Abstract: A system for computer-managing information of baggage to be loaded in an aircraft. The system comprises a response circuit attached to the baggage and a reader disposed at a classification point of the baggage. The response circuit operates to input and store baggage information indicative of at least a flight name of the aircraft and the owner of the baggage, and in response to a question electromagnetic wave, outputs a response electromagnetic wave containing the baggage information. The reader transmits the question electromagnetic wave to the response circuit means and to receive the response electromagnetic wave from the response circuit, thereby reading out the baggage information so that the baggage can be classified in accordance with the read baggage information.

Abstract: An optical transmitter including a laser diode (10) and achieving automatic slope variation compensation thereof. A photodetector (12) detects the output optical signal of the laser diode. One control loop (1) maintains the mean optical signal power output constant by adjusting the bias current Ib appropriately. Another control loop (2) adjusts the modulation current Imod to maintain the a.c. optical signal power constant. This is achieved by determining a voltage V2 corresponding to the mean a.c. optical signal power by rectification and comparison with a reference Vref2 to produce an error signal .DELTA.V2. The a.c. optical signal power is thus used to indicate a reduction in slope efficiency.

Abstract: In a circuit for producing an output signal under selective control of a control signal produced by a processor used in combination, a bar code reader and an optical communication receiver comprise in common a first low pass filter having a first cutoff frequency to produce a first low pass filtered signal. The optical communication receiver comprises a first digitizer connected to the first low pass filter for digitizing the first low pass filtered signal to supply a first digital signal to a serial communication unit. The bar code reader comprises a second low pass filter having a second cutoff frequency and connected to the first low pass filter for filtering the first low pass filtered signal to produce a second low pass filtered signal. A second digitizer is connected to the second low pass filter for digitizing the second low pass filtered signal to supply a second digital signal to an interrupt control unit.

Abstract: Azimuth related problems common to hand-inserted, magnetic card readers are avoided by a spring loaded edge guide track which extends along the entire length of travel of the card rather than only in the vicinity of the read head. The invention of both advancing edges of the card within tracks and a pressure plate maintain the advancing card in the plane of travel in a prescribed vertical position necessary for cards with active electronic elements as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-contact IC card having a microcomputer. The microcomputer includes a CPU, a resonance circuit which receives data bits through an electromagnetic wave, an input circuit which detects the data signal, and a decoding circuit which supplies a pulse of predetermined length to the CPU when the input circuit detects the data signal. The detection of the data signal also causes a circuit to close a switch using a reception inhibit signal of a half bit's width. The reception inhibit signal rapidly attenuates the oscillations in a resonance circuit, making it ready to receive the next data bit.

Abstract: The visibility of a laser beam emitted by a laser diode in a scanner is enhanced to facilitate aiming the laser beam at a symbol to be read. An aperture stop in an optical train has an increased dimension along a non-scan direction. The magnification of a focusing lens in the optical train is increased. Laser diode astigmatism is affirmatively used to enhance visibility. What results is an aiming spot (or aiming scan line) at a farther plane (d6) that is more visible to the user than the scanning spot at a closer plane (d3), at which closer plane the scanner is able to read a bar code.

Abstract: In an article sales system, a POS terminal 100 is connected to a depositing/withdrawing apparatus 200. Purchased articles may be paid for by inserting a credit or cash card into slot 102, or a prepaid card into slot 122. Banknotes and coins are inserted into the depositing/withdrawing apparatus 209, 210. The customer selects whether excess cash inserted into the depositing/withdrawing apparatus is to be paid to the customer in cash, or in the form of a prepaid card, or deposited in the account read from the credit or cash card.

Abstract: A shoe for a bar code wand consists of an upper cylindrical portion having a through hole for receiving and frictionally engaging a portion of the scanning head of the wand, a downwardly sloping inwardly converging shoulder located within the hole near the bottom of the cylindrical portion serving to limit the extent of penetration of the wand into the hole, and a pair of parallel opposing contact arms extending downward from the bottom of the cylindrical portion, for providing a predetermined gap between the reading tip of the wand and a bar code label. The ends of the contact arms are radiused to permit angular movement within a range of the wand from perpendicular orientation with a bar code label being read by moving the assembly of the wand and shoe across the label, while maintaining the desired gap.

Abstract: An access control ticket having three fields of data, a first field (3) of fixed data, a second field (7) of variable data, and a third field (8) of variable data is read and information processed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the validity of information on the ticket data fields and which of the variable fields has older data. Writing only occurs on (over) the variable field with invalid or older data. Upon subsequent use, the ticket contains current access data (just written) and last previous access data, as well as fixed field data. This added data (past use) can be used for statistical analysis or other purposes. More importantly, the added data field reduces read/write reliability problems. One improperly written variable data field does not invalidate ticket, only the last variable data entry. The microprocessor is programmed to overwrite invalid data in one of the variable data fields during the next use.

Abstract: Tracks formed on an optical card loaded into a card holder are scanned so that ID information about a reference position on the card is read. This ID information may be used to correct an appraisal of where the card is loaded on the card holder. If the correction operation fails, then the optical head is moved in a direction transverse to the tracks to again perform the correction operation at another track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the coding and the availability of a chip card, which is provided as memory storage in a programmable control system. During the initial operation of a chip card with a control system a coding process is performed. The coding process specifies the chip card to the control system and encodes the chip card. The chip card can only be copied after the coding process. However, the copy can only be used in the control system on which the original or master chip card was coded. In the event of a defect in the system hardware, a chip card may be used in a second control system so that the total system installation remains available. The second control system remains functionally operable with a chip card for a time-limited period if the code of the chip card does not coincide with the code of the control system.

Abstract: An adapter having female contacts (24) is inserted into a slot provided in an electronic apparatus. The adapter includes a memory card (20) permanently connected to the female contacts, and an opening for receiving an IC card (30). Alternatively, the adapter (80) may use a inductive coil (84) and a circuit unit (83) to interface with a non-contact IC card (50). The latter adapter may include a keyboard (85), display (86), and power supply (87).

Abstract: A bar code reader includes an image capture means for storing a two dimensional image in memory, which stored image may include a bar code symbol within the field of view of said image. The present bar code reader further includes method and apparatus for determining the location and orientation of said bar code symbol within the field of view of said image, and then filtering said located and oriented bar code symbol along an axis perpendicular to said detected orientation. Thereafter, the filtered bar code symbol is scanned and applied to a decoder to produce a decoded bar code output.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including an aiming system which is particularly suitable for handheld scanners where the outgoing light is scanned over a desired angle in a scan plane. The aiming system includes a light source generating an optical beam along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned; a detector for detecting light reflected off the object; an oscillating scan mirror in the outgoing optical path directing light toward the object along a scan plane; and a diffractive optical module positioned in the outgoing optical path adjacent the scan mirror, the diffractive optical module having a pair of diffractive optical elements separated by an aperture, the diffractive optical elements positioned on either side of an aperture along the scan plane, each diffractive optical element de-scanning the portion of the optical beam passing therethrough to form an aiming light beam.

Abstract: A desired coded pattern such as a bar code is formed with two materials which are magnetically different, e.g., in permeability or conductivity. A sensor has primary coils which are excited by reference AC signals which are different in phase from each other, to produce an induced output signal. When at least one of the primary coils is moved relative to the pattern to approach the pattern, the induced signal produced in the primary coil changes in accordance with existence of a material in the pattern and the electrical phase of a composite output signal of the induced signals in the respective primary coils corresponds to the existence of the material in the pattern. By measuring the electrical phase of this induced output signal, therefore, the pattern corresponding to the existence of the material can be read on the basis of the measured data of the electrical phase.

Abstract: An X-ray cassette 30 has a window 32 for mounting a back-lit LCD 34 to expose the film therein with patient identifying information in the form of a barcode. A strip of lead 38 opposite window 32 shields film 37 when cover 31 is closed. The LCD is activated after a sensor 56 connected to an X-ray tube 54 detects the discharge of X-rays. The patient identifying information may be read directly from the patient's bracelet 47 at the same time the X-ray is taken using barcode scanner 44.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading an identification code from a blood sample container includes an elastic member (42) which engages the upper side (34) of the sample container. A rotary device rotates the elastic member bidirectionally. An up-and-down moving device moves the elastic member up and down. A rotating/up-and-down moving control device (56) controls the movement of the container. An identification code reader (19) reads the sample code from the container, and a reading controller (57) permits the identification code reader to read from the container as it rotates in either forward or reverse direction. The elastic member abuts the upper part of the sample container and rotates it. If the identification code reader cannot read the identification code when the container rotates in the forward direction, the elastic member rotates the sample container in the reverse direction for the identification code to be read again.

Abstract: In a bar code reading apparatus, a laser beam emitted from a laser beam source disposed in a casing is reflected by a rotational mirror to scan a bar code. The reflected laser beam is reflected by a fixed scan mirror having four mirror members continually arranged with given angles therebetween, and the resultant beams are irradiated outward through a read window formed in the casing. Multiple scan lines in multiple directions are obtained on a normal plane to the read window. These scan lines consist of two groups of vertical scan lines in the normal plane, and two groups of oblique scan lines inclined at a given angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

Abstract: Light emitted from either one or two light sources is converged by first and second lenses to illuminate a strip shaped area where an object with a bar code is disposed. Alternatively, the first and second lenses may be combined with one another to form a single, multi-functional lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a pulse oximeter which can improve the repetitivity of measured values for calibration tests and which can calibrate the pulse oximeter with a high reliability. A tissue model having a light-absorbing characteristic approximated to that of the tissue of a living body is inserted into a space between a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section of a measuring probe that is connected to the pulse oximeter, and a blood model having a light-absorbing characteristic that is approximated to that of the blood is moved within the tissue model so as to enter into or exit from the space between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section.