Abstract: A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed.

Abstract: An IC card which has a timer circuit that shuts off the IC card within a predetermined time interval is used with a terminal which resets the timer circuit in the IC card in response to any terminal operations. This prevents the IC card from shutting itself off during the terminal operations.

Abstract: A prepayment system for dispensing utilities using mag-stripe cards is disclosed wherein an accounting computer in a central office is used in conjunction with point-of-sale machines for encrypting a value message which is written onto the mag-stripe of a mag-stripe card. The value message contains information relating to the amount of utilities purchased by the customer, the utility rates, the site identification number, and a unique password formed by the site number, a hidden number, and the transaction number. The mag-stripe card is carried by mail or in person to the consumer's home or office and inserted into a mag-stripe card reader attached to microprocessor-based utility control device. This utility control device is capable of reading and decoding the mag-stripe card and storing the value information into memory for use in monitoring the utility usage of the customer and disconnecting or connecting the utility based on the amount of utilities purchased.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.

Abstract: A system for scanning bar code labels and for providing data related thereto includes scanning means for optically scanning bar code labels and providing an electrical, binary scan signal in response thereto. The scanning means includes a scanner and a scanner controller, and an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a converter means, responsive to the scanning means, for translating the electrical, binary scan signal into a related sequence of digital words. The integrated circuit further includes a microprocessor means, responsive to the converter means, for translating the related sequence of digital words into data. The microprocessor means has first and second microprocessor circuits for independently translating the sequence of digital words into data. The microprocessor means also has a random access memory for storing the appropriate software to control operation of the first and second microprocessor circuits.

Abstract: A passbook transporting or conveying mechanism has front gripping rollers for gripping the passbook in unprinted areas thereof and for moving the passbook to a printing station. The front gripping rollers are caused to be moved along guide rods in a rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports. The passbook is received by rear gripping rollers which are caused to be moved along guide rods in a further rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports to a predetermined position for reading a magnetic stripe on the back cover of the passbook. The magnetic stripe on the passbook is read out and the passbook is moved forward to position the passbook at the printing station for the printing operations on the desired print line or lines. After the printing operations, the passbook is again moved rearward to record the printed information in the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A bar code reading system produces a binary signal from an analog signal containing a bar code signal, and demodulates the binary signal into numerals. The bar code reading system includes an amplitude increase detector for detecting when the amplitude of the analog signal steeply changes, and a sequence controller for controlling an output of a demodulator that demodulates the binary signal into numerals. When the amplitude increase detector provides a detected signal, the sequence controller carries out its controlling task as if the bar code has a normal white margin, even if the white margin produces noise. This system correctly recognizes the start of the bar code irrespective of noise and enables a lower limit level thereof to be lowered.

Abstract: A scan board module includes a printed circuit board on which optical and scanning components are mounted in an optically-aligned relationship. The module is mountable in hand-held heads and protected from damage due to external shock by shock mounts, or in workstations which are either directly of indirectly connected to a cash register-type terminal or hand-held terminal.

Abstract: A bar code reading arrangement. A laser beam is scanned across a bar code which may be on a remote surface. Two detectors receive light reflected from the bar code, and convert it to an electrical signal. The detectors are laterally spaced on opposite sides of a line defined by the bi-section of the triangular area which is scanned by the laser beam. The electrical signal from the detector receiving only diffusely reflected light is used to identify the content of the bar code. The invention may be practiced in a hand-held unit with trigger means to initiate the bar code reading operation.

Abstract: A bar-code reader for reading bar codes on articles or commodities in supermarkets or retail stores has a scanning unit mounted on a vertically movable support post assembly and including a scanning system which emits a scanning light beam and detects light reflected from a bar code. The bar-code reader includes various indicating members, such as an indicator rod, an indicator ring, an arrow mark, a pattern mark, and a colored sheet, for indicating to the operator a direction, a position, and an area or zone in which to pass an article with a bar code in order for the bar code to be successully read by the scanning system.

Abstract: An IC card has its internal load divided into a plurality of load circuits through which substantially equal currents flow. A power supply switching circuit is provided for each of the load circuits. The switching circuits switch the power supply for the IC card between an internal power supply and an external power supply to avoid excessive voltage losses when the current for the internal load flows through a single switching circuit.

Abstract: An multi directional laser scanner apparatus has a frame along with a plurality of lasers removably mounted in circular fashion to the frame for producing a plurality of light beams. A multi-faceted rotating mirror assembly is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotated by an electric motor and is aligned with a plurality of laser output beams. A plurality of fixed mirrors are attached in pairs to the frame and positioned for reflecting the light energy of the laser beam being reflected by the rotatable mirror assembly in a pattern onto a coded surface and positioned for receiving reflected beams from the coded surface and than directing the reflected beams in a reverse path onto the rotating mirror assembly and back towards each laser. A mirror mounted adjacent the output of each laser reflects each returning laser beam onto a photocell mounted to the frame for receiving the reflected signals from the coded surface and the signals are processed to read the coded signals.

Abstract: A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming, light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed.

Abstract: A narrow-bodied, single- and twin-windowed, hand-held, laser scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes at least one window mounted at the rear region of the head, and through which either the incident beam going to the symbol and/or the reflected beam returning from the symbol, passes unobstructedly and exteriorly of, and past, the front and intermediate body regions of the head. A field-replaceable laser tube arrangement, a laser tube and method of making the same, an arrangement for and method of controlling a scanning system, optical passive elements for increasing the depth of field, a trigger protective device, and a one-piece support bench and method of fabricating the same by mass-production techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data terminal having a card reader assembly for reading a data card having at least a pair of magnetic stripes formed thereon at adjacent ones of at least three defined magnetic data track locations thereon. The terminal includes a read head having two magnetic pickup elements on a front face thereof, the pickup elements being separated by a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the separated magnetic data track locations on the data card. A housing assembly defines a card guide slot adapted to guide a data card during a manual swipe of the card through the card reader assembly. The card guide slot comprises first and second opposite side wall sections and a bottom wall section with one of the side wall sections defining an access aperture for admiting the read head into the card guide slot.

Abstract: Reader for smart cards comprising a supply for the circuits of the card, a means of controlling information exchanges between the card and the reader and an input for digital signals from a pay-television system. The means of control comprises a first microcontroller which receives the digital signals and which controls a second microcontroller which itself controls the exchange of information with the card and delivers power supply control signals as a function of the information received from the card. The outputs from the first microcontroller are at a fixed potential during the resets and the outputs from the second microcontroller are at a floating potential during the resets. A port enables the first microcontroller to control the power supply during the resets.

Abstract: A combined microphone bar code sensor includes a hand-held housing and a microphone input mechanism provided in the housing for receiving voice signals and for generating electrical audio signals in response thereto. The microphone bar code sensor also includes a functional switch that is provided in the housing and is manually operable to control dictation functions, including record, play, stop, rewind and fast-forward. The microphone bar code sensor also includes a bar code sensor mechanism that is provided in said housing and is for optically sensing bar code indicia and generating electrical bar code signals representative thereof.

Abstract: An IC card including a processor, a first memory for storing therein a system program which runs on the processor and which is associated with a basic operation of the IC card, a second memory for storing therein an application program which runs on the processor and which corresponds to a usage of the IC card, a third memory for storing therein data processed by the processor, an input/output unit for effecting input and output operations of programs and data, a program stop section for stopping the program being executed on the processor at a specified address and a data output section for supplying the input/output unit with either one of a content of a register in the processor and a content of an area at an address of at least one of the first, second, and third memories when the program running on the processor is stopped.

Abstract: A machine readable binary code which is dynamically variable in size, format and density of information is provided. The binary code is formed as a matrix having a perimeter and data contained therein. The perimeter is provided with density indicia for indicating the density of data contained within the matrix. The perimeter is also provided with size indicia for indicating the size of the matrix. By utilizing the density indicia and size indicia, a scanning device is able to calculate the size and information density of the binary code.

Abstract: A credit card system for providing verification of authority of a credit card bearer to use the credit card for a credit transaction. Initial authorization of card use is given to the authorized user upon selection by the user of one of a set of supplemental characters appearing on the card as the authorized user's private identifier. Presentation of the card at a point of sale initiates a check of this private identifier against a supplemental character identified by the presenter of the card as his/her private identifier.