Abstract: A machine-readable matrix-type code has either repeated or non-repeated dot patterns in one direction representing digital characters which are read by a sensor moved in a direction which is generally normal to the patterns. The patterns of the code may be formed in a manner wherein the sensor views a portion of repeated patterns, or the code may be of lesser magnitude wherein the entire non-repeated pattern area is covered by the field of view of the sensor.

Abstract: A bar code label protection device includes a plate (12) and a bar code label (14), both of which are mounted to an article (10). The plate which protects the label includes a slot (15) dimensioned and configured such that a reading wand (16) may be located to the label to read the bar code. The slot provides a guide for the wand which may be properly and accurately positioned for reading even though there is no visual contact with the label.

Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. The character scanning assembly is located on a separable support frame that includes a surface adapted to be slidably engaged by the face of the document being read. This support frame contains the viewing slot through which light is reflected from the document face.

Abstract: An activatable, and deactivatable electronic status determining label of ferromagnetic construction, and broad application, in tagging objects to permit selective detection of tagged objects depending upon the activation state of the label. The label comprises a thin, layered structure of any size and shape having a central layer of ferromagnetic substance sandwiched between two thin non-magnetic covers. The activated state is derived by producing a multiplicity of magnetically saturated lines, or grooves, in the ferromagnetic substance, each of which is magnetically biased to receive and momentarily store radiant energy from an interrogating read-out zone and return same to the zone in a form characteristic of the label.

Abstract: A power driven belt provides back-up pressure for a check or similar document bearing magnetic information as the document moves past a reading transducer. The belt is resiliently urged against cylindrical bearing surfaces adjacent the transducer to provide a non-critical geometry.

Abstract: A transition code processing system which includes a record member on which is located a plurality of bar code symbols, each of which comprises a data channel and a clocking channel. The record member is inserted into a data terminal device and intermittently driven through a printing station in which a sensing member senses the data channel out of phase with the sensing of the clocking channel and generates signals in response thereto. A circuit coupled to the sensing member will process the generated signals and transmit the processed signals to a utilization device. Upon processing the signals representing the last bar code symbol on the record member, the circuit will generate a control signal for stopping the movement of the record member through the printing station, thereby conditioning the record member for a subsequent printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of data-sensing systems for identification and/or security purposes (data input), and more particularly relates to a new and novel cartridge assembly for use with data sensing systems of the type as may be applied to credit cards, security badges or the like. By the term, "card" is meant herein to include any type of media wherein it might be desirable to provide codes (invisible or otherwise) for identification and/or security purposes or any type of data input.The cartridge assembly of the invention incorporates a new and novel "pluggable" cartridge unit adapted to receive a data carrier, such as a credit card, security card, or the like for automatic reading of coded information which is susceptible for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A postage meter is used in conjunction with a check which serves for updating, i.e. increasing the credit register, by a predetermined sum of money. The check is keyed to the particular meter either prior to or after updating the register, and means are provided to invalidate the check after use and to provide the check with data related to the meter.

Abstract: Code identification apparatus in which a magnetically coded key or like instrument is inserted into a reader which reads the code on the key. The reader has a guideway to receive the key and, adjacent the guideway, a row of code sensors disposed such that as the key is inserted into the guideway, rows of code locations on the key successively pass the row of code sensors. The reader incorporates signal processing circuitry which determines when there is an output signal from any one or more of the code sensors as a measure of time intervals during which successive rows of code locations are passing the sensors. The signals are accumulated during those time intervals and the accumulated signals registered at their conclusion.

Abstract: A device for entering data into an automated data processing system. The a for entry into the system is prepared and selected on multiple checklists where each checklist has the same format but different specific data entries. On each checklist there is also a unique black-in area. The data entry terminal or device includes a transparent overlay for entry of the data into the system. The transparent overlay aligns with and is placed over the checklist from which the data to be entered is to be selected. The transparent overlay contains a first set of code numbers corresponding to each data entry and a second set of code numbers apart from the data entries. Due to the arrangement of the black-in area on each checklist, only one member of the second set of code numbers on the transparent overlay is readable or codeable since the remaining members of the second set of code numbers are obscured by the black-in area on the checklist beneath the transparent overlay.

Abstract: A parts management and inventory control system includes a microfiche data base of two types of microfiche cards. One type is machine readable only, while the other type card bears machine readable information and visually readable information. The microfiche cards bear digital information for machine reading. The digital information includes information to be read as output data and/or information for controlling a microfiche card transport or a scanner transport in order to accurately position microfiche cards for information retrieval. The system may interface with a central computer for parts ordering, cancellation and the like, and a printer provides a permanent business record. The system may also be employed in the field of finance in order to provide credit or bank account information with complete privacy with respect to the identification of the person whose account is being checked.

Abstract: An automatic volume adjusting apparatus comprises a volume adjusting device connected between a sound signal source and a loudspeaker; a first rectifier circuit for generating a first signal having a D.C. level corresponding to the level of a sound signal supplied from the colume adjusting device to the loudspeaker; a microphone and a second rectifier circuit for generating a second signal having a D.C. level corresponding to the level of a composite sound constituted by the sound generated by the loudspeaker and the ambient noise; a subtraction circuit for generating a third signal having a level corresponding to the level difference between the first and second signals, i.e. the level of the ambient noise; a gate circuit for sampling the third signal at predetermined intervals; and an integrator circuit for holding the output of the gate circuit for a predetermined period of time. The output of the integrator circuit controls the volume adjusting device.

Abstract: A system for reading binary digital data, represented by two possible spacings between abrupt flux reversals appearing on a magnetic track of a credit card, as the credit card is transported by hand by and in engagement with a magnetic head of the system. A read head having an unusually large read aperture is used to translate the two possible encoded lengths into two possible waveform amplitudes which are independent of transport speed. Then, by means of amplitude discrimination, the "0" bits are detected; and by zero slope detection, the "1" bits are detected. Mechanically, the read head is located centrally in an obtusely angled long side of a housing and is opposed by a contoured Teflon pillow that substitutes for one-half of the usual card slot. This unidirectional pillow is shaped and spaced from the head so as to cause the credit card to be slightly bent around the head's face in passing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispensing-receiving apparatus for bank notes in which bank notes issued in accordance with an operator's designating operation and rejectable bank notes among ones received in the apparatus are both delivered through a single paying outlet formed in a control panel surface. A receiving device and a dispensing device of unit construction are piled up inside an apparatus casing. A return path system for rejectable note return, which is connected between a bank note intake conveyor system in the receiving device and a bank note takeout conveyor system in the dispensing device, is completed when both these devices are brought to respective setting positions in the apparatus casing.

Abstract: A symbol decoding system incorporated in a NMOS/LSI chip generates asynchronously binary data in response to the scanning of bars and spaces of the symbol. The binary data may represent each bar or space as a numerical character, a margin or a center band of the symbol. The binary data also includes data identifying the bar or space and if the character generated is valid or invalid. Logic circuits generate a time delay period allowing the binary data to be generated asynchronously during the delay period. At the end of the delay period the binary data is outputted to a utilizing device for selecting the valid data from the data outputted by the decoding system.

Abstract: The loudspeaker telephone apparatus consists of a hybrid circuit which interconnects a telephone line and its line balance impedance with receive and transmit amplifiers. These amplifiers are connected to a bridge circuit, the arms of which are formed from two pairs of similar coil groups located in two multi-filar moving coil loudspeakers. The coil groups in one loudspeaker are connected in series aiding while the coil groups in the other loudspeaker are connected in series bucking. In one arrangement, the bridge circuit may be connected directly to the amplifier, the receive amplifier being connected across the pair of coils in each loudspeaker and the transmit amplifier being connected across the junction between the pair of coils in each loudspeaker. In another arrangement, a second hybrid circuit is used to connect the bridge to the amplifiers which are connected to the hybrid by its amplifier terminals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a compact telephone instrument with a telescoping operation. A first housing has a conventional telephone receiver located within a hollow recess thereof. The housing is removably secured to a bottom housing which contains a dialer assembly. A series of guide mechanisms are formed in both housings and are used to accommodate a third housing containing a telephone transmitter. The third housing is slidably mounted within the receiver and dialer housings to enable on-hook and off-hook operations by sliding and extending outwardly for off-hook operation and by pushing the housing inward for on-hook operation. The transmitter housing is accurately guided between the receiver and dialer housings by means of the guide mechanisms to insure accurate and reliable operation relatively independent of the nature of the force exerted by a user on the transmitter housing when operating the instrument.

Abstract: The apparatus is particularly suited for identifying mould cavity numbers formed in binary code in the stippling on the base of glass containers. It comprises light beam detection means (2), such as a photodiode array, which scans an area of the article to provide an output characteristic of the code; means (12) are provided for creating at least one window in time within each scan period by selecting which diodes in the array commence and terminate the window. Only output signals from the light beam detection means within the window in time are decoded to provide the code on the article. Preferably, the window is selected manually, e.g. by thumbwheel stores (14), and, further, a true decoding is arranged to arise for "1" in the binary code (presence of a stippling mark) only if a predetermined number of photodiodes within the window are activated at any one time. This true decoding reduces errors due to refraction of light from defects in the glass.

Abstract: A method for correcting erroneously encoded optical character recognition indicia through the application of a solution containing ferric chloride to the erroneously encoded indicia to effectively quench the florescense of the indicia when excited by ultraviolet light. The solution is permitted to dry and new ultraviolet excitable ink is utilized to re-encode the document over the quenched erroneously encoded indicia.

Abstract: A multiband compressor suitable for compressing the dynamic range of an audio signal in a broadcasting system is disclosed. The frequency band with the highest predictable energy is selected as a master band with the energy level in this band used to control the gain in the other (slave) bands. When the energy in a slave band exceeds a predetermined level, additional control of the signal level in that band occurs. The described compressor has the advantages of both the wideband compressors and multiband compressors without the disadvantages of these compressors. In addition to the compressor, a unique overshoot protection circuit is described.