Abstract: A bar code reader including automatic scan beam focusing based upon decoding performance is disclosed herein. The bar code reader includes a focusing lens which is movably supported along the light path of the scanning beam. An electric motor is coupled to the lens support to move the lens relative to the light beam source in response to control signals. The control signals are produced based upon the data error rate for the data produced by the decoding circuit of the reader from the signals produced by the photodetector therein. Based upon the data error rate, the electric motor is controlled to move the lens to focus the light beam and reduce or eliminate the data error.

Abstract: A bar code reader is provided which comprises a photodetector responsive to light reflected from a bar code to provide a signal indicative of bar code information, a lens assembly including a near range focus lens and a long range focus lens having different focal lengths, and a liquid crystal filter assembly. The liquid crystal assembly includes a near range focus filter and a long range focus filter and selectively allows only light emerging from one of the near range focus lens and the long range focus lens to reach the photodetector according to the distance to the bar code.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting product information with electronic shelf displays. The system includes a first database at a place where the merchandise items are sold containing information about the items, a second database at another place containing identification information about the electronic shelf displays, a first computer terminal at the one place for downloading the item information, and a second computer terminal at the other place for receiving the downloaded item information and for matching the item information to the electronic shelf display identification information. The system also includes a hand-held scanner for obtaining the item information. Item bar code labels are preferably arranged into groups and scanned by group. A programming bar code label may be used to program the scanner for each group scan. Electronic shelf display information is also obtained by scanning bar code labels on groups of displays.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for marking refillable containers (112), more especially plastic bottles, with code symbols with the aid of which it can be Later ascertained whether a container has to be refilled or separated, are described. The part of the container (112) in which is situated a manufacturer's code present from the outset is photographed at a detection station (130) by means of a camera (164). Using code symbols applied previously as a reference marking, the place is determined at which a new code symbol of a round trip code is applied at a marking station (140) by means of a laser. The number of such code symbols gives the number of fillings of the containers (112), and the data content of each code symbol contains a statement concerning the filling inserted in the container, the bottler etc., in each case.

Abstract: An optical assembly and electronic reader circuit cooperate to provide a highly-efficient and low-cost electro-optic barcode reader. The optical assembly includes a shielded housing, a photo detector and optical elements disposed about an un-folded optical path that provide a virtual reading window at one end of the housing whose field of view, which is focused to a point at the photo detector, is shaped to be no wider than constitutive barcode indicia. The electronic reader circuit includes a pulse amplifier and manual-adjustment-free average D.C. offset negative feedback and A.C. information peak detect negative feedback loops that respectively maintain the electrical pulse stream input to the pulse amplifier within the dynamic range thereof and eliminate electrical pulse stream peak noise. A circuit is coupled to a comparator with hysteresis square-up stage to deactivate the comparator in the state of no input signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a coupon savings account system for transferring coupon amounts from a store account to a purchaser's account to be used for educational or other purposes. In this system, coupon amounts are totaled and transferred to an account read from an account card. The system connects with the banking system to complete the transfer of funds from the store's account to the identified account. The system also permits transfer of matching funds by companies and organizations. The system also allows for operation of coupons according to existing practices whereby the total of the coupons is debited from the balance to be paid by the purchaser.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reading optical information over a substantial range of distances provides an optical string, disposed in a housing, for refracting images of optical information of varying wavelengths to different focal points along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined reading position. Adjacent the housing, and directed along the longitudinal axis of a housing opening and the optical string, is an illumination source for illuminating optical information with light. Also included is a reading sensor having a light receiving plane disposed at a predetermined reading position behind the optical string for converting an image of optical information into an electrical signal. A control system is also provided for determining and decoding the reflected light image formed by that wavelength of light received from the illumination source which produces the best focus on the light receiving plane of the reading sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand-held terminal adapted for data gathering, data processing, and voice and data communication. Included is a housing which includes a front section having an exterior and an interior, and a rear section having an exterior and an interior, wherein the front section is hinged to the rear section. These front and rear sections may be disposed in either a linear, angular, or parallel relationship. Key means for entering information into the terminal and display means for displaying information are incorporated into the exterior of the front section. A low power frequency hopping transceiver is disposed at least partially within the housing for receiving and transmitting information via the terminal. Also included are scanning means disposed within the housing for optically reading information stored in coded information sets and battery means disposed within the housing for providing electrical power.

Abstract: A miniature high speed bar code scanning element is housed within an industry standard PCMCIA card for implementation in personal computing devices. In one embodiment, the scan element is mounted on the exterior of the card for pivotal movement about vertical and horizontal axes.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing any customer present at a vending location at which a group of products is offered for sale with information about any member of such group includes an audiovisual device and a customer-initiated request entry device both situated at the vending location. Data representative of audiovisual information segments pertaining to the individual products of the group are stored in separate portions of a data storage medium and are retrieved from there and used to drive the audiovisual device to present the segment that corresponds to the request. When the products have optically distinguishable markings that uniquely identify them by product type associated therewith, the entering means may include an optical scanner arranged in such a manner as to enable any customer to bring a chosen marking and the optical scanner in relative positions in which the optical scanner scans the chosen marking and generates the addressing signal.

Abstract: A method of improving throughput in a scanner whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly, comprising the steps of A) storing results of a first scan of a target containing indicia in a first region of a memory and B) upon determining that the first scan is complete 1) decoding results of the first scan 2) initiating a second scan, 3) storing results of the second scan of the target containing indicia in a second region of a memory, and 4) awaiting completion of the decoding before initiating an additional scan.

Abstract: So that even small code marks or code marks put on metal by laser marking can be correctly read, an infrared camera 6 is disposed in a focus adjustable manner above a stage 1 on which an object to be read is placed, and two laser beam irradiators 8, 8' are disposed on both sides of the camera to face obliquely downwards such that one laser beam provides a spot of light elongated lengthwise (vertically) and the other laser beam provides a spot of light elongated widthwise (horizontally), and that these two light spots intersect with each other in a crisscross at the position coincidental with the focus of the camera. In addition, a plurality of illumination blocks 10 each equipped with infrared emitting diodes 9 are disposed in the polygonal form around the camera 6 so as to illuminate the stage 1, the angle of each of the illumination blocks being variable, brightness of each of the illumination blocks being adjustable.

Abstract: A memory card on which a key symbol is printed is provided, which comprises a first memory for storing an image pattern corresponding to the key symbol and output for selectively outputting the image pattern from the first memory in accordance with an input system of a memory card terminal in which the memory card is set.

Abstract: A codeable card includes a coding area formed on one side of a card body and having a number of opaque elements to be removed for coding number. A cover layer has portion secured to the card body and has the other portion secured to the coding area before the opaque elements are removed. The other portion of the cover layer is protected with a removable layer which is removed before the other portion of the cover layer is secured to the card body. The users may easily code the required number be removing the opaque elements.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth slope detector has a comparator with first and second time constant circuits coupled to first and second inputs thereof. Where one time constant is on the order of three times the other, the comparator will change state in response to the slopes of an input analog signal coupled to the time constant circuit. Feedback can be provided by a fixed resistor or by a tracking circuit. A smoothing or clipping circuit can be used to pre-process the input analog signals to eliminate noise therefrom. A bar code reading system combines first and second clipping circuits to smooth the highs and lows of the input signal, coupled to a slope detector. The tracking circuit can be used to provide a symmetrical hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: Smart card techniques are disclosed for integrating and administering records related to the ownership and/or operation of motor vehicles. A smart identification card stores and administers a plurality of motor vehicle records corresponding to a single motorist. These motor vehicle records include items selected from the group of motor vehicle registration information, drivers license information, vehicle code violations, automobile insurance information, parking garage entry times, parking garage account balance, highway toll account balance, motor club information, and environmental inspection information. Each smart identification card is equipped to interact with any of a plurality of computer databases through the utilization of a conventional communications link in conjunction with a smart card scanner. Each of the computer databases administers motor vehicle records.

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 method and system for delivering product picks to a prospective individual user. Personal user information is gathered. Information on a user's use of a product during product use is gathered, correlated and stored. A user code provided to the user is correlated with the user information and the use information. The user information and the use information is classified based on use of the product. Classes of information potentially relevant to future purchases are identified. Product picks (promotions and recommendations) are delivered based on the classified information and the user information, responsive to an inquiry on behalf of the user.

Abstract: The reading and decoding of two-dimensional bar codes in a bar code reader are simplified and field loading of different data character sets is enabled. Decoding of bar/space patterns of a bar code is simplified by deriving T-sequence data representative of the bar/space pattern and then processing a majority of the T-sequences directly into decoded values representative of the bar/space pattern. Dynamic loading of new data character sets fully or partially superseding a factory installed default character set correlation listing is enabled by use of loadable correlation listings keyed to foreign language characters, symbols, words or phrases relevant to particular applications. The loadable correlation listings can be encoded into a two-dimensional bar code and loaded via a reading of the bar code by the bar code reader.

Abstract: Reading data from, writing data to and storing data in an IC card, utilizing an external Read/Write unit. An IC card (12) is provided. The IC card (12) comprises a rigid substrate (86) and electrical components (88) disposed on the substrate. A card coil (32) is provided about the periphery of the substrate (86) and is placed in a coil form (94). Card capacitive plates (24) and (26) are disposed on the bottom of the substrate (86). Power circuitry is provided for receiving inductive power from the card coil (32) and generating a regulated power supply voltage for powering the electrical components (88). I/O circuitry is provided for capacitively coupling data via the card capacitor plates (24) and (26). A cover (130) is also provided for covering the electric components (88) on the substrate (86). An IC card Read/Write unit (14) is provided. The IC card Read/Write unit comprises a receptacle (16) shaped similar to the substrate (86) of the IC card (12).