Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in improving the accuracy of scanning systems is disclosed and claimed. Systems such as internal drum photoplotters include a raster scanner responsive to control signals for advancing relative to a substrate an optical beam across a substrate surface in a first direction forming a scan line of pixels and for cooperatively advancing relative to the substrate the optical beam in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The clock signal which is provided to a spinner to advance the optical beam across the scan line is independent from the pixel clock signal which is provided to control the generation of pixels. There is a memory for storing error compensation signals indicative of compensation needed to remove deviations of the separation between adjacent pixels in said scan line from preferred values thereof.

Abstract: A novel transaction-enabling method and system are disclosed, wherein a transaction-enabling Java-Applet is embedded within an HTML-encoded document stored in an HTTP server at predetermined URL. When a code symbol (e.g., magstripe or bar code) encoded with the URL is read using a code symbol reader interfaced with a Java-enabled Internet terminal, the corresponding HTTP document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal, and the transaction-enabling Java-Applet initiated for execution so that the customer, consumer or client desiring the transaction can simply and conveniently conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet. The transaction-enabling Internet terminal can be in the form of an Internet kiosk installed in a public location, in the manner as conventional ATMs. By virtue of the present invention, universal transaction machine (UTMs) can be easily deployed for use by the mass population so that they can easily conduct various types of transaction over the Internet.

Abstract: A memory card is to be inserted into an electronic device so as to add a memory function. The memory card comprises a parent card and a child card, the child card including a semiconductor memory element and a lead as an external terminal of the memory element. The parent card includes a child card receiving portion and a child card insert port for inserting the child card into the child card receiving portion through the child card insert port, and a contact to be contacted with the lead of the child card within the child card receiving portion. A contact opening/closing slide plate is provided for causing a contacting portion of the contact to be shifted to a position in which it can contact with the lead while moving in the child card insert direction pushed by the child card. The parent card also includes a connector element for contacting with the electronic device.

Abstract: A portable hand-held WWW access terminal for accessing HTML-encoded documents located on the WWW. The terminal includes a bar code symbol reader in a hand-supportable housing for reading URL-encoded symbols specifying the location of HTML-encoded documents stored in information servers connected to the Internet and supporting the TCP/IP standard. A computing platform is provided for supporting a GUI-based WWW browser program integrated with the bar code symbol reader in the hand-supportable housing. A telecommunication modem is operably connected to the computing platform in order to establish a two-way telecommunication link between the GUI-based WWW browser and an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the Internet. In response to reading a URL-encoded bar code symbol, the WWW browser program automatically accesses a corresponding HTML-encoded document on the Internet, for display on a visual display panel integrated with hand-supportable housing.

Abstract: A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition means. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In this fashion a user is assisted in aiming, recognizing, confirming the decodability, and decoding images of optical information incident on the array.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing service to a vehicle (1) positioned at a service site (2) and billing a person or company for the service provided, wherein the vehicle (1) is provided with a vehicle processing unit (10) which includes a receiver-transmitter connected to a vehicle antenna (12) and with element for manually activating the vehicle processing unit, and wherein the service site (2) comprises element for providing service (3), a site processing unit (20) which includes a receiver-transmitter connected to a site antenna (22), which site processing unit includes element for registering the transaction and means for billing the person or company for the service provided, which system further comprises means for automatically correlating the act of servicing the vehicle with the vehicle (1), which element may comprise a passive tag (30) located at the element for providing service (5), element for energizing the passive tag located on the vehicle (1) and a secondary antenna (33) on the vehicle (1)

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus adapted to scan and decode data in accordance with the enabled ones of the parameters stored in a parameter table. The reader is equipped with random access and erasable read only memories, and with a processor having a menuing program that allows the contents of the parameter table to be changed by user presented menu symbols. The processor is programmed to respond to a reprogram command, generated by a data source external thereto, by allowing that external data source to change any one or more of the parameter table and the menuing program.

Abstract: A system for purchasing a personal recording media includes a first entering unit for entering an identification information in order to identify a customer, a unit connected to the first entering unit for identifying whether or not the customer is an authorized customer based on the entered identification information, a second entering unit connected to the identifying unit for entering at least one designated information by the customer when the customer is identified as an authorized customer in accordance with the identifying unit, a unit for storing a plurality of information, a unit connected to the second entering unit and the information storing unit for reading information associated with the designated information by retrieving the plurality of information in the information storing unit based on the designated information entered by the second entering unit, and a unit connected to the information reading unit for recording the information read from the information storing unit into a predetermined

Abstract: The present invention describes a validation stamp for protecting the integrity of a signature affixed to an electronic document. The validation stamp of the present invention includes a validation body and a validation signature. The validation stamp is affixed to a signed document having a document body and a document signature. The document signature and the validation signature are derived from an electronic signature defined by geometric and timing information. Specifically, the validation signature includes the timing information, and possibly the geometric information, of the electronic signature, whereas the document signature includes the geometric information, and not the timing information, of the electronic signature.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a structural improvement on ID card processor, including such components as a base plate, one or more sets of terminals, a movable press plate and a clamping piece, that are designed to reduce the friction between the ID card and the terminals after the ID card slides into the processing slot, and that when the ID card reaches its extreme position, the movable press plate will be prompted to push the ID card towards the terminals to enable their connection, and when the ID card reaches its position inside the processor slot, a clamping piece will enable the movable press plate to hold the ID card, so the terminals can steadily contact the ID card without swaying.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base modules extend longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which is typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the out end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module.

Abstract: A method for automatically processing sweepstakes entries and mail orders is disclosed. The method reads a machine code identifying the sender and simultaneously detects orders from non-orders using a magnetic field detector, without opening the envelopes. The machine code is printed on the outside face of the envelope, or alternatively, on the reply insert itself, in which case it is visible through a die-cut window formed in the return envelope. When read, the machine code identifies the contestant and enters him or her into the sweepstakes. The returned envelopes are also fed through a sorter which magnetically detects whether each return envelope contains a magnetic order stamp. If the sorter detects a magnetic stamp, the envelope is routed to an order batch where the envelope is opened for order processing, otherwise the envelope is routed to a non-order batch. During the outgoing mail processing, a machine code indicative of the recipient may be preprinted on each carrier envelope or reply insert.

Abstract: A method and disk apparatus, for writing data disk apparatus, that reduces the adverse influence of noise caused by data head writing on a read signal of a servo head even though the data head and the servo head are collaterally paired with no disks there between. A magnetic disk apparatus comprises a plurality of magnetic disks that are stacked at predetermined intervals; a servo head for reading servo signals recorded on a servo surface of one of the magnetic disks; a plurality of data heads, one of which is provided for each data surface of the magnetic disks with a first data head being collaterally positioned with the servo head, with no intervening magnetic disk, and second data heads being positioned at other than the collateral position; and an actuator for supporting the servo head and the data heads and for positioning the servo head and the data heads by moving them radially relative to the magnetic disks.

Abstract: A memory card is to be inserted into an electronic device so as to add a memory function. The memory card comprises a parent card and a child card, the child card including a semiconductor memory element and a lead as an external terminal of the memory element. The parent card includes a child card receiving portion and a child card insert port for inserting the child card into the child card receiving portion through the child card insert port, and a contact to be contacted with the lead of the child card within the child card receiving portion. A contact opening/closing slide is provided for causing a contacting portion of the contact to be shifted to a position in which it can contact with the lead while moving in the child card insert direction pushed by the child card. The parent card also includes a connector element for contacting with the electronic device.

Abstract: A smart card reader having several advantageous grounding techniques and several techniques to insure proper electrical isolation of the electrical components of the card reader is disclosed. The smart card reader has a base and a cover. In certain techniques, a non-conductive base is grounded to a conductive, grounded cover. In another technique, a grounded base formed of a statically dissipative composite material is utilized.

Abstract: A card reader includes a base having formed thereon two spaced walls defining therebetween a card slot through which a card is movable. Both of the walls have two openings formed thereon to be opposite to each other. A write transducer and a read transducer are respectively suspended by a first biasing member to be located within the openings of one of the walls. A dummy transducer is also suspended by a first biasing member within one of the openings of the other wall. The dummy and read transducers are opposite to each other so as to provide a force and position to the card moved through therebetween. A roller co-axially mounted to and rotatable in unison with an encoder is rotatably supported by a second biasing member within the other opening of the other wall to be opposite to the write transducer to provide a force and position to the card moved through therebetween.

Abstract: The new generic bar code decoder system described, with its multistage error correcting, is far more powerful than dedicated reference decode algorithms for popular linear and two dimensional bar codes. For example: the 1-7 and 2-8 EAN and UPC character substitution problems are 100% solved (because EAN and UPC become 100% self-checking with the new decoder); the ink spread tolerance improves, especially for EAN, UPC, Code 128 and Code 16K; far greater levels of random systematic edge noise are tolerated and decoded; even many spike edge errors greater than 0.50X module can be corrected; and, generous levels of acceleration are tolerated. These are all the ways bar code scanning data gets distorted. Using this new generic decoder system, the ultimate linear binary coded binary bar code with error correcting, BCB, also described, performs dramatically better than any other, despite being more compact.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automatically reading bar code symbols. One aspect of the present invention concerns a method of reading bar code symbols using an automatic hand-holdable bar code symbol reading device. In general, the automatic bar code symbol reading device comprises a hand-holdable housing containing operative elements which provide an object detection field and a scan field each defined external to the housing. The method involves automatically detecting the presence of an object within the object detection field by sensing object sensing energy reflected off the object. In a preferred embodiment, the object sensing energy is IR radiation produced from an object sensing energy source disposed within the housing. In automatic response to the detection of the object within the object detection field, the hand-holdable device detects the presence of a bar code within the scan field using a laser beam produced within the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inspecting documents having information recorded thereon include a visual inspection cell, a recording unit, and a packaging unit. The manufactured documents can include driver's licenses, credit cards, military identification cards, welfare cards, social security cards, and other such cards having information recorded thereon suitable for identifying persons or objects. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the manufactured documents include a laminated overlay that includes a holographic overlay as a security feature and the visual inspection cell includes a lighting unit and camera adapted to illuminate and image the recorded data positioned behind the hologram.

Abstract: A system containing a writing and reading unit with an antenna coil and at least one preferably elastic carrier in the form of a strip, on which is provided at least one mobile data memory which has a memory and operating circuit and, connected thereto, an elongate loop coil. The arrangement has the advantage that the mobile data memory can be provided on surfaces having virtually any degree of undulation. If a mobile data memory of this type encloses the circumference of a cylindrical object, then data transmission can be carried out in any desired radial spatial direction. The device is particularly suitable for identifying gas cylinders, in which case the elastic carrier, in the form of a strip, of a mobile data memory is placed around the casing of each gas cylinder, particularly in the region of the neck rings thereof.