Abstract: The invention relates to making use of a "black" list in a system where goods or services are provided in response to a memory card being presented. The complete "black" list is stored in the memory (46) of a computer center (40). The identification numbers of the cards are subdivided into a plurality of classes. The memory (28) of each local terminal (10) stores the ranks of classes having at least one identification number on the "black" list.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a nozzle in a spinning apparatus in which the nozzle unit is supported movably and a suction pipe for sucking yarn waste is oscillatingly supported so that a suction opening of the suction pipe can be moved to a gap between the draft part and the nozzle unit moved away from the draft part.

Abstract: A non-contact IC card includes a data transmission/reception circuit for data exchange between the IC card and an external device; a data processor connected to the data transmission/reception circuit; a reset signal receiving circuit for receiving a reset signal from the external device and an initializing circuit for initializing the data processor on the basis of the reset signal received by the reset signal receiving circuit.

Abstract: A casing of a portable data input/transmission apparatus has an end portion, the size of which is determined such that the end portion can be held by one hand. A pen-scanner type bar code reader for reading a bar code is attached to one end of the casing in the longitudinal direction. A keyboard for enabling at least numerical data to be input is attached near the other end of the casing in the longitudinal direction. A transmitter/receiver is stored within the casing, the transmitter/receiver being designed to output wirelessly to an external data processing apparatus code data read by the bar code reader and at least numerical data input from the keyboard. A pair of antenna-containing grooves are formed in a pair of facing side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction of the casing, such that the grooves extend in the longitudinal direction of the casing to said other end of the casing.

Abstract: A shell having symmetrical top and bottom parts form a chamber containing a substrate carrying package semiconductor devices and a connector. A cover fits in a hollow of the top part normally for its top surface to rest flush with the top surface of the top part. The packaged semiconductor devices on the substrate extend through apertures in the top part with the top surfaces of the packaged semiconductor devices resting substantially flush with the top surface of the top part. The cover flexes over the packaged semiconductor devices at those locations. Gripping means occur in the ends of the shell opposite the connector to aid removal of the memory card from a desired port and an interior wall and side pockets provide stress relief for removal and insertion of the connector in the desired port.

Abstract: A card reader having a card reading mechanism, a card perforating device and a card erasure mechanism, wherein the erasure mechanism comprises a permanent magnet movable by means of a pivoted arm towards and away from a card erasure position, and a drive means for the magnet arm which is coupled to a motor drive for the perforating device.

Abstract: The scan pattern, scan direction of at least one scan line, the intensity of a light beam, and the scan rate are individually or collectively changeable in a scanner for reading bar code symbols.

Abstract: A system for reading from and for writing data into electronic tags which may be associated with objects which are moving with respect to an interrogator, or may be located in fixed positions in the path of a moving interrogator. The interrogator, which is stationary if the tag is moving, sends a continuous RF signal to the remote tag. The tag backscatter-modulates the received RF signal with data temporarily or permanently stored in the tag, including, for example, data associated with the object to which the tag is attached, for example, its identity or contents. The system of this invention uses a very efficient encoding technique for the data which is backscatter-modulated by the tag and received by the interrogator. The backscatter-modulated signals are made up of signals of first and second frequencies f.sub.1 and 2f.sub.1, respectively, where the second frequency 2f.sub.1 is twice the first frequency f.sub.

Abstract: A portable prepaid card is disclosed comprising a substrate on which a photoconductive layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a transparent electrode plate are built up in this order. When an optical image is radiated on the photoconductive layer through the liquid crystal layer, the exposed regions and the unexposed regions of the photoconductive layer have different volume resistances. In this state, if a predetermined voltage is applied from the outside between the electrode plate and the photoconductive layer, a visible image corresponding to the radiated optical image is fixed in the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A reading apparatus for reading an optical recording medium having a clock track, data tracks and a tracking guide line.The apparatus comprises a photodetector which receives light images of the clock track, data tracks and tracking guide line; a clock detecting circuit which is responsive to a signal from the clock track by the photodetector to output a clock signal; data detecting circuit which encodes data read from the data tracks by the photodetector into a binary code in response to the clock signal; a focus error detecting circuit for detecting a focus error and a tracking error circuit for detecting a tracking error in response to a signal from the tracking guide line by the photodetector. The photodetector comprises first to fourth light-sensitive elements which receive a light image of the tracking guide line, a fifth light-sensitive element which receives a light image of the clock track and a sixth light-sensitive element which receives a light image of the data track.

Abstract: A personal identification system wherein an encoded version of the user's fingerprint is reprint is recorded on an identification card or device; this encoded version is security machine-read and directly compared at the time of use with an impression of the fingerprint on a different but designated area of the card, or alternatively on a designated area of the machine-reader or a separate card, the comparison being done on a one-to-one basis so as to reduce the need for a large memory or storage capacity for fingerprint records on the card or in the security machine-reader. The personal identification system can be used with passports, travellers cheques, credit cards, cheque cards and the like.

Abstract: The IC card reader includes card positioning and guide means and contact elements which provide electrical connections with conducting areas on the IC card, via which circuits are established with the apparatus in which the IC card reader is incorporated. The card reader includes, in particular, a carriage (8) which is moveable relative to a contact frame (3), having a rest position that it occupies when there is no card in the reader, being urged into its rest position by return means (RA), and an actuated position into which it is thrust by a card (100) inserted in the reader. The carriage (8) is arranged to co-operate with the contact elements (35, 36) in such a manner that when in its rest position, the carriage (8) causes the contact elements (35, 36) to be held in a rest position in which they lie off the insertion path (62) of a card, and when in its actuated position, the carriage (8) causes the contact elements (35, 36) to bear against the contact positions of the card.

Abstract: A machine control and accounting arrangement for controlling operation of a machine includes a secure housing, an electronic control system within the housing, and first and second interfaces coupled to the control system to permit communication between the control system and devices external of said housing. The first interface comprising an arrangement for applying a count signal to the control system. The second interface comprising an arrangement for applying encrypted control signals to the control system.

Abstract: A data storage medium having a pattern representing data bits arranged in a plurality of interlocked triangularly shaped tracks. The medium may be a prerecorded optical storage material having a set of optically contrasting marks arranged in the tracks. The track width increases from a start point to an end point at a constant rate that depends on the maximum allowable angle of skew. The medium, which can be prerecorded with the pattern using exposure to actinic radiation through a like-patterned master, can have either a card, tape or drum format.

Abstract: A linear oscillatory motion device capable of producing a linear oscillatory motion from a continuous rotation of a motor in one direction with a desired speed variation, with smooth and stable motion without an abrupt change in acceleration. The device includes a crank mechanism with variable stroke which converts the rotations of the motor into oscillatory motion; and guiding cam which controls the stroke of the crank mechanism according to a shape of said guiding cam means defined such that in at least one part of the linear oscillatory motion an acceleration of the object changes continuously resulting in linear oscillatory motion of the object. The optical card read/write apparatus featuring such a linear oscillatory motion device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A recording tape can be secured on a winding core of a tape reel, the core being made of a plastic material, by melting and fixing the end of the tape on the core, said tape being made of the substantially same plastic material as the core.

Abstract: The delivery roller pair are made with continuous uninterrupted cylindrical surfaces so that air flows on the input side converge in the nip and then flow from the central zone thereof to opposite end zones. In addition, the air flows on the output side flow from the end zones towards the central zone. The suction nozzle is disposed downstream and in alignment with the nip so as to receive the fiber material for spinning into yarn.

Abstract: A magnetically detectable plastic, e.g., polyethylene, polyvinyl, etc., pipe for underground use comprises a hollow tubular plastic pipe having particles of magnetic material embedded in plastic and secured integrally with the wall of the pipe. The magnetic particles are of iron oxide or barium ferrite and of a size, shape, distribution and proportion such that the plastic pipe may be easily detected by magnetic detection apparatus on the surface when the plastic pipe is buried at a selected depth under the ground. The magnetic particles are uniformly distributed throughout the thickness and uniformly distributed around the entire circumference of the plastic pipe or the magnetic particles may be distributed in discrete portions of the plastic pipe, as for example, a uniform outer layer of the pipe or in stripes or strips extending along the pipe.

Abstract: An IC card processing apparatus has a data reading/writing unit which accepts an IC card and electrically connects the IC card with terminal equipment. Data is exchanged with the IC card and/or the data reading/writing unit. To shorten the time for processing data of the IC card processing apparatus, the terminal equipment directly exchanges data with the IC card. To achieve this, the data line of the terminal equipment is connected to the data line of the IC card. Before using the IC card for transactions, the data reading/writing unit feeds a personal identification number (PIN) to the IC card for identifying the PIN information. To prevent the PIN information from being delivered to the terminal equipment, a switch is provided between the data line of the terminal equipment and the data line of the IC card. While identification of the PIN information is underway, the switch remains totally open, preventing reception of the code by an unauthorized party.

Abstract: An information storage device, has a container and at least two identical tical information carriers arranged coaxially inside the container and adapted for independent rotation in relation to each other. Each optical information carrier has a hollow cylindrical base made of a material transparent for laser radiation and a recording layer applied on this cylindrical base.