Abstract: A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system.

Abstract: A device of the same general physical size and shape as a standard audio cassette tape, but which accepts digital information from any of a variety of sources—including for example: Internet transmission, a digital computer, or memory cards (especially digital memory cards)—and plays this digital information through any, for example, standard audio tape cassette player. The device operates by converting the digital representation of the sound into magnetic signals which are presented to the read/write head of the cassette player equipment. The device allows the user of the cassette player to regulate the audio playback using conventional equipment controls such as: START, STOP, REWIND, FAST REWIND, FORWARD, FAST FORWARD, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing and using a variable format, configuration and location keyboard image which enables a digitizing device to present a different keyboard configuration and/or location to each user so that detection by an unauthorized viewer of a personal identification number (PIN) or other secret identification number during entry will become significantly more difficult. The presentation may include a random or scrambled keyboard entry image for each customer, and a single or set of customer preselected images that will be tied to the customer's account number which is read from the magnetic strip on a personal card. In addition to the keyboard, the device provides a single write surface for capturing a signature entry so that the two security features are incorporated in a single device.

Abstract: A system for capturing handwritten data includes a base station, a docking station coupled to the base station and a plurality of portable handwriting capture devices, which may be in the form of pads or trays. The pads or trays normally rest in quick release slots in the docking station, and are removed from the slots when put into use. Each pad includes a digitizer for capturing handwritten information, a controller for digitizing the information, a memory for storing the digitized information and an interface for transmitting the digitized information through the docking station to the base station, where it is decoded. A paper slip may be placed over the digitizer and retained in position, where it provides visual feedback to a person writing on the pad and also provides a written record.

Abstract: A handwriting capture system which includes a handwriting capture device containing a segmented digitizer. The handwriting capture device also includes circuitry which processes handwriting information entered into the segmented digitizer, a controller which determines position coordinates associated with the handwriting information, a memory coupled to the controller which stores position coordinates, and circuitry coupled between the controller and the segmented digitizer which drives and calibrates the segmented digitizer. The system also includes a host computer system coupled to the controller through an interface so that the controller can upload positional coordinates to the host system.

Abstract: A handwriting capture device which employs a highly sensitive digitizer to accurately capture signature information entered using a writing force greater than or equal to a predetermined writing force. The handwriting capture device includes a housing having a top surface, a resistive membrane digitizer mounted in the top surface and having a low pattern density, a layer of urethane rubber for frictionally holding the receipt in place, circuitry for processing digitizer information, a clamp for retaining a receipt in place over the digitizer during movement of the device, and circuitry for sensing the presence of the receipt and for activating data capture by the digitizer when the receipt is positioned under the clamp. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp also serves to minimize finger contact with the digitizer.

Abstract: Driving apparatus for a liquid crystal display. The apparatus includes a square wave generator which drives an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier has a pair of parallel feedback paths, one of which is a capacitive feedback path and the other of which is a resistive feedback path. Automatic temperature compensation is provided by incorporating a thermistor in the resistive feedback path. The output signal from the operational amplifier varies in a linear manner with temperature so as to produce an optimal drive for the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A handwriting capture system which includes a handwriting capture device containing a segmented digitizer. The handwriting capture device also includes circuitry which processes handwriting information entered into the segmented digitizer, a controller which determines position coordinates associated with the handwriting information, a memory coupled to the controller which stores position coordinates, and circuitry coupled between the controller and the segmented digitizer which drives and calibrates the segmented digitizer. The system also includes a host computer system coupled to the controller through an interface so that the controller can upload positional coordinates to the host system.

Abstract: A handwriting capture device which employs a highly sensitive digitizer to accurately capture signature information entered using a writing force greater than or equal to a predetermined writing force. The handwriting capture device includes a housing having a top surface, a resistive membrane digitizer mounted in the top surface and having a low pattern density, a layer of urethane rubber for frictionally holding the receipt in place, circuitry for processing digitizer information, a clamp for retaining a receipt in place over the digitizer during movement of the device, and circuitry for sensing the presence of the receipt and for activating data capture by the digitizer when the receipt is positioned under the clamp. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp also serves to minimize finger contact with the digitizer.

Abstract: An automatic fault detection apparatus which requires no human intervention. The apparatus includes a source for energizing the digitizer including a constant direct current source and a constant direct voltage source, and a switch for selectively coupling either the constant current source or the constant voltage source to the digitizer. An analog-to-digital converter couples to the digitizer and to the source. A controller couples to the output of the analog-to-digital converter. Switches selectively connect the source and the analog-to-digital converter to the digitizer and include analog switches controlled by the controller. A non-volatile memory couples to the controller. An indicator coupled to the controller provides information about digitizer operability. A plurality of test electrodes within the digitizer couple to the analog-to-digital converter. Finally, a wiring harness connects the analog-to-digital converter and the source to the digitizer.

Abstract: A handwriting capture device which includes an integral printer for printing forms and for feeding the forms over a digitizer for signature by a customer. The handwriting capture device employs a highly sensitive digitizer to accurately capture signature information entered using a writing force greater than or equal to a predetermined writing force. The handwriting capture device includes a housing having a top surface, a resistive membrane digitizer mounted in the top surface, circuitry for processing digitizer information and for controlling operation of the printer, and a clamp for retaining a receipt in place over the digitizer during movement of the device. The clamp also serves to minimize finger contact with the digitizer.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form. The document is signed by a customer and a copy of the signature is captured in digital form. Thereafter the signature is encrypted and saved along with a digital record of the transaction.

Abstract: A method of capturing the coordinates of a handwritten signature and compressing the coordinate data so obtained. The signature is captured in real time by a device such as a stylus-operated digitizer. Compression is performed by examining the location of the signature points relative to a series of guide lines extending in the strokewise direction. The data is stored in compressed form for use in subsequent transactions requiring authorization by the signature which has been so captured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digitizer sampled point validation which determines the contact resistance at a point of contact between the upper and lower layers of the digitizer and compares the contact resistance with a valid range of contact resistances to either accept or reject the sampled point. The apparatus includes an analog drive circuit for driving the digitizer with one of a plurality of drive sources, a switch control logic coupled to the drive circuit for determining which drive source is coupled to the digitizer, an analog-to-digital convertor coupled to the digitizer, and a microcontroller coupled between the analog-to-digital convertor and the switch control logic. The method of the present invention determines the contact resistance, compares the contact resistance with the valid range, and determines and stores the location of the point if the contact resistance is within the valid range.

Abstract: A handwriting capture device which employs a highly sensitive digitizer to accurately capture signature information entered using a writing force greater than or equal to a predetermined writing force. The handwriting capture device includes a housing having a top surface, a resistive membrane digitizer mounted in the top surface and having a low pattern density, a layer of urethane rubber for frictionally holding the receipt in place, circuitry for processing digitizer information, a clamp for retaining a receipt in place over the digitizer during movement of the device, and circuitry for sensing the presence of the receipt and for activating data capture by the digitizer when the receipt is positioned under the clamp. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp also serves to minimize finger contact with the digitizer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digitizer sampled point validation which compares charge and discharge voltages across a capacitive element within the digitizer or a filter coupled between the digitizer and an analog-to-digital convertor to accept or reject the point. The method of the present invention detects excessive contact resistance, typically caused by insufficient actuation force. The method alternately charges and discharges the digitizer sampling circuitry to positive and negative voltage rails prior to readings. The sampling circuitry includes the layer in use, and the wire connections, all of which provide resistance and capacitance affecting the time constants for charging and discharging. The sampling circuitry also includes the filter in use, when so installed. High contact resistance due to excessive contact resistance prevents adequate charging and discharging of the sampling circuitry to the position voltage of the point and results in unequal values for the two readings.

Abstract: In a system for performing both lottery ticket transactions and merchandise sales transactions and maintaining a record of both, a group of lottery terminals are coupled to a lottery central processing center. A POS (point of sale) terminal and a bar code scanner are coupled to each lottery terminal. The lottery terminal can pass through information from the bar code scanner to the POS terminal through a scanner interface of the POS terminal using a predetermined scanner data format and can also transmit lottery ticket information to the POS terminal using a similar data format. A group of POS terminals are coupled to an in-store processor to enable both lottery and merchandise data to be recognized and recorded.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form. The document is signed by a customer and a copy of the signature is captured in digital form. Thereafter the signature is encrypted and saved along with a digital record of the transaction.