Abstract: A stereo/multivoice recording and reproducing apparatus used for a high fidelity video tape recorder comprises a multi-channel television system (MTS) decoder for demodulating stereo and multivoice signals included in an IF signal supplied from a tuner, a high fidelity audio processor for frequency-modulating the stereo signal output from a MTS decoder, left and right channel heads for recording the stereo signal frequency-modulated in the high fidelity audio processor, a second audio processor for amplifying the multivoice signal from the MTS decoder, and a third audio head for recording the multivoice signal amplified in the second audio processor. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus can simultaneously record stereo and multivoice signal and selectively reproduce one of the stereo signal and the multivoice signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, for providing chargeback protection services for the benefit of merchants are disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder.

Abstract: A peak shift detection circuit receives digitized read data and provides a temporal measurement output representative of peak shift of data pulses read from a magnetic storage medium. A random data pattern is written upon the magnetic storage medium. The peak shift detection circuit uses a precision delay circuit to delay a digitized read data signal. The delay signal is applied to a linear ramp circuit. The linear ramp circuit triggers the charging of a capacitor through a constant current source. This generates a linear ramp which is applied to a flash analog-to-digital converter. The conversion by the flash analog-to-digital is triggered by a generated data window signal. The digitized output of the flash analog-to-digital converter is applied to a time conversion circuit. The output of this circuit is a temporal measurement of the spacing between a data pulse and the following edge of a data window.

Abstract: The invention facilitates operation of a bar code reader over a wider range of working angle, a wider range of distances from the bar code and a wider range of bar code densities. The invention includes improved optics and sensing elements. To provide a wider depth of field the optics associated with the emitter and or the photodetector have two distinct focal points. In the preferred embodiments, the optics and sensing elements and/or the associated circuitry are arranged to provide two channels of data derived form the scanned bar code. The two channels have differing resolutions. Analysis of the data from the two channels provides a single decoded result. As the working angle and density vary at least one of the resolutions will be appropriate for sensing all or most of the bar coded data.

Abstract: A scanning system utilizing a scanner which is located in a case of size adapted to fit in the palm of the hand or to be attached to the hand along the top outside surface of the hand between the fingers and the wrist. The scanner includes a scan engine within the case mounted on a printed circuit board which scans symbols having data identifying characteristics, which are visible through a window in a side wall of the case. A switch for enabling scanning operations may be provided by a manually actuated trigger on the printed circuit board and an arm which is pivotally mounted on a post which aligns the scan engine in the case and is captured in an opening along a wall of the case. The scanner may be connected by a retractable cable to a retraction unit which can be carried by the operator. The system may be configured with the scanner on the outer side of the hand and held on the hand as by a strap or glove. A light weight arm unit is carried on the forearm.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a dynamically variable machine readable N-ary code executes operations on an electronic code. The apparatus includes a generator for generating a machine readable non-electronic code in response to the received electronic code. A data integrity enhancer forms the electronic code into output blocks which are formed as a linearly determined function of the binary values of the N-ary digits of the electronic binary code.

Abstract: A return mail piece includes a generally rectangular sheet of material with a delimited mailing address zone, a bar code zone in the lower right corner of the sheet, and a subclassification zone in the upper left hand corner of the sheet. Site location indicia is printed within the mailing address zone to identify the address of the site location. Separate subclassification indicia is printed within the subclassification zone so as to identify one of a plurality of end locations as the site location.

Abstract: A device for authenticating and verifying the originator of an electronic document transmission. A card reader is disposed at a transmitting station and an originator verifier is disposed at a receiving station. The originator verifier produces original markings on the document produced at the receiving station in response to a signal generated by the card reader at the transmitting station.

Abstract: A system for tracking casino promotional funds given to a casino patron, comprising a plurality of gaming machines A bank controller is provided for the plurality of gaming machines. A server is connected to the bank controller. A plurality of memory devices are provided. Each memory device has a memory which has encoded therein an identification of a serial number which is assigned to a casino patron receiving the memory device. The system provides an account balance for the casino patron which is associated with the memory device supplied to the casino patron. An interface device is provided on each gaming machine and is adapted to interface with the memory device to permit operation of the gaming machine and to permit debiting of the account balance of the casino patron as the gaming machine is operated by the casino patron utilizing the assigned memory device.

Abstract: A scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes a laser source producing a beam which is scanned across a symbol to be read by a moving mirror arrangement, and a photodetector responsive to a light reflected from the symbol. The signal from the photodetector is digitized and decoded to recover bar code data. A transmitter and receiver are located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery is included in the head as a power supply, so that the scanning head need not be connected by a cable to a terminal. A controller immediately and automatically turns off the light source and scan when an evaluation of the signal indicates that a bar code is detected.

Abstract: Fraud in the utilization of debit cards having magnetic media on one face, in debit card readers having magnetic read/write heads, is prevented. With the magnetic head the card is automatically read when inserted into the debit card reader to determine information from the magnetic media. The card can be invalidated immediately after the data is read, and only revalidated if it is determined the same card resides in the reader throughout the transaction. Generally simultaneously with reading, a security code is written on the magnetic media with the magnetic head, and/or after the card has come to rest in a transaction position, at least one of a plurality of card position sensors is enabled to sense the movement of the card from its rest position. Then prior to completing a transaction the magnetic media is read to be sure that the security code is present, and/or it is determined from the sensors if the card has moved more than a predetermined amount from its rest position.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use in a hybrid type card-like information recording medium on which an IC chip and optical information recording area and/or magnetic information recording area are provided; in which a contact for connecting the IC chip and an information processor is provided in a shuttle for containing the hybrid card. Therefore, in the apparatus according to the invention, information can be recorded and/or reproduced in and/or from IC chip formed on the medium without respect to the position of the shuttle. Further, it is possible to make the apparatus small in size and light in weight, because the independent mechanism for driving the terminal in accordance with the movement of the card is not necessary to be contained within the apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: An external magnetic field generation apparatus is used for a recording and reproduction apparatus which records information on a magneto-optical recording medium based on the magnetic field modulation system and the light modulation system, and applies a magnetic field to the portion of the magneto-optical recording medium where the light beam is projected. The apparatus has the first electro-magnet, used for the magnetic field modulation system, for generating an a.c. magnetic field which is reversed at a high speed. The apparatus has the second electro-magnet, used for the light modulation system, for generating a strong d.c. magnetic field such that power consumption coincides with that of the first electro-magnet.The second electro-magnet is integral with the first electro-magnet. The apparatus has a driver for selecting one of the electro-magnets in response to a switching signal, and the driver supplies power to the selected electro-magnet.

Abstract: Circuitry for eliminating magnetic instability of an inductive magnetic transducer during sensing of data from a magnetic recording medium to prevent distortion of the readback signal by hysterically moving domain walls. An inductive sensing coil has an impedance constituting the output impedance of the transducer. Means connected to the coil amplifies a data signal generated by the magnetic flux changes and produces a selected input impedance. The sum of these input and output impedances is selected to be small enough to substantially eliminate motion of the domain walls in the yoke of the transducer while the transducer is sensing data from the medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new type wand which constitute a sensor module at the light receiving portion to increase the optical coupling efficiency, and make the sensor module movable along the wand axis in forward and reverse direction so as to adjust the detecting resolution.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components a superstructure mounted on a housing and having a movable exit port to adapt the housing to steer a laser beam through the exit port to a particular course. Both right and left handed users are thereby accommodated.

Abstract: A hand held body for receiving, storing and transmitting information having a keyboard in the top thereof for manually entering information therein. A display is disposed on the top of such body for displaying information which has either been manually entered or scanned in or received from a base radio transceiver. A radio frequency transceiver is also disposed in the hand held body for receiving and transmitting information between the hand held body and the base radio transceiver. A scanner is provided for optically reading information and transmitting such information. A modular housing is provided for holding the scanner and a mechanism is provided for selectively attaching or detaching the housing to a bottom portion of the hand held body whereby the external portions of hand held body in the housing when attached together are small enough to be received in a shirt pocket, whereby the user can store the apparatus in such shirt pocket when not in use.

Abstract: A counting device for counting a number of image forming operations of an image forming apparatus. The counting device includes a registering device for registering a plurality of identification codes and a comparing device for comparing an identification code stored in a portable memory card with the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device. A first memory counter counts a number of image forming operations of the image forming apparatus when the comparing device matches the identification code stored in the portable memory card with at least one of the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device. A second memory counter counts a number of image forming operations of the image forming apparatus when the comparing device does not match the identification code stored in the portable memory card with any of the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device.

Abstract: An optical identification label consisting of an area of hologram or diffraction grating which is transparent to visible light but reflects incident light with a specific reflective directivity. By identifying the reflectivity directivity, it is possible to identify the authenticity of the label and, hence, the object to which the identification label is affixed. The fact that the identification label is transparent to human eyes offers a strong discouraging effect on potential forgers. Further, the pattern of the reflected light may be used as means for encoding data.

Abstract: A bias current servo loop for a magneto-resistive recording head detects distortion in the read signal from the MR head, and adjusts the operating point for the head to minimize the distortion. The distortion is detected by monitoring the second harmonic of a digitized sample of the read signal. A running average of the digitized amplitude of the second harmonic is generated by a digital bandpass filter. The root mean square of the running average of the digitized amplitude of the second harmonic is estimated. The estimated RMS value is compared against a reference value indicative of minimum distortion and the difference between the estimated RMS value and the reference value is used to adjust the bias current.