Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading encoded symbols such as bar code labels at any orientation to a raster scanning device. A pattern of virtual scan lines is selected over the two-dimensional imaging region according to the specifications of the images to be read. The pattern is generated by defining a family of parallel lines of a certain spacing and rotating the family by a specified angle until the two-dimensional imaging region is covered. Only the data at selected raster locations on the virtual scan lines is stored and processed. One-dimensional signal processing methods are used to detect edges and decode the encoded symbols.

Abstract: A compact rf reader apparatus integrated into a single compact package structure. In one embodiment, a rotatably adjustable head is mounted on the compact reader body portion containing read/write electronics and an interface controller. The rotatably adjustable head contains an antenna and is adapted to direct the antenna in numerous different directions without moving the compact reader body portion of the rf reader. Additionally, in one embodiment, the rf reader unit includes a switching power supply located within the reader body portion. The switching power supply is electrically coupled to the read/write electronics and the interface controller, and is synchronized with the transmitting frequency of the antenna to prevent interference.

Abstract: According to a two-dimensional code recognition method of the present invention, first, a two-dimensional image is input in step S1, and an edge is detected in step S2. This edge detection is performed by scanning pixels on a scanning line every several dots. A straight line is extracted in accordance with the Hough transform and the least square approximation in step S3, and a combination of straight lines is selected in step S4. Then, the size of a figure is detected in step S5. In step S6, two remaining straight lines are extracted, and the figure is extracted. In step S7, matrix information is extracted from the extracted figure, and codes are recognized. The flow returns to the selection of a combination of straight lines in step S4 until the straight line detection and the figure recognition can be accurately performed in steps S5, S6, and S7.

Abstract: An optical bar code scanner which produces substantially perpendicular scan lines having an optical power sufficient to read bar code labels substantially perpendicular to the scanner. The scanner includes first and second folding pattern mirrors which produce the substantially perpendicular scan lines. A laser beam strikes the first folding pattern mirror along a first line of reflection substantially parallel to the scanner as the mirrored spinner rotates. The laser beam from the first folding pattern mirror strikes the second folding pattern mirror along a second line of reflection substantially perpendicular to the scanner as the mirrored spinner rotates to produce the substantially perpendicular scan line.

Abstract: This invention is a lightweight, portable, quickly assembled, wide band, discone antenna for high frequency ground wave communication. The disk portion of the antenna is formed of telescoping spokes and the cone portion is formed of separate retractable wire elements. Disassembled, the antenna can be carried in a backpack. It can be assembled in less than ten minutes to achieve non-fading, non-line-of-sight communication.

Abstract: A radio selective call receiver capable of improving an antenna property by connecting a first circuit board on a high frequency side and a second circuit board on a low frequency side by using a microstrip line. On the first circuit board, a component mounting part including an antenna, an antenna tuning circuit and a high frequency circuit part operated by a frequency resonant with an antenna tuning frequency is mounted, and on the second circuit board, another component mounting part including a low frequency circuit part operated by a lower frequency than the antenna tuning frequency is mounted. The first and second circuit boards are connected by a flexible circuit board provided with the microstrip line having a high impedance with the antenna tuning circuit.

Abstract: An optical data reading device has a main housing and an optical system housing connected to the main housing. A light source and an imaging optical system are housed in the optical system housing. An image sensor, an image signal processing unit and a light source control unit are housed in the main housing. The light source illuminates a bar code, and the imaging optical system passes light reflected from the bar code into the main housing. The image sensor outputs a signal in accordance with the light passed by the imaging optical system. The image signal processing unit performs a predetermined process on the signal. The light source control unit controls the amount of light generated by the light source in accordance with a processing result obtained by the image signal processing unit.

Abstract: An antenna comprising a first conductive element having a first end and a second end. The antenna is also comprised of a second conductive element having a first end and a second end. The second conductive element is adjacent and essentially in parallel to the first conductive element. The antenna is also comprised of a third conductive element connected to the first conductive element and second conductive element at their first ends therewith so signals in the third conductive element can pass to the first conductive element and second conductive element.

Abstract: An information display system is disclosed having a housing with a viewing window. An elongated flexible sheet is contained within the housing and a plurality of discrete visual messages are provided at longitudinal spaced intervals along the sheet while a controllable motor is mechanically drivenly connected with the sheet to control the position of the sheet. A coded index is also associated with each discrete visual message on the sheet. A microprocessor based central control unit receives input from a user via a keyboard of the desired visual message to be displayed through the housing window. After the user inputs the desired message, the control unit outputs control signals to a motor control module associated with the controllable motor. The motor control module decodes the output signal and then selectively activates the controllable motor in the housing to change the positioning of the sheet until the desired or target visual message is positioned in alignment with the housing viewing window.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a microstrip conductor antenna, such as a patch antenna, is improved at any particular frequency by making the thickness of the conductor sufficiently small to reduce shielding and losses caused by the skin effect and make currents at the upper and lower surfaces couple with each other and make the conductor partially transparent to radiation. In one embodiment the thickness is between 0.5.delta. and 4.delta.. Preferably the thickness is between 1.delta. and 2.delta. where .delta. is equal to the distance at which current is reduced by 1/e., for example 1.5 to 3 micrometers at 2.5 gigahertz in copper. According to an embodiment, alternate layers of dielectrics and radiation transparent patches on a substrate enhance antenna operation.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus comprises a dielectric substrate, an earth conductor mounted on one surface of the substrate and forming a microstrip transmission line, an upper conductor mounted on the other surface of the substrate and forming a microstrip transmission line, an antenna element formed integrally with the microstrip transmission lines, and a delayed wave opening situated in the earth conductor in confronting relationship with the upper conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for equalizing the signal strengths of different scan lines which employs an attenuating mirror. The attenuating mirror attenuates a laser beam and reflected light from an article at an attenuation which is different from the attenuation of another pattern mirror so that reflected light from the one and the other pattern mirror have intensities which are substantially equal, within a predetermined range of intensities having a low end equal to a signal-to-noise threshold and a high end equal to a saturation level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pledge lock for a shopping trolley, having an information carrier which can be temporarily applied in or on the pledge lock which can thus be unlocked and operatively connected to a shop computer, items of information can be read from the information carrier and transmitted to the shop computer and/or items of information which can be transmitted by the shop computer can be stored on the information carrier.

Abstract: An antenna unit whose resonance frequency is switchable, the antenna unit including an antenna body (11) having a distributed inductance component (L.sub.1), an impedance adjusting inductance component (L.sub.1) and a capacitance (C.sub.1) provided between the same and the ground potential, and a capacitor (C.sub.2) and a diode (D.sub.1) being connected in parallel with the capacitance (C.sub.1) and in series with each other, so that a voltage for bringing the diode (D.sub.1) into an ON or OFF state is applied to a node (16) between the capacitor (C.sub.2) and the diode (D.sub.1), thereby switching the resonance frequency of the antenna unit by switching ON and OFF states of the diode (D.sub.1).

Abstract: A unitary waveguide element is employed in a light weight waveguide antenna. The waveguide element has a waveguide portion having a front wall with slots formed across it at predetermined locations, a continuous back wall, and substantially continuous broad walls. A first flange is formed on one of the broad walls lying in a plane that extends in the width direction. A pair of flanges are formed on the other broad wall that lie in planes that are displaced slightly from the first flange, so that when the waveguide element is superposed onto the next successive element, these flanges overlap with the second flanges straddling the first flange. The flanges are then bonded with epoxy or an equivalent agent. A rivet box is formed on the proximal side of the back wall and permits attachment of the waveguide element in precise alignment to a predrilled backing plate with rivets or other suitable fasteners. The rivets do not penetrate into the waveguide portion of the element.

Abstract: An array antenna embodying on a dielectric support, a periodic succession parallel to an alignment direction of rectangular patches having alternating active patches and parasitic patches. The active patches are identical, fed with electromagnetic energy in areas such that their sides parallel to the alignment direction are radiating sides, sized to have the same resonant frequency and disposed so that their phase centers are at a distance apart less than the wavelength in air associated with the resonant frequency. The parasitic patches are separated from the active patches by slots of constant non-null width extending transversely to the alignment direction and sized to have resonant frequencies near the resonant frequency of the active patches.

Abstract: An electronic terminal comprising a housing (1) having a receptacle (2) adapted to receive a memory card (21) having a connection region (22) and to permit the cooperation of connecting element (10) of the terminal with the connection region of the card (21), in which the receptacle (22) is defined by at least one wall (3-5) of the housing (1).Application to electronic payment terminals.

Abstract: A microstrip patch antenna array incorporating a plurality of spaced-apart patch radiating elements electromagnetically coupled to a microstrip line conductively coupled to a source of signals. Both the spaced-apart patch radiating elements and the microstrip line are located on the same side of an adjacent conductive substrate. The microstrip patch radiating elements are arranged in a linear co-planar array electromagnetically excited by the field created by the air substrated microstrip line passing adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An energy receiving satellite has a curved outer surface on which a plurality of energy signal reception antenna elements are arranged. The satellite may also include a pilot signal generator and a plurality of pilot signal transmission antennas arranged at intervals around the curved outer surface of the satellite. The curved surface is composed of a plurality of curved panels which may be folded in an overlapping condition or unfolded such that the panels are disposed adjacently in a circular arrangement.

Abstract: A high frequency wave glass antenna for an automobile in which a line shape or a strip shape antenna conductor is provided on a glass plate of a window of an automobile in an approximately circular, an approximately elliptic or an approximately polygonal form having an opening portion, a first end of two ends on both sides in the vicinity of the opening portion of the antenna conductor is connected to an electricity feeding portion and a second end thereof is connected to a grounding conductor, and which provides the electricity feeding portion and the grounding conductor that are proximate to each other, or the grounding conductor having a predetermined area. An insular conductor is provided in a range wherein the insular conductor is capacitively coupled with a portion or a total of a preamplifier circuit.