Abstract: A quasi one-dimensional focal plane array for vision scanners which records a portion of an image of a bar code label which is substantially less than the entire image of the bar code label. The focal plane array has more than 1000 columns of pixels and less than 100 rows of pixels for producing the image of the portion of a bar code label. Additional portions are scanned by the focal plane array as the portions move across the focal plane array. A vision scanner employing the quasi-one-dimensional focal plane array requires only enough memory to store the image of the portion of the bar code label. Each image is recorded, stored, and decoded in turn. The image of the bar code label may be demagnified. A system employing such a vision scanner is located at a distance high enough from an article conveyor to provide a substantially uniform depth of field, despite variations in the height of the articles.

Abstract: A gas sample chamber that is particularly advantageous for use with a semiconductor laser has the form of an elongated hollow tube with a specularly reflective inside surface, a semiconductor laser located at one end of the tube and a detector located at the opposite end of the tube. In one embodiment, apertures in the wall of the tube permit a gas to enter and leave the sample chamber by free diffusion. In another embodiment the gas flows into the hollow tube from a pressurized source through a port or is drawn through the tube by a suction pump. In other embodiments, the tube is partitioned into two successive sections by means of a window located within the tube. The window is transparent to radiation of two different wavelengths that coincide with the absorption bands of two different gases. The semiconductor laser is tuned to these wavelengths successively so that two gas components can be detected and measured simultaneously.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus has a card inserting unit provided with a card inserting port for a contact type card which is disposed inside of a loop-shaped antenna through which data is transmitted to and received from a non-contact type card. Even if various kinds of cards are accessed, the sequence of accessed cards cannot be different from the sequence of cards being processed. With this arrangement, in a data processing apparatus capable of commonly using two or more kinds of cards including the contact type card and non-contact type card, the sequence of users utilizing the apparatus cannot be different from the sequence of data being processed.

Abstract: A single width bar code is appended with an end mark which includes a blank interval and a bar. The resulting bar code is bidirectional and inherently self clocking so as to be particularly useful in the identification of semiconductor wafers in very large scale integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The codes described are robust, reliable, and highly readable even in the face of relatively high variations in scanning speed. The codes are also desirably dense in terms of character representations per linear measurements, an important consideration in semiconductor manufacturing wherein space on chips and wafers is at a premium. Additionally, a preferred embodiment of the present invention exhibits a minimum number for the maximum number of spaces between adjacent bars in code symbol sequences.

Abstract: A bar code signal essentially forms a cross-section of a bar code pattern which through irradiation luminesces from the background of a carrier under fluorescent action. Detection is performed by testing the bar code signal F(t) within each area (ZG1, TIS) within which a bar may be expected, against a bar criterion (THR, MTHR) obtained by prediction, with the aid of a prediction table (TABLE 1), from a local background signal value (AGR) locally derived from the bar code signal F(t). In this method use is made of the fact that, first, between the bars the background of the carrier is invariably present, making a periodical reliable background approximation from the bar code signal value possible, and, second, there is a certain correlation between a background and the additive signal contribution as a response of the bars luminescing from that background under irradiation.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improved high resolution laser interferometer (10) which gains an increase accuracy through elimination of a source of temperature change error by causing a reference laser beam (16) to traverse the same distance within glass as does a measurement laser beam (18). The inventive arrangement of optics combines a polarizing cube (24), a cube corner retroreflector (28), a right angle reflector (30), and two or more quarter wave plates (32), (34) and (36)to produce the desired result. An equally preferred alternate embodiment (210) of the invention combines the first preferred embodiment (10) with an etalon (240) to directly measure the refractive index of air. This measurement is then used to adjust readings obtained using the first preferred embodiment (10) to further improve accuracy.

Abstract: A radio frequency proximity reader has a base plate housing portion that has an essentially rectangular shape with first and second opposed major surfaces and a centrally located bore. A cylindrical housing portion having a concentrically placed bore is attached to the base plate and extends substantially perpendicular to the first major surface, with the bores of the housing portions being substantially aligned. A radio frequency antenna including a cylindrical ferrite core having at least one concentrically wound coil is concentrically located within the cylindrical housing portion. A light emitting diode and a piezo buzzer are provided within the cylindrical housing portion adjacent the second major surface of the base plate. A cable electronically connects the reader to remotely located signal processing circuits. The base plate may be attached to a wall, whereby the first surface abuts the wall. A rectangular cover attached to the base plate covers the second major surface of the base plate.

Abstract: An integrated card programming device for programing an integrated circuit card. The integrated circuit card programing device has a base, a card input platform, and a transport. The transport is operably connected to the base and rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The transport includes a transport arm radially disposed about the rotational axis. A card picker carriage is mounted on the transport arm. The card picker carriage has two picker arms. One or more personalization stations for programming an integrated circuit card are radially disposed about the transport. The personalization stations can program the cards to the French or ISO standards and are rotatable 180.degree..

Abstract: A bar code reader includes an imaging element for recording a two-dimensional bar code, a frame memory for storing a two-dimensional bar code image recorded by the imaging element, and a bar code reading-control unit which finds coordinates of four corners of the two-dimensional bar code image stored in the frame memory, finds equations of four straight lines passing through four sides of the two-dimensional bar code image, sets a plurality of scan lines at equal intervals between those two of the four straight lines which cross two portions corresponding to start and end codes of the two-dimensional bar code image, and further sets a plurality of sampling lines at equal intervals between remaining two straight lines extending along the two portions, respectively, and samples the two-dimensional bar code image at positions corresponding to intersections between the scan lines and the sampling lines, whereby bar code information is read out from the two-dimensional bar code image.

Abstract: A drive device for a magnetic head (6) reciprocally movable in a slot (8) in a bank printer is suspended on a driving cogged belt (1), the cogged side of which at the same time serving as a covering for the slot to prevent the front edge of an inserted document from catching in the slot (8) in the document-supporting surface ( 7 ). The cogged belt can run with its smooth snide over smooth rollers (2, 3) at either end of the slot.

Abstract: A carrier for display fields or value characters, such as a credit card, contains optically readable display fields which can be erased by the effects of heat or which can at least be changed permanently in optical terms, and a storage layer for storing energy for the purpose of producing the thermal energy required for the heating effect at the location of the display field to be erased. In this way, the energy stored in the storage layer, which energy corresponds to at least the erase energy required, is released by the supply of an initial energy which is less than the erase energy. If a photoconductive layer is used additionally, the reading light beam can also serve to produce a local electrical current I in the region of the display field to be erased, wherein the current I produces sufficient thermal energy in the form of initial energy to set in notion the reaction process in the storage layer and to release the thermal energy stored therein.

Abstract: A system for recycling and tracking of reusable surgical instruments includes a remotely located instrument sterilization and maintenance facility, electronically linked to a shipping carrier and a hospital facility. Orders for surgical instrument kits needed during a predetermined surgical schedule are placed electronically from the hospital site and transmitted to a host computer at the remote sterilization and maintenance facility. Instrument kits are stored at the sterilization and maintenance facility which also receives used instrument kits from the hospital. Decontamination, inspection, repair, recycling, and sterilization stations at the sterilization and maintenance facility allows for rapid, efficient, and low cost maintenance and repacking of used instruments for reuse at the hospital.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of authenticating an identification article, the identification article having thereon first and second optical strips bearing compound diffraction grating patterns, each optical strip including at least first and second diffraction grating elements, the method comprising: optically reading the first optical strip to detect when the first diffraction grating elements are present; and simultaneously optically reading the second optical strip to detect the relationship of the first and second diffraction grating elements on the second optical strip relative to the first diffraction grating elements on the first optical strip, thereby to develop an optical signature for the identification means.

Abstract: A method for aiming vehicle headlights and for visually displaying the illumination patterns of the headlights using "pattern framing". The apparatus focuses the light beam on a screen and senses the intensity of the light in each cell of a matrix of cells overlying the reflected light beam with an image sensor. The apparatus generates an electrical signal for each cell indicative of the intensity of the light beam in each cell. The apparatus includes a computer for comparing at least some of the electrical signals to each other and with established criteria to determine whether the headlight is aimed within a prescribed degree of accuracy. The matrix is searched to find a row and column of points farthest away from the "hot spot" of the beam which have at least one point with a certain light intensity relationship. The row and column are compared with the established criteria to determine if the headlight is properly aimed.

Abstract: A sealing member such as an O-ring, packing, or gasket is provided on the inner wall of an insertion hole of a terminal connector and/or on the outer surface of a portable data storage device which is inserted into the terminal connector so that the clearance between the portable data storage device and the insertion hole of the terminal connector is filled. An area from the sealing member inside the insertion hole to the innermost electrode section is made air-tight, and therefore no dirt, dust, etc. can enter. Metal panels may be provided on each of the obverse and reverse sides of the portable device to improve mechanical strength. In a portable data storage device equipped with a releasable battery holder, a sealing member is provided on the outer surface of the battery holder and/or on the inner wall of a battery holder housing section of the portable device so that the clearance between the battery holder and the housing section is filled.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for acquiring demographic data at the point of sale. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes use of a bar code scanner for two purposes: identification of the product by reading the bar code it carries and for scanning bar-coded demographic selections corresponding to assessments of demographic information made by the sales clerk about the purchaser. The selections are printed onto a chart in words and associated bar code and kept at the check out counter for scanning when the goods are purchased. The two components of data: product identification data and demographic data are associated with each other and stored by a computer until transmitted for evaluation. In an embodiment alternative to the dual use of a scanner, a key pad can be used to make the demographic selections and input them to the computer along with the product identification data.

Abstract: Bar code scan data is corrected for spot-speed variation by processing the data to determine a spot-speed profile having non-zero acceleration within at least some of the characters of the bar code symbol being scanned, and then using the speed profile to normalize the scan data. Preferably, average spot speeds across individual characters are determined, and a speed profile is fit to these average spot speed data points in such a manner that the curve is not forced to pass through every data point. In this way, a spot-speed profile is derived that does not incorrectly attribute, to speed variation, errors due to other sources, e.g., random edge errors from printing. Preferably, the spot-speed profile consists of a plurality of straight line segments. The segments may be slightly disjoint, and each segment is from two to four characters in length, depending on the density of the bar code symbol.

Abstract: An IC card (24) and a data memory card (23) are mounted to a terminal equipment (1) connected to a center computer (32) via a line. Confirmation information stored in the IC card is checked whether or not it coincides with confirmation information stored in an RAM (6) in the terminal equipment or confirmation information stored in the data memory card. After coincidence of the confirmation information is detected, the terminal equipment performs the processing to be conventionally performed by the center computer in place of the center computer. An IC card intake and outtake processing mechanism (104) in the terminal equipment does not send out the IC card to the outside of the terminal equipment when the power of the terminal equipment is shut down.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring local carrier concentration in a preselected area of a semi-conductor is shown and described. An exciting light (preferably a laser) alters the sample's band-gap by photo injecting electron hole pairs in the area being measured. Because of the Franz-Keldysh effect, the photo injected carriers alter the sample's reflectivity. An optical fiber conducts a broad band source of probing light to the excited area on the sample. The sample reflects some of the broad band light back into a fiber that conducts the reflected light to an optical analyzer. The optical analyzer includes a dispersive element that disperses the reflected light onto a linear array of detectors. The analyzer thus simultaneously samples multiple wavelengths in the reflected spectrum. From the resulting samples, a computer deconvolutes the spectral line shape into a measurement of the local electric field and the local carrier concentration.

Abstract: Focusing system for a bar code reader, comprising a lens system, wherein for varying the focal length the focusing system is provided with a reflector rotatable around a rotational axis, the reflector comprising at least one reflective surface normally intersecting the optical axis of the lens system, the point of intersection having a distance relative to the lens system which varies in response to the rotation of the reflector.