Abstract: A transaction audit system is disclosed comprising a chip card, for completing a transaction between the holder of the chip card and a transaction partner such as a merchant. During the transaction, a transaction identifier is generated uniquely identifying the transaction. For completing execution of the transaction by posting of the payment amount to the merchants account, the chip card transmits a transaction receiver data record comprising the transaction identifier, and further data, if required, to a third party. To allow auditing the transaction settlement posting accuracy, the transaction provider also transmits a transaction provider data record comprising the corresponding transaction identifier to the third party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scanning for a defective bar code having a plurality of alternating bars and spaces of varying widths. A bar code is scanned for providing a bar code signature which is used for measuring the bar and space width as multiples of a minimum width module. By detecting fractional width of adjoining bars and spaces, error in the bar code is correspondingly detected. The measured bar code signature may be corrected by respectively increasing and decreasing the fractional width of an adjoining bar and space for obtaining substantially integer multiple modules thereof. The corrected signature may then be decoded.

Abstract: An optical reader having a reading head which includes a light source, an optical system and in imaging device such as a CCD. An opening is formed in a tip portion of the reading head which forms an area in which an information pattern to be read is positioned. The information pattern is illuminated by the light source, and the light reflected from the information pattern is sensed by the CCD. A closing plate is slidably supported by guide grooves provided on edge portions of the opening. The opening is opened and closed by the closing plate. The closing plate has a plurality of notches to provide flexibility.

Abstract: A hand held dataform reader for reading 1D and 2D bar codes and matrix dataforms is disclosed. The dataform reader includes a dataform reader module having a laser bar code dataform reading assembly, for reading 1D bar codes, and an imaging dataform reading assembly, for reading 2D bar codes and matrix codes. The dataform reader module further includes selection and control circuitry for energizing a selected one of the reading assemblies. In operation, the laser reading assembly is energized first. If the target dataform is a 1D bar code, a decodable signal will be generated and decoding circuitry will decode the target dataform. If a decodable signal is not generated by the laser reading assembly, the selection and control circuitry turns off the laser reading assembly and energizes the imaging dataform reading assembly. If the target dataform is a 2D bar code or matrix dataform, the imaging dataform reading assembly will generate a decodable composite video signal representing the image of the dataform.

Abstract: A data carrier having an electronic module includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has not only has the usual components, but also an electronic check unit having a nonvolatile memory area and a separate interface. During normal operation of the data carrier, data are written additionally in the electronic check unit. If functional failure of the electronic module of the data carrier occurs, the data are still readable from the memory of the electronic check unit via the separate inter-face even if the integrated circuit is otherwise mechanically destroyed.

Abstract: In a preferred data capture system, a RF data terminal is capable of use alone or with any of a series of scanner modules incorporating diverse scanner technologies such as CCD bar code scanning, area image data reading, cyclically swept laser beam bar code scanning, and RF identification label scanning. In each case, a frontal operating panel of the RF terminal--scanner system is held facing the user during scanning, whether the system is held with the right or left hand. Scanner data is supplied to the-RF unit by mating connectors or the like. From the RF unit, the scanner data may be transmitted on-line to a host computer or other receiving station. The family of scanner modules may provide respective laser scanners with respective different wavelengths of illumination so that an optimum module may be selected for reading respective bar codes of differing color characteristics. The family is readily upgraded to incorporate new light sources of greater efficiency and/or more advantageous spectrum.

Abstract: A handy scanner removably held by a scanner holder is composed of an LED unit for illuminating a bar code affixed to an article, a light-receiving unit for producing an output signal corresponding to reflected light from the bar code, and a processing section for obtaining bar code information from the output signal produced by the light-receiving unit. Particularly, the processing section includes a comparator for determining whether the handy scanner is held by the holder, and a control circuit for turning on the LED unit when it is detected by the comparator that the handy scanner is removed from the scanner holder and turning off the LED unit when the bar code information has not been obtained within a predetermined time after turning on the LED unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a web having printed thereon bar codes each identifying a container manufacturer, product, etc. and arranged longitudinally of the web at a spacing corresponding to one container, for positioning each of the bar codes in a specified position. The positioning apparatus comprises a feeder drivable by a main shaft for transporting the web via the specified position, a detector for detecting the angle of rotation of the main shaft upon the bar code moving past the specified position, and a calculating unit for calculating the deviation of the angle detected by the detector from a predetermined reference angle and determining as an amount of transport by the feeder a set value corresponding to the calculated deviation based on a predetermined relationship between deviations and set values.

Abstract: A process for reading optical codes includes reading an optical code by irradiating a scanning 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: The chip of an invention for an electronic circuit card comprises a semiconductor microplate having an active face provided with contact pads and on which projections are formed of different heights. The active face of the microplate is coated, at least in part, in a layer of insulating material having a thickness that is greater than or equal to the height of the highest projection, said layer being shaped so as to give free access to the contact pads and having an outer face parallel to the periphery of the active face of the microplate. The layer enables the chip to be implanted in a card body while remaining accurately parallel thereto, which is essential to enable conductive tracks to be made subsequently by silk-screen printing.

Abstract: A stationary data symbol reader includes a CCD, lens, CCD drive circuit, amplification circuit, binarization circuit, memory, CPU, light sources, light source drive circuit, communication driver, switch circuit and trigger switch. When reading, a frame image capture is carried out, and a number of picture elements of the fields of the frame corresponding to the displacement of an authenticator pattern (associated with the data symbol) between a second field image and a first field image is calculated. The moving speed of the data symbol is calculated from the displacement. The optimal light exposure time is calculated from the moving speed, and the optimal intensity of illumination is calculated from the exposure time.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) which has a light for attracting attention of customers to an item associated with the EPL. The EPL further includes a power supply and a control circuit for controlling application and removal of power from the power supply to the light. In a first embodiment, the control circuit responds to commands from a controlling computer. In a second embodiment, the control circuit includes a push-button switch containing the light.

Abstract: Applicant's invention includes a cash-alternative transaction processing system and associated methods based on the use of smart cards, purchase point smart card reader/writer transaction register systems, and clearing center processors. Also includes are elements relating to use of smart cards in vending machines.

Abstract: A card reader 20 includes a dielectric housing 22, a plurality of resilient connector elements 70 disposed along the bottom wall 28 of the housing 22 and adapted to establish electrical connection between contact pads 104 of a circuit board 102 and contact pads 96 of a card 90 inserted into a card-receiving slot 40 of the reader 20, a horizontal plate 42 slidably mounted within the housing 22, and an actuator 54 for moving the plate 42. The horizontal plate 42 is proximate the top surface of the housing 22 and is movable upon actuation toward a card 90 inserted into the card receiving slot 40 beneath the plate 42 to exert pressure on and moving the card 90 toward said bottom wall 28 to effect electrical engagement between the contact pads 96 of the card 90 and the resilient connector elements 70 that, in turn, engage the contact pads 104 of the board 102.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking out an item through a self-service checkout station which includes a scanner which generates a first signal when the scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item, a sensor which generates a second signal when the sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner, a recorder which generates a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner, and a processing unit coupled to the scanner, the sensor and the recorder which causes the recorder to playback the visual recording on a display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.

Abstract: A calling card telephone call may be automatically initiated by the aid of an intelligent cared (10) having the capability of generating a first and second sequences of DTMF signals. Upon actuating the card in a first manner, the card generates the first DTMF signal sequence that corresponds to a calling card carrier access number. Upon actuating the card in a second manner, the card generates the second DTMF signal sequence corresponding to a card holder personal identification code. Thus, by actuating the card in the first and second manner, a card holder can effectuate the input of the carrier access number and card holder personal identification number, respectively, without having to enter this information via a key pad, thereby gaining reducing the incidence of card fraud.

Abstract: A radiant energy source, e.g., solar energy, is employed to power an electro-optical reader, preferably by charging an on-board battery. A solar light collector is mounted on the reader in a location exposed to ambient light.

Abstract: A bar code reader and the mirror oscillating system thereof are disclosed herein. The bar code reader is of the type which produces a scanning light beam by oscillating one mirror with a electromagnetic oscillator and a raster scanning device. The raster scanning device includes a non-contact sensor which produces a position signal. The position signal is representative of the location of the raster mirror. The position signal is utilized to adjust the motor drive signal which positions the raster scanning device. The position signal allows the motor a low cost sheet metal stepper motor to be positioned more accurately despite performance degradation over the life of the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and decoding machine-readable symbols such as Data Matrix symbols begins by storing an image of the symbol. The invention locates an edge point between the quiet zone and a solid boundary of the finder pattern for the symbol. Therefrom, the present invention locates at least portions of first and second solid boundaries, and preferably a solid corner therebetween. Thereafter, the present invention locates at least portions of dashed boundaries extending from the free ends of the solid boundaries. After locating the solid and dashed boundaries of the finder pattern for the symbol, the present invention determines the periphery and version of the symbol, and then applies the appropriate decode routine to decode the image of the symbol.

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.