Abstract: A product-selling-data processing apparatus which performs a bundle-of-selling in which a predetermined number of a same kind of articles each having a unit price are sold in a lump at a price lower than the total of the unit price of the predetermined number of the articles, includes an article code inputting device for inputting a first article code identifying an article to be sold, a memory for memorizing price data including the unit price of the articles and a bundle-of-selling price of the articles, and article code data including the first article code and a second article code identifying an article to be sold as a bundle-of-selling, the second article code being modified based on the first article code, the price data being memorized in correspondence with the article code data, a discerning device for discerning whether the article indicated the first article code inputted by the article code inputting device, can be sold as the bundle-of-selling, a first calculation device for calculating selling

Abstract: A file management apparatus capable of inhibiting an accessing operation for a plurality of areas within files. The file management apparatus includes a memory storing files each having multiple areas, a first storage unit for storing lock data denoting a locking condition of an accessing operation for each of the files, a determination device for determining whether the accessing operation for areas to be accessed is inhibited by referring to the lock data for the files, and an accessing device for accessing a particular one of the areas when the determination means determines that access to the group of areas containing that particular area is not inhibited. The file management apparatus also determines the inhibited/non-inhibited status for data areas within each file based on lock data and key data corresponding to each of those data areas.

Abstract: An access control system for a public transport system comprises, at each entrance/exit location (1) of the transport system, at least one entrance gate (12) provided with a ticket reader (8), at least one exit gate (20) provided with a ticket reader (16), a ticket issuing machine (22) and a local data processor (10) with which the other items communicate. The local processors (10) communicate via a central processor (14). The tickets bear unique identification codes which are stored, upon issue, in the local processors (10) at the location (1) at which they are valid for entry. Upon entry using a ticket the relevant code is cancelled at all locations and then it is stored again in the local processors (10) at those locations (1) at which it is valid for exit. Upon exit using a ticket the relevant code is cancelled at all locations. If entry or exit is attempted at a location (1) at which the relevant code is not stored, the relevant gate (12 or 20) is barred.

Abstract: A portable data carder assemblage includes smaller and larger plastic cards carrying respective embedded semiconductor chips for transferring data from the miniature card and standard-size card to, respectively, a small personal communicator cellular telephone set and a larger cellular set, the two cards being held in that assemblage by a pliant plastic sheath and a pocket on the sheath into which, respectively, the larger and smaller cards are inserted for safekeeping between uses of the cards. The assemblage may be conveniently transported by being lodged in a card-holding recess in the wallet of the owner of the assemblage. When that owner has only a personal communicator set, the standard-size chip carrying card is replaceable in the assemblage by a standard-size chipless card having therein an aperture into which the small card may be displaced by deformation of the sheath so that the assemblage takes up less room in the wallet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coded seal which allows a device to determine whether unauthorized access to a terminal or other electronic or security device has been made. The code includes a series of continuous and discontinuous members which are used to form a code. Breaking of the seal causes the members to be discontinuous and makes it difficult to determine what the code was. In this way, it is difficult to replace the seal, as this would only be successful if the replacement seal had the same code.

Abstract: A stationary optical scanning system for the decoding of a plurality of optically readable information bearing symbols encoded using at least first and second different optical codes, and for the detection of a plurality of optical targets having at least first and second different target configurations and target data signals representative of the differing target configurations, includes a single optical sensor for optically sensing the different target configurations and optical codes as objects affixed with the information bearing symbols continuously pass within a field of view and for generating the target data signals from the sensed field of view.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a device for the transfer (13) of containers (12) which takes containers (12) from a magazine for containers (11) to convey them in succession to a delivery station (16) passing through means for labelling (14) and means for checking the labels (25) controlled by a control and data acquisition system (2) so as to univocally label each single container with the data related to a corresponding single patient to a corresponding single sanitary event.

Abstract: A microcomputer for an IC card arranged so that only a user mode can be performed after the microcomputer has been shipped to a user. Data representing that the microcomputer has been shipped is written at the time of shipment in a test region of an EEPROM. A shipment confirmation routine for confirming whether the shipment data has been written is performed before execution of a branch routine for branching to other programs in accordance with an executed command supplied from outside the microcomputer. If the shipment data has been written in the test region of the EEPROM as confirmed in the shipment confirmation routine, only branching to the user mode is permitted.

Abstract: A method for decoding an analog waveform corresponding to a symbol comprises detecting the extrema locations of the waveform, and creating a feature vector from these extrema locations. The feature vector is compared to stored reference arrays corresponding to each symbol from an alphabet of possible symbols using statistical pattern recognition techniques to decode the waveform. The invention also features an analog waveform decoder that has reference storage for holding reference arrays, and a processor that creates and decodes a feature vector for the analog waveform.

Abstract: A code reading device for use in an industrial flexible automation track system is disclosed wherein a code reading device reads codes stored in a code storing device attached to a work piece carrier. The code reading device includes a multiple sensor sensing head in which any one or all of the enclosed sensors may be easily replaced. Each sensor is slidably received within a pocket in the sensing head and provided with a plug-on electrical connector such that it may be easily replaced should a failure occur or should a different type of sensor be required.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer for storing information is formed on the lower surface of a card, and a protective film is formed on the magnetic recording layer. Permanent information, e.g., the valid term of the card and the name of a user, and variable information, e.g., card use history information, are magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording layer. A printed layer is formed on the upper surface of the card. Permanent information such as the valid term of the card and the name of the user is printed on the printed layer. A braille portion indicating purpose of the card in braille is formed on the upper surface of the card.

Abstract: Smart card payment process.The card in particular contains an irreversible counter, a balance and a certificate proving the integrity of the preceding informations. The content of the card can only be updated by terminals knowing, the calculation secrets of the certificate. By means of the irreversible counter which intervenes in the calculation of the certificate, it is not possible to reload into the card a prior content (balance/certificate), because such a reloading requires the incrementation of the counter, which renders null and void the prior certificate.

Abstract: A scanning system has a plurality of optical scan units. Each optical scan unit includes means for emitting light toward an item bearing an indicia. Each optical scan unit also includes means for receiving light reflected from the indicia and generating signals corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light. Also provided is a central control unit which includes means for combining together signals corresponding to the signals generated by at least two of the scan units to fully decode information contained on the indicia.

Abstract: A bar code symbol imaged by a two-dimensional imaging apparatus is stored in a frame memory. Based on the stored information, a position sensing section of a data processing apparatus senses position information units of at least two points from among position information units of four corners of the bar code image symbol projected on a photoelectric conversion surface of the two-dimensional imaging apparatus. On the basis of the sensed position information units, a slope sensing section estimates position information of the bar code symbol. Based on this position information, a reading section successively reads information of the bar code symbol from the frame memory. A decoding section decodes the read information to the original information.

Abstract: Machine readable electronic domain definitions of part or all of the electronic domain descriptions of hardcopy documents and/or of part or all of the transforms that are performed to produce and reproduce such hardcopies documents are encoded in codes that are printed on such documents, thereby permitting the electronic domain descriptions of such documents and/or such transforms to be recovered more robustly and reliably when the information carried by such documents is transformed from the hardcopy domain to the electronic domain.

Abstract: The optical scanning head comprises two or more LEDs which are oriented to emit light at different angles so that a fan of light is created. A "dark room" encloses the LEDs, a lens assembly, and the spacing between the lens assembly and the detector, a linear CCD array. The portion of the dark room that extends between the lens assembly and the detector has a plurality of baffles formed therein to capture scattered light, preventing this scattered light from becoming noise at the detector. The lens assembly includes, along with a plurality of focusing lenses, a combination of a generally elliptical aperture, or "cat's eye, and a rectangular obscuration. The combination prevents the central lobe of the Airy disk generated by the incoming light from being transmitted to the detector. This results in the incoming information being carried in the outer lobes or rings, increasing the angular separation of the lines of the bar code.

Abstract: A bar code is formed of a number of parallel bars adapted to be provided circumferentially on a tubular or rod-like work and extend spirally about the center line of the work. In an alternative form, the bar code includes a number of parallel bars each adapted to extend continuously along the entire length of the work. In another alternative form, the bar code includes a number of parallel bars adapted to be provided on the surface of a belt-like work and each adapted to extend continuously along the entire length of the work.

Abstract: Random partial scans of a bar code label are utilized to re-create the entire symbol. The symbol is reconstructed by a re-match operation which places partial scanned data into memory and allows the data to be examined so that it is properly loaded whether data is acquired from scanning either the left or right side of the label first. Re-match allows labels having very small aspect ratios at extreme scanning angles to be readily captured.

Abstract: A data carrier for a non-contact data communication with a control station controlling a passage to an area or space comprises a carrier base structure, a data sending-receiving unit, a non-volatile, electrically erasable and programmable memory, a liquid crystal display for displaying data, and a solar cell unit for providing power. When the data carrier is approached to the control station, data are received from and transmitted to the control station which checks and/or changes the data content of the memory. A means for making visible the stored data on the liquid crystal display, e.g. a microprocessor, and the liquid crystal display are powered by the solar cell unit. The data carrier can be designed as a disk and handled like a coin. A housing of the data carrier can be provided with a cord wound on a spring acted spool.

Abstract: A method for tracking food products and/or food supplements, preferably organic products and meat products, is provided to enable verification of product origination and to trace back the source of pathogens. In one embodiment, individual animals are tagged with a unique code and such code is maintained throughout the animal's growth, slaughter and processing. Additional information may be added to computer databases with respect to the animal's genetic makeup, weight, feeding regimen, microbiological profile, fat-to-lean meat ratio, etc., and such information can be correlated with the animal's unique identification number. In the fabrication of an animal, a predetermined number of tags is generated for display on each portion of an animal carcass severed during the fabrication process.