Abstract: A card connector (100) includes an insulating housing (10), first and second sets of contacts (22, 24) received in the insulating housing (10), a protection door (40) and a mating member (4821). The insulating housing (10) defines a receiving space (18) with a first entrance opening (19). The protection door (40) moveably covers the first entrance opening (19) for receiving a first card and the protection door (40) defines a second entrance opening (46) smaller than the first entrance opening (19) therein for receiving a second card and is formed with a guiding device (48) for guidable insertion of the second card. The mating member (4821) is disposed on the guiding device to securely engage with the insulating housing when the second card is inserted into the receiving space (18).

Abstract: An original check identifier in MICR format includes separator symbols that do not appear on a typical computer keyboard. When a user is entering a check identifier from a computer or a telephone, the user is instructed to replace the separator symbols with replacement symbols that appear on a typical computer keyboard. The replacement symbols indicate the separation of fields within the check identifier, such as the routing number field, the account number field and the check number field. The entered check identifier with replacement symbols is parsed to distinguish the fields. After the fields are distinguished, the routing number, the account number and the check number of the check identifier are identified.

Abstract: Metal-containing transaction cards, useful for the purchase of goods and/or services, and methods of making the same are provided. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3? inches by about 2¼ inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may have a magnetic stripe, an embedded microchip, a signature panel, a holographic image, or any other feature typically contained on or within a transaction card. The transaction cards have at least one layer of metal with, optionally, other layers of substrates, such as thermoplastic polymers, other metals or adhesives. In addition, the metal-containing transaction card may be anodized, coated, or laser-engraved. Preferably, the metal is titanium or stainless steel.

Abstract: An automated banking machine is operative to output a visual and audible user interface which enables a consumer to operate the machine. The visual user interface includes a plurality of hierarchically organized visual screens. For each visual screen, the exemplary machine includes corresponding verbal instructions which are output through external loudspeakers or a headphone placed in operative connection with an external port of the machine. Upon insertion of the headphone into the port, the machine is operative to mute the output to any external loudspeakers and set the audio output through the headphone to a minimum or medium volume level. The automated banking machine is responsive to operating at least one volume control key to cycle the audible output through a plurality of different volume levels. For each input, the machine is operative to output verbal description of the function associated with the input.

Abstract: A system and method for reading an optical code is provided. The optical code reader system includes a dual aim/illumination assembly including a single light source generating: a) light having a first intensity for providing an aim pattern visible to a user for aiming the aim pattern at a target during an aim period of a scan cycle having at least an aim period and an exposure period; and b) light having a second intensity greater than the first intensity for providing illumination during the exposure period of the scan cycle. An imager module having an array of photo sensors senses incident light and generating image signals corresponding to the sensing during the exposure period.

Abstract: An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. When used on a stand to image documents, typically neither the stand or document is moving. Therefore blurring due to motion is not an issue. A sensor detects when the scanner is mounted to a stand. When commanded to take an image the scanner electronics and software modifies an auto-exposure process to minimize gain and lengthen exposure. This modification results in the scanner that is effective for scanning bar codes and yet also takes excellent pictures when mounted to a stand.

Abstract: A system for use in assisting a self-service transaction at a service facility includes one or more self-service terminals, each configured to gather transaction information associated with a customer who is engaged in a business transaction with the service facility through the self-service terminal. A data-management system is configured to store the transaction information gathered from each customer according to a database schema created for the service facility. The system also includes a teller terminal configured to receive at least some of the transaction information from the database system and display it for viewing by a human representative of the service facility while the customer is still engaged in the business transaction.

Abstract: A multiple card reading apparatus for reading at least two different types of information cards that may be used in a handheld point of sale device with printing capability. The multiple card reading apparatus has a housing containing at least two card reading devices and defining slots that receive the cards and position them for reading by the card reading devices. In one aspect, the slots overlap facilitating a compact arrangement of the card reading apparatus. Preferably, the common portions of the slots are an entrance portion so that only a single slot marks the outside of the housing. For instance, the slots may originate in the same position but diverge at different angles from each other. In this manner, different types of cards can be inserted through the same opening portion but at different angles to reach different card reading devices capable of reading its respective type of card.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system that includes an identification code reader that reads the identification code on a keypad overlay and displays the keypad type for which the keypad overlay is designed. The identification system includes a keypad overlay that has an identification code positioned thereon. The system also includes an identification code reader operative to read the identification code. The identification code reader has a database of information associated with a plurality of keypad overlays. In particular, the database stores information that associates each of the plurality of identification codes to specific keypad types for each of the plurality of identification codes. Each of the identification codes is associated with a keypad overlay that specifies the functions of keys on a specific keypad type.

Abstract: A board adapter for electrically connecting an electrical card connector to a mother board, comprises 68 signal holes, 100 conductive pads, a plurality of signal traces, a first grounding means, a transforming unit and a second grounding contact. The first grounding contact surrounds the signal holes and is electrically connected with a corresponding grounding contact of the electrical connector, for providing the signal holes and the electrical connector with grounding protection. The second grounding contact is alternately juxtaposed with every two of the signal traces for providing grounding protection. The conductive pads are electrically connected with either the signal traces or the grounding contacts. The transforming unit includes two power traces to separately bear two different strength voltage induced currents. When either of the traces bears a corresponding voltage induced current, the other trace can be transformed into a grounding trace to protect the bearing trace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading apparatus that is useful for recognizing by human eyes whether a light beam is being projected onto a bar code symbol. The bar code reading apparatus contains a first and second light source to radiate a first ray and a second visible ray, respectively. The second visible ray has higher visibility than first light beam for human eyes. As a result, an operator can easily recognize whether the light beams are projected onto a bar code symbol. Another bar code reading apparatus contains first and second photo detectors for receiving a first and a second reflected beam, respectively. With this arrangement two different bar code symbols can be simultaneously read by the bar code reading apparatus.

Abstract: A bar code reader and method of reading a bar code symbol successively generates scan patterns at different times on the symbol. Preferably, two light sources are alternately energized to alternately produce two scan lines across the symbol. Each scan line reflects light from the symbol. The reflected light is detected by a photodetector which, in turn, generates an electrical signal. This signal is decoded into data corresponding to the symbol.

Abstract: Receiving a track address, an ECC selection signal generation circuit generates a selection signal. In accordance with the selection signal, a read/write circuit selects the number of bits of an ECC to be added to data. Typically, a plurality of numbers of bits are assigned to respective groups of tracks such that the number of bits becomes smaller as the group of tracks is closer to the outermost track.

Abstract: On a credit IC card, issuing by a credit card company, brought by a credit payer with him/her is stored at least personal information for identifying a credit card company, a card number and a credit payer. Based on input of a code number by the credit payer and the stored information read out from the credit IC card, a cellular telephone is used to automatically inquire of an information center of the credit card company whether the credit can be gained. This can therefore eliminates complication involved by payment using the credit IC card and ensures smooth use of the credit IC card, with the cost performance being increased to spread the expensive credit IC card.

Abstract: An arrangement for an electronic manual franking machine having an ink printer head and having an integrated system for controlling and supplying the ink printer head includes a housing containing a first assembly composed of a carriage, an ink printer head with a replaceable ink tank, and a second assembly composed of a write-read unit for a postage credit card, a microprocessor as well as a rechargeable battery with charging terminal, and an adapter with a mains terminal and, as needed, a data terminal. The adapter includes a battery charging device and a cleaning device and is fashioned as a deposit and docking station for recharging, cleaning and sealing of the manual franking machine. The carriage is fashioned so that the recording medium is rendered taut in the printing region. The cleaning ensues by ink ejection and/or extraction into the sealing cap, by sucking the sealing cap empty with a suction pump and wiping the ink printer head at a wiper lip.

Abstract: An atomated fingerprint identification system (10), which utilizes an encoded identification card, such as a credit card (12). When a person applies for a credit card (12) they must register a finger of their choice with the card issuance company. At the company, the finger is scanned and a composite number (14) is produced that consists of several fingerprint identifying parameters. The composite number (14), corresponding to the fingerprint is encoded onto the card (12) and is also stored in a card database (50) and/or a server database (52). When a person wants to use the card (12), the card (12) is inserted into a card reader (22) and the person's finger is scanned by a fingerprint scanner (24) which produces a composite number (14) that is compared with the composite number (14) in the card or server database (50, 52). If the two composite numbers (14) are similar, use of the card is allowed. Conversely, if they are not similar, use of the card is disallowed.

Abstract: An antenna mechanism for a noncontacting IC card system for communication with a noncontacting IC card passing a gate, the antenna mechanism including an antenna; and a conductive shielding body located on an outer side of the gate to eliminate a communication area outside the gate by shielding electromagnetic waves from the antenna.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable data collection device. The device includes a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array imaging assembly selectively actuatable for reading bar code dataforms and recording an image of an item in the imaging assembly's target area or field. The portable data collection device includes two triggers, a first trigger actuatable for reading a bar code dataform and a second trigger actuatable for recording an image of an item in the target area. In one embodiment of the portable data collection device of the present invention, a radio module is provided for transmitting an output signal to a remote device. In another embodiment of the portable data collection device of the present invention, an output signal is coupled to a terminal processing board for further processing and storage.

Abstract: A fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having at least one automatic portable bar code symbol reading device, and an associated base unit positioned within the data transmission range thereof without a physical wiring connection thereto. After each successful reading of a bar code symbol, the bar code symbol reading device automatically produces symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol, synthesizes a group of data packets each containing the symbol character data, and then transmits the synthesized group of data packets to the base unit. Upon the successful receipt of one of the transmitted data packets and the recovery of symbol character therefrom, the base unit generates an acoustical acknowledgment signal that is perceptible to the user of the bar code symbol reading device and indicates the transmitted symbol character data has been successfully received.

Abstract: A data symbol reader for reading a one-dimensional data symbol and a two-dimensional data symbol includes first and second image pickup devices, both having a light receiving surface to receive light reflected from the one-dimensional and two-dimensional data symbols. An optical system respectively converges images of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional data symbols onto the light receiving surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices. A signal processing device is provided for decoding the one-dimensional and the two-dimensional data symbols from outputs of the first and second image pickup devices.