Abstract: An optical code reader comprises a casing (1) consisting of at least two portions (2, 3) connected together, a first portion (2) defining the main reader body and the second portion (3) defining a closure element for that part (5) of the body supporting at least the reader optical members; at least a part (10) of the said casing (1) has a coloration which depends on at least one control signal, this coloration being chosen on the basis of the type of use for which the reader is provided.

Abstract: A CPU and an enciphering circuit are provided in a memory card with a construction of a memory stick. Data which is inputted and outputted is enciphered and stored in a flash memory. A command system for accessing the memory stick has a public command system and a non-public command system for management. In file data which is stored in the flash memory, an access restriction, copy guard information, and encipherment and a personal identification number at the time of access can be selectively set for every file data. In those file data, a data file including hidden file data manages processes. An access right is set into the file data and accesses for reading and writing the file data are restricted in accordance with the access right. Since the data is enciphered and stored in the flash memory, the security of the data to be stored is enhanced.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus for reading the magnetic strip on a card compensates for coercivity variations by employing two magnetizing coils wound in opposite senses on the magnetic poles and two detecting coils coupled to the magnetizing coils and which are also wound in opposite sense on the magnetic poles. Differential output from the detecting coils represents a shift from normal in the coercivity or permeability of the magnetic strip so as to permit compensation for shifts due to factors such as a warped card or dust intervening thereby permitting accurately identifying whether or not the magnetic strip on the card is a high coercive force type or a low coercive force type.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device is described that is capable of being worn, such as, as a piece of jewelry. The device includes a memory card, a modifiable directory structure for organizing electronic files stored in the memory card, modifiable electronic files containing bearer information stored in the directory structure, and may have a container enclosing the card and/or covering card contacts. The device may include labeling on one of an exterior surface of the memory card and/or the container indicating a name of the bearer to whom the information pertains; and unique data identifying the bearer retrievably stored on said memory card. The memory card may be inserted in an adapter and information retrieved and read via a personal or laptop computer.

Abstract: By use of a terminal equipment on the side of a purchaser, designation information designating the order in which respective shipping products are to be mounted on a delivery pallet, is transmitted to a terminal equipment on the side of a supplier via a communications line. Upon receiving the designation information, the terminal equipment on the side of the supplier converts the designation information as received into colored partition information by the kind of the respective shipping products, and fixes a form on which the colored partition information after the conversion is color-printed by a color printer to a predetermined spot of the delivery pallet.

Abstract: In a card charging system, especially for public transport services, there is included: (a) a card read/write unit for receiving one or more prepaid or credit cards; (b) a transaction recording-payment facility; and (c) a security module located between the card read/write unit and the transaction recording-payment facility, the recording-payment facility operable to receive signals from the security module to enable a purchase to be made in return for an amount of credit debited from said one or more cards, wherein a contactless concessionary card reading subsystem is connected to the security module, in addition to the card read/write unit for prepaid or credit cards. The system provides the benefit that it is capable of accommodating concessionary card reading subsystems and determining appropriate debiting associated therewith in addition to improved transaction recording and enhanced security.

Abstract: A bar code processing method for a network kiosk which automatically obtains information about an item from identification information obtained from a bar code reader. The method includes the steps of displaying a web page associated with an item, displaying a prompt associated with the web page to have an operator use a bar code reader to read a bar code on the item, and receiving information from the bar code reader which identifies the item.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional scanning, comprising a three-dimensional scanning apparatus being manually maneuverable and comprising a profilometer including a light beam projector, an objective and a light detector. The profilometer is configured for obtaining a two-dimensional profile of an object by active triangulation. The apparatus further including a positioning device being trackable in a volume space for providing six degrees-of-freedom of the apparatus, whereby a three-dimensional profile is calculatable by relating the two-dimensional profile with time-corresponding positions and orientations of the apparatus. The system also has a three-dimensional profile calculator remote from the apparatus, for tracking the apparatus in the volume space and relating positions and orientations of the apparatus with a time-corresponding two-dimensional profile of the object for calculating a three-dimensional profile of the object and for referring the object to a static position and orientation.

Abstract: A defect detection optical system includes a light receiving system including n light receiving elements arranged in a direction perpendicular to a main scan direction, for focusing an image thereon such that the image becomes in the arranging direction of the light receiving elements, in which, when a width of the image focused thereon in the main scan direction is equal to or smaller than the width of the light receiving elements, light reflected from a recessed or protruded defect is swung in the width direction of the light receiving elements and a light receiving area of the light receiving elements is reduced. When the reflection light from the recessed or protruded defect is; swung in sloped portions of the defect, an amount of light received by the light receiving elements is at least reduced, so that two detection signals having levels lower than those when there is no defect are obtained.

Abstract: A method of and system for programming one or more personalized settings of a user for adjustable components of a vehicle, by using a communication device capable of communicating data to the vehicle. It includes providing the user with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag includes machine-readable information regarding personalized settings of the user for at least one adjustable component of the vehicle. The information from the RFID tag includes the identity of the user. First, information is read from the RFID tag using an RFID reader when the RFID tag is operationally proximate the RFID reader. Next, a profile database is queried to access a personal profile of the user based upon the identity of the user as read from the RFID tag. The personal profile includes personalized settings for each component of the vehicle to be set.

Abstract: An information recording medium (10) comprises a base sheet (2a), a resin layer (2) formed on the base sheet (2a) and having a holographic region (6) provided with a diffraction grating (4) in a regular or irregular arrangement, and a ferromagnetic thin film (3) formed on the holographic region (6) of the resin layer (2). The ferromagnetic thin film (3) has a specific magnetic characteristic dependent on a holographic pattern formed in the holographic region (6). The magnetic characteristics of the ferromagnetic thin film are converted into signals corresponding to the holographic pattern.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for analyzing product delivery to customers. The method includes generating a first level product classification corresponding to a number of products and determining delivery data for the first level product classification. The delivery data includes a span value indicative of delivery error for products in the first level product classification. The first level product classification is divided into at least two, second level product classifications. Each second level product classification corresponds to a subset of the first level product classification. Delivery data is determined for each of the second level product classifications. The delivery data includes a span value indicative of delivery error for products in the second level product classifications. Other embodiments of the invention include a system and storage medium for implementing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an optical security system having a key, an optic lock, and a processing system. The lock generally has a plurality of optic reflective sensors, a plurality of readable discs, and a controller for processing information to and from the plurality of sensors. The optic security lock senses the surface changes of state during the rotation of the plurality of discs caused by the turning of the fully-engaged key. The data from the sensors is communicated to the controller, with the controller having a microprocessor capable of communicating data to and receiving data from the sensors. The processing system analyzes the data from the controller and compares the data to known information in a database for generating a lock command signal. Additionally, an external keypad device can be coupled in data communication with the controller and processing system for additional security verification before generating a corresponding lock command signal.

Abstract: A self service terminal for processing transaction forms or slips, especially checks and transfer forms, is provided, including means for optically reading and taking an electronic image of said transaction form or slip with a transparent plate. The transaction form or slip is positionable on said transparent plate in such a way that there is no motion of the form when taking the electronic image.

Abstract: A writing pad for use with a computer includes a number of sheets each having a flexure sensor affixed thereto. Circuitry connected to the sensors determines whether the sheets are lifted and removed from the pad, whereby the particular sheet currently in use may be identified. The flexure sensor system can be used in various configurations such as: a one or multiple-part checkbook systems with recognition of check writing environment, as a children's book to add sound to identified pages, as an answer sheet for testing or voting, in a clipboard configuration or to assist a speaker during a slide-show presentation. The flexure sensors include resistive structures such as carbon based goo, transducers, conductive inks, strain gauges, patterned dissolved graphite, embossed sensors or other pressure/flexure sensors or equivalents thereof.

Abstract: A method for measuring NOx having a specific discharge lamp. The method controls a photometric analysis device, in which an electrically rotatable filter wheel or shutter wheel is used to change various shutters and/or filters in a beam path with beam source, cuvette and detector. The filter and/or shutter wheel is controlled in such a way that the measurement time is greater than the transfer time. This control improves the detection limit of the NOx resonance absorption method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disc-shaped counter, in particular a casino chip, essentially consisting of at least one ring-shaped plastic part and a filler piece held inside a recess in this plastic part, which is applied on to the filler piece in such a way that the plastic ring surrounds the rim of the filler piece radially and axially in an at least partly form-fitting fashion. The filler piece and/or plastic ring contain a material that is detectable in slot-machines. The plastic ring is preferably applied on to the filler piece by a plastic injection moulding process. The counter according to the invention has a more attractive design, is considerably easier and cheaper to produce, and has greater durability, than conventional counters with inserts.

Abstract: There is an information registration apparatus for registering patrons entering a club or other commercial use. The apparatus comprises a housing (1) with a top panel (3) and sign-in window (4). A form (14A) is displayed in the window (4) for handwritten entry of information by a patron. The information is then photographed from the underside by means of a camera (9) and image reversing reflective mirror (10) and stored or transmitted to a viewing station.

Abstract: A pen-type barcode scanner for reading barcode image carried by an object. The barcode scanner features brightened and concentrated reflected light reflecting from the barcode image thereby benefiting a more reliable inlet signal. In addition, the energy used can be saved while the reliability is increased. The barcode scanner features a light source device, i.e. an LED chip, which is located on a light path adjacent to an approaching end. By this arrangement, the emitted light can be completely projected onto the barcode image thereby enhancing a reflected light from the barcode. Accordingly, the reflected light can be readily processed to decode the information carried by the barcode.

Abstract: Methods for optically encoding data in a compact space include arranging a plurality of dots within a circle. According to the invention, the location of the dot within the circle defines the meaning of the dot. According to two embodiments of the invention, the dots are connected by lines and a starting point is indicated for decoding the dots in sequence. According to another embodiment, the dots are decoded from left to right. According to another embodiment, a plurality of circular arrays are stacked to conserve space.