Abstract: A security document processing apparatus is provided having a feed path for receiving documents and at least one imaging assembly for capturing image data from documents received in the apparatus. The apparatus may include a material detection imaging assembly for detecting the material composition of certain materials on documents received in the apparatus. The material detection imaging assembly may detect material on a document by detecting transmissivity characteristics, or by sensing radiation emission characteristics of a document in the case received documents are of a type including radiation wavelength sensitive additives incorporated therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for voiding a security document. The system voids a security document by supplying heat to a localized area of a specially configured security document. According to the invention, conductive material is formed on a document so that at least one relatively higher resistance section is formed on the document. When a voltage is supplied to the document, a relatively high amount of heat is supplied to the document about the area of the relatively higher resistance section. Heat-sensitive material may be formed about the location of the relatively higher resistance section such that the heat sensitive material becomes visible or changes color when a voltage is supplied to the document.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for processing a lottery game ticket including an imaging subsystem, and a controller for capturing image data corresponding to substantially at least one entire surface of the game ticket. The apparatus determines if scratch-off material has been removed from the game ticket by analyzing the captured image data. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a brander for marking the game ticket with a mark indicating that the ticket has been received in the apparatus. The controller may determine whether the ticket has been previously played by analyzing image data captured prior to the ticket being branded. The controller may also authenticate a game ticket by analyzing image data captured subsequent to the ticket being branded.

Abstract: A process allows an image capturing apparatus to be integrated with a personal computer to continuously display a video image of the imaging apparatus. Upon proper input by a user, or automatically after a timed interval, a snapshot of the video image is captured. An autodiscrimination process of the captured video image automatically decodes any bar-coded information present in the captured image and outputs the information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading optically encoded symbols which are of types which are not known in advance and which have significantly different illumination and imaging requirements. The apparatus and method use at least two optical scanning assemblies which have different illumination systems, different spatial resolutions and at least partially overlapping depth of field. These optical scanning systems are so located with respect to one another that a target symbol may be read by both scanning assemblies without the apparatus being manually reconfigured or moved during the reading process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical reading system comprising an optical reader and a host processor which is adapted for reprogramming the reader and for other interactions with the reader. In one aspect of the invention the host processor may be configured to read a parameter table stored in a memory space of the reader, execute commands to edit the parameter table and write the edited parameter table back to the reader memory space, or to another location such as to a bulk storage device for use in reprogramming additional readers. In another aspect of the invention, the host processor may be in communication with a host memory space that stores a plurality of candidate parameter tables, and may be configured to read and edit the candidate parameter tables from the host memory space.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for scanning and decoding data encoded in any of a plurality of types of 1D and 2D bar code symbols. A scanner generates successive blocks of scan data for storage in a scan memory. The scan memory stores at least one complete block of scan data in one address space thereof while a more current block of scan data is being stored in another address space thereof. A processor selects and decodes blocks of scan data in accordance with a selectable one of a plurality of scanning-decoding relationships, at least one of which is a tracking relationship.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus which is adapted to operate in the manner indicated by the enabled ones of the parameters stored in a parameter table. A processor stores at least a menuing program and a decoding program. If the apparatus decodes a symbol in accordance with the parameter table and determines that it is a menu symbol, the menuing program is invoked to execute at least one of a change in the parameter table and the performance of a menu symbol specified task. If the apparatus decodes a symbol in accordance with the parameter table and determines that it is a data symbol, the data is output in the manner indicated by the parameter table.

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 method and apparatus for autodiscriminating and decoding any of a plurality of 1D linear bar code symbols which use different 1D symbologies and of 2D matrix bar code symbols which use different 2D finder patterns and 2D symbologies. A processor stores a plurality of 1D decoding programs, a plurality of 2D decoding programs, and a parameter table that specifies which of said programs are to be enabled. During 1D autodiscrimination, the processor makes no attempt to decode unknown symbols in accordance with 1D decoding programs that are not enabled. During 2D autodiscrimination, the processor makes no attempt to decode unknown 2D symbols in accordance with 2D decoding programs that are not enabled.