Abstract: A method for the identification of electronic cards within an investigation zone includes an identification number uniquely assigned to each electronic card. The method reconstructs the identification numbers according to a tree-like iterative algorithm. The algorithm includes the steps of sending an interrogation message intended for certain electronic cards present, and steps for sending a response message by the electronic cards. The response message includes a variable number whose value depends on the identification number of the electronic card. The interpretation of the existence and of the position at which a collision occurs between the bits of the variable numbers received enables the gradual reconstruction, possibly by blocks of bits, of the as yet unidentified bits of an identification number of an electronic card present.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory stripes of smart/optical cards using laser recording of optical storage media to create updatable, high resolution, two-dimensional bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, two-dimensional bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels on the optical memory stripe can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: An electronic cash system for performing an electronic transaction using an electronic cash, comprises at least one user apparatus each capable of using the electronic cash; an authentication center apparatus, for receiving a user identity information, a corresponding public key along with a certificate issue request from one of the user apparatus and for issuing a certificate for the user apparatus's public key after confirming the identity of the corresponding user; at least one shop apparatus for confirming the identification of the user based on the user apparatus's public key, the corresponding certificate, for producing a challenge value unique to respective transaction using an electronic cash received from the user apparatus and then for confirming the validity of the electronic cash based on a response value from the user apparatus in response to the challenge value, so as to perform an electronic cash transaction with the user apparatus; and at least one bank apparatus for opening an anony

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a bar width comprises a detecting section calculating a reference bar width serving as a reference of bar widths, a first calculation section calculating an average value of a plurality of reference bar widths, a second calculation section calculating an error value between a bar width of a bar to be corrected and the reference bar width calculated by the detecting section, and a correcting section correcting the bar width of the bar to be corrected by using the calculated average value when the calculated error value is not less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic price label battery storage apparatus and replacement method which maintains power to a memory within the electronic price label during removal and replacement of batteries. The battery storage apparatus includes a first electrical contact for simultaneously providing a first electrical path to first polarity sides of a plurality of batteries within the electronic price label, a second electrical contact for simultaneously providing a second electrical path to second polarity sides of the plurality of batteries, and a retainer which maintains at least a single one of the batteries in contact with the first and second electrical contacts during removal of other batteries to maintain power to the memory within the electronic price label.

Abstract: An enhanced scanner is equipped with a novel interfacing mechanism for communicating directly with a data communications network. This eliminates the requirement of using intelligent network interface devices to access data generated by any of a plurality of bar code scanners coupled to a communications network. This novel interfacing mechanism may include a program stored on a memory device within the scanner and executed by a scanner processing mechanism. The scanner processing mechanism is adapted to perform two functions—bar code scanning and network communications—thereby reducing the cost and complexity of a communications network that includes one or more bar code scanners coupled to a host device through the network.

Abstract: An method and article of manufacture for reducing noise detected by a magnetic read head. In particular it relates to reducing magnetic interference at a magnetic read head by dynamically positioning a piece of highly permeable nickel-copper alloy near the magnetic read head thereby shunting the interfering magnetic radiation away from the read head.

Abstract: A portable data storage and communication system includes a disk-shaped device having at least one universal contact symmetrically arranged about a center of the disk-shaped device. The disk-shaped device has at least one electrical component arranged therein which is coupled with the universal contact. An interface device receives the disk-shaped device and has at least one defined interface contact. The interface contact operatively couples with the universal contact regardless of the orientation of the disk-shaped device in the interface device.

Abstract: Information pertaining to characteristics of metal welding electrode wire and which characteristics are useful in connection with adjusting welding parameters in an arc welding process and/or selecting between operating modes in a welding system are encoded on welding wire and/or on other memory components such as bar code labels and tags, RFID cards and tags, IC cards, and Touch Memory buttons, and the memory device is scanned prior to and/or at the point of use of the welding wire for enabling tracking of product distribution, manual and/or automatic selection of an operating mode for the welding system, manual and/or automatic adjustment of welding parameters in a given operating mode, consumables inventory, and the like.

Abstract: A card ejection device of an electronic card connector includes a card driving portion and a manual operation portion. A shielding member includes a plate for substantially shielding the connector and two side walls extending therefrom. The card driving portion includes a rocking member rotated by a follower bar to eject an electronic card received in the connector. The manual operation portion includes a casing mounted to the side wall of the shielding member. A cam plate is fixed in one side wall of the casing and defines a closed-loop groove. A push bar is movably received in the casing and overlaps the cam plate. A slider is arranged between the push bar and the cam plate. The slider defines a hole for receiving a pivot of the push bar and forms a pin movably received in the groove of the cam plate whereby when the push bar is manually operated, the groove guides the movement of the slider and the push bar.

Abstract: A card reader is provided inside of a body cover which has a card transfer path, a card transfer mechanism including a series of card transfer rollers and driven rollers, and a second antenna unit defining a wireless communication device which is positioned between the card transfer path and the body cover (1). Thus, wireless transmission and reception of data can be executed with the second antenna unit by bringing a card having a first antenna unit in close proximity to a card access area provided on the body cover, and also by inserting the card in the card transfer path.

Abstract: A decorative housing for an object such as calculator has a unique appearance that enhances its functionality. To reduce the desk area of the calculator when not in use, the calculator shrinks in size when in the closed position. The decorative housing opens in an automatic smooth slow motion kinetic deployment when ready to use. It includes a whimsical design with kinetic features that can amuse the user.

Abstract: A method and module for transferring energy, clock frequency and data information without using an electrically conducting connection between a portable module and host equipment. Energy is transferred as optical radiation from at least two distinct light sources with intensities alternating between the minimum and maximum values in such a way that when one intensity goes from minimum to maximum the other goes from maximum to minimum wherein total intensity of optical radiation received by the module and supply voltage formed therefrom is nearly constant. The clock frequency is formed by and detected as the cyclical alteration of light intensities. Data is transferred as a modulation of the clock frequency.

Abstract: A reading aid member is formed by fixedly overlaying on a hard substrate a scan guiding plate-like member having substantially the same shape as that of the hard substrate with use of adhesive or the like. The hard substrate has a code pattern recording face on one side, on which two-dimensional code patterns (dot code patterns) are printed so as to be optically read. The scan guiding plate-like member has windows formed at positions corresponding to the printed positions of the code patterns. In reading a code pattern, the distal end portion of a pen-like reading apparatus is positioned in a window. By manually moving the reading apparatus along the window, the reading apparatus can be moved without meandering on the code pattern.

Abstract: A drug tracking system and method for use in hospitals, pharmacies, etc. uses a portable barcode scanning and printing system to reduce errors in the tracking information and to facilitate the ease and efficiency of the drug tracking operation. The portable scanning and printing system automatically prompts the user to enter data necessary for tracking one or more drugs. The portable scanning and printing system also prompts the user to select a particular drug and/or quantity. Automatic verification of the user entered data is performed by the portable system so as to warn the user via a displayed message that the wrong drug and/or quantity was selected or to prompt the user to recount and/or re-enter data so that any discrepancies can be immediately corrected. The portable scanning and printing system also prints alpha-numeric and barcode information on labels that are used to continue the drug tracking operation at other locations.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a pair of operable scanners which project scan beams along beam paths that reflect off of a back mirror. Each beam path has an initial portion prior to reflection off the back mirror, and a reflected portion after reflection. A passageway is created which crosses through both the initial and reflected portions of both beam paths such that the scan beams cover the entire perimeter side wall of the object.

Abstract: A contactless chip card includes a circuit for detecting the presence of radio frequency signals. A detector comprises at least one circuit for detecting the presence of radio signals by making direct use of the corresponding signals received by an antenna winding. In addition, a phase-shift detector detects the relative phase differences between signals provided by the antenna winding.

Abstract: A chip card for contact access and contactless access to a chip arranged in a chip module, wherein the chip module is arranged in a recess (59) of a card body (49) such that outer contact surfaces (51) of the chip module are arranged at the surface (60) of the card body (49) and inner contact surfaces (53) of the chip module are connected to conductor ends (55, 56) of a coil (57) arranged in the card body to form a transponder unit, where the coil has the form of a wire coil (57) and the depth (t) of the recess (59) which accommodates the chip module is such that wire ends (55, 56) arranged in the region of the recess (59) have a contact flattening (63) formed by the machining process for the formation of the recess (59).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for access control is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a keypad unit, proximity sensor, a card reader interface circuit, and a control circuit. The keypad unit displays a plurality of randomly generated symbols on a keyface which includes a plurality of keys. The keypad unit generates a signal representing one of the plurality of randomly generated symbols when a corresponding key on the keyface is activated. The proximity sensor senses the information encoded in a card held near the keypad unit. The proximity sensor is hidden within the keypad unit. The card reader interface circuit is coupled to the proximity sensor for reading the encoded information from the card. The control circuit is coupled to the keypad unit and the card reader interface circuit to convert the signal or the encoded information into an identification code.

Abstract: Barcodes are assigned to respective receipt printers for identification thereof, and customized receipt rolls are also assigned barcodes for identification thereof. A receipt roll may then be associated with a corresponding one of the receipt printers for allowing scanning of the respective barcodes for identification thereof, followed by comparing the scanned barcodes for validating matches therebetween.