Abstract: The invention relates to a scanner of any type of document having at least one processing device making it possible to integrally control the scanner with its associated sensors and in particular to perform in real time the individual or collective gamma correction, as well as any specific digital processing of the image during acquisition and constituted by a plurality of points known as pixels, whereby the digital processing can have several coefficients and is consequently nonlinear. The invention also relates to the implementation of said scanner.

Abstract: An analyzer for reading an information carrying document includes a document drive roller for driving the document into a location to be read, an image detector for reading the document, a case for the image detector which has an opening toward the document drive roller and wheels and pads for applying the document against the document drive roller. The case is angularly movable relative to the document drive roller between a document reading position at which the wheels and pads are applied against the document drive roller, and a document inlet position in which the pads are not applied against the document drive roller. The analyzer may also include at least one finger adjacent the case for at least partially closing the opening when the case is in the document inlet position so as to prevent passage of light through the opening, and for being retracted from the opening when the case is in the document reading position to permit passage of light through the openings so the document can be read.

Abstract: A gaming terminal for use with information carriers, such as gaming coupons and receipts. The gaming terminal comprises an information analyzer including an information processor for converting the information read from the carriers into digital data and for transmitting the data to a remote processing system, a dividable nonvolatile memory system for storing terminal instructions received from the remote processing system and for storing gaming data received by the terminal, a data receiver for accepting carrier validation data originating from the processing system, a data display, a keyboard, and a terminal processor. The information analyzer further comprises a single analysis device having the facility to analyze hand-written signs or marks scribed on the coupons by a player and the facility to read bar codes representing validation numerals on the receipts.

Abstract: An analysis device for reading and processing information media. The device includes a medium feeder, an optical reader, and an information processor for processing, converting, and transmitting the information as digital data. The optical reader comprises an image detector (15) of elongate shape suspended in a casing (1,2,3) and having, at its ends, mounting ribs (20) interacting with complementary inclined mounting furrows (21) provided in the corresponding end walls (2,3) of the casing, elastic members (23) interposed between the image detector (15) and the casing (1,2,3); and an entrainer for moving the information medium past the image detector (15). The entrainer includes a roll (17) and an electric motor (50) for rotating the roll (17). The roll (17) is mounted in the end walls (2,3) of the casing (1,2,3) by latches (37,38), holding the image detector (15) in the casing (1,2,3). The elastic members (23), in turn, apply the image detector (15) against the surface of the roll (17).

Abstract: Device for analyzing information carriers comprising an image detector (1) including, in a housing (9), a series of light sources (10) with each of which is associated a photosensitive element (16) with the light sources (10) and the photosensitive elements (16) arranged in two rows along the length of the image detector (1). The device also includes a threshold voltage source (6) and a comparator (5) for comparing the output signals from each of the photosensitive elements (16) with a threshold voltage (Vs) of the voltage source (6). Moreover, the device includes a compensation circuit (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for varying at least one of the parameters comprising the output signal of each photosensitive element (16), the threshold voltage (Vs), and the intensity of the light signal emitted by the associated light source (10) in order to obtain a uniform response from all the photosensitive elements (16) of the image detector (1).

Abstract: Device for reading magnetic codes borne by carriers such as cards of a specified thickness and optical codes printed on carriers of smaller thickness, characterized in that it includes, mounted in opposite walls (2,3) of a common slot with a width slightly greater than the thickness of a magnetic card, a magnetic reading head (5) associated with elastic means (6) for applying the magnetic head (5) against the magnetic tracks of the card, and an optical reading head (10), means (11;14) for limiting, in the absence of a magnetic card, the engagement of the magnetic reading head into the slot (1) over a part of the width of the latter so as to leave between the magnetic head and the wall of the slot opposite the latter, a gap (B) sufficient for the passage of a carrier of optical codes, and means (11) for recognizing the output signals from the magnetic reading head (5) or from the optical reading head (10).

Abstract: A device for analyzing information carriers, particularly gaming coupons or receipts, includes a carrier receiver device, an image scanning device for reading the information on the carrier, a processing unit for processing the image information and for transmitting the information to a central gaming management unit. The carrier is printed with multiple colors. The image scanning device includes an optical reader which is blind to a single color, but sensitive to all other colors. The carrier has fixed marking patterns, printed in the color to which the image scanning device is blind, which delineate where the player marks the carrier with variable gaming information. The carrier also has fixed information for alignment and type designation printed in other colors. The processing unit uses stored marking patterns corresponding to the type of carrier analyzed, by superimposing blind color information.