The apparatus subsequently indicates how many objects are to be collected and/or provides other information. The apparatus is also capable of moving itself along a rail which extends along the warehouse rack.

Abstract: A reader (20) for a magnetic card for an automated teller machine (40) or other self-service financial terminal comprises a magnetic reading head (22), a wave shaper (26), and a data memory (28) to supply card-related data to a central authorization position. A wave shape monitor (30) is preset with a threshold amplitude, and detects the amplitude of analogue signals from the wave shaper; if the signals are readable but below the threshold level, the same magnetic reading head (22) or a different magnetic head (34) is instructed to rewrite the magnetic data on the card.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus are provided to analyze and selectively sample scan reflectance profile (SRP) signals by producing corresponding first derivative and second derivative signals, as the SRP signal is generated. The methods employ the occurrences of zero crossings of the first and or second derivative signals, along with occurrences of the level of the first derivative signal rising above, or dropping below, predefined positive or negative threshold levels, respectively. Sample values, including positive and negative peak sample values, are produced and made available for post processing to determine one or more figures of merit (or quality parameters) that are indicative of the quality of a bar code indicia that was scanned to generate the SRP signal analyzed and processed.

Abstract: A reader for electro-optical reading bar code symbols of reduced height, comprises a light source for generating a light beam along an optical path; a pair of oscillatable reflectors in the optical path; a first drive for oscillating the reflectors at different frequencies that are a ratio of about 10%-30% apart to create a scan pattern; and a second drive for rotating the scan pattern about an axis that is generally orthogonal to the scan pattern.

Abstract: Stackable and portable data carriers, with non-volatile semiconductor memories have contact faces on their surfaces. When such data carriers are stacked on top of one another they electrically contact the respectively adjacent data carriers and a bus system at the same time. The contour of the data carriers is embodied such that, when neighboring data carriers of the same kind rest on one another, the data carrier are interlaced in a form and force lock to a mechanically fixed, but detachable composite unit. At the same time, the respectively adjacent data carriers of the composite unit come into resilient contact with one another via their respective contact faces.

Abstract: A device for counting doses of substance issued by a dispenser for fluids or powders, the device being characterized in that it comprises a first count wheel (10, 110) and a second count wheel (20, 120), both count wheels being mounted to rotate about a fixed axis of rotation (3, 103), the first count wheel (10, 110) comprising a set of teeth (11, 111) extending circumferentially about the fixed axis of rotation (3, 103) and co-operating with a drive member (30, 130) for rotating the first count wheel about the fixed axis of rotation on each use of the dispenser, the first count wheel (10, 110) further including a drive tongue (14, 114) that is movable between a rest position in which it does not co-operate with the second count wheel (20, 120), and a drive position in which it does co-operate with the second count wheel (20, 120) to cause it to rotate about the fixed axis of rotation, said drive tongue (14, 114) being forced into its drive position by cam (8, 108).

Abstract: A method of protecting data in a smart card from unauthorized access, the method comprising providing a housing defined by first and second housing portions; employing a volatile memory in the smart card for storing the data, and supporting the volatile memory from the first housing portion; providing a power supply in the housing, the power supply maintaining the data in the volatile memory while the power supply is connected to the volatile memory; and connecting the power supply to the volatile memory using a conductor supported by and movable with the second housing portion.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeit card includes a substrate on which an anti-counterfeit membrane is attached. The substrate includes a sheet of plastic with two transparent surface layers formed on two opposite sides thereof. Printing may be selectively carried out on the two sides of the plastic sheet and the outer surfaces of the surface layers. The anti-counterfeit membrane includes a hologram film on which serration defining a hologram is formed so as to make it difficult to counterfeit the card. A method for manufacturing the anti-counterfeit card is also disclosed. A method for manufacturing the anti-counterfeit card is also disclosed, comprising the steps of providing a substrate; providing an anti-counterfeit membrane which comprises a hologram film; and attaching the anti-counterfeit membrane to the substrate to form the anti-counterfeit card.

Abstract: A device for detecting and identifying wearable identification units (20) for users at a predetermined distance around a central station (2). The central station (2) has a transmitter (4) and a receiver (6) for electromagnetic signals and a control unit (8), which initiates the sending of a polling signal at predetermined time. The time may be based on multiples of intervals.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system for a conveyor system in which a first conveyor and a second conveyor are disposed apart from each other by a small gap region. A light emitting device is positioned in the gap underneath a top surface of the first and second conveyors, and the light emitting device shines light onto bar code labels on a bottom side of objects as the objects traverse from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A light receiving device is also positioned in the gap, and the light receiving device receives reflected light from the bottom side of the objects due to the light being shined on the objects by the light emitting device. The gap is covered by a glass or plastic plate, so as to allow light to pass substantially therethrough.

Abstract: A convertible barcode scanner includes a housing in which are disposed a laser, spinner, and plurality of pattern mirrors optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting a beam from the laser to produce a first pattern of scan lines out a window at a first exit angle. A conversion mount adjustably supports a diverting one of the pattern mirrors in different tilt orientations for changing reflection angle thereon and correspondingly changing at least one of the scan lines from the first exit angle to a different exit angle.

Abstract: A teaching device comprising a group of balls, a first counter, a second counter and a tray interconnecting the first counter to the second. The first counter represents the problem to be solved, and the second counter indicates the solution to the problem. Both counters include several parallel columns for holding several of the balls in a line, and a stop for at least one of the columns to limit the number of balls that can be held by that column. The tray is placed below the first counter so that balls placed in the first counter may be dumped into the tray by removing the stops from the columns of the first counter, and then pushed or allowed to fall from the tray into the second counter.

Abstract: A system for expanding the operation and play of gaming devices such as slot machines is disclosed. It employs an enhanced gaming device including an audio and a video channel between the gaming device and a central location manned by one or more concierges who can communicate with the player, answer questions, make reservations and, in general, attend to the requests of the player. Selected video displays under the control of the concierge are substituted for the normal video display such as a pay table at the gaming device. Communication is initiated by the player by lifting a handset, operating a call button or by inserting a club card into a card slot. Any of these actions will place the call in a queue for answering. If a club card was inserted, player data is displayed before a concierge and the player views an image of the concierge. Player requests may then be addressed. Other calls are likewise addressed. Machine malfunction, jackpot win and coin in/coin out data also trigger concierge response.

Abstract: This invention involves the use of smart cards configured with data indicating a specific meal plan for use in the food vending industry. Examples of typical applications are student meal plans purchased in college or other school systems where the user purchases a plan allowing the user to eat specific meals or at specific times. Usually the meal plan is purchased at the beginning of the school term and terminates at the end of the school term. The invention uses a memory based smart card that is preconfigured on a specific date. The smart card contains data such as the meal plan type, the expiration date of the plan, the last transaction date, the user's weekly quota of meals, the number of meals a user can eat in a day, the user's daily quota and the operator identification. The smart card is configured by a computer at the start of the meal plan. Smart card readers are used to update data on the smart card and decrement existing data as the user purchases meals.

Abstract: A system for automatically associating user-generated data to images, the system comprises a card reading device which receives and recognizes the user-generated data entered directly from manipulation of the terminal by a user. A camera captures an image and receives the data from the card reader device for associating a captured image and the data for forming a labeled image.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for moving a mirror in a back and forth motion such that the mirror scans the light reflected from an optical pattern and sequentially projects narrow segments of the reflected image onto a linear image sensor. Moving the mirror includes means for mounting the mirror within a movable case which is mounted on a shaft to selectively cause the case to go back and forth in a seesaw-like fashion. As the case goes back and forth, it causes the mirror to sweep or scan across the reflected image of an optical pattern. As the mirror sweeps across the reflected image of the optical pattern it sequentially projects different segments of the optical pattern onto the linear image sensor until the entire optical pattern is projected onto the linear image sensor. The linear image sensor is operable at a high rate of speed and is sufficiently sensitive that it can sense numerous (e.g., 50, or more) segments of the reflected image during one sweep of the mirror.

Abstract: A data carrier configuration includes a semiconductor chip. A first conductor loop is connected to the semiconductor chip and has at least one winding and a cross-sectional area with approximately the dimensions of the semiconductor chip. At least one second conductor loop has at least one winding, a cross-sectional area with approximately the dimensions of the data carrier configuration and a region forming a third loop with approximately the dimensions of the first conductor loop. The third loop inductively couples the first conductor loop and the at least one second conductor loop to one another. The first and third conductor loops are disposed substantially concentrically.

Abstract: A process run card encoded with bar-code information and providing controllers with scanners which can scan the bar-code information and configure the controller accordingly is disclosed. Such a system advantageously provides a semiconductor manufacturing system controller which minimizes or reduces the problems associated with having to reprogram controllers for various lots. Such a system also provides a mechanism for preventing the erroneous re-processing of semiconductor material which has already received a timed processing step.