Abstract: A system for bar code reading and scanning is provided having automatic bar code signal size control. The scanner includes a processor which calculates, in response to a signal power level of the symbol which has been read, a first optical power level when the beam is scanned in a first direction and a second optical power output level when the beam is scanned in a second direction. This calculation is responsive to the power level and the detected signal size of the preceding scan.

Abstract: In a paper media system for reading a bidimensional bar code representative of, for example, the contents of a document, reproducing the contents, and displaying or outputting them, a bar code recording device combines a document image with a bar code image by reducing, or moving, or decomposing and rearranging the document image, and then prints them on a paper together. Hence, the document image is prevented from overlapping the bar code image on the paper. Further, a character image existing in a document image are transformed to a second bar code image. The second bar code image is combined with the above or first bar code image and then printed on a paper. Thins prevents the first and second bar code images from overlapping each other on the paper. In addition, because bar code images are provided with line widths and line distances capable of being read by a bar code reader, they can be surely read by a bar code reader.

Abstract: A method and system that provides power to an antenna clearing device through a coaxial cable used to transmit the satellite signals is disclosed. Receiver decoder box for receiving satellite signals via an LNB is connected to the LNB by the coaxial cable. The antenna clearing device is also connected to the coaxial cable. A power source within the box provides power to the LNB and the antenna clearing device via the coaxial cable.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible, generally planar spring used for mounting an oscillatable scanning component in an electro-optical scanning module for reading coded indicia is rendered resistant to over flexing during scanning by receiving a pin with radial clearance in an oversized opening, thereby attenuating the effects of external shock forces to the module.

Abstract: To facilitate the recovery data from an embedded data pattern through the use of a appropriately sized capture window that is randomly positioned within the data pattern, the embedded data pattern is composed of a plurality of identical, one dimensionally or two dimensionally regularly tiled embedded data blocks which contain sufficient spatial addressing information to permit the logical reconstruction of a complete data block from any set of fragments that collectively provide a full cover for the surface area of any one tile. To this end, the capture window is sized to include a shape which is completely registered with the data pattern in which is capable of tiling the recording medium in accordance with the tiling vectors.

Abstract: An antenna structure has a radiating element and a ground plane. The ground plane has a central region relatively closely spaced apart from the radiating element and a peripheral region extending away from the central region. At least the peripheral region of the ground plane has a sheet resistivity that increases as radial distance from the central region increases. Though physically small, the ground plane simulates an infinite ground plane, and the antenna structure reduces multipath signals caused by reflection from the earth.

Abstract: An optical scanner for optically scanning a bar code includes a housing having a window formed on a selected surface thereof, a first scanning system, housed in the housing, for emitting a first scanning beam from the housing through the window and a second scanning system, housed in the housing, for emitting a second scanning beam from the housing through the window. The first scanning beam moves in a first scanning pattern and the second scanning beam moves in a second scanning pattern which is different from the first scanning pattern. Additionally, the second scanning pattern may be used for scanning a bar code having a selected special form.

Abstract: An RF identification system having an interrogator operable to send RF interrogations to a transponder and to receive RF responses from the transponder. The interrogator is in electrical communication with a closed slot antenna. The closed slot antenna is formed by an an outer visual magnetic loop and an inner visual magnetic loop such that the antenna has a superior magnetic field when compared to a balanced double loop antenna with an equal area and a superior far-field noise suppression when compared to the single loop antenna. The antenna receives said RF responses from the transponder and provides said RF responses to said interrogator. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical scanning of one and two-dimensional barcode symbols is carried out using a variety of ergonomic scanner embodiments which can each be used either in a hand-held mode or in a fixed-mode. In certain embodiments, hand-held scanners are described which can if required be easily positioned in a number of desired orientations on a work surface. Other embodiments disclose point-of-sale arrangements incorporating removable barcode scanners that can, where necessary, be removed from the point-of-sale unit and used by the checkout operator to scan a large or bulky item in a "point-and-shoot" mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are an improved electronic check presentment ("ECP") system having a non-ECP exceptions notification system incorporated therein and a method of electronically communicating data pertaining to non-ECP exceptions.

Abstract: A method for on-premise processing of articles such as food items bearing linear or two-dimensional bar code symbols comprises the steps of defining an on-premise storage unit such as a refrigerator or pantry for releasable storage of the articles, scanning and storing the bar codes of articles entering and withdrawn from the storage unit, scanning and storing the bar codes of articles returned to the storage unit following the withdrawal thereof from the storage unit and providing output indication of failure of correspondence of storage of stored bar codes in the steps of entry and withdrawal scanning and return scanning. A "shopping list" or inventory readout is obtainable from the failures of correspondence. Methods are provided also for processing two-dimensional bar codes symbols wherein messages encoded therein are selectively audibilized in connection with a refrigerator or pantry.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code reading apparatus including a CCD sensor that captures an image including a two-dimensional code attached on an article being conveyed, for example. The two-dimensional code is formed as a matrix of light and dark cells, and includes at least two orientation symbols at corners of the matrix. Each of the orientation symbols is geometrically defined so that when a scanning line signal of the CCD sensor is binary-coded into a sequence of scanning line pulse signals, they show a given frequency component ratio. The two-dimensional code reading apparatus identifies an orientation of the orientation symbols based on positions of the pulse signals showing the given frequency component ratio in the captured image to determine positions of data cells in a data field of the two-dimensional code adjacent to the orientation symbols for decoding code information indicated by the data cells.

Abstract: A dipole having radiating elements (9, 14) which taper from the proximal end (1) of the radiating element to the distal end (2) of the radiating element. Electrical coupling is provided between adjacent lateral edges of the radiating elements by means of spaced apart tabs (10, 11, 12, 13). Cut-away portions (5, 5a) are provided between the proximal end (1) and the tabs (3, 4). By adjusting the distance between and the extent to which the tabs (10, 11, 12, 13) overlap the real part of the impedance of the dipole may be adjusted. The dipole may thus be configured to be directly driven from a feed-line without requiring matching components. This results in reduced complexity and losses. The dipole also exhibits reduced impedance variation, increasing the bandwidth of the dipole.

Abstract: A promotional system includes an envelope or sleeve, an article of currency and a label removably attached to the article of currency. The envelope or sleeve has a length less than that of the currency and a through opening in one face so that, when the article of currency is received within the envelope or sleeve, the portrait portion of the article of currency will register with the opening and part of the currency will project beyond the end of the envelope or sleeve. Either or both of the label and envelope or sleeve carries machine-readable indicia. Reading and display means are provided whereby the envelope or sleeve and/or the label may be read and a display actuated upon insertion into the reading means. An alternative embodiment includes a second opening in the one face of the envelope or sleeve positioned so as to overlie at least a portion of the inserted label. A further alternative embodiment includes just the article of currency, the indicia-bearing label and the reading and display means.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader assembly includes a magnetic read head being biased into a guide slot. The guide slot is defined by a first side wall, a second bottom wall and a third side wall. The first side wall has an opening for receiving the magnetic read head. A U-shaped member has a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is integrally connected to the first side wall as one piece unitary member. A read head mounting frame is fixedly connected to the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A dual polarization antenna includes a non-conducting space surrounded by a ground plane. Two angularly offset sets of dipole structures penetrate into the space. Each set of dipole structures comprises a pair of aligned short circuit elongate dipoles extending from the ground plane into the space from diametrically opposed directions and terminating in respective free ends. The free ends are adjacent, but spaced from each other, to define a gap between them. At least one separate device is provided for exciting each set of dipole structures or each dipole structure within a set individually. A radiating element is provided overlying the dipole structures such that the dipole structures couple, in use, with the radiating element, causing the radiating element to radiate polarizations determined by the orientation of each of the sets of dipole structures.

Abstract: An optical code reader is held in a hand of an operator and is brought near an article having a 2-dimensional code affixed thereto at the time of reading. The optical code reader includes a read window, a light source for illuminating an article via the read window, and a read control circuit for receiving light reflected by the article via the read window and detecting a 2-dimensional code from an image corresponding to the reflected light. The light source may include a guide beam projector for radiating guide light in a direction almost perpendicular to a read window plane, the guide light indicating a read range corresponding to the size of the read window on a plane parallel to the read window plane. Transparent cap may be provided at the read window for permitting a code on the article to be seen from the outside, while reducing external light entering the cap from the outside of the cap.

Abstract: A debit card system for implementing an incentive award program for a customer having participants. A plurality of debit cards, each assigned to one participant and having a unique account number corresponding to an award account of the participant is part of the system. A bank filter processor accesses program data including data identifying the authorized unique account numbers of the participants, data identifying the authorized merchants and data indicating the balance in each participant's award account. The filter processor compares this program data to the following transaction data: the initiating account number of the card initiating the transaction, the merchant identification data of the initiating merchant, and the data regarding the amount of the initiated transaction.

Abstract: A card processing device for processing data on a card comprising a processor configured to move along with the card and process data on the card as it is moving, a detection device which detects the displacement of the processor relative to the card in a manner which is directly dependent on the movement of either the card or the processor, and a converter device which converts the signal from the detection device to a reference signal for the processing of the data.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning bar code on an article is disclosed. The scanner has a housing provided with a window; a laser light source for transmitting a laser beam which is disposed in the housing; a first mirror fixedly disposed in the housing for reflecting the laser light beam; a member mounted in the housing for rotatable driving and provided with second rotatable mirror; and a detector for receiving the laser light coming from the bar code reflected by the fixed mirror and the rotatable mirror and admitted via the window. The fixed and rotatable mirrors are disposed such that a pattern of a comparatively large number of relatively short scan lines partly overlapping each other is created as seen on the window.