Abstract: Electrical apparatus comprising a number of components or functions is connected to a control system by a ribbon cable. The ribbon cable includes a first line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of a first component or function, and at least a second line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of at least a second component or function. An additional signal or data is injected along the first line from the control system which has the effect of reducing the effect of noise from the signal or data passing along the at least second line, on the signal or data passing along the first line.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus relating to the marking and identification of defective die sites on a mounting substrate. In this regard, a mounting substrate is provided which is inspected and tested for visual and electrical defects. The inspection and testing data are then compiled and correlated with individual die sites. Information relating to the functionality and/or various defects of one or more die sites is then encoded in the form of a designator placed on the substrate. Other information, such as the manufacturing process history of the mounting substrate may also be encoded on the designator. The information encoded on the designator may then be read or scanned by, for example, by computer driven video equipment, and used in a die attach process to discriminately place semiconductor dice only on known good die sites, as indicated by the inspection and testing data.

Abstract: A plurality of data collectors and/or a transceiver for transmitting data in a plurality of transmissions are actuated by independent, manual actuations of a triggering circuit, preferably comprising a plurality of trigger switches, or a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger positions.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic transaction apparatus (e.g., an electronic money terminal) for processing a transaction engaged in by parties facing each other during which one party (a customer) confirms transaction information entered by the other party (a waiter), the direction in which the transaction information is displayed on a display unit of the apparatus is automatically reversed. As a result, the screen display can be directed towards the party (the customer) who must confirm transaction information without the electronic transaction apparatus being physically reversed.

Abstract: A method of recognizing produce items which uses checkout frequency as an a priori probability. The method includes the steps of collecting produce data from the produce item, determining DML values between the produce data and reference produce data for a plurality of types of produce items, determining conditional probability densities for all of the types of produce items using the DML values, combining the conditional probability densities together to form a combined conditional probability density, determining checkout frequencies for the produce types, determining probabilities for the types of produce items from the combined conditional probability density and the checkout frequencies, determining a number of candidate identifications from the probabilities, and identifying the produce item from the number candidate identifications.

Abstract: A bar code reader includes a housing and a reader module disposed in the housing for reading bar code indicia and producing an analog signal representative of the bar code indicia. A decoder is coupled to the reader module for receiving the analog signal and decoding the analog signal into decoded data representative of the bar code indicia. A central processor is coupled to the decoder and serves to receive and process the decoded data representative of the bar code indicia. The reader module and the decoder operate independently of the processor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for adapting terminals for chip cards to enable them to present and execute operations for which they were not signed, which consists in equipping the chip cards with a link memory associated with a reading and translating program and in presenting data read in said memory to the terminal in a form which can be used by an interface program. Thus, by modifying the card link memory, applications executable by the terminal can be added ore removed.

Abstract: A debit card in the form of a telephone calling card is formed as a rectangular configured, planar card member that is wallet sized and has front and rear surfaces. The rear surface includes instructions for telephone dialing. A scratch-off label strip has been adhered to the rear surface. The scratch-off label strip has opposing sides and one side has a self-adhesive positioned thereon that removably adheres to scratch-off label onto the planar card member. The other side has a PIN code field containing a printed PIN (personal identification number) thereon. A control code field is positioned adjacent the PIN code field and has a control code printed thereon. A scratch-off layer covers only the PIN code field to obscure from view the PIN while leaving unobscured the control code field.

Abstract: A method of writing additional foreign data either to a blank magnetic card and/or to an existing magnetic striped card is used to consolidate information from possibly multiple credit type cards onto a single card. The additional data that may be from multiple cards or that may be generated or gathered from other sources can then be written to a single card for example to consolidate the information.

Abstract: In a card charging system, especially for public transport services, a host ticket facility is operable by both credit cards usable at a card read/write device and concessionary payment cards usable at a contactless card reader, and a security and transaction device located between the card readers and the host facility stores in separate storage devices full fares and concessionary fares which the host facility is able to calculate. A card charging system, especially but not exclusively for payment of public transport fares is described, having one or more card readers and a security and transaction device connected between the card reader(s) and a host facility and for transmitting information back to a clearing centre, wherein the security and transaction device includes a number of non-volatile storage devices for error counting and transmitting related performance data back to the clearing centre.

Abstract: A system and methodology are provided for providing car wash services according to a voucher code. The system obtains the voucher code from a voucher and determines whether the voucher code is expired or has been previously used. Based on the validity determination, car wash services are selectively provided according to desired wash service information obtained from the voucher code, as well as additional or upgraded services desired by a car wash customer at the time the voucher is presented. The system determines the validity of a voucher code by accessing a network or chain management system which maintains a database of voucher code usage information, thus allowing a determination at any site in the network or chain of whether the voucher has expired or has been previously used. The system further provides the capability of obtaining voucher code usage reports from any site in the chain.

Abstract: Information about an article to be carried is written into a non-contact type IC card by a reader/writer on the side of a sending trade, and the IC card into which the information has been written is accommodated in a carrying bag to which a tag is provided and a paper-made slip is attached, and the carrying bag is stuck to the article to be carried. A conveying trade collects the article to which the carrying bag is stuck so as to convey it to a desired receiving trade. The information written into the IC card carried together with the received article is read by the reader/writer on the side of the receiving trade.

Abstract: A checkout terminal includes a terminal base. The terminal also includes a scanner movably secured to the terminal base. The scanner is configured to be moved relative to the terminal base so as to be positionable between an assisted scanner position and a self-service scanner position. The scanner is operated so as to perform an assisted checkout transaction in which a first number of items are scanned with the scanner by retail personnel when the scanner is positioned in the assisted scanner position. The scanner is operated so as to perform a self-service checkout transaction in which a second number of items are scanned with the scanner by a customer when the scanner is positioned in the self-service scanner position. A method of operating a checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An access control system for monitoring human ingress and egress comprises an input means for creating a unique identifier for to be stored in a database. The unique identifier includes a digital image of the person, a digital image of the unique identifier, and alphanumeric identification data. A processing means coupled to said input means is operable to perform the steps of storing the unique identifier as a computer-readable file in the database, recording the arrival date and time of a person; creating a tracking record associated with the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be displayed on a monitor coupled to the processing means. A printer coupled to the processing means generates an access pass on portable media which includes a viewable image of the person and the identification document, and alphanumeric identification data for the person. The access pass can also include machine readable media which comprises a coded representation of the unique identifier.

Abstract: When time service sale is carried out by using a shelf label, discount price and remaining time acquired by subtracting the current time from the discount ending time are indicated on the indicator of the shelf label. Moreover, estimated waiting time for customers at the register and allowance time d acquired by subtracting the estimated waiting time from the remaining time are indicated on the indicator. Therefore, customers can purchase time service sale commodities at a discount price with a time margin at the register in the store in a time zone in which time service sale is carried out.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a postage indicium on a mail piece. The method comprises the steps of providing a first pattern containing encrypted information in a printed area, engaging a mask with the printed area, wherein the mask comprises a second pattern for forming with the first pattern a third pattern indicative of the encrypted information. The method further comprises the step of comparing the third pattern with a template having stored information. If the encrypted information revealed in the third pattern matches the stored information, then the postage indicium is assumed to be an original copy and not a duplicated copy.

Abstract: A currency exchange and merchandise sales system includes a point-of-sale (POS) computer for inventorying currency and merchandise and for recording transactions involving same. A cash/currency processing computer (CPC) is located remote from the POS computer and receives data therefrom and transfers data thereto. The system is adapted for conducting currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions among passengers on a vehicle, such as an airliner, particularly on international flights. A security drawer is removably mounted in an airliner service cart packed with merchandise. The security drawer receives currency used for foreign currency exchange (FX) and for merchandise sales transactions. A currency exchange and merchandise sales method includes the steps of inventorying the currency and merchandise and loading same in the security drawer and the service cart preflight. Currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions are conducted by the aircrew in-flight and recorded on the POS computer.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) is described. The terminal (10) comprises a user interface (12) and at least one proximity sensor (40) located adjacent the user interface (12), such that the sensor (40) may detect foreign objects placed in contact with or in close proximity to the user interface (12). A fraud prevention arrangement, and a method of detecting fraud at an SST are also described.

Abstract: A reading card is provided including at least one reading lens which is smaller in size than the card member and is carried thereby. The card member has the size of a typical credit card such that it can be readily fit into the sleeve or holder used for these cards in wallets, and the like. Preferably, the lens is of a material and configuration so that it is provided with a well-defined or sharp diopter rating to allow a user to select among reading cards each with different diopter lenses for their particular needs. The lenses are carried by the card member so that additional space is left thereon for placement of, for example, indicia and a magnetic strip such as in credit, debit, and phone cards.

Abstract: A display device (10) adapted to provide a display of advertising or other information messages targeted to persons in the vicinity of the display device, with a controller (14) that communicates with at least one of a plurality of electronic cards (20) in the possession of persons in the vicinity of the display device. Each electronic card stores information regarding the person associated with the electronic card. A communicator (24) receives signals from the electronic cards in the vicinity of the display device. The communicator (24) communicates with a central computer (28) that selects advertising and other information messages based on the information about the person. The central computer communicates the selected advertisements to the display device for display to the person in the vicinity of the display device.