Abstract: The symbol data read apparatus comprises a two-dimensional image pick-up device for picking up a bar-code symbol consisting of bars and spaces, as a two-dimensional image. A frame memory stores the two-dimensional image from the two-dimensional image pick-up device, as bar-code symbol data. A condition detect section detects a bar-code condition of the bar-code symbol from the bar-code symbol data stored in the frame memory. A decode section performs decode-processing to obtain original bar-code symbol data on the basis of bar-code condition data from the condition detect section and the bar-code symbol data from the frame memory. An output select section selectively outputs at least data other than the original bar-code symbol data out of the original bar-code symbol data and the other data than the original bar-code symbol data. The other data than the original bar-code symbol data includes inclination data concerning the bar-code symbol and a weighting value for every block.

Abstract: In a barcode symbol reading apparatus which can execute high-speed processing even when a one-dimensional image pickup device is used, a pulse width count circuit counts the number of widths of bars and spaces of a barcode symbol from an image pickup signal from a 1DCCD array, and stores the count result in a FIFO memory. A data processing circuit fetches a width data string for each scan from the FIFO memory, and when the data processing circuit detects the sizes in the row and column directions and security level from the fetched width data string using a row indicator, the data processing circuit counts the number of times of appearance of an identical row indicator to obtain the number of scan times per row, which indicates the relative moving speed between the 1DCCD array and the barcode symbol. Thereafter, the data processing circuit processes the width data string read out from the FIFO memory while skipping scans corresponding to the number of scan times per row.

Abstract: In the data processing circuit of a decoder box, the position sensing circuit senses the position of the bar-code symbol imaged by a video camera in the imaging area of the video camera on the basis of the output of the frame memory. Then, the shift direction judging section of the data processing circuit determines the direction in which the bar-code symbol imaged by the video camera is shifted with respect to the imaging area of the video camera on the basis of the output of the position sensing section. The display control section of the data processing circuit displays the position of the bar-code symbol on a label position indicator provided on the decoder box on the basis of the judgment result of the shift direction judging section.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing data by relatively moving either of an optical card and optical head wherein, in order that data may be recorded/reproduced on the optical card by moving either of the optical head and optical card, during an access operation to gain access to reach a target track, such data process as adding data for detecting and correcting errors to data to be recorded in the optical card by a data encoding circuit or correcting errors on data already read out by an error correcting circuit is made in parallel. The data are also transferred during the access operation.

Abstract: A comparing section compares the coordinates of the four corners of a bar code symbol newly detected by a bar code symbol detecting section and stored in a primary buffer, with the coordinates of the four corners of a bar code symbol having been detected and stored in a secondary buffer. If the coordinates of the newly detected bar code symbol differ from those of the detected bar code symbol, a control section causes a decoding section to decode the bar code symbol on the basis of image data stored in a frame memory. On the other hand, if not so, it is determined that the newly detected bar code symbol is invalid, thereby inhibiting decoding of the same to prevent double-reading.

Abstract: The imaging result obtained by an imaging device for imaging light reflected by a bar code symbol and incident on it via a first mirror is decoded by a decoder and stored in a first symbol label memory. The bar code symbol label is again imaged by the imaging device via a second mirror, and the imaging result is decoded and stored in a second symbol label memory. A comparator compares the contents of the two symbol label memories and synthesizes them in accordance with the comparison result. The result of synthesis is stored in the first symbol label memory.

Abstract: An optical card for storing a large amount of data in an optically readable manner, including a plurality of tracks formed in a data record layer in parallel with each other, each track being divided into a data record area and an address record area, and identifiers each recorded in address record areas of respective tracks. By optionally reading the identifier from the optical card, it is possible to recognize automatically the track construction denoting the number of sectors per track and the number of bytes per sector.

Abstract: A method of writing data in a track on a optical card by projecting a writing laser beam whose output power is modulated in accordance with the data to be recorded, wherein immediately after writing the data with the aid of the writing laser beam having a nominal value A.sub.3, the data is read out of the optical card and confirmed whether the data has been correctly written or not. If the data is not correctly written on the optical card, the same data is written again in another track on the optical card with the aid of the writing laser beam whose output power is changed to a higher level A.sub.4. Immediately after this second writing, the data is read out of the optical card to check whether the data has been correctly recorded or not. The data writing operation is repeated by a predetermined number of times by changing the level of the output power of the writing laser beam successively in the order of A.sub.3, A.sub.4, A.sub.2, A.sub.5, A.sub.1, wherein A.sub.1 <A.sub.2 <A.sub.3 <A.sub.

Abstract: A plurality of recording tracks are formed on an optical card. A data record starting flag or data record and flag is formed on at least one of both sides of the recording tracks in the track extending direction.