Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention facilitate operation of a bar code reader over a wider range of working angle and for a wider range of bar code densities. The invention includes improved optics and sensing elements. 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. The data from the channel producing a valid result can be used, or if neither channel produces a valid result by itself, data from each channel can be analyzed and valid portions of the data from both channels combined to produce the single decoded result.

Abstract: In connection with a system for simplifying the use of a plurality of credit cards, check cards, customer cards, or the like, it is proposed to provide an electronic multi-function card comprising a storage accommodating a plurality of individual data sets representing individual single-purpose cards, and comprising at least two display boxes in which data can be displayed by electronic activation, and further contact means accessible from the outside which enable the data sets stored at any time to be paged through successively and the individual data of each single-purpose card to be displayed in the display boxes, and permitting further the entry of a secret code and, finally, the data sets and/or individual parts thereof to be entered and read out, respectively.

Abstract: An optical disk cartridge assembly comprising: an optical disk for storing data thereon in machine readable form; a casing for rotatably supporting the optical disk therewithin and for shielding the optical disk from physical contact with other objects; and a door slideably mounted on the casing for selectively covering and uncovering an opening therein; the casing having a wear factor associated with sliding contact with the door of less than in 100.times.10.sup.-10 in..sup.3 -min./ft.-lb.-hr. and most preferably less than 10.times.10.sup.-10 in..sup.3 -min./ft.-lb.-hr. An information storage system employing a low-wear optical disk cartridge assembly and a method of making a low-wear optical disk cartridge assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-contact integrated card includes a data transmitting and receiving circuit, a data processing unit connected with the data transmitting and receiving circuit, a clock generating circuit for generating a clock signal and for supplying the clock signal to the data processing unit, a battery for supplying electrical energy to the data transmitting and receiving circuit, the data processing unit and the clock generating circuit, and a clock stopping circuit for stopping the generation of the clock signal by the clock generating circuit upon receipt of a clock stop signal from outside of the card. The inclusion of the clock stopping circuit which stops the generation of the clock signal in response to a clock stop signal input from an external circuit makes it possible to suspend the consumption of energy produced by the battery after testing, during shipping, and before use of the card.

Abstract: A technique of optical card having high information recording density. In the optical cards, there are two types of optical cards having a read-only optical card and an additional recording optical card. Conventionally, separate readers for reproduction have been used due to difference in light reflectivity. In this invention, a light-absorbing layer (50) having light absorbing ability with respect to reading light (300) is arranged between a card side upon which the reading light is incident and a reflective surface of a pattern (21) of an optical data recording section (20), so that the optical cards have interchangeability therebetween in reading.

Abstract: A device for holding credit cards, bank cards, charge cards, or any similar type of card is disclosed having a compartment for holding the card, switching elements which are activated by the card, and a warning device that is activated by the switching elements. The holding device also performs calculation via a keypad, a display, a memory, an arithmetic and/or logic processor for keeping track of the financial transactions regarding the use of the card such that before the card is reinserted into the holding device, the warning device alerts the user to update the memory with the latest financial transactions for the card.

Abstract: A ticket issuing apparatus has a slip storing section for storing slips which allow data to be magnetically written therein and printed out thereon, a magnetic data writing section for writing magnetic data in a slip fed from the slip storing section, a magnetic data reading section for reading the magnetic data out of the slip to see if the magnetic data is correct data, a printing section for printing data on the slip, a discharging section for discharging the slip after the magnetic writing and printing operations to the outside of the apparatus, and a transport path section for transporting the slip from the slip storing section to various other sections mentioned above. Part of the transport section is implemented as a circular transport path section. The magnetic data writing section and magnetic data reading section are arranged on the circular transport path section. The printing section is located in the vicinity of the circular transport path section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for optically scanning a bar code particularly a bar code provided on a generally transparent or translucent media through which light can be projected. In particular, the invention is directed to a system for optically scanning a bar code provided on the edge of picture film, preferably motion picture film. The system includes a light source on one side of the generally transparent media and an arrangement for moving the media past the light source such that the bar code interrupts the light and produces a modulated light signal according to the characteristics of the bar code on the opposite side of the media. An optically sensing arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the media for sensing the modulated light signal and includes at least two sensors spaced in the direction of movement of the generally transparent media. With this arrangement, the signal output of the sensors are shifted in time according to the spacing between the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for a device, particularly a telephone, using a memory card or a smart card inserted into the device including means for checking the identification data of the card and for activating the desired function of the apparatus after the verification of the data. The apparatus may include a memory unit in which the verified identification data read in from the card is recorded and used to compare subsequent identification data read in from a card. Alternatively, the apparatus may compare identification data read in from a card against verification data permanently stored in the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a timer and a comparison means which, on the basis of the output signal of the timer, compare the identification data of the card with either identification permanently stored in the apparatus or verified data previously read in from a card that is recorded in the memory unit, and thus terminate operation if the compared identification data are not identical.

Abstract: Standardized card processing modules are mechanically and electrically interconnected to form an application specific card personalization machine. A controller is coupled to a communication bus which permits the controller to download card data to the card processing modules and to upload status information from the card processing modules. Each one of the card processing modules performs a different encoding or personalization function under the control of a local processor.

Abstract: An information memory medium (10) includes disk-shaped substrates (30a, 30b) and recording layers (32a, 32b). It also has a centering member (38a, 38b) whose coefficient of thermal expansion resembles that of the substrates (30a, 30b). Two flat magnetic members (40a, 40b) are situated in annular depressions (68a, 68b) provided in the centering member. The annular depressions are larger than the magnetic members so that differences in thermal expansion can be absorbed.

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 light reflected from the symbol. The signal from the photodetector is digitized and decoded to recover bar code data. The scanning head includes a keyboard for entering data, and a display from showing data, and a microprocessor in the head controls the operations of the various components. A transmitter and receiver may be located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery included in the head as a power supply, so that the scanning head need not be connected by a cable to a terminal.

Abstract: A segmentation system in which, in recording a PCM audio signal on a magnetic tape or the like, a signal divided in 5 per field is divided into 4 segments per field with high capabilities of error correction and a mean value interpolation for burst errors etc. Regarding the signal of a deep-layer record PCM format, in which each subframe (3 in FIGS. 1(a)-1(c)) is formed of 30 blocks of only even data or odd data and in which data frames (4) each including 1 subframe of the even data and 1 subframe of the odd data in combination are formed in the number of 5 per frame, the even data items are arranged in the first half part of a PCM record area on the tape, and the odd data items in the latter half part.

Abstract: A device for reading data encoded on a form has a removable scanning wand and a housing defining a slot for receiving the form. The wand functions as the input means of a slot reader when received in the housing, and is useful independently of the housing as a hand held scanning wand. The slot of the housing receives the form so as to position data on the form at a predetermined position and the wand is directed at the predetermined position when received in the housing. The wand, or other similar data read head for bar code, magnetic strips, OCR characters or the like, is preferably positively positioned in the housing by a spring biased clip releasable by finger pressure. The wand can be coupled by a connecting lead to a further terminal apart from the housing, to which terminal the housing can preferably be attached to add a slot reader capability.

Abstract: A precoded N-level HDTV digital video signal characterized by a sampling rate fs substantially equal to 3/2 the NTSC color subcarrier frequency is modulated for transmission on a carrier signal having a frequency substantially mid-way between the picture carrier and color subcarrier of an NTSC co-channel. The received signal is detected by a synchronous detector in response to a regenerated carrier signal and interfering NTSC beat components in the output of the detector are attenuated by a comb filter having a notch at fs/3. The output of the comb filter comprises an M-level signal, where M is greater than N, which is converted to an N-level signal corresponding to the demodulated video signal.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner system uses various interchangeable interface boards which allow the scanner system to be used with a plurality of different input/output devices (transaction terminals, computers, cash registers) having different operating characteristics. One of these boards is capable of accepting and transmitting digital character strings of various bit lengths to accommodate the operating characteristics of input/output devices using data in a string of predetermined bit length.

Abstract: A magnetic head swing clamp configured for interconnection with a read/write preamplifier of the type including a read differential transistor pair connected to an inductive head. The collectors of the transistors in the read differential transistor pair provide first and second read output signals at first and second read output terminals for connection to a read amplifier. The magnetic head swing clamp comprises a reference voltage generator which produces first and second reference voltage levels at first and second reference voltage output terminals. Positive and negative voltage clamps are electrically connected to the first and second reference voltage output terminals, respectively, and to the first and second read output terminals. The positive and negative voltage clamps clamp voltage swings in the first and second read output signals as functions of the first and second reference voltage levels.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for asynchronous servo identification (SID)/address mark detection are provided for data detection in a partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) data channel. The SID/AM pattern includes a first preamble section defined by a plurality of short magnets; a body section defined by a predetermined number of long magnets; and a delimiter section defined by a plurality of short magnets. Samples from the digital filter are applied to first and second correlation filtering paths. The first correlation filtering path includes a polarity threshold function to indicate one of a preamble section or a delimiter section of a SID/AM pattern. The second correlation filtering paths includes a second threshold function and a comparator for sequentially comparing sequential ones of the received samples responsive to identifying the second threshold value to identify a predefined sequence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of securing magnetically encoded data from altering, forging, or counterfeiting. The invention pertains to magnetic storage media such as magnetic tape, magnetic striped cards, and other documents or objects which contain magnetic media. This invention utilized the inherent variations in the timing of magnetically encoded data in combination with the random effect of the magnetic media. Data is protected by reading the original encoded data just after encoding and storing this initial timing data stream. It is authenticated by a comparison of the timing data stream of any subsequent reading of this encoded data to the original timing data stream. Acceptance criterion depends on the magnetic media and applications chosen.