Abstract: Systems and techniques for automated age verification in self service transaction processing. Upon identification of an age restricted product presented for purchase, presentation of a purchaser identification document is requested. Encoded information is read from the document and a purchaser photograph obtained from the document is examined. An image of the purchaser is also captured. The purchaser birth date encoded on the document is evaluated and the captured image of the purchaser is compared with the image of the purchaser photograph. The purchase is authorized if the purchaser birth date indicates that the purchaser meets the age requirements for the purchase and the captured purchaser image matches the photograph.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved accuracy of bar code detection and decoding are described. A bar code scanner employs a rotating spinner to reflect a laser beam used to produce one or more scan patterns emerging from scan windows. The scanner produces a scanner signal in response to light entering the scan windows, and processes the scanner signal to detect and decode bar codes within a scan field of the scanner. The rotational position of the spinner is continuously monitored and adjustments to processing parameters are made and other actions are taken based on the rotational position of the spinner, so as to improve reliability and accuracy of bar code detection and processing.

Abstract: A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly. The optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continuously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs is accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.

Abstract: A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly. The optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continuously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs is accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.

Abstract: A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs in accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory controller chip associated with a remote DMA device, a multispeed microprocessor and a DRAM memory requiring refreshing periodically includes refresh circuits for generating refresh signals for controlling refreshing of the memory during transparent and contention refresh operations. When a conflict occurs between the DMA device requesting access to the memory and the occurrence of a transparent refresh operation, control signals are generated to allow the memory to be refreshed prior to the time the DMA device is given access to the memory, thereby eliminating the need for a contention refresh operation. Control signals are also generated in accordance with the speed of the microprocessor for synchronizing the operation of the microprocessor with the operation of the DMA device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for establishing and changing the volume level of a tone generator which may be used in connection with auditory feedback in a point of sale terminal or other business machine include a microprocessor having a timer with two settable registers which can be set to establish the duty cycle of a signal, an inverting buffer coupled to the timer output, an integrating circuit to which the signal from the buffer is applied, a transistor driver for a speaker to which the integrated signal is applied, and the speaker, the volume of the tone of which may be changed by altering the relative counts of the two timer registers.