Abstract: A reproduction apparatus (14) for reproducing documents (12) which comprise a base material. The apparatus comprises a platen (10) for forming a scanning area and for positioning the documents (12) on its one side, scanning means (18) for scanning the scanning area, and means for obtaining a relative movement between the scanning means and the documents in order to allow for the scanning. The scanning means (18) comprise a microwave system which is constituted by microwave transceivers (26) arranged in an array such that they can detect the presence of particles (13) which have electromagnetic properties which are substantially different from the electromagnetic properties of the base material and which are incorporated in at least a part of the documents (12), irrespective of the position of the documents (12) on the scanning area.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable terminal apparatus for use to read information from an object of reading such as a bar code and process the information, which is improved in that a trigger key of an optical reading unit is located so as to be used readily by an operator to assure a high degree of operability. The portable terminal apparatus includes an apparatus body, an inputting section provided on the apparatus body for inputting processing information including data and an operation instruction, and an optical reading unit mounted on the apparatus body for irradiating light upon a reading object and receiving reflected light from the reading object to obtain read information of the reading object. The portable terminal apparatus is additionally provided with a reading function as the optical reading unit is mounted integrally on the apparatus body.

Abstract: An IC card having two coupling coils, two rectifier circuits, internal circuits, a voltage-adjusting circuit, a reset-signal generating circuit, and a wave-selecting circuit. The coils receives two carrier waves which are shifted in phase by 90.degree.. The rectifier circuits rectify the carrier waves, generating direct-current voltages for the internal circuits. The voltage-adjusting circuit adjusts the direct-current voltages to a voltage of a predetermined value. The reset-signal generating circuit has hysteresis. The wave-selecting circuit selects one of the carrier waves and outputs the selected wave as a system clock signal. The system clock signal is stable, and the internal circuits can perform stable operations. The IC card can stably operate to receive data and transmit data. Furthermore, the IC can be easily made in the form of an LSI.

Abstract: A retractable antenna device includes a flexible antenna composed of a coiled antenna conductor covered with an inner antenna cover, a tubular outer antenna case telescopically assembled with the inner antenna case for sliding movement of the flexible antenna relative the outer antenna case, a tension coil spring formed of an electrically conductive material and connected between the coiled antenna conductor and the outer antenna case, and holding means disposed on the base of the flexible antenna for holding the flexible antenna against displacement relative to the outer antenna case. With this construction, when the flexible antenna is pulled out from, or retracted into, the outer antenna case, the tension coil spring is extended or contracted. The coil spring, as it is contracted, serves as a short antenna coil so that the necessary antenna characteristics can be maintained even when the flexible antenna is received inside the antenna case.

Abstract: This invention discloses a roll-on, roll-off financial services system suitable for use on transportation facilities comprising an enclosure which is mounted on wheels and which encloses at least one banknote acceptor, a card reader, a computer interfacing with at least one banknote acceptor and the card reader and at least one banknote dispenser for dispensing banknotes in response to control inputs received from the computer.

Abstract: An integral type flat antenna provided with a converter function includes an antenna element having a feeding point and an integrally formed multilayered substrate for supporting the antenna element thereon. The multilayered substrate includes a grounding plane layer on which the antenna element is mounted, a first insulating layer provided below the grounding plane layer, a second insulating layer positioned below the first insulating layer and provided with a frequency conversion circuit for carrying out a converter function on frequency of received signals, the frequency conversion circuit having a signal input portion which is positioned at one end of the second insulating layer, and a conducting layer provided between the first and second insulating layers for connecting the feeding point of the antenna element to the signal input section of the frequency conversion circuit.

Abstract: A surface-mount antenna using a dielectric base of a relatively low dielectric constant to obtain a wide frequency band and a small size. There is also disclosed a communication device using such a surface-mount antenna. The antenna comprises a dielectric base provided with at least one hole extending through the base between two opposite end surfaces of the base. A radiating electrode is formed in the hole. One end of the radiating electrode is connected with a grounding electrode which is formed at one end surface of the dielectric base. The other end of the radiating electrode is connected with a feeding terminal via a capacitor.

Abstract: A target bearing a coded indicium is found by a system for electro-optically reading indicia. Upon the determination that the indicium is located within a range of working distances relative to a hand-held housing, a user is prompted that the indicium is ready to be read. A sonic signal is transmitted by a ranger, and a return echo from the indicium is received. An auditory prompt, such as a single tone or a series of tones, advises the user that the indicium is within range.

Abstract: A scanning device for projecting a light beam against a target having information contained thereon which is to be scanned by the light beam; and in particular relates to a compact laser scanning device, such as a bar code projecting a laser beam, and which device incorporates a drive component such as a scanning motor for oscillating a scanning element or mirror at a high rate of speed within a specified angular range so as to cause the light or laser beam which impinges against the information on the target to be rapidly swept across the information in a scanning sequence. In particular, the structure is directed to improving the linearity of the oscillatory or "dithering" motion imparted by the scanning motor to the scanning element or mirror. Also contemplated is a novel method of utilizing the "dithering" or oscillating motion of the scanning motor for effectuating an improvement in the quality of the scan by the scanning device.

Abstract: A flexible feed line is provided for use with a selectively deployable antenna system. The feed line is resilient and expandable so that it can maintain connections within antenna feed circuits while the antenna is being deformed or moved for stowage. An antenna system for use with the feed lines of the present invention may consist of a deployable quadrifilar helical antenna elements having four resilient conductive strips bonded thereto. Flexible feed lines are attached to each of the conductive helical strips. The feed lines expand to accommodate the shape of the antenna elements when compressed for stowing and return to their operating shape when deployed, thus providing identical feed paths to each of the antenna conductors when the antenna system is deployed.

Abstract: A card upside-down insertion preventive apparatus comprises a truncated corner portion formed at one end of a leading edge portion of a square card, a card tray disposed in a card insertion chamber communicating with a card inlet port, the card tray having a front abutment member and capable of moving in accordance with insertion of the card, the leading edge of the card being brought into abutment with the front abutment portion when the card is inserted through the card inlet port, a lock claw formed on the card tray, the lock claw being capable of displacing upwardly and downwardly in a direction perpendicular to the card insertion direction, a pressure receiving portion formed on the claw in a region within the truncated corner portion of the card which is in abutment with the front abutment member, the pressure receiving portion causing the lock claw to displace downwardly by being pressed by a non-truncated corner portion formed at the other end of the front edge portion of the card when the card is ins

Abstract: A system for assisting a customer during shopping includes machine-readable currently-owned item indicia store and a compatibility determination subsystem. The machine-readable currently-owned item indicia store includes a smart-card, magnetic disk or the like, for storing indicia identifying selected characteristics of items which are currently owned by the customer, including such information as, for example, accurate color andr styling parameter and metric information. The compatibility determination subsystem generates a compatibility assessment in response to the currently-owned item indicia stored by the currently-owned item indicia store, indicia identifying selected characteristics for items provisionally selected by the customer, and compatibility parameter information identifying compatibilities among various types of indicia.

Abstract: An energy transmission arrangement is formed as a subarray panel which emits a microwave energy signal to a target location on the basis of a pilot signal received from the target location. The subarray panel includes a transmission antenna divided into a subarray having a plurality of antenna elements for transmission of the energy signal. The subarray panel further includes pilot signal receiving antennas and thus each subarray panel may function independently and may thus be made lighter and more compact.

Abstract: A scanner module for directing a light beam to scan an optically encoded symbol includes a scanner component and a permanent magnet mounted for joint oscillatory motion on a support to scan the light beam by a flexible, resilient member having one end connected to the support, and an opposite end connected to a frame. This oscillatory motion is induced by the interacting magnetic fields established by the permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil driven by an AC current. Bidirectional light beam scanning is achieved by an additional electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A method of streamlining the acknowledgment of a plurality of contribution or gift commitments includes the steps of dispersing through a crowd of prospective contributors or gift givers located at a plurality of remote locations a plurality of portable, self-powered devices for the entry of data consisting essentially of monetary contribution or gift commitments, automatically correlating the data with address data of respective contributors or gift givers making monetary contribution or gift commitments, and acknowledging the respective contribution or gift commitments from a remote data processing location from where the contribution or gift commitments were entered. A multiplicity of contribution or gift commitments made at a plurality of remote locations, to distinct gift recipients or fund-raising organizations are readily acknowledged.

Abstract: An array antenna especially adapted for spacecraft use includes a support frame made up of intersecting beams which form an "eggcrate" of square openings. A plurality of subarrays or radiating tiles are dimensioned to fit within the openings. Distortion of the support frame due to external forces, or due to expansion and contraction of the radiating tiles, is accommodated andor resisted by a four-point mounting arrangement for each tile. Each mounting is located on the center of the sides of the radiating tile, and the corresponding center of the side of the opening in which it fits. Each mounting consists of a thin, flexible mounting beam, extending parallel to the associated support beam, and fastened to the support beam at the ends of the mounting beam. The center of the side of the tile is fastened to the center of the flexible support beam, so expansion and contraction of the tile are compensated by bending of the flexible beam.

Abstract: An antenna suitable for use at subscriber sites in a television distribution system having a high front-to-back ratio and optimized for reception within multiple frequency bands. The antenna is comprised of multiple tapered antenna stages including a primary antenna stage for receiving a primary frequency band and a coupling antenna stage for matching the impedance of the primary antenna stage to either a coaxial cable or downconverter electronics. The multiple antenna stages are alternatively formed from either a stamping of a metal sheet or a double sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes a separate transmitter and receiver, each being able to ultrasonically transmit and receive data, respectively. The receiver transmits an acknowledgement signal when a protocol is received, and sends the acknowledgement signal to the transmitter which, unless it receives the acknowledgement signal, will retransmit the protocol a predetermined number of times. The transmitter includes a receiver which monitors an ultrasonic frequency band for a time period in which transmission by the transmitter is not allowed. The time period corresponds to a time when another ultrasonic signal in the ultrasonic frequency band is detected by the receiver of the transmitter. Transmission by the transmitter is allowed as soon as the another ultrasonic signal is no longer detected by the receiver of the transmitter.

Abstract: A method of and device for streamlining, simplifying and inducing the giving of contribution or gift commitments by contributors or prospective gift givers [, and receiving thereof upon receipt that] involves dispersing through a crowd of prospective contributors or gift givers a plurality of keyless, electronic contributions or gifts management devices for immediate entry of consecutive data comprising the identities of the contributors or gift givers making the monetary contribution commitments or monetary gift commitments, and device therefor. Optionally, the method and mode of operation of the device involves a plurality of gift recipients of the monetary contribution or monetary gift commitments, and further includes the step of supplanting a gift recipient or fund-raising organization with another gift recipient or fund-raising organization to which contribution or gift commitments are made.

Abstract: The invention presents a system for automatically identifying labware and sample containers. Labeled sample containers are inserted into the reception slots of a labeled labware. A sample condition label is affixed below each reception slot. The sample condition label is covered by the sample container when the sample container is inserted into the reception slot. An exposed sample condition label indicates the absence of a sample container in that reception slot. The labware containing the sample containers is installed on a labware holder having a labware condition label affixed to its surface. The labware condition label is covered by the labware when the labware is installed on the labware holder. An exposed labware condition label indicates the absence of a labware on the labware holder. The label information is read by an optical reader attached to a motorized track. Both the optical reader and the motorized track are connected to a data processor.