Abstract: To facilitate the recovery data from an embedded data pattern through the use of a appropriately sized capture window that is randomly positioned within the data pattern, the embedded data pattern is composed of a plurality of identical, one dimensionally or two dimensionally regularly tiled embedded data blocks which contain sufficient spatial addressing information to permit the logical reconstruction of a complete data block from any set of fragments that collectively provide a full cover for the surface area of any one tile. To this end, the capture window is sized to include a shape which is completely registered with the data pattern in which is capable of tiling the recording medium in accordance with the tiling vectors.

Abstract: A portable data collection system includes a portable data collection terminal with a voice prompt circuit, a voice recognition circuit and optionally a bar code scanning device, such as a wand. The portable data collection terminal is similar in size and performs the same data collection functions as prior art portable data collection terminals but adds voice prompts for improved functionality, flexibility, and ease of use. When data is entered from either a keypad, or a bar code scanner, or when the operator needs to be prompted to take a particular action, a voice prompt circuit is activated to provide an oral message to the operator. The operator can respond with an oral phrase that is processed by the voice recognition circuit.

Abstract: To facilitate the recovery data from an embedded data pattern through the use of a appropriately sized capture window that is randomly positioned within the data pattern, the embedded data pattern is composed of a plurality of identical, one dimensionally or two dimensionally regularly tiled embedded data blocks which contain sufficient spatial addressing information to permit the logical reconstruction of a complete data block from any set of fragments that collectively provide a full cover for the surface area of any one tile. To this end, the capture window is sized to include a shape which is completely registered with the data pattern in which is capable of tiling the recording medium in accordance with the tiling vectors.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code reading apparatus including a CCD sensor that captures an image including a two-dimensional code attached on an article being conveyed, for example. The two-dimensional code is formed as a matrix of light and dark cells, and includes at least two orientation symbols at corners of the matrix. Each of the orientation symbols is geometrically defined so that when a scanning line signal of the CCD sensor is binary-coded into a sequence of scanning line pulse signals, they show a given frequency component ratio. The two-dimensional code reading apparatus identifies an orientation of the orientation symbols based on positions of the pulse signals showing the given frequency component ratio in the captured image to determine positions of data cells in a data field of the two-dimensional code adjacent to the orientation symbols for decoding code information indicated by the data cells.

Abstract: A card processing device for processing data on a card comprising a processor configured to move along with the card and process data on the card as it is moving, a detection device which detects the displacement of the processor relative to the card in a manner which is directly dependent on the movement of either the card or the processor, and a converter device which converts the signal from the detection device to a reference signal for the processing of the data.

Abstract: On a check card having a mini chip card disposed detachably in an adapted recess the mini chip card is fixed in position by at least one fastening element provided on the card surface. After a first punching operation in which the mini chip card is still connected with the card body by bridges the fastening element is preferably placed on the card in such a way that it bridges the areas between the mini chip card and the card body. In a second punching operation the bridges are removed, after which the mini chip card is held in its original position on the card body only by the fastening element.

Abstract: The invention presents a system for automatically identifying labware and sample containers. Labeled sample containers are inserted into the reception slots of a labeled labware. A sample condition label is affixed below each reception slot. The sample condition label is covered by the sample container when the sample container is inserted into the reception slot. An exposed sample condition label indicates the absence of a sample container in that reception slot. The labware containing the sample containers is installed on a labware holder having a labware condition label affixed to its surface. The labware condition label is covered by the labware when the labware is installed on the labware holder. An exposed labware condition label indicates the absence of a labware on the labware holder. The label information is read by an optical reader attached to a motorized track. Both the optical reader and the motorized track are connected to a data processor.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and monitoring credit card transactions of a vending machine which dispenses and or encodes prepaid cards. Means are provided for reading magnetically stored information from a credit card, receiving an authorization amount for the transaction from a credit verification source which is external to the vending machine, storing the authorization amount, selecting a prepaid amount to be encoded on a prepaid card, determining whether a selected prepaid amount is below a maximum allowed transaction amount, controlling the encoding of a prepaid card in response to a selected prepaid amount, and storing transaction information corresponding to the operation of the prepaid card vending machine and the magnetic information from the credit card.

Abstract: In a bar code scanner of the fixed amount type, laser beam reflections from the target location are collected by an object detector that senses predetermined specular reflections and determines whether an object is present or absent, and whether the object has a bar code label or lacks a bar code label.

Abstract: A method for producing identity cards which uses card bodies with standardized outer dimensions and wherein carrier elements with different dimensions are incorporated in the card bodies, the carrier elements having at least one integrated circuit connected electroconductively with coupling elements used for communication of the integrated circuit with external devices, characterized in thatadapter elements formed with uniform outer dimensions are provided for receiving the different carrier elements,for receiving the adapter elements the card bodies are provided with recesses corresponding in shape and size substantially to the outer dimensions of the adapter elements, andthe carrier elements are connected with the card body via the adapter elements.

Abstract: A coin checker and card reader for use with a vending machine includes a housing having a coin slot and a separate card slot which merge into a chute that communicates with a first coin channel and a card channel. A coin inserted into the coin slot rolls through the chute into the first coin channel and passes sensors which determine whether the coin is accepted or rejected. A door is actuated to direct an accepted coin into a coin container through a second coin channel. A rejected coin is directed to a return tray through a third coin channel. A subscriber card with a memory inserted into the card slot is guided into the card channel to actuate a switch to activate a microprocessor for exchanging information with the subscriber card memory and processing a transaction. The microprocessor checks the data being exchanged to prevent loss of data should the card be removed before the transaction is completed and to vend an article only after valid data has been exchanged.

Abstract: An application device (401) is connectable with a donor device (541) such as a portable memory card (560) or widely accessible central database (550). The donor device (541) stores and provides preferences to the application device (401). The donor device (541) contains a reference preference memory capable of storing preferences for a particular user. A controller (450) accesses the donor device to obtain preferences that pertain to the particular user under certain conditions and stores preferences obtained from the donor device in the session preference memory (490) of the application device (401) for use in a session by the particular user.

Abstract: A machine vision system images bar code labels moving through a horizontal plane at variable object distances within the system's object depth of field Z .sub.obj with a plurality of sequential line images, each with different object lengths which gradate Z .sub.obj into plural focused object planes, and the object plane within which the bar code label lies provides a focused optical image of the bar code to a multilinear photodetector which transduces the focused optical image into a corresponding electrical signal for further processing.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a multi-stage power amplifier, which is composed of a plurality of transistors each having an input terminal and an output terminal. The transistors are disposed on a chip in such a way that the input terminals and output terminals of the respective transistors are arranged in directions so as to alternate from one another. A ground metallization layer is formed on a back and a side surface and on an outside perimeter section of a front surface of the chip and a ground terminal of each transistor is connected to the ground metallization layer. Each of the transistors comprises a gate pad, a source pad, a drain pad and an active region which are formed on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. The gate pad, the source pad and the drain pad are in contact respectively with a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed in the active region.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device including a field effect transistor comprising a base area, a source area, a drain area and a gate area provided on a channel forming area via a gate insulating area, the base area portion being sandwiched by the source area and the drain area, there is provided a drain electrode contacting the drain area, a source electrode contacting only the source area and a gate electrode contacting the gate area. Because this arrangement does not incorporate a parasitic diode, it can be used in a system utilizing the back electromotive force of the motor, in which a reverse current blocking diode is not included and a highly efficient driver circuit can be arranged. Further, there is provided a motor driver circuit utilizing such a semiconductor device.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an indicia in a sensing region of an object plane. A housing has a median longitudinal vertical plane and a horizontal scanning plane. A reflector for reflecting light directed thereagainst toward the sensing region has a first approximately curvilinear profile in a plane parallel to the scanning plane, and a second approximately curvilinear profile in a plane parallel to the median longitudinal plane. The central portion of the reflector defines an opening whereby light from the sensing may return in generally the same plane as light directed toward the sensing region.

Abstract: A vending control system and method for interfacing a control device to a vending machine having input/output control lines along which are transmitted control signals for controlling the operation of the vending machine. The control device includes, means for connecting to the control lines of the vending machine, means for reading the control signal, means for determining operational responses/outputs of the vending machine which correspond to the control signals, means for storing the control signals and information concerning the operational responses and means for reading the stored information to control the vending machine. Control and monitoring of vending transactions comprises means for reading magnetically stored information from a magnetic card, means for obtaining an authorization amount for a transaction, means for storing the authorization amount, means for operating the vending machine without exceeding the authorization amount and means for storing transaction information.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus including an LED array for projecting light onto bar codes formed on a paper surface, a line sensor for receiving reflected light from the bar codes, a bar code reading unit for processing bar code reading signals obtained by the line sensor and for obtaining decoded signals of the bar codes, and a drive control unit for driving the LED array and the line sensor, wherein the LED array is divided into a plurality of sets, and a paper detecting unit detects whether a paper surface is present or not based on a bar code reading signal and supplies a paper surface detection signal to a drive control unit when the paper surface is detected, and the drive control unit drives the plurality of LED sets to emit light in sequence when a paper surface is not detected, and to emit light simultaneously when a paper surface detection signal is generated by the paper detecting unit.

Abstract: A coil (6) forming part of a tuned circuit (8) is wound around a gapped magnetic core (2). As a magnetic stripe (14) is passed under core (2), variations to the amplitude and frequency of the circuit (8) occur dependent upon the magnetic data on the strip (14). Selected data are manipulated to derive several values (32, 36, 38, and 40) for combination via AND-gate (47). Only if the combination value is above a threshold value is an indication given that the stripe (14) is genuine and not an attempted copy.

Abstract: A Harsh Environment Tag (HET) and associated data collection system are provided that allow the identification, classification, and description of industrial, architectural, and machine equipment within harsh process environments. Each tag consists of a longitudinally arranged array of non-corrosive modules with standardized dimensional variations that are associated with alpha-numerically encoded values. Each tag may be rigidly or loosely affixed to a particular object for the purposes of inventory, inspection, and maintenance. Each tag may be scanned or read or by a transducer configured to detect the specific variations within which the coded information is retained. The coded values are then interpreted by a microprocessor based device capable of associating the coded values with either prerecorded identities and characteristics or with such information as may be input in association with the scan of a particular tag.