Abstract: The station, in particular a terminal, comprises an oscillator (OS) having a feedback loop (1) and a station inductor element (L10) suitable for conferring a working frequency to the oscillator which varies relative to a rest frequency. The station also includes a station processor connected to the oscillator and capable of processing variations in the working frequency of the oscillator. The portable object, in particular a memory card, includes an electronic circuit which is switchable between an inactive state and an active state in which it sets up a resonant circuit tuned on a frequency which is distinct from the rest frequency while remaining suitable for being coupled inductively with the feedback loop (1) at the rest frequency. The portable object also includes an object processor capable of switching the electronic circuit as a function of the information to be transmitted to the station.

Abstract: A color still picture transmission system includes color visible telephones which are coupled to each other through a telephone network. In succession to luminance signal data of all picture elements forming a whole screen, respective averaged values of two kinds of color difference signal data of four picture elements being adjacent to each other are sent from the color visible telephone at a sending party to the color visible telephone at a receiving party through the telephone network, a modem and a network control unit.

Abstract: A bar code scanner employs a light source such as a laser for generating a light beam to be directed along a path toward a bar code symbol to be read. A scanner such as a mirror driven by a motor moves the light beam along a scan line across the bar code symbol. A sensor detects the intensity of reflected light from the bar code symbol, and generates an electrical signal in response to this reflected light. A signal processor receives the electrical signal and produces a digitized signal representing the bar code symbol. Control circuit automatically de-energes the scan by shutting off at least one of the light source and the motor after the signal processor has produced a digitized signal representing a valid bar code symbol.

Abstract: A self verifying transaction card having a self contained keyboard or keypad for entering a personal identification code, a simplified verification display comprised of light emitting diodes (LED's) which light up in a pre-determined configuration for validation of a verification check, a non-volatile memory with a stored code, and a self contained power supply. The card further contains circuitry for comparison of an entry with the stored code, with a pre-determined successive number of improper entries serving to disable the card from further identification functions and transactions. Clock/calendar timer and a contained microprocessor or microcontroller cause the verification function to be disabled at the expiration date of the card. The clock/calendar timer also provides a basis for uniquely correlating the time and date of a transaction to a changing verification display.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disk which has a circular disk form and comprises a substrate provided with information pits and a guide groove, a recording medium layer provided on the substrate, and a protective layer formed of at least one thin film on the medium layer, in which the surface of the protective layer is minutely roughened to have a concave rough pattern and not to substantially protrude beyond a reference level composed of the outermost surface portions of the protective layer. When the magneto-optical disk is subjected to recording by a CSS system using an air floating magnetic head conforming to high-frequency recording in a magnetic field modulation type recording, which is one of methods of overwrite recording on magneto-optical disks, the minute concave rough pattern formed on the surface of the disk substrate prevents such troubles as adhesion of the magnetic head to the surface of the disk and collision between the disk substrate being rotated and the head.

Abstract: A disk player with disk changer functions and having a stacker for storing plural disks for playback allows a new disk to be added or disks to be changed without removing the stacker. The disk player is also convenient for playback of single disks not to be stored in the stacker. A single tray carrying one of disk-carriages is transportable between a loaded position inside the player and an ejected position outside the player, by means of a shuttle engageable with the tray. During further movement of the shuttle in the disk-loading direction, it is disengaged from the tray in the loaded position. Instead, the shuttle comes into engagement with the carriage formerly carried by the tray, to separate the carriage from the tray remaining in the loaded position and advance the same toward the stacker. The carriage is at last received fully in the stacker with the help of a spring, which releases engagement between the shuttle and the in-stacker carriage.

Abstract: A transaction approval system (10) is disclosed which includes various enhancements to existing systems. For example, the transaction limit (30) stored in the terminal can by dynamically adjusted to vary the level of risk at the terminal to be closer to the desired level of risk. The terminal will also generate and store a list of account numbers (44,46) which might be invalid and should provode an on-line request for authorization.

Abstract: A symbol reader for reading symbols on a symbol surface. An optical system including a laser, condensing lens and scanning mirror illuminate a symbol surface to be read with a laser beam, scanning across the symbol surface. A transducer measures the amount of light reflected from the symbol surface. A differentiating circuit develops a differential coefficient indicative of the change of light intensity as light scans the symbols being read. A control system adjusts the optical system illuminating the symbol surface so as to maximize the differential coefficient, thereby minimizing the diameter of the light beam to allow for adequate reading of the symbol surface at variable distances.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compact disc pickup drive mechanism which eliminates any alignment problems between a drive screw, a drive motor and a supporting frame. The drive mechanism comprises a drive screw having one end rotationally secured to a portion of the supporting frame. The drive screw engages a threaded portion of the pickup carriage so that rotation of the drive screw moves the carriage linearly with respect to the frame. The other end of the drive screw is directly coupled to the shaft of the motor. The shaft of the motor is rotatably supported in the frame. The housing of the motor is not directly connected to the frame so that the drive screw will automatically align with respect to the frame.

Abstract: An identification method using a magnetic marker including a plurality of amorphous magnetic, thin wires or thin bands which have highly rectangular hysteresis curves and different coercive forces, and are disposed in a parallel fashion with a predetermined separation each other. The magnetic marker is attached to an article passing through the alternating magnetic field. This induces a temporal pulse train in a detection coil, which serves to identify the magnetic marker and therefore the article by pattern recognition of the pulse train. An instrumentation unit stores in advance the occurrence time of each pulse when the magnetic marker passes through the alternating magnetic field with the standard maximum value, and the stored occurrence time (phase) of each pulse is adopted as the reference. A magnetic marker, is identified by passing the marker through a first alternating magnetic field to produce a first pulse train corresponding to the magnetic thin wires or bands.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading bar codes on integrated circuit wafers during both the integrated circuit manufacturing process and the wafer manufacturing process which include placing a wafer in fixed position over a bar code scanner. The scanner includes a motor whose gearing moves a reader head in a linear raster pattern at a constant focal point over the bar code. The bar code scanner may be retrofitted to existing reading equipment used in the manufacture of the wafers or in the manufacture of the integrated circuits. In another aspect of the invention, the bar code scanner may be provided as part of a desk-top unit. The present invention is especially useful in reading bar codes in any situation where the bar codes are difficult to read because of varying print/contrast and reflectivity.

Abstract: A method of transferring funds includes the steps of linking a first "smart card" to a first financial institution, debiting an account held at the financial institution and recording a corresponding credit value in the first smart card. The first smart card is then linked to a second, similar device, the credit value in the first device is reduced, and a corresponding credit value is recorded in the second device. The second device is then linked to a second financial institution, the credit value in the second device is reduced, and a corresponding credit value is recorded in an account held at the second financial institution. The first and second devices each store at least a portion of a program which is run in a synchronized interactive manner between the first devices. The invention extends to a system for implementing the method.

Abstract: To allow teleshopping to be performed quickly and reliably via the television network, receivers (3) are equipped with smart card readers (4), and the transmitter (2) sends information which is processed in the smart cards by means of the viewers' control devices (6). The result of this process is displayed on the screen and communicated later to the transmitter. This result allows the viewers' reactions to be authenticated.

Abstract: In a bill conveyance control method for an automatic teller machine including a plurality of a bill storage boxes for storing bills of predetermined same denomination, the plurality of bill storage boxes are used uniformly.

Abstract: A card reader and validator for use in wagering terminals includes a housing with a paper path. A paper drive surface of a drive wheel projects into the paper path. A platen assembly includes a pressure roller for pressing paper against the paper drive surface of the drive wheel and a platen surface for pressing paper agianst the paper path at a processing zone. The platen assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing in a manner such that it is biased toward the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in one direction and is lifted away from the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in the opposite direction. Corresponding ribs in the platen surface and paper path flatten the paper in the processing zone to facilitate the reading of optical marks on the paper by optical sensors. An ink jet printhead is provided for printing indicia on a portion of paper traveling through the paper path. A wick mounted to the platen assembly absorbs ink from the ink jet printhead during a purge cycle.

Abstract: A multi-loaded disk drive arrangement comprises a disk table for holding a plurality of disks arranged on the same circumference thereof, a loading mechanism for rotating the table to move a desired disk so that it is placed at a desired position, and a movement mechanism for moving an optical pick-up located below the table so that it is placed at a predetermined position and a single drive source.

Abstract: A data terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track formed thereon and having a predetermined track width. The terminal housing has a card guide slot with a read head mounted next to the slot. The bottom wall section of the card guide slot has an upper surface characterized by a downwardly tapering portion extending from an apex point substantially underneath the data pickup transducer such that a data carrier being swiped through the guide slot is more likely to maintain contact between the bottom of the card and the apex point and thus have sufficiently accurate registration between the pickup transducer and the data stripe for accurate detection of data recorded thereon.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, multiple selections recorded on CD's are re-recorded on a video medium or on a digital audio medium together with the recording of markers. The markers are recorded automatically, typically in response to CD track changes and disc changes, to locate the re-recorded selections, during playback. The method and apparatus of the invention can employ PCM recording and can be practiced with consumer electronic equipment.

Abstract: A loading device comprises a frame (103), a drawer (100) which is movable between a first and the second position, guide means for guiding the drawer, and an electric motor (115) for driving the drawer. The guide means comprise a supporting body (117) which is movable in the frame and which comprises supporting elements (123), guide elements (139) secured to the frame, and at least one stop element (137) secured to the frame. The supporting elements serve for supporting the drawer and the supporting body in such a way that they are movable relative to one another during the movement of the drawer between the first and the second position, and the guide elements serve for moving the drawer relative to the frame in a direction parallel to a supporting surface (101) of the drawer. The stop element serves for guiding the drawer in a direction transverse to said supporting surface.

Abstract: A phase responsive video parameter control system operative for correcting hue, saturation, and luminance of a phase encoded component of a composite video signal. A digital phase detector detects the instantaneous hue of the video image, and provides a signal which selects which one of a plurality of color intervals or bands the detected instantaneous hue falls in. Prestored digital correction values associated with the selected color interval are retrieved from memory and converted into analog correction signals which modify the phase, amplitude, and DC level of the composite video signal. New digital correction values, which reflect operator control panel adjustments, may be loaded into memory during the vertical retrace interval, thereby allowing frame-by-frame color correction.