Abstract: A system and method for implementing a wireless data transmission scheme through the use of a display capable of displaying symbolic information, a data acquisition device capable of identifying and capturing said displayed information and a mitigation device adapted to allow the data acquisition device to capture the symbolic information. The symbolic information may be a barcode displayed on an LCD outputting linearly polarized light. The data acquisition device may be a laser scanner, and the mitigation device may be a quarter wave retarder located between the display and the scanner. A larger system may utilize this wireless system or a different front end in a more generalized backend information transfer system. The backend system may include a centralized data center adapted to be used with retail couponing, ticketing, digital receipts, or a plurality of other information systems in which data is used separately from its storage location.

Abstract: This application teaches systems and techniques that use an optical coupler and a film for evanescently coupling light to or from an optical or electro-optical device. The film is connected to the coupler surface as a spacer for setting the distance between the optical coupler and the optical or electro-optical device.

Abstract: A hand-held diagnostic tool designed to operate and easily upgrade software applications developed for automotive diagnostics, is disclosed. The diagnostic tool, which communicates with a plurality of motor vehicle control units, provides application upgrades and/or modifications and/or new algorithms that are developed/adapted via remote updating. Remote updating is accomplished through a number of external ports on the tool that facilitate modem, Ethernet and wireless communications, including point-to-point protocol connection to the Internet.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector plug comprises a connecting portion including a rear entry at a first end and a first fiber stub exit opening to a first fiber stub channel. The first fiber stub exit is parallel to a second fiber stub exit opening to a second fiber stub channel. The first and second fiber stub exits are formed opposite the first end of the connecting portion. An optical fiber connector plug also includes a holder that fits into the rear entry of the connecting portion for permanent retention of at least one stripped, cleaved and polished optical fiber. First and second crimp elements, in the connecting portion, each have an open-ended bore coaxial with the fiber stub channels. Each crimp element contains an optical fiber stub. A molded top attached to the connecting portion includes an opening containing a compression element that forms splices by capturing a stripped, cleaved and polished end portion of an optical fiber and an optical fiber stub in each crimp element.

Abstract: An optical scanner having enhanced item side coverage which scans all six sides of an item and an intermediate side. The optical scanner includes a scanner housing, a first optics assembly within the scanner housing including a horizontal aperture, and a second optics assembly including a second housing within the scanner housing including a substantially vertical aperture. The first and second optics assemblies are capable of scanning six sides of an item. At least one of the first and second optics assemblies additionally generates third scan lines for scanning an intermediate side of the item.

Abstract: By automatically adjusting the object detection mechanism of a bar code scanner from a long range mode of operation to a short range mode of operation, the scanner will remain capable of detecting and decoding bar codes even if the object detection mechanism repeatedly detects the presence of a background object. The techniques of the present invention commence when the bar code scanner is placed in a position such that the scanner's object detection mechanism repeatedly detects a background object such as a counter top or conveyer belt. The object detection mechanism is set to the long range mode of operation if it is not already so set. In the case of a stand-mounted scanner, a test is performed to ascertain whether or not the scanner is in its stand, and the method will only proceed once the scanner is resting in the stand.

Abstract: A postage meter indicia verification apparatus and method includes, in a postage meter system for printing postage indicia, a postage meter device with a print head for printing postage indicia on media. A sensor is connected to the postage meter device for determining the presence of postage indicia printed on the media by the print head. A control device is connected to the postage meter device for controlling the operation of the postage meter device in accordance with the results of the sensor determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems allow an in situ determination of the magnitude of PMD in an optical network and provide an estimate of the PMD impairment in the transmitted signal even when PMD is time dependent.

Abstract: A loading mechanism of a storage device includes a loader tray into which cartridge is loaded. A stopper spring is arranged on an opening of the loader tray. One side of the stopper spring is attached onto the loader tray, and the stopper spring is bent so as to include an engagement portion in a “V-like” shape. A pair of extending portions, extending toward the stopper spring, are formed on a side of a release plate. If the release plate is moved toward the stopper spring, the pair of extending portions move underneath an inclined portion of the stopper spring, so as to push up the engagement portion.

Abstract: An article including a substrate and an invisible symbol on the substrate is disclosed. The invisible symbol is formed by a compound which includes a cyano group and has an infrared absorption wavelength apart from that of the substrate when heated.

Abstract: An information providing system comprises a two-dimensional encoding section which converts at least the information to be provided to the user into two-dimensional codes, a printed sheet producing section which prints the two-dimensional codes on paper, an image reading device which optically reads the two-dimensional codes printed on the paper, and a CPU which restoring the information to be provided to the user based on the two-dimensional codes read by the image reading device.

Abstract: A system having a host having information regarding at least one transaction card account. The host functions to transfer card data to a drone card carried within the host. The host includes a biometric sensor or other suitable identification means for authentication of the user prior to use of the drone card. Once the user is authenticated, the drone card provides a readable identifier that corresponds to a transaction card account selected by the user. The functions of host could alternatively be integrated into the drone card.

Abstract: A portable programmable data carrier comprises a processor, a program memory for storing operating commands for the processor and a data memory for storing configuration data for a programmable processing apparatus. The data carrier is powered by an integral power supply. Configuration data for storage in the data memory is manually input via a manual input means, and stored configuration data is displayed on a display. Configuration data stored in the data memory may be transferred to a programmable processing apparatus via matched interface means of the data carrier and the programmable processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a security facility according to the invention for use as security in paper substrates, such as security and value documents, value and banknote paper and the like, said security facility comprising a non-conducting plastic support, on which at least two conducting areas spaced apart are provided, the at least two conducting areas spaced apart are electrically interconnected by at least one diode connection with a predefined conducting direction.

Abstract: A system and method for providing money or credit to the user of an entertainment machine. The method includes requesting money through a point of sale device located at or near the entertainment machine. The request is forwarded to an active layer computer and server that provides initial screening of the request. If approved, the request is forwarded to a host processor, which in turns checks with the user's financial institution for preliminary approval therefrom. If the financial institution provides the preliminary approval, the host processor provides electronic funds to the user at the entertainment machine.

Abstract: A region defined in relation to a surface, and a method for defining such a region; coded data being disposed within the region, the coded data being indicative of an identity of the region and of a plurality of points within the region; in one embodiment, the coded data comprising a plurality of tags, each tag being indicative of the region identity and of its own position within the region.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for providing information by using a contactless IC (integrated circuit) card and a device for providing information. It is an object of this invention to obtain mass data and data created dynamically, and also to solve troublesome work of updating data in the contactless IC card. Data 9 of location information for accessing data 8 of external information are stored in a contactless IC card 7. A device 10 for providing information reads the data 9 of location information and accesses the data 8 of external information based on the data 9 of location information read.

Abstract: In an optical cross-connect device for constructing a large scale optical network that supports an increase in the number of wavelengths, and an optical network using this optical cross-connect device, the optical cross-connect device comprises: a combination of any two of “a” units of wave multiplexers for multiplexing “n” waves of light signals directly received from an intra-office device to be transferred to a same destination, “L?a” threads of transmission lines each for transmitting an n-wave-multiplexed light signal, and “a” units of wave demultiplexers for demultiplexing the n-wave-multiplexed light signals bound for the same destination; and an L*L light switch for selecting the combination for transmitting the light signals to the same destination. Furthermore, a protective transmission line is provided, and a protective-signal light switch for selecting a combination of the protective transmission line, the wave multiplexer, and the wave demultiplexer is provided.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus, such as a bar code scanner, for reading 360 degrees of, e.g., tray commodities. A first scanning pattern is emitted almost in the horizontal direction to an installation surface of the apparatus, and a second scanning pattern is emitted from an upper portion to a lower portion of the apparatus, toward the installation surface, via a window provided vertical to the installation surface.