Abstract: A real-time point of transaction funds confirmation system is provided whereby a draft is presented by a payor to a payee and a bank identifier and an account identifier are electronically read off the draft and used as part of a funds confirmation request. The funds confirmation request is submitted to a network where a plurality of payees and a plurality of payor banks are connected. The payor bank identified on the draft verifies the account identifier and compares the amount of the transaction to an amount of funds available in the account corresponding to the account identifier. The payor bank processor then returns a response message indicating whether or not sufficient funds were available. If the request is a funds guarantee request, then the payor bank will generally place a halt on funds sufficient to cover the draft. Otherwise, if the request is merely a funds verification request, the payor bank may choose not to place a hold on the funds.

Abstract: A portable data collection system is disclosed. The system includes a dataform reader module having a board camera electrically coupled to a control and decoder board in an open loop feedback configuration. The control and decoder board includes fuzzy logic image control circuitry which analyzes a captured frame of a video image including a dataform produced by the board camera. Based on the analysis of the captured frame, the fuzzy logic image control circuitry generates control signals to adjust operating parameters of the board camera such that an image suitable for decoding is produced.

Abstract: An optical code reader has of a reading window, a guide light source for guiding a two-dimensional code into a reading range outside the read window, an illumination light source for illuminating the two-dimensional code guided into the reading range, an optical system for focusing light reflected from the two-dimensional code illuminated by the illumination light source to form an image, an image sensor for sensing the image formed by the optical system, a read control circuit for reading the two-dimensional code on the basis of the sensed image, and a hand-held frame, having an opening which serves as the read window. The hand-held frame holds the guide light source, illumination light source, optical system, image sensor, and read control circuit.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus (bar code reader) including a plurality of light emitting elements, each light emitting element emitting light in different directions onto an information recording surface which has a linear recording (bar code pattern) printed thereon. A light receiving element receives reflected light from the information recording surface and generates a recording medium read signal for each light emitting element which is transmitted to a signal processing section. The signal processing section includes a plurality of conversion processing routes for converting the recording medium read signals from the plurality of light emitting elements into a plurality of display signals. Each of the display signals is then decoded separately.

Abstract: A method of coding drug pills in which a machine readable code is placed on the outer surface of the drug pills. The code includes the name and dosage of the pill. The code is a linear bar code, a radial bar code, a code on the outer peripheral edge of a tablet, or a coaxial code extending completely around a capsule. The code is applied to the pill by a) engraving the outer surface of the pill, b) by applying a code label, or c) by painting the code on the pill. In a method of distributing coded drug pills, the identification information is read from the pill. A desired drug delivery information file for a patient is also read. The identification information for the drug pill is compared to the desired drug delivery information prior to delivery of the pill to the patient. An alarm is generated upon detection of discrepancies between the pill identification information and the desired drug delivery information.

Abstract: A code reader, for reading a code printed on a surface of a printing medium, includes a photoelectric device for converting light reflected from the code into an electric signal. An amplifier is provided for amplifying the electric signal converted by the photoelectric device. A gain adjusting device is provided for adjusting a gain of the amplifier such that a summit level of the electric signal can be raised to a predetermined upper limit level. A digitizing device is provided for converting the electric signal amplified by the amplifier into a binary signal, using a predetermined level.

Abstract: A gasoline/diesel dispensing system is disclosed wherein the gasoline or diesel is provided only to authorized vehicle through the use of barcode information disposed on the vehicle. The system can be incorporated into a fixed site location or incorporated into a mobile fuel truck.

Abstract: An identification card comprises a card body formed from substantially unoriented heated crystallized polyethylene terephthalate resin, and is equipped to generate a recognizable identification signal. A concave portion may be formed on one side of the card body to accommodate, for example, magnetic memory media, to generate the identification signal.

Abstract: A non-contact type IC card system has a batteryless non-contact type IC card using an electromagnetic wave as a communication medium and a reading and writing (R/W) unit. To eliminate a problem that the level of a received signal varies depending upon the communication distance between the card and the R/W unit, a comparator detects the received signal level of an antenna resonance circuit for data transmission and reception, before a variable resistance device alters the quality factor Q of the antenna resonance circuit, which results in adjusting the level of the received signal.

Abstract: A glass antenna system for an automobile comprises a T-shaped or pi-shaped dynamic impedance matching circuit. Another system comprises an integrated circuit consisting of T-shaped FM and AM matching circuits each connected to a common cable. The T-shaped or pi-shaped matching circuit comprises at least two varactor diodes each applied to a channel selection voltage to match the FM antenna impedance with that of the FM receiver including that of the transmission cable.

Abstract: In an IC card, a user area is set to have a first area in which a write password is made valid, and a second area in which a read password is made valid. When a write command for the first area is sent together with a password from a read/write apparatus, the password is collated with the write password. When a read command for the second area is sent together with a password, the password is collated with the read password. As a result of the collation, when the passwords are identical, the respective commands are executed.

Abstract: Even when a plurality of cards have entered an communication area, the cards within the communication area may be accessible, and, if a data collision occurs, the order of accessing to the cards is expeditiously determined to perform an efficient communication. Each card determines a timing for returning a response block containing an ID code based on conditions directed by a read/write device and the ID code of its own. The read/write device is caused to receive the response block returned by the contactless IC card and to detect a data collision. Based on this result, the conditions are changed so that a respective response block containing an ID code is returned again, thereby concurrently processing the plurality of contactless IC cards.

Abstract: An efficient method and apparatus for determining the location and approximate orientation of a barcode on a substrate. The inventive method is preferably implemented by an omnidirectional barcode locator including an application specific integrated circuit that includes one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The digit image is a one-bit (i.e., black/white) representation of a standard eight-bit grey scale video image produced by the CCD camera. The use of a one-bit digital video signal reduces the amount of mass storage memory required to store images of barcodes and facilitates the manipulation of the video signal by the application specific integrated circuit. The omnidirectional barcode locator processes, in real-time, a digital video signal defining a pixelized image of a conveyor carrying parcels through the field of view of a CCD camera.

Abstract: A receptacle for mounting data carriers or code carriers which are inductively and/or electromagnetically read and/or written and which are to be embedded flush in a metallic environment requires a minimum of discrete members and simultaneously ensures an effective energy transfer from a sender coil to the data carrier or code carrier. A prefabricated receptacle adapted to a geometry of a mounting recess in the metallic object, the receptacle is made of an injection molding and/or casting material to which materials are added to set the relative magnetic permeability .mu..sub.r of the receptacle to at least 2 or greater and its specific ohmic resistance sufficiently high (>.OMEGA..multidot.m), the receptacle entirely encases the data carrier or the code carrier and further components, if any.

Abstract: In an optical scanning module, for reading indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity, having a light emitter assembly for emitting a light beam towards the indicia, and a detector for receiving light reflected back from the indicia and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, an optical scan module component is provided which includes two circuits on respective circuit boards which are angularly mounted, and preferably orthogonally mounted, to each other. The two circuit boards are electrically connected to each other so as to operate together to produce signals to drive the emitter assembly and to process the electrical signal produced by the detector. The first and second circuit boards each form at least a portion of a peripheral side of the scanning module and thus, defining a wall of a chamber having the light emitter assembly disposed therein, and wherein the scanning light beam moves relative to the first and the second circuit boards.

Abstract: A magnetic card reading apparatus particularly for an automatic vending machine which is located in a severe environmental condition comprises a main structure and an outer structure. The main structure has a magnetic card accommodation unit adapted to accommodate a magnetic card to a predetermined position and provided with a magnetic card insertion port and a magnetic card accommodation portion communicated with the magnetic card insertion port. A magnetic head is provided for the magnetic card accommodation unit for reading out a magnetic information recorded on the magnetic card held at the predetermined position. An electronic circuit unit is provided for the magnetic card accommodation unit for processing a signal concerning the information read out by and transmitted from the magnetic head.

Abstract: A portable data collection system includes a portable data collection terminal with a voice prompt circuit, a voice recognition circuit and optionally a bar code scanning device, such as a wand. The portable data collection terminal is similar in size and performs the same data collection functions as prior art portable data collection terminals but adds voice prompts for improved functionality, flexibility, and ease of use. When data is entered from either a keypad, or a bar code scanner, or when the operator needs to be prompted to take a particular action, a voice prompt circuit is activated to provide an oral message to the operator. The operator can respond with an oral phrase that is processed by the voice recognition circuit.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information with a light beam in or from a card information recording medium provided with a plurality of linear tracks, includes a card holder on which the medium is mounted, an optical head for projecting the light beam toward the medium, and a card holder moving mechanism for moving the card holder in a transverse direction to the tracks. An optical head moving mechanism translates the optical head in a direction along the tracks, and a holding mechanism provided below the card holder, holds the medium on the card holder.

Abstract: A method of streamlining, simplifying and inducing the giving of contributions or gifts by prospective contributors or gift givers, receiving and immediately capturing thereof upon receipt is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a stimulus for evoking an impulse to make a monetary contribution or gift commitment. The stimulus is selected from the group consisting of an audio stimulus, a video stimulus, and an audio/visual stimulus. The method further consists of the step of spreading amidst a crowd of prospective contributors or gift givers a plurality of electronic contributions or gifts management devices for immediate capture of a string of data that includes successive monetary contributions or gifts and batch off-loading of the data from the contributions or gifts management device whereby recordation of each of the contributions is uninterrupted by a verification of validation and/or authorization.