Abstract: An amplifier has an input responsive to an optical detector. An analog-to-digital converter is responsive to an output of the amplifier. A processor activates an optical emitter, and reads a first sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the first sample is less than a first threshold, the processor applies a first signal to a control input of the amplifier for a first duration. The processor reads a second sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the second sample is greater than a second threshold, the processor applies a second signal to the control input for a second duration less than the first duration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing communication with a higher communication rate while maintaining the occupied frequency band narrow, a signal processing unit of a reader/writer unit Biphase Shift Keying (BPSK)-modulates data to be transmitted, and thereafter outputs the modulated signal to a modem. The modem Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)-modulates the modulated signal and outputs the ASK-modulated signal to a first loop coil. The first loop coil generates a magnetic field corresponding to the modulated wave. An IC card converts a part of the magnetic field radiated from the reader/writer unit with another loop coil to generate a power source from the electrical signal, and also extracts the data transmitted. In the case of transmitting the data to the reader/writer unit, a load of another loop coil is changed in accordance with the data. The reader/writer unit detects, with the first loop coil, any change in load of another loop coil of the IC card magnetically coupled with the first loop coil.

Abstract: An IC memory card for use with a host information processing has an interface with the host information processor, a common memory having one or more IC memories and a security circuit for prohibiting access to the common memory if address data input from the host processor does not coincide with preset data. The IC memory card may further provide with an attribute memory which stores a security data and attribute information about the IC card wherein the security circuit checks not only the address data but also the data read out from the attribute memory to enhance the security.

Abstract: An identification medium with passive electronic data carrier and contactless, encoded communication with an associated read and write station (WR) has in a memory (42) a data organization with a common data field (CDF), with invariable, uncopiable master data (44), with a segmentable application data field (ADF), in which several independent applications can be written in application segments S1, S2, S3). A hierarchical authorization system (A) valid for all the identification media (IM-S) and all the read and write stations (WR) is established, with which each identification medium (IM-S) must be initialized and which ensures the mutual uninfluenceability of all the independent applications.

Abstract: A hand-held bar code reader, in particular a bar code wand is used by a consumer to read bar code information accompanying a product displayed at a retail outlet. The bar code information can be presented in, for example, UPC format and carries information relating to the products. The consumer subsequently down-loads information stored in the reader via a suitable interface to a personal computer which accesses information identified by a address included in or comprising the bar code information. The site contains additional information such as price information concerning the advertised product and the consumer may be able to pay for and order the product directly via the site. As a result the consumer has a simple reminder of the product, is able to obtain additional information concerning the product with minimum difficulty and can obtain the product itself with maximum ease.

Abstract: A code pattern image printed/recorded on a recording medium and adapted to be picked up and read is electronically taken up and read and then processed by a decoder to restore the original data, which is then transformed into an image data of the code pattern image by an encoder and printed/recorded on another predetermined recording medium to reproduce the code pattern image by a printer. The code pattern image printed/recorded on the recording medium is made to contain an operation control data for permitting or prohibiting the operation of the encoder and the operation control data is extracted from the code pattern image by an operation control data extracting unit so that encoding operation control section permits or prohibits the operation of the encoder according to the extracted data.

Abstract: A dot code recorded on an information recording medium consists of a data code corresponding to the contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, and a pattern code for determining a read reference point for the data code. The pattern code consists of pattern dots arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the data code, and markers arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the pattern dots and used to detect the pattern dots. In an information reproduction system for optically reading and reproducing a dot code from an information recording medium on which such a dot code is recorded, the dot code is imaged by an image input section. A data read reference point determining section then recognizes the pattern code from the picked-up image, and determines a data read reference point for reading the data code. A data reading section reads the data code on the basis of the data read reference point determined by thus data read reference point determining section.

Abstract: A transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system includes an IC card storing electronic monetary information and an identification number, an IC card read/write unit for reading and/or writing information in/from the IC card, a key control unit for controlling locking and unlocking of a door of the article receiving/housing unit, an identification number storing unit for storing identification number of the IC card, an amount-of-money information storing unit for storing amount-of-money information, a collating unit for collating the identification number stored in the identification number storing unit with the identification number read out from the IC card, and a line control unit for transferring the electronic monetary information via transmission line. For utilizing the article receiving/housing unit, the IC card is inserted, whereby the article receiving/housing unit is locked.

Abstract: A card reader connector (10) includes a housing (12) having a base (14) and a cover (40) securable together and defining a card receiving slot (60) extending therebetween. The rear wall (22) and side walls (30) of the base (14) coextend alongside and inwardly of the rear wall (50) and side walls (56) of the cover (40) upon assembly. The cover side walls (56) each include at least one flange (58) extending inwardly, and the base side walls (30) each include flange-receiving openings (32) and flange-receiving slots (34) associated with the flanges (58) and the cover (40) and the base (14) include cooperating locking sections operable after final stages of assembly. During assembly the side wall flanges (58) of the cover (40) are moved into respective flange-receiving slots (34) securing the cover (40) and base (14) from movement directly apart, and the locking sections securing the cover (40) and base (14) from any further relative sliding movement.

Abstract: A chip card system, whose chip cards (AK, LK) have in each case at least one internal processor (P) and a non-volatile memory (S) at least for an operating system of the processor (P). There are a multiplicity of user chip cards (AKn) whose processors (P) can in each case execute user command instructions only after an activation, and there is at least one license chip card (LK), in whose non-volatile memory (S) a limitable number of activatable user chip cards (AKn) can be managed. By means of at least one read-write station (AKg) for chip cards (LK), the activation of the internal processor (P) is effected in a user chip card (AKi) if in the memory (S) of the license chip card (LK) the number of activatable user chip cards (AKn) is not yet exhausted. Thereafter, the number of activatable user chip cards (AKn) is decremented in the memory (S) of the license chip card (LK).

Abstract: A method of executing a transaction on a smartcard of the type including a processor, a memory for storing a system program, an application programs and for storing data and an interface enabling communication with an external processor in a local terminal adapted to access related data is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining from the data stored on the smartcard in a pre-transaction state if the transaction can be executed validly by the smartcard (102); determining from the related data stored in a pre-transaction state and accessible by said external processor if the transaction can be executed validly by the external processor (102); in response to said determining steps being affirmative, executing said transaction on said smartcard and by said external processor (105); and in response to said smartcard or said external processor failing to execute said transaction, restoring said data and said related data to the or each pre-transaction state (108).

Abstract: A system and method to adapt a fuel dispenser and related facilities to accept bar coded cards in addition to or instead of magnetic strip cards. A standard bar code reader is used in conjunction with a magnetic strip card reader. The bar code reader includes a light detector and a light source. The light detector and light source are secured so that they may visually access a card in the magnetic strip card reader. This allows the light detector to access bar coded data that is printed on a bar coded card. Furthermore, the addition of the bar code reader does not prevent the magnetic strip card reader from also reading a magnetic strip if it is present on the card. When a bar coded card is slid into the magnetic strip card reader, the bar code reader interprets the signals generated thereby and "decodes" the signals into corresponding numbers. These numbers are then sent over a data bus to a controller, where they are interpreted.

Abstract: A portable hand-held data terminal having a curvilinear cross-sectional keypad capable of operation by one hand. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the keys may extend to various heights above the keypad depending on their function. For example, a scan trigger key may extend the farthest from the terminal, numeric keys may extend the next farthest, and alphabetic keys may extend the least. The data terminal may also provide a quick release pistol grip to terminal attachment which utilizes, in an exemplary embodiment, a pair of removably receivable compressible O-rings, a pair of removably receivable guides, and a lever-type latch mechanism. The invention may also provide an interface between the pistol grip assembly's trigger mechanism and the data terminal which does not require that the housing of the data terminal be pierced.

Abstract: A data carrier (1) which can be operated in a contact-bound mode and in a contactless mode and a circuit (2) for such a data carrier (1) has contact-bound interface means (3), contactless interface means (4), data processing means (22) and data transfer means (27) by which data received when the contact-bound mode is activated and when the contactless mode is activated can be transferred from the respective interface means (3, 4) to the data processing means (22), the data transfer means (27) being constructed to perform a logic OR function and, in conformity with this construction, when simultaneously data are received by the contact-bound interface means (3) and by the contactless interface means (4) to transfer said simultaneously received data to the data processing means (22).

Abstract: A chip-card reader includes a frame in which contact elements are provided. The contact elements serve to contact corresponding contacts on a chip-card. The chip-card is supported by a contact force take-up element that extends linearly across the card and engages the card on a side of the chip-card opposite the side on which the chip-card contacts are situated.

Abstract: A method of processing transaction charges from continuing billing arrangements that allows such charges to continue to be authorized after the account number to which the charges are directed has been invalidated, such as would result if the account number related to a credit or debit card that was lost, stolen or expired, or to a checking or savings account that was closed or transferred. A security key is used to indicate charges that are to be authorized after the account number has been invalidated. Charges that include the key are authorized, while charges that do not include the key are rejected.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading chip cards includes a housing, a printed circuit board arranged in the housing and a card reader which is arranged above the printed circuit board. The housing has a slot for introduction of the chip card. The slot in the housing wall and a guide means are arranged behind the slot in the wall, for the chip card, so that the slot in the card reader is aligned with the guide means. A spacer is arranged between the printed circuit board and the card reader, and the spacer is fixedly connected to the printed circuit board, and the card reader is releasably connected to the spacer.

Abstract: A self-check apparatus is provided for processing a sales transaction of an article having an attached surveillance tag, each attached surveillance tag bearing a coded indicia such as a bar code. The self-checkout apparatus stores an indication of the articles which have been selected for purchase. When the surveillance tag is presented to the apparatus for deactivation, the bar code on the tag is scanned, and a check is made to verify that the surveillance tag is attached to an article which has been selected for purchase, and provided such verification is made, the surveillance tag is deactivated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for access control is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a keypad unit, proximity sensor, a card reader interface circuit, and a control circuit. The keypad unit displays a plurality of randomly generated symbols on a keyface which includes a plurality of keys. The keypad unit generates a signal representing one of the plurality of randomly generated symbols when a corresponding key on the keyface is activated. The proximity sensor senses the information encoded in a card held near the keypad unit. The proximity sensor is hidden within the keypad unit. The card reader interface circuit is coupled to the proximity sensor for reading the encoded information from the card. The control circuit is coupled to the keypad unit and the card reader interface circuit to convert the signal or the encoded information into an identification code.

Abstract: A bar code scanner for stationary disposition at a counter to projecting a scanning pattern comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of parallel scan lines within a relatively narrow, yet diverging, volume, e.g., pyramid, cone, etc., centered about a projection axis. The scanner includes a compact housing mounted on an adjustible base. The housing includes a window, five stationary mirrors, a laser diode, a rotating reflective polygon for sweeping the laser beam from the diode across the mirrors and out a window so that the projection axis is substantially but not precisely perpendicular to the window. The scanner also includes a fixed curved collecting mirror and a concentrating lens to focus light which is reflected off of a bar code to a photodetector. One mirror extends along an axis parallel to the transverse axis to produce the first group of scan lines.