Abstract: A code reading device (1) captures, and records as multi-value image data, a slip (4) on which a plurality of code symbols (3a, 3b) are printed, detects, as a specified position of a finger (2a), a position of the longest succession of black values in the vertical direction from the lower frame of binary image data obtained by binarizing the multi-value image data, and reads the code symbol (3a) that is present near the specified position.

Abstract: A bar-code field detecting apparatus first differentiates, in X and Y directions, image data of a document including a bar code, the position of which is not determined. It then expands each of the differential images in the direction opposite to the direction in which the image data is differentiated. Expanded images are subjected to bar-code field detection.

Abstract: An IC card having a CPU and a memory is used in on-line and off-line modes. The memory has a nonrewritable first memory area for storing a basic function, and a rewritable second memory area capable of storing a user application program. The IC card includes a circuit for switching between enabling and disabling accesses to the second memory area in response to the mode of the on-line and off-line.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising a clock generator for generating a clock signal, a power supply for generating a first power supply voltage, a low-voltage generator for generating a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage in response to the clock signal, an instruction circuit for instructing start of the clock generator, and a supply circuit for, when a start instruction of the clock generator is generated by the instruction circuit, supplying the first power supply voltage to the clock generator, and after the clock generator is started by the first power supply voltage, supplying the second power supply voltage to the clock generator.

Abstract: An IC card which is substantially a portable medium incorporates data memory and control element composed of CPU. This IC card is provided with a keyboard and a display. In addition, IC card also incorporates a calender circuit which is constantly operated by internal battery, and battery checking circuit which causes resistor and Zener diode to generate a reference voltage. Battery checking circuit allows current to flow through the system constituents only when the power switch is activated for operating IC card. To implement power-saving operation of the system, semiconductor switches are installed between the internal battery and the battery checking circuit.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a device which prepares a circumscribing line of an object to be inspected from pictured image information of the inspected object, and a device which judges the quality of the inspected object from the image information on a portion of the inspected object defined by the circumscribing line prepared by the circumscribing line preparation device. The inspection apparatus may include a device which detects an inclination angle of a nondefective article with respect to a predetermined reference line from pictured image information of the nondefective article, said nondefective article serving as a reference which has the same configuration as the inspected object and registers the inclination angle as a reference angle, and a device for inspecting the quality of the inspected object based on the reference angle in the reference angle detecting and registering device.

Abstract: An electronic device with calendar function includes a timer for supplying a carry signal for every 24 hours in response to a clock signal and a date counter for counting the carry signal. A central processing unit (CPU) reads out the calendar data stored in a memory and adds the content of the date counter to the calendar data so as to perform the processing such as the updating process of year, month and date and the updating process for the leap year, when the CPU is operated in response to the start operation by provision of a keyboard or a reader/writer to which the electronic device is connected.

Abstract: An IC card, i.e., a portable medium, contains a data memory and a CPU functioning as a control element. The IC card has a keyboard and a built-in battery. It also includes a clock controller, a first clock generator always generating a low-frequency clock signal, and a second clock generator having a oscillator, for generating a high-frequency clock signal. When the IC card is used in an off-line mode, that is, when it is used by itself, it is driven by the battery. The CPU performs various operations in accordance with the signals input by operating the keyboard. When the power-on key of the keyboard is pushed in the off-line mode, the clock controller supplies the low-frequency clock signal to the CPU, and simultaneously causes the second clock generator to generate the high-frequency clock signal. When the next signal is input from the keyboard, the clock controller supplies the high-frequency clock signal, instead of the low-frequency clock signal, to the CPU.

Abstract: An IC card, as a portable medium, has an oscillator for generating a low-frequency clock signal for time-piece. A display clock for display is provided for counting the clock signal. The time based on a count carried out by the display clock is displayed on the IC card a display section. In this case, the count of the display clock can be changed, as appropriate, by using keys on the keyboard provided on the IC card. The IC card also incorporates a transaction clock for counting the clock signal. The count carried out by this transaction clock is used to indicate the standard time. A count carried out by the transaction clock cannot be altered by use of the keys of the keyboard. The clock for time display may be the transaction clock allowing an access of the keyboard. The time for setting a term of validity and the key for encoding may be provided by the transaction clock rejecting an access by the keyboard and providing the time equal to that of other cards.

Abstract: A sorter with an automatic discharging unit has: a preliminary stacking section having a discharging mechanism for stacking therein paper sheets intended to be stacked in a given stacking section while paper sheets are being discharged from the given stacking section; a timer for counting a time interval corresponding to the ON operation of the preliminary stacking section with respect to the given stacking section and for producing a timeout signal when the predetermined time interval has elapsed; and a central processing unit for receiving the timeout signal from the timer so as to drive the discharging mechanism of the preliminary stacking section.

Abstract: The invention provides a sorter with an automatic push-out apparatus. The postal matter is transferred to an empty tray after the corresponding stacking section is full of postal matter. When the number of pieces of postal matter to be stacked at the stacking section within a push-out time duration is above or below a predetermined value before a full-stack status of the stacking section, a control circuit and detectors operate to transfer the postal matter to a corresponding empty tray.

Abstract: An automatic removal device of a classifying apparatus has a control circuit which includes a first detector to effect detection as to whether postal matter stacked in a stacking section provided with a removal mechanism is in a removal ready state before a full stack state, and a second detector, which effects detection as to whether the postal matter stacked in the stacking section is in the full stack state. When an empty transport section is brought to a position corresponding to the stacking section during a period from the detection of the removal ready state of the stacked matter in the stacking section before the full stack state to the detection of the full stacked state, or after the detection of the full stack state, these states being detected by the respective switches, the control circuit provides a control signal to a driving device for driving the removal mechanism of the stacking section, whereby the stacked matter in the stacking section is transferred onto the empty transport section.