Abstract: A portable scanning head emits and receives light from a light-emitting diode to read symbols, such as bar-code symbols. The optics within the scanner are operative for focusing a light beam and the view of a light sensor in different planes exteriorly of a scanner housing. Imaging means are provided in the unit for imaging a viewing window. The viewing window has an area smaller than that of the scan spot. The system can employ an LED as a light source and tolerate the relatively large-sized (on the order of millimeters) scan spot without sacrificing reading performance since the photodiode "sees" only that portion of the scan spot visible through the viewing window.

Abstract: In an optoelectronic recording element for point-by-point and line-by-line recording, the recording element is composed of a laser diode for generating a light beam, of an objective, of a light detector arranged spaced from the laser diode and of a reflector arranged turned in the beam path of the light beam that reflects a part of the light beam onto the light detector. The reflector is composed of concave mirror segments that are positioned between the laser diode and the objective. The reflector has an aperture whose center line coincides with the optical axis and whose diameter at least corresponds to the diameter of the light part of the light beam employed for the recording. As a result thereof, the light part of the light beam employed for the recording passes through the reflector loss-free, and the light part of the light beam that is not used is nearly completely focussed onto the light detector.

Abstract: An automatic system is for collection of expressway tolls uses prepaid cards to pay toll while a vehicle is moving at a normal driving speed through a toll booth where computer network is not required. A tollroad with plurality of entrances and exits is provided toll booths one at each entrance and one at each exit. Each toll booth has a toll-collecting device having a support booth and a main booth. An in-vehicle unit is installed in the moving vehicle. Infrared radiation is used as communication apparatus between toll-collecting device and in-vehicle unit to make the system most cost-effective with very low cost of installation, versatile, accurate and virtually error-free compared with those systems using radio frequency for communication. Toll is collected as fixed or variable rates according to the type of vehicles classified by their height and the distance the vehicle travels, the longer the higher is the toll.

Abstract: High speed scanning arrangements in scanners for reading bar code symbols by oscillating a scanner component in a single line pattern, the scanner component being suspended from flexible, resilient spring portions extending in different paths away from the scanner component to a pair of spaced-apart regions on a support.

Abstract: A portable non-contact label imager captures an image of two-dimensional information indicia on a label. The captured image data is decoded by a decoder. The label imager forms a part of a data terminal, which includes a keypad, display and signature capture pad. Upon receipt of a start signal from the data terminal's circuitry, the label imager automatically carries out the steps required to capture the label information indicia. The label imager provides aiming indicia to allow the user to properly aim the camera. A position sensing device determines when the target label is within the camera's depth of field. At that time, the label imager determines the shutter speed required for a correct exposure by measuring the light reflected from the label. The label imager then captures the label image, which is decoded by the decoder. Corresponding output data is then provided to the data terminal.

Abstract: Optical scanning is established by superimposing the alternating magnetic field of a coil magnet with the permanent field set up by a permanent magnet which surrounds the coil magnet. Both magnets are fixedly secured to a support at one axial end of the magnets and a flexible diaphragm is secured to the other axial end of the permanent magnet. A scanning mirror is effectively attached between the support and the diaphragm. When the coil magnet is activated, the diaphragm is rapidly flexed which causes the movement of the scanning mirror.

Abstract: A user interface for a postage meter machine has a number of menu images which are available for display on a single display unit, the menu images containing internally generated and externally entered information, the menu images containing fields in which the information is contained and displayed, these fields being spatially allocated to input elements of the input unit. The setting of the fields in the menu images is variable, i.e., the limits or boundaries of the individual fields can be varied from menu image to menu image, so that the field size can be flexibly matched to the information to be displayed.

Abstract: A portable ID card verification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining an interior region supporting electrical circuitry including a processor. A two dimensional imaging assembly is at least partially enclosed within the housing. A display screen in electrically coupled to the imaging assembly. An upper surface of the housing supports a glass window on which an ID card is positioned for reading a dataform imprinted thereon. The dataform includes a compressed digitized representation of an attribute of the authorized card holder, such as a photograph of the card holder. The imaging assembly images and decodes the 2D dataform on the ID card and the processor in conjunction with display driver circuitry causes an image of the card holder's photograph to be displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A plurality of types of ink having different wavelength characteristics are used for multiple printing of code information. When two or more types of ink are to be printed in an overlapping manner, in a region 8 in which one type of ink 4 and another type of ink 5 are printed in the overlapping manner, the ink 4 and the ink 5 are printed so as not to completely overlap each other by using a checkered pattern 9. As a result, the multiple printing can be performed without strict constraints on the wavelength characteristics of the ink.

Abstract: A device for conducting monetary transactions with smart cards such as blank cards comprises a housing (120), a coupler (121) for smart cards, a slot (121a) located at the coupler for partial insertion of a smart card, a keypad (122) for the input of at least one confidential code associated with the card inserted into the coupler, and a process for validating the transaction. The slot is adjacent to an edge of the keypad, and the coupler and the slot are positioned so that a portion of the card remaining outside of the housing after partial insertion extends at least partially above the keypad, forming a screen during input of the code to protect confidentiality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging low contrast one and two-dimensional symbols are provided. A light source directs light onto a target that includes a low contrast symbol. An imaging element receives light reflected off of the target and creates an image of the target therefrom. A light level detector determines the intensity level of the light received by the imaging element, and when the intensity level exceeds a predetermined threshold, a controller causes the image data created by the imaging element to be stored in a data memory.

Abstract: In a system for electro-optically reading bar code symbols, a movable reflector is positioned for directly receiving light reflected off a bar code symbol, and for reflecting this light to a sensor. The reflector movement provides the sensor with a field of view that extends across the entire bar code symbol. The reflector and the sensor are mounted in a housing having a handle for enabling a user to hold and support the housing in one's hand, and to aim the housing at the bar code symbol during reading. A signal processor in the housing processes an electrical signal from the sensor to generate therefrom data descriptive of the bar code symbol being read.

Abstract: A unitary hand-held bar code scanner and reader produces an elliptical beam, oriented with its major axis along the direction of the bars, utilizing optics employing far field diffraction effects to shape the beam and maintain its elliptical aspect (length to width ratio) constant over a distance in front of the scanner were bar codes may be located. The optics eliminates parallax even though the photodetector and light source (preferably a laser diode) are located offset from each other on a board on which the optics are mounted. A housing assembly has channels which mount the board therein without shock absorbing devices. A digital microcomputer controller and peripheral devices regulate the optical power output from the laser diode and prevents catastrophic failure, if the electrical current through the laser diode exceeds safe limits.

Abstract: A method of fund raising for a non-profit organization by discounted collection on special issue checks includes collecting funds from members of the organization and depositing the funds in an account in a bank, issuing special checks backed by the funds to the members, use of the checks at face value by the members to purchase goods or services from the participating merchants, clearing of the checks back to the bank on which they are drawn, and payment on the checks to the named payee merchants at the face value minus a prearranged discount. The checks are MICR encoded with a discount value prior to presentation for collection. The discount is credited to the organization minus any service fees required by the bank or clearing process and a share of the discount to an intermediary company which negotiates cooperation of the bank and acceptance of the checks at face value and discounted collection by the merchants.

Abstract: A multi-directional bar code reading device for reading an object that is to be read by projecting scanning beams from many directions, includes a plurality of mirrors (2) arranged around a beam scanning unit (1) and a plurality of beam sources (3) for emitting beams toward the beam scanning unit (1). The beam scanning unit (1) is irradiated with beams generated from the plurality of beam sources (3), scanning beams are reflected by the plurality of mirrors (2) and are projected from a plurality of directions onto an object (5) to be read, and light reflected from the object (5) is detected in order to read bar codes on the object (5) to be read.

Abstract: A device located in a vehicle for the registration of fees. It includes an activation unit for remote communications, a time counter, a sensor for sensing the traveling status of the vehicle from travel to immobility, a maneuvering unit for starting and stopping the registration of the parking time, a registration unit for the vehicle fees and preferably a signal unit for indication of whether the vehicle fees are registered. The time counter is arranged to register cost in dependence on time partly during periods when the sensor indicates movement in the vehicle and partly when the maneuvering unit indicates parking position of the vehicle, where no fee registration occurs when the sensor indicates that the vehicle is running and the maneuvering unit is not set on parking position. The sensor is an accelerometer.

Abstract: A microfilm reader, which includes a bar code scanner, a controller, and a keyboard, receives microfilm containing documents and corresponding bar code symbols. Each bar code symbol contains data describing the contents of a respective document. The bar code scanner reads the bar code symbols located on the microfilm and transmits data representing the read bar code symbols to the controller. The controller determines whether the data received from the bar code scanner satisfies search criteria entered into the keyboard.

Abstract: A fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having an automatic (i.e., triggerless) portable bar code symbol reading device with an omnidirectional projection laser scanning engine mounted within the head portion of its hand-supportable housing, and an associated base unit positioned within the data transmission range without a physical wiring connection. The hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device produces a narrowly confined scanning volume for omnidirectional scanning of the code symbols presented, while preventing unintentional scanning of code symbols on nearby objects located outside the scaning volume.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity has an optical scan module which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user. A first peripheral module, preferably in the form of a wrist watch, has a receiver which detects the reflected light. A second peripheral module, mounted on the other arm of the user, communicates with the first module by radio frequency transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, the light detector may be mounted in a housing which is separate and part from the optical scan module. According to another aspect, a laser pointer or scanner is mounted to a ring which is arranged to be worn on a single finger of the user.

Abstract: An encoded symbol reader for reading and decoding an image of an encoded symbol is capable of operating in three modes and has a CCD, a display, and a light source. In each mode, the reading of an encoded symbol is initiated by a trigger switch. In the first mode, the CCD, display and light source are continuously driven and remain in an ON state. In the second mode, the CCD, display and light source are turned OFF when a decoding operation is completed after the trigger switch is released. In the third mode, the CCD, display, light source are turned OFF after a predetermined period has elapsed after the decoding operation is completed and the trigger switch is released. While operating in the third mode, during the predetermined interval, the re-reading of another symbol can be immediately executed without having to wait for the components to warm up.