Abstract: A scanner determines whether a target is a bar code symbol and, if so, whether that symbol is one-dimensional or two-dimensional. For two-dimensional symbols, the scanner aligns a scanning pattern with the symbol and expands the scanning pattern to reach only to the top and bottom edges of the symbol, not beyond. The scanner also has a microprocessor-control scanning engine that uses a coil to drive a scanning element and pick up feed back signals from the scanning element. A pulse-width-modulated regulator also provides fast and efficient operation for driving the coil. The scanning engine can also be designed to generate a pattern that precesses across the target, and a powerful interface to the scanning engine allows decoding and control logic to work efficiently with and independently of the scan engine.

Abstract: A portable signature capture pad operative for gathering signature data associated with customer transactions includes a digitizer, microprocessor, and a pad cradle that facilitates a wireless data link between the portable signature capture pad and a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, such as an electronic cash register. Subsequent to receiving a ready signal from the POS terminal, the portable signature capture pad is removed, temporarily disconnecting the pad from communication with the pad cradle and thus the POS terminal. A transaction receipt is printed at the POS terminal and placed on the portable signature capture pad. The portable signature capture pad and receipt are presented to a customer for signature capture. Data signals corresponding to the customer's signature are captured by the digitizer and stored in a memory in the pad. The pad is then returned to the cradle.

Abstract: A card reader stores the energy imparted by a user inserting a card into a slot. When the card is fully inserted, a release mechanism is triggered and the stored energy moves a read head over a coded stripe. In the preferred embodiment, a torsion spring mounted on a carriage winds about an axle. The axle has a gear at one end which engages a rack fixed on the base of the reader. The gear and axle rotate as the carriage is moved relative to the reader, thereby winding the torsion spring and storing energy. A set of ratchet teeth mounted on the base prevents the return of the carriage before the card is fully inserted into the slot. The reader can also accommodate reading and writing to smart cards.

Abstract: A number of scanning devices are shown which are suitable for use in active or passive bar code readers. These devices use a mirror system which is arranged to oscillate for production of a scanning beam, the oscillation being at a resonant frequency and being effected and adjusted by means solely of magnetic or electro magnetic components.

Abstract: A smart card that is responsive to a list of items with individual prices that are received from a point of sale (POS) terminal during an individual transaction to automatically insert these items into expense categories. A personal computer later retrieves these categories and associated information and inserts the information into a spreadsheet. The microprocessor in the smart card relies on stored tables defining commonly used item designations and a table that defines definitions based on an ongoing learning process by the microprocessor in conjunction with the personal computer.

Abstract: A card reader (10) is provided that comprises a forward gate (58) that prevents access to the interior of the card reader (10) by other than standard credit card-sized items. Side retainers (36), (38) and (40) coupled to retaining arms (28) and (30) serve to retain appropriately-sized cards and to eject cards which are not long enough. Rear retainers (54) and (56) serve to maintain appropriately-sized cards in contact with an electrical contact (74) of an electrical contact board (72). A fraud prevention antenna (86) prevents access to the electrical systems within card reader (10) from systems outside of card reader (10). A magnetic stripe reader (22) is included in a card guide (16) to allow card reader (10) to also use magnetic stripe cards.

Abstract: A POS system which readily allows introduction of a self-scanning function. The POS system includes a POS apparatus including a settlement terminal for effecting final settlement of the accounts for a purchased commodity or commodities, and one or a plurality of self-scanning registration terminals accommodated in the POS apparatus by way of a control apparatus and each including a commodity code reader for reading a commodity code applied to a commodity. The control apparatus communicates commodity purchase information based on commodity code information read by the commodity code reader of the self-scanning registration terminal or any of the self-scanning registration terminals between the self-scanning registration terminal and the POS apparatus. The POS system can be applied in the distribution industry, particularly in a store such as a mass sales store, a convenience store or a supermarket.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for scanning indicia having portions of differing light reflectivity has a light emitter assembly, with a single light source, for emitting a beam of light to scan across the indicia. A first optical detector receives light reflected back from a first portion of the indicia. A second optical detector receives light reflected back from a second portion of the indicia. Each of the optical detectors includes a photodetector, a lens and an aperture which is disposed between the photodetector and lens.

Abstract: A circuit for digitizing an analog signal generated from a photoelectric conversion of reflected light when scanning indicia having spatially-separated, light-reflective portions bounded by edges includes a differentiator for differentiating the analog signal. An inverter inverts the differentiated signal to generate an inverted signal. A negative peak detector detects negative amplitude peaks and a positive peak detector detects positive amplitude peaks of the differentiated signal and generate, respectively, a negative and positive peak signal. Adders are used to add the positive peak signal to the inverted signal, and the negative peak signal to the inverted signal. A comparator compares the two summed signals to the differentiated signal and generates pulse signals indicative of the edges of the analog signal. A controller, in response to the pulse signals, generates a digital signal corresponding to the indicia being scanned.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a storage medium carrying symbols representing digital information, the recovery from a storage medium of symbols representing digital information and the determination of the digital information represented by such symbols. More particularly, the invention relates to storage media carrying the symbols in two dimensions and to the recovery of such symbols by oversampling in two dimensions. While the invention has many applications, the invention is described in connection with preferred embodiments in which the symbols are carried by and recovered from an optical-storage medium, namely, motion picture film, the symbols representing digital information into which motion picture soundtrack and related information is encoded.

Abstract: A method for graphically representing binary data in a condensed, machine-readable form, includes forming a pattern of information-carrying frame and synchronization lines defining a geometric reference system which forms boundaries of one or more data fields. The reference system carries machine-readable marks such as a bar code identifying the pattern as a data-field reference system and providing orientation and other information. The reference system also includes synchronization lines forming boundaries of each data field and providing a location reference. Within the reference system the data field has dot locations functioning as data-transmission elements. Each location has or lacks a mark, representing a "1" or "0" binary bit. Each data element location has a known geometric relationship to the synchronization lines of the reference system so that coordinates of each individual mark can be determined precisely.

Abstract: An optical scanner and an optical scanning device, an optical sensor unit, a coded data reader, and a POS system employing an optical scanner. The optical comprises an elastically deformable element, a vibrational input segment disposed at a first end of the elastically deformable element, a driven segment disposed at a second end of the elastically deformable element, a vibration source for inducing vibration in the vibrational input segment, whereby the vibration induced in the vibrational input segment produces elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element and consequent movement of the driven segment, and a stop for limiting a range of the movement of the driven segment.

Abstract: An optical reading system for reading optically encoded information represented by a symbol on a target includes a rotational shaft, a light emitter for producing a beam of light to scan a path through a scan field, and a light detector for detecting light reflected from the symbol to read the optically encoded information. A means for oscillating the light emitter and light detector about a longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft is also provided. At least one electrical conductor is connected to each of the light emitter and light detector for providing electrical energy thereto. Each electrical conductor is affixed between distal ends thereof at a point coincident with a point on the longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A portable terminal includes a housing and a sensor for sensing different specific positional orientations of the housing. In one positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a first function. In another positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a second function which is different from the first function.

Abstract: A two-dimensional matrix symbology reader comprises a fixed housing having a slot disposed in a side of the housing to receive a card medium having a two-dimensional matrix symbology affixed thereto. The matrix symbology is illuminated within the housing once the medium has reached maximum axial extent of the slot. An aperture is disposed within the housing adjacent to the slot relative to the matrix symbology such that the light reflected from the matrix symbology is transmitted therethrough. The reflected light is then converted to information signals representative of the matrix symbology. Due to the controlled environment and uniform depth of field requirement within the housing, a pin hole aperture or lens can be utilized without the need for additional focusing or aperture control.

Abstract: A portable terminal unit of tablet configuration contains an optical reader for scanning two-dimensional information on a target area. The terminal unit has an optical window near an underside thereof and contains an optical reader having a given depth of field and field of view at a given range from the window. The apparatus includes a ranger for operably determining the range of the target area from the terminal unit and a controller for operably controling activation of the reader. The controller may be configured to permit activation of the reader as: the target area is spaced within a certain tolerance range about an optimal focal length from the reader; the target area is spaced within the depth of field of the reader and motion of the terminal unit relative to the target area is halted; or the target area is spaced within the depth of field of the reader and motion of the terminal unit relative to the target area is reversed.

Abstract: A document processing system comprising a sensor array for sensing the size and position of a document; a movable magnetic scanner for scanning the document for coded information thereon; an imager for obtaining digitized image data of the document; a movable printing device for printing information on a document; a reversible document transport for conveying a document relative to the sensor array, the magnetic scanner, the imager, and the printing device; and a control unit connected to the sensor array, the magnetic scanner, the printing device and the document transport, the control unit controlling the movement of the document by the document transport between the sensor array, the magnetic scanner, the imager and the printing device, and further controlling movement of the magnetic scanner and the printer relative to the document transport.

Abstract: An Improved Electronic Check Presentment System Having a Return Item Notification System Incorporated Therein provides banks with a fully automated capability to receive early notification of checks that it previously presented to a payor bank and that have subsequently been identified by the payor bank as return checks or unpaid items. Moreover, the Improved Electronic Check Presentment System allows those banks utilizing it to transmit return notifications to downstream correspondent banks and customers.

Abstract: A scanning head for reading bar code signals including 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 manually actuated input and display device. A microprocessor in the head controls the operation of the various components. A transmitter and receiver may be located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery may be 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 bar code demodulating method includes a step of measuring lengths of successive characters of a bar code, a second step of obtaining a ratio of the length of a demodulating character which is to be demodulated and the length of a preceding, demodulated character and a third step of demodulating the demodulating character by mutually different first and second demodulation schemes, selected in accordance with the obtained length ratio falling within respective, and different, first and second predetermined ranges.