Abstract: Proceeding on the basis of a mutual authentification of two subscribers, wherein for one user an authorization parameter is formed using a secret cipher and an implemented ciphering algorithm dependent on a random number transmitted from the other subscriber, the authorization parameter being transmitted back to the other subscriber as a check, a new starting value for the one user's own random number generator is formed by a logical operation on the authorization parameter using the previous random number most recently generated and stored at the one user, the new random number of this random number generator being both stored as well as transmitted to the other subscriber.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a menu device comprising a card; bubbles on the card having positions corresponding to selectable data; each bubble having a first position projecting upwardly from the plane of the card, and a second position into which it is displaced relative to the plane of the card, by finger pressure, to indicate selection of data corresponding to bubble position on the card, the apparatus comprising first structure for detecting which of the bubbles are so displaced, and; second structure to engage displaced bubbles and to urge them back toward the first positions after the first structure detects which of the bubbles are displaced to second positions.

Abstract: A bar code reader is provided with an LED array containing at least one LED which when energized directs light upon a bar code. A linear CCD array receives a portion of the light directed by the LED array onto the bar code and thereafter reflected from the bar code onto the CCD array. The CCD array receives such reflected light and absorbs the energy therein. This energy has a value at which the CCD array will accumulate a sufficiency of electrical charge during a first period, the CCD array delivering said charge to a shift register during an immediately following second period. A circuit energizes the LED array to emit at least one pulse of light during a small fraction of said first period. The energy contained in the pulse is sufficient to enable the CCD array to properly accumulate the charge.

Abstract: Electronic circuit apparatus in the form of a transaction terminal and including a removable circuit component in the form of a portable memory cartridge. The terminal has a housing with a wall defining an opening for inserting the removable circuit component. A switch is mounted within the housing means substantially in the vicinity of the opening and is connected between a source of electric power and the removable circuit component to control application of power to the removable circuit component. A carrier arrangement carries the removable circuit component between a connected position within the housing and a disconnected position for removal from the housing through the opening. The carrier including a switch actuator and a cooperative interlock means. The switch actuator operates the switch to be ON and simultaneously locks the carrier within the housing. The switch actuator also functions to turn the switch OFF and simultaneously unlock the carrier for removal from the housing.

Abstract: An ID card includes an electric wave receiver for receiving an electric wave from a main station, a modulator for modulating a received signal in accordance with an ID number, and an electric wave transmitter for transmitting a modulated electric wave signal to the main station. The main station identifies the ID card on the basis of the modulated electric wave signal. The ID card further includes a surface acoustic wave exciting device for coupling the electric wave receiver and the electric wave transmitter through surface acoustic wave on a piezoelectric substrate by means of the modulator and a circuit including a terminating device and a switching element and connected in parallel with the surface acoustic wave exciting device. The switching element is controlled to be turned on and off in accordance with the ID number to control the coupling between the electric wave receiver and the electric wave transmitter.

Abstract: A fraud detector for protecting an electronic device, e.g. a payphone, operating with electronic cards (FC) or chip cards which are inserted in a channel (CH) thereof and thereby connected to the payphone via electric contact elements (C) generally located at the end of the channel. The fraud consists in connecting an external chip card simulator (SIM) to the contact elements (C) by means of fraudulent electric wires (W) inserted in the channel (CH). The fraud detector is an electro- magnetic device which has a first coil (T1) for inducing an AC current in the wires (I) connecting the payphone to the contact elements (C), and a second coil (T2) surrounding the channel (CH) and for detecting this generated current when it flows through the fraudulent wires (W). The presence of the wires (W) is thus detected owing to the current flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A system for examining a passer having an ID card including a photograph and key data for searching registered data of the passer. This system has a data base storing registered data including a video image of the registered ID card owner, a video camera for capturing the passer's figure and a scanner for scanning the photograph of the ID card. The system searches corresponding data, including the video image data, in the data base, using the key data, and displays the found image, passer's image and the scanned photograph image in a display for comparison by an examiner. The system can be combined with a controllable gate system which the examiner can operate based on the results of the examination.

Abstract: A memory card which does not utilize a semiconductor chip to store information. A plurality of discrete electrical components, such as fuses, is provided in the card which has the same shape and the same external contact tabs as a standard electronic memory card with a semiconductor chip. Information is written in the memory card by selectively transforming an initial electrical conduction state of the fuses into another, irreversible electrical conduction state which can be read by suitable apparatus.

Abstract: To reserve a supply of a good or service, a chip type memory card is inserted into a terminal of a reserving device. This reserving device makes the reservation by sending indications about this reservation to a terminal located near the goods or services to be delivered. On the agreed date and at the agreed place, the renting party goes to this terminal and inserts his memory card therein. The terminal then tells him where and how he should get and use the service or good reserved by him. This system can be applied in particular when the good or service to be obtained by self-service concerns the renting of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automated electronically controlled postage meter including a mail weighting means, an alphanumerical keyboard, a direct access bar code thermal transfer printer, a magnetic and IC card reader/writer, a liquid crystal display, and a double-station thermal and dot matrix printer. In accordance with the present invention, a configuration mounted on an electronic weighting device allows for the weighing of postcards, envelopes, and packages. A magnetic and IC card reader/writer is provided in order to allow for payment by debit, credit, or IC cards in addition to payment by cash or check to an employee. An alphanumerical keyboard is provided in order to allow for the entry of alphanumerical data regarding the item to be mailed, which data is further converted and printed on the item to be mailed in the form of laser readabe bar code. If direct printing is unsuitable, the bar code can be printed on a self-adhesive label to be stuck on the item to be mailed.

Abstract: An access card, such as a credit card or a key card, having a card body including a plurality of hinged tabs which can be pivoted between a first position in a first plane and a second position in a second plane so that the selected pivoted ones of the tab members in the second position provide a particular coded information for checking the authenticity of a user of the access card. The tab members are arranged in a side-by-side position preferably within a frame member having a partition member disposed between adjacent tab members. Abutment members are provided on the free ends of the tab members opposite the hinged portions, for engagement with abutment portions adjacent thereto, preferably disposed on the frame member, to maintain the selected tab members in the depressed second position even when the access card is longitudinally twisted.

Abstract: A disk drive spindle and spindle motor assembly is mounted on a support platform which is translated reciprocally toward and away from a stationary disk cartridge by a pair of rotationally driven cranks positioned along opposite sides of the platform. The cranks are coupled to the platform by eccentrically mounted support rods loosely captured in the span between dual sets of parallel, compliant leaf springs attached to side edges of the platform. The rotational cranks are provided with a degree of overtravel to forcefully urge the platform, when in the operational position, against precision stops formed on the underside of a mount plate located between the platform and disk cartridge. The spatial relationship of a disk engaging surface on the drive spindle relative to the precision stops is such as to precisely position the rotating disk in parallel with the tracking axis of the read/write head of the system.

Abstract: A bar code reader is described which can accurately read bar codes with different minimum widths of dark and light elements. The reader includes a lens that forms an image of a portion of a bar code onto a detector assembly which includes a photocell. The photocell output is delivered to a detection circuit that detects the passage of images of light and dark elements across the photodetector. In one arrangement, the detector assembly defines a plurality of photocell devices have photosensitive regions of different areas, and a switch assembly connects a selected one of the photocell devices to the detector circuit. The detector assembly can include several independent cells (52-58, FIG. 4) of different diameters, with one at a time connected to the detection circuit. The detector assembly can instead include several closely adjacent photocells (82-88, FIG. 5), with selected groups connected in parallel to the detection circuit. In another arrangement, a mask is provided, with holes (142-148, FIG.

Abstract: A card conveying structure for card accessing devices, comprising: a casing defining a card inlet and a card guideway; a drive pulley and a driven pulley supported on one side of the card guideway by a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, respectively, defining a zero or small angle relative to a vertical line perpendicular to a major surface of a card guided by the guideway; and an endless belt passed around the two pulleys, effective diameters of the first and second pulleys being selected in relation with spacings of the pivot axes relative to the card guideway so that a linear span ofthe belt may extend along the guideway and abut the major surface of the card. By urging the linear span of the belt against the card, the card may be conveyed by the movement of the belt. Alternatively, by slanting at least one of the pulleys towards the guideway until its periphery or the belt passed around it comes into contact with the card, the movement of the belt or the pulley can be transmitted to the card.

Abstract: An IC card with a product test program contained therein is provided with a read-only memory. This read-only memory stores various routines, and is arranged such that if a secret code assigned exclusively to that IC card has been already written in a non-volatile memory in the IC card, an externally entered secret code is collated with the stored secret code, and, if the collation is successful, the non-volatile memory is initialized. The test program can be executed only after the initialization has been completed.