Abstract: The invention relates to PC-cards.In order to permit communications between readers operating according to several different communication protocols, according to the invention said card comprises:several conversion circuits (CNV1, CNV2, CNV3), each of which is able to convert into instructions performable by the card the electrical signals received from the reader according to a given protocol, each of the different conversion circuits corresponding to a different communication protocol,and a protocol selection circuit (CNVA, L0, L1, L2, L3, G1 to G6), incorporating an auxiliary conversion circuit (CNVA), the latter being able to produce specific instructions performable by the card, said specific instructions being used for the selection of one of the conversion circuits and being produced from electrical signals which can be produced in all the protocols.

Abstract: A portable data input or computer system includes a keyboard, another data input device such as an optical scanner, a data processor module, and a display. All of those system components are configured for carrying and/or securing on a garment, such as a vest. Typically, the garment has a number of pockets. The operator can wear the garment and carry the system components in pockets when not using them. At such times, the system components are out of the way. The display may be flipped up so that, when the system is in use, displayed data is visible to the operator without removing the display from the pocket. The operator may activate the keyboard with only one hand while it is still in its pocket, or the operator can remove the keyboard from the pocket, hold it in one hand and key in data with the other hand. To input other data, for example by scanning bar code type indicia, the operator removes the scanner from its pocket, points the scanner at the bar code and triggers the scanner to read the indicia.

Abstract: A row and column based storage device stores data at multiple density levels. The bulk of the stored data is record data, and is stored at higher density levels to minimize the storage area required. The control information and system parameters are stored at lower density levels for maximum reliability. Lost or damaged record data may be recovered through error correction parity data. However, lost control information or system parameters results in catastrophic failure of the storage device.

Abstract: In the case of a service desk for the registration, booking and/or payment of goods, vouchers and the like, having a service section (38) including at least a data display device (28), a data input device (26) and an output device (22, 24) for coupons, receipts and the like, this service section comprises at least two parts (14; 20, 28), of which a first part (14) is always on the customer's side of the service desk and a second part (20, 28) can be moved between the customer's side and the operator's side of the service desk.

Abstract: A reading apparatus simultaneously detects all the magnetic states previously recorded on a length of a magnetic strip on a substrate. The apparatus has detectors for simultaneously detecting all the magnetic states coded on the magnetic strip and for generating electrical signals indicative of the magnetic states. An electronic circuit processes the electrical signals in order to determine the meaning of the magnetic states. A display shows the meaning of the magnetic states. The apparatus is used to read flexible magnetic tags attached to garments.

Abstract: An IC card is provided with a data storage area for storing data, an identification code area for storing a plurality of identification codes and directories for storing information indicating which of the identification codes is an identification code authorized to access the data.When an identification code and information for identifying data are applied so as to make access to a data area in the IC card from the outside of the IC card, the IC card references the directories, recognizes which of the identification codes is an identification code authorized to access data, corresponding to the externally applied information for identifying data, and determines whether or not the identification code corresponds to the externally applied identification code.

Abstract: A two-dimensional bar code is used to identify a traveler's luggage, permitting the luggage to be tracked and, if desired be delivered to the traveler's ultimate destination (e.g., a hotel). If the traveler is traveling on an airline, a corresponding two-dimensional bar code is applied to the traveler's boarding pass. A two-dimensional bar code reader is used to read the boarding-pass bar code of each enplaning passenger; comparison of these bar codes with luggage bar-code data permits an alarm to be raised if each item of checked luggage is not matched by an enplaned passenger. The boarding-pass bar code may take the form of an integrated passenger identification code for use by e.g., rental car companies, hotels, and the like.

Abstract: A card comprising an electronic element (2) and a coil (42) having its ends directly coupled to the electronic element are encased in a binding material (10). A positioning structure (46) for the electronic element is located in a layer (38) formed by the binding material.

Abstract: An inspection prompting and reading recording system includes a portable computer having a display, a keyboard, a bar scanner, a memory, a processor, and a sound generator. Each group of components is provided with a respective bar code label. When the computer system scans one of these bar code labels, it automatically prompts an inspector to enter appropriate readings for the components of that group. These readings are checked against stored expected responses and the inspector is warned of an abnormal condition. The readings that make up the inspection for each group are stored in the computer system in component files, and the groups identify readings to be taken by listing the separate components. In this way, memory requirements of the computer system are reduced. Readings entered by an inspector are stored in a data module for later processing and use.

Abstract: A flexible merchandise checkout system utilizes a portable two-dimensional bar code scanner/data terminal as part of an auxiliary checkout station for use during times of peak customer traffic, permitting two or more checkers to empty a shopping cart at once for higher throughput. The checkout system includes separable modules for scanning purchased items and for receiving customer payments, respectively. Customer checks tendered in payment may be processed in real time via electronic funds transaction (EFT) orders. Depleted inventory is replaceable using a system wherein replacement inventory items are labeled with two-dimensional bar-coded information describing the ultimate destination, and packed into a container for shipment to a receiving/distribution center, at which the destination information is scanned and decoded to enable proper routing of the replacement inventory items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading method and a bar code reader applied preferably to POS systems used in the distribution industry. The object of the invention is to achieve an improved reading ratio or a reduced erroneous reading ratio in practical use by evaluating quantitatively the reliability of demodulation data and by performing a coincidence checking plural times only when a large error is recognized. When a reading distortion amount measured is within a predetermined allowable value, data extracted and demodulated from the bar code is judged to be valid, whereby the bar code reading is completed. When a reading distortion amount measured is not within the predetermined allowable value, if the same data from the bar code is extracted and demodulated continuously and at least twice, the same data extracted and demodulated from the bar code is judged to be valid, whereby the bar code reading is completed.

Abstract: In order to control laser beam propagation, working range and beam cross-section in a bar code scanner, diffractive optics are used to modify the amplitude and/or phase distribution of the beam in the scanner. The beam is diffracted by a mask which has a plurality of apertures in the form of segments which are arranged across the beam cross-section in the vicinity of a converging lens. The segments are sized and their transmission functions selected (one segment having for example 100% transmission and the other 50% transmission) such that bar codes close in and far out from the scanner are in regions of far field diffraction of different segments, or where such regions overlap, thereby extending the working range of the scanner where bar codes of high density can be resolved.

Abstract: Resilient wipers (4a, 4b) cooperate with inclined planes (13a, 13b) to maintain the card (7) constantly parallel to the base part (1) of the card reader during the introduction of the card into the reading compartment (12). The free ends of the wipers (4a, 4b) are biased into a plane further from that of the base part (1) than that which the free ends of the reading wipers (3a, 3b) tend to assume. This device is simple and compact and makes it possible to eliminate static electricity created by the card rubbing against the card reader.

Abstract: In a non-contact type IC card, a re-access inhibition time setting circuit 12 sets a re-access inhibition period of time for inhibiting the re-access for a fixed period of time after an operation of a main circuit 16 is finished. This prevents a double write operation of history in the card due to the re-access in a short period of time. Moreover, two areas 321 and 322 are disposed in a memory 32 to write data alternately in these areas. In a read operation, when data of one of the areas is destroyed, the normal data in the other area is read; whereas, when each data is normal, the data last recorded is read. Consequently, the disabled state of the read operation due to wrong data can be prevented.

Abstract: In a system for displaying prices in a retail store, improved rail arrangements are disclosed to permit improved accuracy in confirming the physical location of an improved display device on one such rail arrangement. A response from the device to a host, or central computer, indicates a particular position of the device on the rail arrangement.

Abstract: A technique for reconfiguring in the field postage meters having a set of features that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. The technique provides security so that the meter company will always have a correct record of the configuration of the meter in the field. A technique is provided for reconfiguring in the field of external devices in communication with postage meters, the external devices having an external device feature set that may be selectively enabled or disabled by software. A technique for securely adding postage to a remote setting postage meter without the remote setting code is also provided. A technique for detecting the entry of an invalid code for remote setting the meter a predetermined number at times is also provided. Once detected, a security lock flag stored in memory is set which prevents the meter from being reset until the flag is cleared in a separate procedure.

Abstract: A reversing board 14 with a magnetic head 16 mounted thereon is provided at its central portion with card guides 14b1, 14b2 , the inlet ports of the card guides 14b1, 14b2 being disposed proximate to the front end openings of front and rear card guides 2A, 2B, the magnetic head 16 being biased by a compression spring 17S so that the head can be acted upwardly and downwardly, a positioning stopper 15 being engaged in a positioning groove 14a of the reversing board 14, a rotational tension force being exerted to a head reversing gear 12 by a tension spring 13S.

Abstract: The disclosure is made in a fruit packing house, but the concept is applicable to any packing where multiple units are packed into containers and moved from a packing station to a shipping destination. The system employs computer techniques to identify the packer, container type, contents and other managerial information, by use of a single readable code label placed on a container.

Abstract: When a control section of a data carrier discriminates a command from a reader/writer, either one of two kinds of pseudo random signals is returned in accordance with a bit 0 or 1 of response data. When two autocorrelation values obtained by correlation arithmetic operations are simultaneously equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the reader/writer determines that a communication has been executed with two or more data carriers, so that an error warning, an access stop, a retry, or the like is executed. The reader/writer compares the autocorrelation peak value obtained from the pseudo random signal from the data carrier with a threshold value. When it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the reading operation is executed. In the reading operation of continuous data bits from the data carrier, the reader/writer selects the minimum value from among the autocorrelation peak values of the bits obtained by the correlation arithmetic operations and stores the selected minimum value.

Abstract: For the purpose of identifying the authenticity of an article, an incident detecting light beam having a certain wave length and a polarization plane extending in a certain direction is projected from a light emitting element, and the plane of polarization of this incident light is rotated by 90.degree. as it impinges upon and reflected by an identification region having a specific reflective directivity owing to its diffractive property, and the reflected linearly polarized light is received by a light receiving element which is capable of recognizing the diffractive property via a polarization filter oriented so as to receive only the light having a plane of polarization perpendicular to that of the incident light.