Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit's determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a portable object having a card format and comprising:—an object body including a plastic support sheet (12), a plastic incorporation sheet (18), and a first (19) and second (20) external covering sheet; an antenna (11) provided with two antenna terminals (13); and an integrated circuit chip (14) incorporated in an incorporation sheet (18) and electrically connected to the antenna. The method of the invention is characterised in that it comprises stages according to which: the support sheet (12) on which the chip (14) has been mounted with the incorporation sheet (18) so as to obtain a first rolled unit; and in a subsequent stage the first rolled unit is covered with the first (19) and second (20) external covering sheets. The invention can be applied in particular to the production of contactless cards by means of hot rolling.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner apparatus having a keyboard and a display mounted on the front face of the housing. The housing is configured to be held in the palm of one hand with the keys on the keyboard engageable by the thumb or fingers of the hand holding the housing. Only one hand is required for scan actuation and key entry and to maintain a comfortable precision grip. The portable bar code scanner apparatus may also include a radio for transmitting data to or receiving data from a host computer, and may be mounted on the back of the operator's hand for hands-free operation while in an object-sense mode.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a plurality of states, and includes a detection mechanism for detecting an external light and outputting a detection signal indicative of an intensity of the external light, a transition mechanism for making a state transition from a first state to a second state which is different from the first state and vice versa depending on the detection signal, and a varying mechanism for varying a light detection sensitivity of said detection mechanism depending on the detection signal when the state transition is made by said transition mechanism.

Abstract: A dual aperture optical scanner which employs a single laser beam to produce horizontal and vertical scan patterns. The optical scanner includes a housing having first and second apertures, a laser beam source, a mirrored spinner having a plurality of facets with different elevation angles for reflecting the laser beam in a plurality of directions, and a plurality of pattern mirrors within the housing for reflecting the laser beam from the spinner through the first and second apertures to an article having a bar code label to be scanned. The optical scanner also includes an optical transceiver for passing the laser beam and for collecting reflected light from the scanned article and a photodetector for generating signals representing the intensity of the light reflected from the article.

Abstract: A portable data collection device is disclosed. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array overlied by a RGB color filter. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target area. In one operating embodiment of the portable data collection device of the present invention, actuating the first trigger results in the imaging assembly capturing an image of the target area including a dataform and an associated image area of interest. The image area of interest is at a predetermined position with respect to the dataform. The imaging assembly decodes the dataform and outputs a compressed, digital representation of the image area of interest along with decoded data from the dataform.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system for reading bar code symbols disposed on rotating containers, such as cans and bottles, which have various capacities and arbitrary surfaces upon which the bar code symbols are printed. The system includes a laser scanning engine which produces a three-dimensional laser scanning pattern having unique geometrical characteristics over a predefined scanning region, within which each container is rotated. Owing to its unique geometry, the laser scanning pattern facilitates reading of bar code symbols printed on arbitrary container surfaces while rotated within the predefined scanning region. As a result of the present invention, a single bar code symbol reading system can be used to read bar code symbols that are printed on the arbitrary surfaces of cans and bottles.

Abstract: A data symbol reader includes a reading head which is positionable on a data symbol to be read, in which the reading head is provided with an opening for surrounding the data symbol when the reading head is positioned on the data symbol. At least one light emitter is provided for emitting light toward the opening to illuminate the data symbol and an image pick-up device is provided on which an image of the data symbol illuminated by the at least one light emitter is to be formed. A window through which the data symbol can be seen is provided and a light-splitting optical system is positioned between the opening and the window for splitting light incident on the light-splitting optical system which has passed through the opening into two beams. One of the two beams of light is received by the image pick-up device and that the other of the two beams of light is directed to the window, wherein the one of the two beams of light includes at least a part of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of medical devices for delivering medicinal fluids to patients during medical procedures and more particularly, this invention relates to improved medical fluid delivery systems and methods of use which incorporate a closed loop information path from the manufacturer to a product user such as a hospital or other medical institution and back to the original manufacturer. The information originally incorporated with the product is used by the consumer to aid in use of the product. The information which accompanies the product is updated and new information is added in order to provide the manufacturer with information on how the product is used.

Abstract: A hand held data entry apparatus having a body for receiving, storing and transmitting information, including a camming mechanism for quickly sealingly attaching an accessory such as a scanner to the top of a hand held data entry apparatus. Additionally, a similar camming mechanism is utilized to hold a battery pack in place with the additional feature of not only pulling the battery pack securely against the housing, but also pushing the battery pack contacts into abutment with complementary contacts disposed within the housing. A keypad is provided for permitting information to be manually entered into the hand held body and this keypad is encased in a layer of elastomeric material such as silicone. A pair of LED's are utilized, one to indicate a "good scan" and the other to indicate something else, such as a "bad scan." Additionally, these LED's can be encased in operative or dummy keys in order to save keyboard space. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the scanner about either of two perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A pocket-sized hand-held data processing device with a coupling system, a user interface and an optical indicia reader. The device can include a display to display alphanumeric information. The display can have a touch screen input area and a handwritten input area. The display can display information for right-handed or left-handed use. The user interface covers a major portion of the frontal side of the device. The system can be spanned by one hand when held.

Abstract: The invention concerns a card-shaped data carrier comprising a card body which has an inner electronic module for contactless communication with a coding and/or reading device and an external heat sensitive layer for the visually readable display of data stored in the electronic module as a result of thermal impact. The heat sensitive layer is designed to be reversible such that marks can be inscribed in a first temperature range and existing marks can be deleted in a second temperature range. The heat-sensitive layer is disposed on the card body in at least one sub-area thereof.

Abstract: The system, which is especially suitable for use as a bar code scanner trigger which allows for hands-free scanner operation and non-contact triggering of the scanner by the operator, in one embodiment, comprises a switch and a switch actuator, with the switch mounted proximate to a movable part of the body, and the switch actuator located on the movable part of the body, which part is movable so as to move the switch actuator and switch to within a predetermined proximity of one another and thereby actuate the switch, which will actuate the electronic equipment switched thereby. After the switch has been actuated, moving the part of the body with the switch actuator thereon so as to move the switch actuator and switch beyond a predetermined proximity of one another will deactuate the switch, and thereby deactivate the electronic equipment switched thereby.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating laser movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.

Abstract: A code information reading section selects recording codes which are respectively recorded on a plurality of recording media one at a time, and sequentially optically reads the recording codes in order to make it possible to synthesize a plurality of audio information items which are previously coded and recorded in an optically readable form and to simultaneously output them. A code information decoding section sequentially decodes the recording codes read by the code information reading section. A decoded information synthesizing section sequentially synthesizes digital audio signals sequentially decoded by the code information decoding section. A D/A converter converts the digital audio signal synthesized by the decoded information synthesizing section into an analog audio signal. An audio output section outputs the analog audio signal converted by the D/A converter as an audio output.

Abstract: The invention provides a POS system which employs a purchased commodity accommodating and transporting apparatus having a self scanning function and is improved in that the access time for data transfer processing is reduced to reduce the time required for settlement of accounts and complete transfer of data is assured to enhance the reliability. A two-dimensional bar code printing section is provided on the purchased commodity accommodating and transporting apparatus and prints commodity code information from a commodity code reading section as a two-dimensional bar code.

Abstract: A process for reading optical codes includes reading an optical code by irradiating a scan ing beam onto an optical code and detecting a reflected beam of the scanning beam from the optical code. A determination is made if the optical code and an optical code reader are moving relative to each other, and data of the optical code are invalidated if it is determined that the optical code and the optical code reader are moving relative to each other, and data of the optical code are validated if it is determined the optical code and the optical code reader are not moving relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for reminding a user to remove a credit card from a credit card machine is provided. Such system includes a credit card machine for recording information stored on a credit card. Further provided is a mechanism for producing sound upon the actuation thereof. Finally, a trigger assembly is connected to the credit card machine for actuating the mechanism for producing sound when the information of the credit card is read.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, providing advance notification of issued items. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a data collection subsystem that gathers data regarding the issued items from an entity having issued items and transmits the data in a prescribed form and (2) a data storage and communication subsystem, including a central database, that receives the data from the data collection subsystem, combines the data with data gathered from other entities having issued items, stores the combined data in the central database and provides access of the central database to a potential item recipient thereby to allow the potential item recipient to receive advance notification as to whether an item to be received by the potential item recipient was properly issued.

Abstract: A hybrid card and a processing device capable of rapidly identifying a read/write unit corresponding to an IC module from a plurality of read/write units and preventing fraud in respect of the IC module. Identification data identifying the type of an IC module 11a is held in for example a magnetic stripe 11b outside the IC module 11a of a hybrid card 11. Authentication data corresponding to the identification data is held in the IC module 11a. An R/W unit adapted to the IC module 11a is selected in accordance with the identification data read from the location outside the IC module 11a. The identification data read from the location outside the IC module 11a and the authentication data contained in the data read from the IC module 11a are compared and, only if the two agree, the reading from or writing into the an IC read/write unit 130 is permitted.