Abstract: A ferroelectric layer (104) is sandwiched between a lower electrode layer (103) and an upper electrode (105). When a predetermined voltage (DC or pulse) is applied between the lower electrode layer (103) and the upper electrode (105) to change the resistance value of the ferroelectric layer (104) to switch a stable high resistance mode and low resistance mode, a memory operation is obtained. A read can easily be done by reading a current value when a predetermined voltage is applied to the upper electrode (105).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, includes forming an amorphous silicon film above a semiconductor substrate, partially removing the amorphous silicon film and partially removing the semiconductor substrate, thereby forming an element isolation trench in a surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming an insulating film above the amorphous silicon film so that the element isolation trench is filled with the insulating film, polishing the insulating film by a chemical-mechanical polishing method with the amorphous silicon film serving as a stopper, thereby planarizing an upper surface of the insulating film, and thermally-treating the amorphous silicon film, thereby converting the amorphous silicon film to a polysilicon film after polishing the insulating film.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an adapter unit for a personal digital assistant. More specifically, this invention relates to an adapter unit that provides additional functionality, and improved ergonomics and increased ruggedness to the personal digital assistant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel card for multi-purpose using, and more particularly, a card suitable for utilizing in a magnetic stripe card reader, an IC card reader and an optical driver to read out the data. The thickness (0.8 mm) of the card corresponds with to the specification of the ISO 7816. The card comprises a reading area of an optical disc, a magnetic stripe and an IC chip, and can be placed on a casing plate with a thickness of 0.4 mm so that the card for multi-purpose using combines the functions of a conventional dual mode (magnetic stripe/IC chip) card and a conventional optical disc, so as to achieve advantages such as convenience for magnetic stripe and IC chip reading and larger memory capacity asscessing.

Abstract: A device for the sensitization/desensitization of magnetic security strips/EAS markers, the device comprising an electromagnetic transducer that operates alternately on AC/DC power to provide a small zone of electromagnetic flux that will sensitize/desensitize such strips or markers without damage to videos, audios, other equipment and operators.

Abstract: Novel, quick, and reliable detection methods for determining the presence and/or authenticity of optical and/or audio disc articles (such as compact discs, digital video discs, CD-ROM discs, and the like) when present within a holding container are provided. Specific methods of utilizing particular transparent cases are encompassed within this invention. Specific methods of utilizing particular transparent cases are thus also encompassed within this invention as are navel storage unit configurations to maximize the benefits of the transparent properties thereof.

Abstract: An optical device for bar-code reading capable of improving the degree of freedom in design of component lenses so as to allow free positional adjustment of the lenses while ensuring downsizing and weight reduction of the device, and a method for manufacturing are disclosed. An optical device for bar-code reading comprises a light emitting element; a light projection lens for focusing light from the light emitting element so as to irradiate a bar code; a light receiving lens for focusing reflected light from the bar code and having formed therein a penetrating hole which penetrates a plane of incidence of light and a plane of outgoing of light, in which the light projection lens is inserted; and a light receiving element for receiving the light focused by the light receiving lens so as to perform photo-electric conversion.

Abstract: The invention is a data editing system for configuring a data collection device to edit decoded-out message data according to a data editing routine specified by a user programmer. In one embodiment the system includes a data collection device and a host processor assembly including a display, a user interface and a program builder program which displays on the display either representation of instructions being authored by the user-programmer or prompt messages prompting the user-programmer to information respecting requirement of the message data to be output by the data collection device. In response to information input by the user programmer, the program builder program builds a set of data editing instructions, and the set of data editing instructions are transmitted to the data collection device.

Abstract: A method is provided allowing an application processing entity such as an independent sales organization (ISO) or an acquirer bank (ACQ) to establish an active merchant account for processing credit card transactions. According to the method, a merchant may begin processing credit card transactions over the Internet or in a conventional bricks-and-mortar setting substantially immediately upon applying for a new merchant account which may be accessed when a merchant applies for a new account or obtains identification numbers in real time. These numbers are then transmitted to the merchant. The merchant may begin processing transactions immediately upon receiving the identification numbers, however, a divert flag is set which prevents funds from being dispersed to the merchant until the merchant application completes an underwriting process.

Abstract: A method includes providing an authorized user of a credit card issued by a service provider, the authorized user referring customers to the service provider for credit card services, the customers submitting applications for credit card services to the service provider, the service provider receiving and processing and approving the applications and issuing credit cards to the customers, and in consideration therefore issuing valuable consideration to the authorized user.

Abstract: A method is provided for decoding data stored in a partial area of a coding pattern on a surface, based on a recorded image of the partial area. The coding pattern contains elements which each have at least two possible decoding values. The method identifies in the image a plurality of elements. The method further calculates, for each identified element, an associated value probability for each possible decoding value that the element has this decoding value. Additionally, the method performs the decoding of data based on the decoding values and the corresponding value probabilities. A device and a memory medium storing a computer program with instructions for performing such a data decoding technique are also provided.

Abstract: A unitary body of optical material and associated methods for reading indicia such as bar codes is provided. The unitary body can focus light from a light source into a beam, redirect light reflected from a target to a photodetector, and provide mechanical support for a light source, printed circuit board, or other indicia reader components. In comparison to conventional apparatus, the unitary body requires a reduced number of components and is therefore easier and less expensive to manufacture and assemble. The unitary design increases reliability and performance consistency while decreasing sensitivity to thermal and mechanical loading. Moreover, the unitary body reduces the overall tolerance budget of a reader and therefore facilitates mass production of optical apparatus and readers. The unitary body and associated methods may be implemented in a compact reader with the aforementioned advantages in the form of a pen, or can be integrated into an antenna of a wireless device, such as a cell phone or a PDA.

Abstract: Information is communicated between an RFID tag and first and second readers. A first transceiver of the RFID tag is controlled so that the first transceiver communicates with the first reader and so that the first transceiver has substantially longer periods during which the first transceiver is not in communication with the first reader than when the first transceiver is in communication with the first reader. A second transceiver of the RFID tag is controlled so that the second transceiver communicates with the second reader at least during the periods when the first transceiver is not in communication with the first reader. The RFID tag may also have a battery, a switch coupling the battery to at least the first transceiver, and a controller that operates the switch in a duty cycle such that power is provided by the battery to the first transceiver during ON times of the duty cycle and such that power from the battery to the first transceiver is interrupted during OFF times of the duty cycle.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device has a memory area that includes a data memory. The data memory has a counter element and an indicator element. The counter element counts at least one number of occurrences of events within the device. When the counter element reaches a threshold value, which is indicative of a large maximum number of occurrences of the events, the indicator element goes from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: A card records data as an optically readable code. A non-interference area is provided around the code to inhibit presence of only an interference image having an attribute causing an error during reading of the code. The code reader's CPU provides a code detection area to be used when a restoration section detects a code image from an image pickup area as a frame image stored in memory. This code detection area is determined based on an alignment error between the image pickup element and the code, and a specification of the code. The alignment error may result from the bottom of a slit which specifies a positional relationship between the code and the image pickup element to pick up the code.

Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.

Abstract: A device for recording information has at least one light-sensitive sensor (8) with a two-dimensional sensor surface. The device is adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the device is adapted to essentially abut against and be passed over a surface for imaging the same by means of a plurality of images. In the second mode, the device is adapted to image an object located at a distance.

Abstract: A method and system for authorizing an electronic credit card transaction having enhanced measures for detecting fraudulent transactions. A user at a remote terminal attempting to conduct an electronic credit card transaction is prompted to input the user's name credit card information, address, and only a portion of the user's social security number. The information input by the user is retrieved and used for identification purposes. Initially, the input credit card information is submitted to an issuer of the user's credit card to determine whether the input credit card information is valid. A second independent database having a stored list of individuals is further accessed, wherein each of the individuals includes at least one associated address stored therewith.

Abstract: A reflection cowl for a bar-code scanner features that the light source wherein is a mono luminous element of light-emitting diode (LED) with a reflection cowl disposed in the rear aspect thereof, the reflection cowl is divided by the center line passed through the light source into a left and a right portions of reflection curved surfaces; respectively, the left and the right portions of the curved surfaces have a plurality of concaved reflection spherical surfaces thereon; all the reflection spherical surfaces have the function of distributing the light so as to make all the light rays reflected back from all the reflection spherical surfaces fall evenly on the convex light stick, thereby adjusting the curvature of the reflection cowl further adjusts the left and the right distribution areas of the reflected light, that means, evenly distributes the brightness at the center and on the side rim thereof.

Abstract: An identification device having an integrated circuit. The identification device has a first outer layer formed of a substrate. A second outer layer formed of a substrate having an antenna printed on an inner surface utilizing conductive ink, and an integrated circuit electrically connected to the antenna on the inner surface. A protective layer is secured to the first outer layer by a lamination process and an adhesive backing is secured to an outer surface of the second outer layer. The identification device may then be attached by the adhesive backing to a front surface of a conventional identification card to provide the conventional identification card with integrated circuit capabilities.