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: A light scanning system formed on a common substrate comprises a light scanner and a sensor. The light scanner scans light across a target. The sensor detects light reflected from the target and creates a signal representative of the detected light. The light scanner may include a light source and a deflector, such as a micro-machined scan module. The micro-machined scan module may comprise an electrode, a support mounted on the electrode, and a mirror element mounted at one end of the support, wherein a voltage applied between the electrode and mirror element bends the mirror element.

Abstract: Magnetic stripe documents are identified and authenticated on the basis of repeatable magnetic characteristics of a stripe recorded with digital data. Stripes are sensed to provide an analog signal, only a portion of which is used, specifically, the portion storing leading zeros. Cyclically, the leading zeros are sampled and digitized as a target number of samples using a frequency locked loop. The target number of samples for each zero is then reduced by a selection process that attains a predetermined number of digital samples that represent a magnetized portion of a leading zero, specifically, a space between data transitions. Groups of selected predetermined number of digital samples are then combined to provide a card magnetic characteristic identifier. Documents are verified by correlating reference and recent characteristic identifiers. Specific forms of sensor structures are utilized for the applications involving multitudes of different documents and sensor structures.

Abstract: A data reading device for reading digital data encoded in one or a plurality of data-carrying surfaces directs the output from a single wavelength laser diode at the surface of the data carrier, by focusing the light from the laser using an objective lens. The data may be decoded by sensing anomalies in current flow through a precision shunt which is series connected with the laser diode, because light reflected back off the data-carrying surface is re-directed back to impinge on the laser, and the reflected light will cause anomalies in the current flowing through the diode. Alternatively, the reflected light can be deflected using a prism towards a photo-sensor. In either event, the digital data can then be decoded. A pinhole diaphragm is interposed between the laser and the objective lens, or an objective lens assembly, and the pinhole will function as a point source of light. That point source of light can be re-focused with high resolution on the data-carrying surface.

Abstract: A coin and currency wrapper are provided wherein the coin and currency wrappers include a graduated scale and/or a machine readable code to simplify usage of the same. In addition, a money bag or envelope is also provided having a machine readable code. Further, the wrappers may include a perforated tear line for assisting removal of the wrapper to access the money. A system and method are further provided for managing inventory of money placed into and removed from, for example, a cash register. The system and method accurately track and manage inventory of money that is typically and often times exchanged within a device.

Abstract: An antenna has coil windings divided into tiers which are mounted on a wireless module substrate with an integrated circuit (LSI). The coil tiers of the antenna windings are divided into two portions in the vicinity of the LSI. The LSI is positioned between the two divided portions of the antenna. Metal wires are used to connect the terminals of the LSI with both terminals of the antenna for non-contact data communication.

Abstract: A retail terminal includes a display monitor and a base for supporting the display monitor. The retail terminal further includes a tilt mechanism for positioning the display monitor relative to the base. The tilt mechanism has a ratchet member supported by the display monitor. The ratchet member has a first plurality of ratchet teeth defined therein. The tilt mechanism further has a support structure secured to the base. The support structure has a second plurality of ratchet teeth defined therein. The first plurality of ratchet teeth engages the second plurality of ratchet teeth so as to hold the display monitor stationary relative to the base. The ratchet member further has a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm and the second spring arm are each supported by the display monitor. The first spring arm and the second spring arm collectively cooperate to bias the first plurality of ratchet teeth into engagement with the second plurality of ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A multi-bit digitizer (30) for a barcode reader detects the presence of edges of a scanned barcode symbol, and also measures the strength of each detected edge. A polarity or edge direction signal (8) indicates the direction of each detected edge, and a timing signal (6) is representative of the timing and also, by means of a variable pulse width, the strength of each edge. A gating signal (200) indicates that the data are unreliable and invalid if the measured voltage applied to the scanner motor of the barcode reader is higher or lower than defined limit values. Any scans made at a speed which were too high or too low are rejected.

Abstract: An identification tag is attached to or imbedded in each article a plurality of which are located nearby or stacked together. The identification tag wirelessly communicates with a remote controller such as a hand-held terminal to send data or receive command. Electric power to operate the identification card is also wirelessly supplied from the remote controller. The electric power is received only by a particular identification card which is communicating with the remote controller, and is turned off when the communication is completed. The electric power is then supplied to the next identification card which communicates with the remote controller. Thus, all the identification tags sequentially send data thereof one by one to the remote controller. The remote controller includes an indicator that indicates whether the communication with all the identification tags is completed, so that the remote controller can be positioned at a right place until the end of the communication.

Abstract: A method of delivering advertisement information from a source of advertisement information to a chip card for display on a display element of the chip card. The method includes establishing a communication path between the source and the chip card, transmitting the advertisement information from the source to the chip card via the communication path; and, displaying the transmitted advertisement information on the chip card display element. Also featured is a method of electronic ticketing that transmits ticketing information to chip card memory, and displays the ticketing information on the chip card display element.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly and a base assembly includes the steps of (i) securing a first mounting plate to a first mounting surface, (ii) securing a second mounting plate to a second mounting surface, (iii) attaching the base assembly to the first mounting plate, (iv) operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a first time period while (A) the base assembly is mounted to the first mounting plate, and (B) the core module assembly is secured to the base assembly, (v) detaching the base assembly from the first mounting plate after the first time period operating step, (vi) attaching the base assembly to the second mounting plate after the detaching step, and (vii) operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a second time period while (A) the base assembly is mounted to the second mounting plate, and (B) the core module assembly is secured to the base assembly.

Abstract: A modular terminal apparatus including a core unit interchangeable with a plurality of communication modules.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientation base assembly includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the single-orientation base assembly. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a first time period while the core module assembly is secured to the single-orientation base assembly. The method further includes the step of detaching the core module assembly from the single-orientation base assembly after the first time period operating step. The method yet further includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the multiple-orientation after the detaching step. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a second time period while the core module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation base assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a first base assembly, and a second base assembly.

Abstract: A scanning device incorporates a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The laser diode may be mounted directly on an Si substrate which is adapted for movement to produce a scan pattern. A collimating lens may be directly mounted on the emitting surface of the laser. A plurality of lasers may be mounted on the substrate and operated in sequence without movement of the substrate to produce the effect of a scan. The scanning device emits visible or invisible light towards a target such as a bar code and a detector (mounted on the same or an adjacent substrate) senses the light reflected by the target to produce data which is decoded for further processing. A VCSEL uses low current and emits light from a relatively large area so that a relatively large amount of light is emitted for relatively small heat generation.

Abstract: Bar with count values indicating widths of white and black bars, which are reciprocally obtained, are input to buffers connected in series at 16 stages. The bar width count values written to those buffers are sequentially shifted each time a new bar width count value is input. A comparing circuit compares the widths of the adjacent bars in the same color with each other and checks whether or not a ratio therebetween falls within a range of 0.2-5.0 times as large as each other. Results of the comparisons by this comparing circuit are written to result registers connected in series at 13 stages. The check-results written to those result registers are sequentially shifted each time a new bar width count value is input. Accordingly, if all the check results written to all the result registers indicate an "in-range" state, it follows that the fifteen or more bars consecutively meet a bar code condition. Hence, the counter lets an AND gate open.

Abstract: An integrated optical module for an optical scanner has a lens spaced from a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) by a spacer of defined dimensions. The module, in an alternative embodiment, includes a wafer frame, a suspended mirror mounted for oscillation on the frame, a wafer substrate bonded beneath the frame and a wafer cover bonded above the frame. The cover includes a mirror travel stop to protect the mirror against shocks. A VCSEL mounted to the wafer cover produces a beam which is shaped and deflected by a diffractive optical element onto the oscillating mirror. The reflected beam passes out of the module toward an indicia to be read. Large numbers of such devices may be fabricated relatively cheaply using wafer-scale processing and assembly technology. Three large wafers are fabricated corresponding respectively to arrays of substrates, frames and covers. The large wafers are bonded together in a sandwich arrangement, and are then diced to produce the individual scan modules.

Abstract: A retail terminal includes a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface. The first mounting surface has a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal also includes a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface. The second mounting surface has a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal further includes a core module assembly which operates to perform retail functions in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the first electrical cable segment and attached to the first base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the first mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the second electrical cable segment and attached to the second base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A retail terminal includes a first base assembly and a first power supply which is mounted on the first base assembly. The retail terminal also includes a second base assembly and a second power supply which is mounted on the second base assembly. The retail terminal further includes a core module assembly for performing a point-of-sale retail function and a product demonstration retail function. When the core module assembly is performing the point-of-sale retail function, the core module assembly is secured to the first base assembly and electrically coupled to the first power supply. When the core module assembly is performing the product demonstration retail function, the core module assembly is secured to the second base assembly and electrically coupled to the second power supply.

Abstract: A retail terminal assembly includes a mounting structure having number of mounting slots defined therein. The retail terminal assembly also includes a first mounting plate which is secured to a first mounting surface, the first mounting plate having a number of first mounting tabs secured thereto. The retail terminal assembly also includes a second mounting plate which is secured to a second mounting surface, the second mounting plate having a number of second mounting tabs secured thereto. The retail terminal assembly yet further includes a core module assembly which operates to perform retail functions. The number of first mounting tabs are positioned within the number of mounting slots so as to secure the base assembly to the first mounting plate when the core module assembly operates to perform retail functions for a first time period.