Abstract: A cash processing system is capable of reducing manual operation in placing and collecting from a cashing handling apparatus, such as ATM's, cash dispensing machines and so forth and thus can eliminate the occurrence of error or theft. The cash processing system includes a detachable cash safe, a cash processing apparatus that detachably receives the cash safe for automatically setting a commanded amount of cash therein, and a cash handling apparatus that detachably receives the cash safe, in which the commanded amount of cash is set, for performing services including a cash dispensing service.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which shield wiring is arranged between the semiconductor substrate and the power source wiring for supplying the power source potential or ground potential. Noise, as represented by variations in the potential of the semiconductor substrate, is substantially prevented from transferring to the aforementioned power source wiring by the shield wiring. In one aspect, shield wiring 1 is arranged between Vss wiring for supplying potential to the various circuits on the semiconductor substrate and substrate 7. This shield wiring 1 is connected to grounding lead frame 18 via M1 intra-chip wiring 4, M2 intra-chip wiring 5, connecting part 40, bonding pad 3 and bonding wire 8.

Abstract: A self-check apparatus is provided for processing a sales transaction of an article having an attached surveillance tag, each attached surveillance tag bearing a coded indicia such as a bar code. The self-checkout apparatus stores an indication of the articles which have been selected for purchase. When the surveillance tag is presented to the apparatus for deactivation, the bar code on the tag is scanned, and a check is made to verify that the surveillance tag is attached to an article which has been selected for purchase, and provided such verification is made, the surveillance tag is deactivated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having a window surrounded by an opening edge; a light source arranged in the housing; a total reflection mirror arranged in the housing; and a diffusion reflection mirror for reflecting part of light emitted from the light source toward the window and at the same time reflecting another part of the light emitted from the light source toward the total reflection mirror, wherein light reflected by the total reflection mirror is guided to the window, thereby a target object can be uniformly and brightly irradiated, and good image information can be obtained.

Abstract: A sheet-framed IC carrier has a sheet frame having an aperture, and a backing film with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one surface thereof which is adhered to the back surface of the sheet frame. An IC carrier having an IC module is secured in the aperture of the sheet frame with the adhesive layer on the backing film. When the IC carrier is removed from the sheet-framed IC carrier, no excessive load is exerted on the IC module and no projection remains on the peripheral edge of the carrier base.

Abstract: Recognizable codes, such as pseudo-noise ("PN") sequence address codes, are employed for type labeling embedded data patterns, such as self-clocking glyph code patterns. For example, this type labeling may be employed to identify structurally distinguished data block types.

Abstract: A card reader stores the energy imparted by a user inserting a card into a slot. When the card is fully inserted, a release mechanism is triggered and the stored energy moves a read head over a coded stripe. In the preferred embodiment, a torsion spring mounted on a carriage winds about an axle. The axle has a gear at one end which engages a rack fixed on the base of the reader. The gear and axle rotate as the carriage is moved relative to the reader, thereby winding the torsion spring and storing energy. A set of ratchet teeth mounted on the base prevents the return of the carriage before the card is fully inserted into the slot. The reader can also accommodate reading and writing to smart cards.

Abstract: A false-transition inhibitor circuit for a bar code reader that produces a detection signal from a scan of a bar code, a first derivative signal related to the first derivative of the detection signal, and a peak signal indicating peaks of the detection signal includes an inhibitor comparator, a latch comparator, and a feedback circuit. The inhibitor comparator compares the first derivative signal to a feedback signal and sets and outputs an inhibition signal in a blocking state when the first derivative signal bears a first relationship to the feedback signal. The latch comparator prevents the transmission of the peak signal when the inhibition signal is in the blocking state. The feedback circuit samples the inhibition signal and the output of the latch comparator and to produce the feedback signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for discerning the presence of one or more bar codes within the image of a scanned document and making the bar code data available to a document image management system. The scanned image is represented by a bit map which is searched for data blocks, such having been formed by a smearing technique. Each data block is analyzed to find bar code candidates which are then subjected to a dynamic width determination process so that an attempt to read them as a bar code can be made.

Abstract: An electronic device intended for use as a tag to be attached to identify contents of the container to which it is attached. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic tag which has a facility for storing delivery information and is equipped with a responding means for transmitting the delivery information stored therein in response to a query signal received from an interrogating apparatus. Codes, including items such as the names and addresses of the destination and the sender, and a sorting code are written into predetermined blanks of a delivery label, and into a memory. The memory responds to a query by transmitting the sorting information to allow automated sorting. The tag may be initiated only when torn, to extend battery shelf life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing the information in a sequence of bar code symbols. The information contained in one symbol can be decoded and processed while the information in the next symbol is being gathered. A pulse width counter, under control of a microprocessor, accumulates counts representing the widths of the elements of a bar code symbol and the accumulated counts are latched into a separate latch buffer which is then transferred into the microprocessor memory by a direct memory access controller. A program in the microprocessor operates on the information stored in the microprocessor memory to decode, process and output the data and/or commands contained within a given symbol as the pulse width counter is accumulating the counts that represent the next symbol to be read. If the input device is an automated scanner, the scanner's Start-of-Scan signal is used by the microprocessor to specify the beginning and end of each scan.

Abstract: To simplify the printing of medical forms, provision is made for a reader of chip cards and a set of chip cards comprising doctor chip cards and patient chip cards. According to the principle of the system, it is provided that the doctor's card will be inserted into the reader as soon as the working day begins, and that this card will set the reader. Subsequently, by introducing patient cards, it is possible to prompt the printing of forms having, at the appropriate places, indications pertaining to the doctor who has issued the prescription and the patient who has received it.

Abstract: A vending apparatus and system for storing and automatically dispensing magnetic or optical disks. A user interface allows a user to enter a dispensing request corresponding to the selection of a desired disk and includes for receiving user identification information, such as credit or debit card information, or other information stored magnetically on a bank card, driver's license, school identification card, or library card. Once a disk selection has been entered and user identification information has been received and verified, the selected disk is dispensed from the vending unit. The disks to be dispensed by the vending unit may have a region of magnetic recording media formed on one surface, and the vending unit may be equipped to write information relevant to the transaction onto the region of magnetic media.

Abstract: A data collection system includes a portable data collection terminal with a voice prompt 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 portable data collection terminal is connected to a host computer, which can provide real time instructions to the user, by utilizing the voice prompts from the portable data collection terminal. The host computer can be connected to the portable data collection terminal by either a wired or a wireless link.

Abstract: An optical bar code scanner has a laser for generating a coherent light beam, and a multifaceted rotatable mirror for scanning the beam. The scanned beam is reflected from at least three fixed mirrors. Two of these mirrors reflect the beam horizontally through a window in the scanner housing. Another mirror reflects the beam upwards, through a hologram, within the housing. The hologram converts the horizontal scanning pattern of this upwardly-reflected beam into a vertical scan pattern, directed horizontally through the window.

Abstract: A price verification method for retail stores using shelf pricing, and apparatus therefor, in which the shelf labels are provided with an extended bar code having the item number and price of the item. A remote unit scans the item number and price, and uses the item number to look up the item in a database which is identical to the store checkout scanner database, and compares the shelf price to the database price. If they are not the same, a new shelf label may be printed immediately. Also, the UPC or other barcode on the product itself is scanned and compared to the shelf price label.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a bottom and top gated thin film transistor and other circuitry constructions. In the thin film transistor construction, the top gate electrode (preferably polysilicon) overlaps with the channel region, and the top gate electrode has an electrically conductive sidewall (preferably oxide). The bottom gate electrode (preferably polysilicon) has an outer surface area which includes a portion which extends outwardly beyond the top gate electrode sidewall. An electrically conductive sidewall link overlies the electrically insulated channel region sidewall and extends between the top gate sidewall and bottom gate outer surface portion to electrically interconnect the top and bottom gate electrodes. The insulated channel region sidewall is insulated by an insulating sidewall spacer. The insulating sidewall spacer partially overlaps the top gate electrode electrically conductive sidewall.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device (10) for data collection by an operator includes a grip unit (12) having polarized connectors (31, 32) at the top and bottom thereof for removable engagement with mating polarized connectors (33, 34) in external modulus (14) furnishing operator selectable, application functions such as CCD or laser scanning, and radio frequency automatic identification. Device (10) is held and operable by one hand in either right- or left-handed configurations with the output from modules (14) directed away from the operator and toward the object from which data is to be obtained. The connectors (31, 32) are mounted in reversed orientation from each other, thereby insuring that external removable modules (14) are automatically connected in the proper orientation for the desired handed operation.

Abstract: A temporary package used to test and burn-in a bare die that will fit in a board mounted socket. The package comprises a base having contacts to engage the die and provide contact to the outer periphery, a lid for pressing the die into electrical contact and a protective cover to restrict the die from damage due to external pressures to the sides or top of the package. The die, lid and protective cover can be assembled onto the base and removed by automated equipment.

Abstract: An IC card system uses a prototype IC card and one or more production IC cards. The prototype card is programmed to execute standard read/write commands, and an initialize command that returns the card to an initial state. The prototype IC card, which can be issued, initialized, and reissued repeatedly, is used for testing purposes during the development of system software. Production IC cards are programmed to execute the standard read/write commands, and a version read command that reads out a version number distinguishing a production IC card from the prototype IC card. Production IC cards are not programmed to execute the initialize command.