Abstract: An information-code-image capturing apparatus operates for emitting light toward an article moving along a carry path, and receiving reflected light and capturing an image of an information code on the article. The information-code-image capturing apparatus includes a detecting device for detecting that the article reaches a predetermined position in the carry path. An image capturing device operates for capturing the image on the basis of the reflected light when a time interval has elapsed since a moment at which the detecting device detects that the article reaches the predetermined position. A positional information calculating device n operates for calculating positional information on the basis of the image captured by the image capturing device. The positional information enables an area of the information code to be determined in the captured image.

Abstract: An object checking system, particularly a signature checking system, verifies each card carrier by checking a signature entered from a tablet provided for a signature checking terminal device with a reference data stored in an IC card carried by the card carrier. The card is provided with a signature checker used to check the signature according to the checking algorithm corresponding to the reference data. The terminal device sends the hand-written signature to the card and receives the check result from the signature checker. Thus, the terminal device can verify the card carrier regardless of the type of the reference data stored in the card. In addition, only the signature checking program may be stored in the card, so that the terminal device reads the checking program to check the target signature or many signature checking programs may be stored in the terminal device in advance.

Abstract: A micro computer, constituting a signature recognition apparatus, comprises an automatic signature creating section, a data extracting section, a recognition network section, a retrieval section, and a memory section. The data extracting section creates personal data representing a plurality of personal characteristics or features based on an input signature. The recognition network section selects the data to be used for evaluation from the personal data representing personal characteristics or features, and executes an evaluation of thus chosen data. The retrieval section, using the genetic algorithm, finds out a combination pattern having preferable evaluation result. Accordingly, in recognizing signatures, it becomes possible to know beforehand what kind of personal characteristics or features data should be utilized for the recognition of the given signatures, thereby increasing the accuracy in the recognition.

Abstract: An optical scanner with high optical scanning speed without low optical information detection accuracy and which has superior shock and vibration resistance because of its light weight has a scanner used for directing the reflected light to a light receiving element during optical scanning of an object to be read. The scanner has an optical scanning mirror and multiple light receiving mirrors placed at the sides of the scanning member. Each of the mirrors are mounted on a base, through supporting columns and beams so that they can be displaced in two-dimensional directions. Also, electrodes are provided opposite each of the mirrors on the base.

Abstract: To accurately read optical information more than an opening diameter of a read opening without the read opening contacted with a reading object, in a reader for reading a bar code by irradiating light from a light source to a bar-code label, converging the reflected light through a mirror and a stop by a lens and focusing the converged light on a line image sensor with a shutter, a wavelength detector for detecting a wavelength of the reflected light and a light guide for irradiating light spots indicative of a readable range to the label are provided. Whether a reading state is in a contact reading state in which a read opening contacts the label or in a noncontact reading state in which the read opening separates from the label is determined based on a wavelength of the reflected light detected by the wavelength detector.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus comprises: a semiconductor laser (30); an optical scanning mechanism (50) for scanning bar code (90) using a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser (30); a photodetector (70) receiving a returning laser beam reflected at the bar code (90); information reading device (130, 140) for reading out information from the bar code on the basis of the returning laser beam received by the photodetector (70); sweep angle regulating mechanism (150, 180) for restricting a sweep angle of the laser beam used in a scanning operation of the optical scanning device (50) within a predetermined angle so as to scan only one bar code; an operational current detecting circuit (120) for detecting an operational current value of the semiconductor laser (30); and a deterioration judging device for making a judgement as to whether the semiconductor laser (30) is deteriorated or not on the basis of the operational current detected by the operational current value detecting circuit (120).

Abstract: A signature recognition apparatus reduces the volume of training data needed and shortens the learning period. In the apparatus, a sample generating section generates sample data. A coupling load coefficient is determined based on the sample data, thereby obviating the need for additional sample data. The apparatus also uses a fuzzy net which implements a linear function in its output layer to shorten the learning period relative to the learning period required for a net implementing a non-linear function such as a sigmoid.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus includes a two-dimensional image pickup apparatus having a number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a plane for capturing an image of optical information on a read object. The optical information reading apparatus detects a bar code contained in the captured information image and derives an area of each of bars and spaces of the bar code in the captured information image. The optical information reading apparatus recognizes and decodes the bar code using a ratio of the derived areas of the bars and the spaces of the bar code.

Abstract: An information medium recognition device for recognizing an information medium such as a handwritten signature inputted by performing an online input operation. The information medium recognition device is provided with an input portion for inputting the information medium (e.g.

Abstract: An information medium recognition device for recognizing an information medium such as a handwritten signature inputted by performing an offline input operation. The information medium recognition device is provided with a detection portion for scanning the information medium in different scanning directions and for detecting a stroke density corresponding to each of the scanning directions, an inference portion for converting the stroke density into a compressed fuzzy density by performing a fuzzy inference process on the stroke density corresponding to each scanning direction, which is detected by the detection portion, and a judgement portion for judging from the fuzzy density corresponding to each scanning direction whether or not the information medium is genuine.

Abstract: An optical information reading method and device which prevents the generation of erroneous reading by specifying a reliable reading range for a bar code or like information. A microcomputer calculates the distance between the position of reflection of laser light from the bar code and a position at which the same laser light enters the scanning unit based on a time difference between the emission of the laser light and the reception of the reflected laser light. The microcomputer determines, through the calculation process, that the bar code is present within the suitable reading range only when the calculated distance is determined to be within the set reading range, and permits the scanning of the bar code.

Abstract: A crystal resonant scanner has a scanning mirror which is cyclically reciprocally oscillatable for reflecting and deflecting a laser beam emitted by a laser beam source to scan an optically detectable pattern of information such as a bar code. A concave mirror is fixed in position for converging a light beam reflected off the optically detectable pattern upon scanning the optically detectable pattern with the light beam reflected by the scanning mirror. The concave mirror has a hole defined substantially centrally therein, and the scanning mirror is positioned in the hole. The light beam converged by the concave mirror is detected by a photodetector. The laser beam source and the photodetector are positioned in front of the scanning mirror and the concave mirror. The photodetector produces an electric signal indicative of the intensity of the detected light beam.

Abstract: A bar code reader has a sensor unit to be mounted on an operator's finger and a decoder unit to be mounted on an operator's wrist, the sensor and decoder units being electrically connected by a cable. The sensor unit has a light-emitting device for emitting light toward a bar code to be read, a graded-index rod lens array for focusing an entire linear optical image of the bar code at one time in substantially the same size as the bar code, and a line image sensor such as a CCD for photoelectrically converting the entire linear optical image focused by the optical means into an electric signal. The decoder unit decodes the electric signal from the line image sensor. The light-emitting device, the rod lens array, and the line image sensor are housed in a hollow casing. A movable tubular member is movably disposed in the hollow casing and has an end wall for abutment against the bar code.

Abstract: In a facsimile machine which receives transmit data based on an original that is transmitted from a facsimile transmit machine through a telephone line at its data scrambler and which records an image of the original that is transmitted by decoding the received transmit data on recording paper at its thermal transfer printer portion, in order to maintain the secrecy of the original until the recording paper is delivered to an intended receiver by making it impossible to read the recording paper itself on which the transmit data is recorded and outputted, an image by invisible ink is recorded on the recording paper. Also, the image by the invisible ink which is recorded on the recording paper is displayed by converting it to a visible image by means of a visual observation apparatus, so that only a predetermined person can read the recording paper.