Abstract: A compact electronic wallet, which is intended for easy operation based on a reduced number of keys, has an LCD display window, only keys including a cross key used for the entry of password number and amount of money transfer, Function key and Enter key on the top of the casing, and two IC card slots on the upper and lower sides of the casing. The user's own IC card is put into the lower card slot, which is normally closed by a hinged card cover, and held inside the casing, while other IC card is put into the upper card slot for electronic money transfer. Power is turned on in response to the operation of any key and turned off on expiration of a certain time after the last key operation.

Abstract: A stored value system and method comprising a central server apparatus (10), one or more value added terminals (12), and one or more money-activated machines (14). The value added terminal (12) is designed to read smart cards (16) and to add cash value to the cards upon customer (18) input of an appropriate authorization code (22). The money-activated machine (14) is designed to read smart cards, and reprogram them by deducting a cash value amount corresponding to the customer's use of the machines. The central server apparatus (10) receives calls from customers requesting an authorization code for use with a value added terminal, and in response thereto, verifies funds in a pre-established customer account and provides an active authorization code.

Abstract: An original document reading apparatus includes a first control portion for performing a first control wherein documents are transported at a first document interval in the event that a detected occupying capacity is less than a detected unused capacity. The first control portion also performs a second control wherein documents are transported at a second document interval which is greater than the first document interval in the event that the detected occupying capacity exceeds the detected unused capacity. A second control portion continuously activates an exposure portion under the first control, and intermittently activates the exposure portion under the second control.

Abstract: An automated document feeder for use with an image forming apparatus such as copy machine comprises a document feeder for feeding the document and a document support for supporting the document. The document support can occupy any one of three positions; a first position where the document on the document support is kept away from the document feeder, a second position where the document on the document support is in contact with the document feeder, and a third position where the document is out of contact with the document feeder but closer to the document feeder than the document at the first position.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method for a card reader device that initiates a prompt when a head of the card reader device needs to be cleaned, and cancels the prompt only when the head has been cleaned. A card reader device is connected to a computer system which determines when the card reader device should be cleaned. When it is time for the card reader device to be cleaned, the computer system initiates a prompt requesting the cleaning task. The card reader device is cleaned with a cleaner card including a cleaning surface and a data strip. The cleaner card is inserted into the card reader device so that first the cleaning surface comes in contact with the head, thereby cleaning the card reader device, and then the data strip of the card comes in contact with the head. The card reader reads data encoded on the data strip and sends it to the computing device. The computing device acknowledges that the head of the card reader device has been cleaned and cancels the prompt accordingly.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for scanning and decoding data encoded in any of a plurality of types of 1D and 2D bar code symbols. A scanner generates successive blocks of scan data for storage in a scan memory. The scan memory stores at least one complete block of scan data in one address space thereof while a more current block of scan data is being stored in another address space thereof. A processor selects and decodes blocks of scan data in accordance with a selectable one of a plurality of scanning-decoding relationships, at least one of which is a tracking relationship.

Abstract: A system that scans and reads IBI in accordance with the USPS Specification. This invention also improves both the readability and security of the IBI. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a postage meter that prints an IBI, scans and checks the IBI and prints an invisible, secure message, i.e., bar code over the IBI. When, the mail piece arrives at the post, the additional material is scanned and read at the same time the IBI information is scanned and read. The scanned verification information is then collected and may be subsequently transmitted to a central data center and used for further verification of the postage paid. This stored information may be retrieved during connection to a central postage meter resetting data center when the meter is reloaded and forensically checked.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fully automatic bar code reading system having at least one automatic (i.e., triggerless) portable bar code symbol reading device, and an associated base unit positioned within the data transmission range thereof without a physical wiring connection thereto. After each successful reading of a bar code symbol, the bar code symbol reading device automatically produces symbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol, synthesizes a group of data packets each containing the symbol character data, and then transmits the synthesized group of data packets to the base unit. Upon the successful receipt of one of the transmitted data packets and the recovery of symbol character data therefrom, the base unit generates an acoustical acknowledgement signal that is perceptible to the user of the bar code symbol reading device and indicates the transmitted symbol character data has been successfully received.

Abstract: A file managing method includes a step of setting a key data of a portable storage medium having a plurality of storage areas, a step of determining whether the key data is changed, a step of inhibiting data from being processed in the plurality of storage areas when it is determined that the key data is not changed, and a step of processing data of the plurality of storage areas in response to a given command when it is determined that the key data is changed.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus which is adapted to operate in the manner indicated by the enabled ones of the parameters stored in a parameter table. A processor stores at least a menuing program and a decoding program. If the apparatus decodes a symbol in accordance with the parameter table and determines that it is a menu symbol, the menuing program is invoked to execute at least one of a change in the parameter table and the performance of a menu symbol specified task. If the apparatus decodes a symbol in accordance with the parameter table and determines that it is a data symbol, the data is output in the manner indicated by the parameter table.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system includes an apertured housing through which visible light produced by a laser beam in the housing can exit and enter. A scanning mechanism in the housing scans the laser beam across a scan field and a bar code symbol on an object located in the scan field in response to an activation symbol. Laser light reflected from the bar code symbol is directed in the housing to produce scan data representative of the reflected laser light. That data is processed to detect and decode the scanned bar code signal and to produce symbol character data that is representative of the detected and decoded bar code symbol.

Abstract: A grip held and grip operable data entry device for data collection by an operator having a hand includes a narrow grip unit for entry of data and a housing extension for carrying certain components that would otherwise have to be carried within grip unit, allowing grip unit to be narrow for comfortable and secure gripping without elimination of any desired functionality. Grip unit includes main housing having a first side and a second side, the first housing grasped by the operator's hand with the thumb extending along the first side and the middle finger engaging the second side. A housing extension extends from and is carried by main housing behind the operator's thumb such that operator support for holding device is furnished by the operator's thumb and the operator's middle finger acting upon the first side and the second side of main housing, leaving the index finger free to engage and disengage a push-button.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an output signal responsive to a sensor signal having a unit for setting desired hysteresis values and desired reference values of the sensor signal, aunit for detecting whether the sensor signal has a positive or negative slope with respect to time, a unit for triggering one logical signal when the sensor signal has a positive slope and also exceeds one reference value minus a first hysteresis value, and a unit for triggering another logical signal when the sensor signal has a negative slope and also falls below the sum of a second reference value and a second hysteresis value. The apparatus and method may have more than two reference values and/or more than two hysteresis values simultaneously. The apparatus may be implemented by an embedded microcomputer of conventional type, programmed to perform the signal-processing disclosed. The steps of the process and initial values of the reference values and hysteresis values may be stored in a read-only memory.

Abstract: A print control system managing a print job on a job basis and on a page basis. When a print job is interpreted, a job description file and page data for each page are created. The job description file contains the attribute of the entire job and a job element (content) list. An item of page data is associated with the print attribute of each page including image data. The job control module extracts necessary image data according to the job element list and sends it to a printer. Because a plurality of print jobs share the common data, many job management functions, including print job combination and page addition/deletion, can be implemented easily.

Abstract: A moving-light indicia reader system including a conveyor 12 carrying parcel 14 bearing a destination address 20. A moving-light illumination source 24 defines a spot 30 that moves at the same speed as the conveyor 12 to assist the positioning of the parcel 14 on the conveyor 12. A scanner 36 and a computer memory 42 of a character recognition system 40 are operated so as to store an image of a region 50 defined-with respect to the moving spot 30 defined by the moving-light illumination source 24. A sensor assembly 32, including a height sensor and reflectivity sensor, is located toward the downstream end of the moving-light illumination source 24. The scanner 32 is focused in response to height data from the height sensor, and the gain of the scanner 32 is adjusted in response to reflectivity data from the reflectivity sensor, so that the scanner 32 generates a clear image of the top of the parcel 14 at the location of the spot 30 as the parcel 14 passes beneath the scanner 32.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for error proofing shipments where users are presented with the options of parts marking, parts verification or pack verification using an output device. A user option choice is received using an input device. If the user chooses the parts making option, then a first part number is received from the user and causes the printing of a first quantity of labels in response to the first part number. If the user chooses the parts verification option, then a second part number is received from the user, an identification symbol is scanned using a scanner to identify an identification number associated with the identification symbol, and the identification number is then compared to the second part number. An indication is provided to the user if the identification number and second part number do not match. If the user chooses the pack verification option, then a third part number and quantity is received from the user.

Abstract: The present invention is a card transport mechanism for transporting cards (114) along a transport path (108) and method of operation thereof.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of information stored in bar codes composed of characters is proposed, in which the bar code is exposed to light by means of a light source and the light reflected from the bar code is detected by means of a light receiving device during a relative movement between the bar code and the light receiving device in a scanning operation. The method is distinguished by the fact that the acceleration (a) of the relative movement during the scanning operation is assumed to be constant and can assume different values.

Abstract: ID number is written in machine readable format which can be read by an apparatus and in man readable format which can be read by an operator to specify a photographic film. When ID number in machine readable format is read in error, ID number is represented in man readable format, and when ID number is input by an inputting device, the photographic film is specified by the input ID number, so that a predetermined testing process is effected.