Abstract: A device for sensing and digitizing a fingerprint from a subject finger comprising a prism, a pixilated illuminating radiation source such as a surface-emitting laser or a radiation source and a LCD affixed to the bottom surface of the prism and providing for the internal illumination, with a plurality of sub-beams, of the contact surface where the finger of the subject is pressed on the top surface of the prism, a photoelectric sensor to detect the sub-beam radiation reflected from the fingerprint valley points, and a lens for focusing the sub-beam radiation on the sensor. The fingerprint ridge contact points do not reflect incident sub-beam radiation. A computer can provide for sequential emission of the sub-beams so that a single cell photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the reflected sub-beams or a multiple cell photoelectric sensor can be used, with each cell corresponding to a particular sub-beam. Reflected sub-beam radiation corresponds to a fingerprint valley point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating multiple frequency information signals. This invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a communications signal, which is comprised of multiple component information waves of distinct frequencies, into its component waves for demodulation. The extraction of the component information waves is accomplished by determining the mid-cycle zero crossing points of the component information waves by reference to a reference wave, determining the amplitude of the combined wave at these zero crossing points and generating amplitude equations for each of these zero crossing points. These amplitude equations are solved to determine the amplitude coefficients of the component information waves, thereby extracting the transmitted information.

Abstract: A device for sensing and digitizing a fingerprint from a subject finger comprising a prism, a pixilated illuminating radiation source such as a surface-emitting laser or a radiation source and a LCD affixed to the bottom surface of the prism and providing for the internal illumination, with a plurality of sub-beams, of the contact surface where the finger of the subject is pressed and the top surface of the prism, and a photoelectric sensor to detect the sub-beam radiation reflected from the fingerprint valley points. The fingerprint ridge contact points do not reflect incident sub-beam radiation. A computer can provide for sequential emission of the sub-beams so that a single cell photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the reflected sub-beams or a multiple cell photoelectric sensor can be used, with each cell corresponding to a particular sub-beam. Reflected sub-beam radiation corresponds to a fingerprint valley point. Non-reflected sub-beam radiation corresponds to a fingerprint ridge point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the distortion imposed upon a combined information wave by a receiver filter or other signal processor. The method includes a step of adjusting the amplitude of the positive and negative segments of the combined information wave such that the positive and negative segments have pre-selected and equal amplitudes. The apparatus includes an adder circuit for combining the component information waves and the reference wave to form the combined information wave, a wave shaper to produce an equalized wave, and a wave multiplier for proportionally adjusting, on a half cycle basis, the amplitudes of the equalized positive and negative segments. The method further includes a step of pre-distorting the combined information wave to compensate for the distortion effect of a receiver filter or other signal processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiple frequency, multiple channel digital information transfer through time slot allocation. The apparatus consists of one or more transmitting devices and one or more receiving devices. Multiple source signals are each allocated a time slot and a frequency. A continuous synchronizing wave defines the time slots and provides for time slot tracking. Digital signals from each source are allocated a time slot and assigned one of the information wave frequencies in that time slot. The information waves are combined with the synchronizing wave and transmitted to one or more receivers as one signal in each time slot. The manner in which the waves are combined allows the components to be extracted by the receivers largely through the use of curve fitting techniques rather than through the use of filters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating multiple frequency information signals. This invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a communications signal, which is comprised of multiple component information waves of distinct frequencies, into its component waves for demodulation. The extraction of the component information waves is accomplished by determining the mid-cycle zero crossing points of the component information waves by reference to a reference wave, determining the amplitude of the combined wave at these zero crossing points and generating amplitude equations for each of these zero crossing points. These amplitude equations are solved to determine the amplitude coefficients of the component information waves, thereby extracting the transmitted information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for single signal, multiple channel digital information transfer through pulses with time slot allocation. The apparatus consists of one or more transmitting devices and one or more receiving devices. Multiple source signals are each allocated a unique time slot between successive synchronization pulses. Digital signals from each source are converted to analog information pulses synthesized from a combination of a fundamental frequency wave and a finite number of its harmonics. The total signal, which consists of successive synchronization pulses interspersed with information pulses for each signal source, each within its allocated time slot, is transmitted to the receivers. Each receiving device extracts the fundamental frequency and harmonic components through the use of narrow bandpass, high Q filters for each information pulse in its time slot and uses the known algorithm to reproduce the input digital signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for single signal, multiple channel digital information transfer through waves with time slot allocation. The apparatus consists of one or more transmitting devices and one or more receiving devices. Multiple source signals are each allocated a unique time slot between successive synchronization waves. Digital signals from each source are converted to analog information waves having a positive wave segment and a negative wave segment. The ratio of the amplitude of the positive wave segment to the amplitude of the negative wave segment, the positive-to-negative ratio, for each signal source, is a function of the magnitude of the source digital. The sum of the amplitude of the positive wave segment and the absolute value of the amplitude of the negative wave segment, the positive-to-negative offset, is maintained at a pre-set value at transmission.

Abstract: The invention and process utilizes any number of biological parts to provide a proof of legitimacy and from them generate and verify a personal identification card (ID). This rendition of the invention deals mainly with fingerprints, but does not preclude the use of other biological parts. The invention is unique in being able to render complex forms into unique biological characteristic codes of the unique biological parts, especially the fingerprint, and then to be able to encode that code onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or credit card. The invention renders complex biological forms into numeric representations of the unique biological parts and especially the fingerprint. The number generated thereby is encoded onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or credit card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for single signal, multiple channel digital information transfer through pulses with time slot allocation. The apparatus consists of one or more transmitting devices and one or more receiving devices. Multiple source signals are each allocated a unique time slot between successive synchronization pulses. Digital signals from each source are converted to positive analog information spikes which are combined in their respective time slot with a negative reference spike of uniform magnitude to form an information pulse. The total signal, which consists of successive synchronization pulses interspersed with information pulses for each signal source, each within its allocated time slot, is transmitted to the receivers. Each receiving device extracts the maximum information spike values and the reference spike values for one or more of the signal sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for self-service check out which calculates, within a main computer, the cumulative total weight of items, based on pre-determined and pre-programmed weights, and compares the computerized cumulative total weight to the weight determined by a second weigh scale means which determines the total weight of all items placed in a receiving container means. Items scanned by electronic means are itemized by the computer which directs the printing of an itemized register tape. Fraudulent mishandling of items by the customer is overcome by communication between the computer and ending weigh scale when weights calculated by each correspond within a determined tolerance level. In an alternate embodiment, a weighing of pre-scanned items in total is required to correspond with the total weight calculated by the computer and the end weigh scale, within a determined tolerance level.