Abstract: An information recording medium cleaning device includes moving the recording medium and the cleaning device relative to each other and a detection device for detecting a degree of stain caused by dust, fingerprints or oil, for example, on the information recording medium. Cleaning is performed based on the degree of stain detected on the information recording medium.

Abstract: A fire receiver enables a fire alarm system to be reliably set up while the work for installing the fire alarm system is simplified, even if an IC card storing necessary data cannot be prepared or even at a time when the operation of connecting all terminal devices to the fire receiver is not completed. When a connection of the IC card to a card reader is detected when power supply to the fire receiver is turned on, data stored in the IC card is fetched and the terminal devices are operated on the basis of the fetched data. When no connection of the IC card to the card reader is detected when the power supply is turned on, predetermined data is fetched from the terminal devices by polling the terminal devices, and the terminal devices are operated by the data fetched by polling.

Abstract: An automatic debiting system and method suitable for free lane traveling. Debiting antennas disposed on a first gantry are used to communicate with an in-vehicle unit (IU) mounted on the vehicle for debiting. The passages of the vehicles are detected by the loop coils or line scanners, and the license plates, etc., of the vehicles are photographed by the enforcement cameras. Debiting confirmation antennas on second gantry are used to communicate with the IU for the confirmation of debiting. When the normal debiting is confirmed, a local controller informs a system central controller of the fact, whereas when abnormal debiting is confirmed, images of the license plate, etc., of the illegal vehicle are transmitted to the system central controller as illegal vehicle images. The debiting is thus possible at the time of free lane traveling.

Abstract: A binarizing circuit includes a binary signal generating unit for generating a binary signal from an input signal, supplied from an external unit, in accordance with a processing characteristic, a detecting unit for detecting a state of the input signal, and a control unit for controlling, based on the state of the input signal detected by the detecting unit, the processing characteristic in accordance with which the binary signal generating unit generates the binary signal from the input signal. The bar-code reader includes a reading unit for optically reading an article on which a bar code is formed, the above binarizing circuit, and a decoding unit for decoding the binary signal output from the binarizing circuit so that data represented by the bar code is obtained.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus to scan an object by means of a light beam, including at least one mirror (2), which, during operation, is driven by a drive to make a combined movement of a continuous rotation around an axis of rotation (63) and an oscillating movement relative to the axis of rotation (63), the drive including a rotation drive (7, 8) and an oscillating drive (11, 12), both drives being controlled in such a way that the continuous rotation and the oscillating movement of the mirror are controlled independently. Thus the oscillating drive oscillates only the mirror. The light beam is thus parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mark sheet reading apparatus is disclosed which can correct the coordinates of a binary signal read from a mark sheet when the mark sheet is in skew with an angle. A mark sheet having a plurality of marking areas arranged in a matrix of rows and columns thereon additionally has a reference row mark in the form of a continuous straight line provided in parallel to a row of the matrix and extending over a length covering the overall length of the row. The mark sheet reading apparatus comprises a reference row mark detection section for discriminating a successive condition of dots from among data read by an image sensor to detect the reference row mark of the mark sheet, a skew detection section for detecting an inclination rate of the reference row mark thus detected, and a skew correction section for correcting coordinates of binary data read by the image sensor in accordance with the inclination rate of the thus detected reference row mark.

Abstract: A system for reading indicia such as bar code symbols having a scanner for generating a scanning light beam directed toward a symbol to be read; a first actuator manually displaceable from a first position to a second position for producing a first light beam for aiming or positioning the reader, and a second actuator manually displaceable from a first position to a second position for initiating a scanning beam pattern for reading the symbol. The actuators are independently operative of each other. A detector receives the reflected light from the symbol and produces electrical signals corresponding to data represented by the symbol. A graphical user interface simplifies system control functions.

Abstract: A bar code reader/decoder analyzer method and system for testing the quality characteristics of bar code readers and bar code decoders. An analyzer unit is interface with and controlled by host computer which can either be located within the analyzer unit or housed separately. A bar code reader which is to be tested is connected to the analyzer unit and a series or test patterns is scanned. The digitized information from the scanner is converted by the analyzer into quantifiable data and is transmitted to the host computer where it is stored and analyzed. A bar code decoder is connected to the analyzer unit and is sent a series of digitized signals representing a series of scans by a bar code reader of similar type. The decoder decodes the information and transmits the data back to the host computer where the data can be analyzed.

Abstract: A card reader (16) having a single entry slot (18) for cards (2), and an electronic control means (35) for controlling the operation of the reader (16). The reader (16) further includes a smart card reading section (26) incorporating a plurality of terminals (34,38,36) respectively adapted to read contact smart cards, inductive contactless smart cards and capacitive contactless smart cards. A pair of endless belts (28) are arranged to form a feed path (30) there between. A card (2) inserted through the entry slot (18) is received between the endless belts (18) and transported through the card reader (16) and positioned in the smart card reading section (26) so that smart card terminals (6,8 or 10) on the card (2) are located beneath corresponding smart card terminals (34,36 or 38) in the card reader (16). Data can then be read from the card (2) if the card (2) is a contact smart card, an inductive contactless smart card or a capacitive contactless smart card.

Abstract: An optical scanner for reading indicia having part of differing light reflectivity, including an optical element and a mounting bracket. The optical element is mounted for oscillation with respect to the mounting bracket by first and second wires forming a first spring having a relatively high modulus of elasticity, the optical element having a relatively low inertia when oscillating by elastic movement of the first spring. A stationary frame is provided with the mounting bracket mounted for oscillation with respect to the frame by third and fourth wires having a relatively high modulus of elasticity; the optical element, mounting bracket and first and second wires taken together having a relatively high inertia when oscillating by elastic movement of the third and fourth wires. The optical element is oscillated with respect to the mounting bracket at a relatively high frequency, and the mounting bracket oscillated with respect to the frame at a relatively low frequency by an electromagnetic drive.

Abstract: A scanner of a bar code verifier is provided with a viewing window that allows the operator to align the scanner and a bar code to be scanned by the scanner. However, such a viewing window also allows external light to enter the scanner and reduce the accuracy with which the bar code is verified. This problem is solved by a scanner 1 of a bar code verifier according to the invention provided with a blind shutter 8 that can selectively open or close the viewing window 7 so that, during the operation of reading and verifying the bar code, the viewing window 7 may be closed by the blind shutter 8 to improve the accuracy with which the bar code is verified.

Abstract: A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed. An embodiment that employs a stationary folding mirror mounted in fixed stationary relationship with a curved collecting mirror and a lightweight, movable scanning mirror is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-contact reader includes a reading device which reads information from an information medium without mechanical or galvanic contact when the medium is brought into proximity with the reading device. A test device for testing correct operation of the reading device includes a test information medium which is permanently mounted within range of the reading device and which can be read in the same way as the normal information medium readable by the reader.

Abstract: This access control device has at least one local control device (10) connected to a central control device (11) containing a local computer (18), an issuing station (12) for control cards and a lockable entry installation (13). At the issuing station (12) are issued portable control cards (47) with an electronic identity number is stored at each issue. A transmitting device 921) fitted at the entry installation (13) transmits a continuous series of signals corresponding to identity numbers recognized by the local computer (18) as valid. As soon as the comparator circuit finds a correspondence between transmitted and stored identity numbers, the transmission circuit of the control card is activated to send a release signal to open the entry installation, whereby the power to transmit the release signal is taken from the signals transmitted by the transmission device.

Abstract: A radio frequency automatic identification system detects targets which include a plurality of radio frequency resonators. Information is attributed to the target in accordance with the radio frequency response characteristics of the target, such as the resonant frequencies of resonators present, and/or the spatial locations within the target of the resonators. Preferred resonators include thin dipoles, which may be metallizations on a plastic film substrate. Information may be attributed to a target by fabricating the target with resonators disposed at locations to encode information in accordance with a predetermined encoding system; alternatively, resonators may be randomly disposed, and a translation code applied to convert the radio frequency information to particular information in a particular format. Readers for use in the system read the radio frequency response characteristics of a target in the near field of a radiating aperture which is illuminated by a radio frequency source.

Abstract: A two-dimensional optical scanner not affected by acceleration disturbances. The two-dimensional optical scanner includes a mirror section having at least one mirror surface formed thereon. A first frame is provided outside the mirror section with a first clearance therebetween. First springs connect the mirror section and the first frame and torsionally vibrating about an axis passing through the center of gravity of the mirror section. A second frame is provided outside the first frame with a second clearance therebetween, and second springs connect the first frame and the second frame. The second springs torsionally vibrate about an axis passing through the center of gravity of mirror section. Piezoelectric bimorphs 21, 22, 23, and 24 drive the optical scanner to impart a torsional oscillation to the first springs and the second springs.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information in or from a card information recording medium with a recording and/or reproducing head, includes a carriage on which the medium is to be mounted, a carrying device for carrying the medium onto the carriage while keeping in contact with the medium, and a moving device for moving the carriage relative to the head. The carrying device is arranged to be free contact with the medium after the medium has been carried onto the carriage. The carrying device is a semicircular rubber roller, and a surface of a flat part of the rubber roller is placed in a state opposed to a surface of the medium after the medium has been carried onto the carriage, whereby the rubber roller is freed from contact with the medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the information density of a bar code symbol by generating multiple constituent bar code symbols, wherein each one is formed in a different color selected from a group of various primary colors, and overlaying each differently colored symbol on top of each other, thus forming an aggregate bar code symbol of various colors. In areas where the differently colored bars overlap each other, colors distinct from those in the original group of colors are formed. The aggregate bar code symbol is scanned by a solid state imaging device, and the scanned image is resolved by image processing techniques into the three constituent bar code symbols of the various colors. Each bar code symbol is then individually processed and decoded in accordance with the particular symbology used to encode the constituent bar code symbols.

Abstract: An optical reader for optically reading an information pattern representing coded data includes a reading head having a hollow casing with a first opening formed in a wall portion thereof to define a reading area, and a light source to illuminate the reading area. The hollow casing has a second opening formed in another wall portion thereof. The second opening is closed by an optical filter which exhibits a large transmissivity to a part of the light emitted from the light source and included in a predetermined wavelength band. Thus, the reading area is visible through the optical filter and a user can visually confirm whether or not the information pattern to be read is encompassed by the reading area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus for the identification of a code (11) consisting of sequential light and dark fields which respectively form modules (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) put together from an upwardly restricted integral multiple number of base running lengths (B1), to a module width (M), with a predetermined number of sequential modules (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) and base running lengths (B1) in the code forming a mark (25). The optical scanning apparatus guides a light bead (13), the extent of which is less than the base running length (B1) and at most only fractionally larger than the base running length (B1) of the code (11), over the modules (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) in sequence. By means of its light receiver (15), the light scattered back from the regions of the code (11) met by the light bead (13) is received, and a corresponding electrical signal is transmitted at the output (24). A sequence of individual pulses is formed by differentiation and rectification.