Abstract: A merchandise checkout system in which a first scanning device is brought into service at peak times to scan the bar codes of checkout items held by waiting customers in a checkout lane. Each first scanning device is preferably a mobile unit linked with a central computer tuned to a single transceiver frequency associated with each lane so that multiple scanning units may be placed into service simultaneously. Purchase information is transmitted both to a tote display screen for review by a customer and to a temporary holding memory of the computer, linked with the computerized cash register of a lane. A specialized bagging cart is described to assist a clerk during scanning. After the checkout items are totalled, a multi-part queue number-total/subtotal slip including a bar code readable by a second scanning device at a cash register component is generated and presented to the waiting purchaser for later presentation to the cashier.

Abstract: An original document reading apparatus includes a first control portion for performing a first control wherein documents are transported at a first document interval in the event that a detected occupying capacity is less than a detected unused capacity. The first control portion also performs a second control wherein documents are transported at a second document interval which is greater than the first document interval in the event that the detected occupying capacity exceeds the detected unused capacity. A second control portion continuously activates an exposure portion under the first control, and intermittently activates the exposure portion under the second control.

Abstract: A print control system managing a print job on a job basis and on a page basis. When a print job is interpreted, a job description file and page data for each page are created. The job description file contains the attribute of the entire job and a job element (content) list. An item of page data is associated with the print attribute of each page including image data. The job control module extracts necessary image data according to the job element list and sends it to a printer. Because a plurality of print jobs share the common data, many job management functions, including print job combination and page addition/deletion, can be implemented easily.

Abstract: ID number is written in machine readable format which can be read by an apparatus and in man readable format which can be read by an operator to specify a photographic film. When ID number in machine readable format is read in error, ID number is represented in man readable format, and when ID number is input by an inputting device, the photographic film is specified by the input ID number, so that a predetermined testing process is effected.

Abstract: A portable card reader is provided which reads data stored in a card inserted thereinto and/or records given data on the card. The card reader includes upper and lower casings which are pivotably supported so that they are opened to expose a card feeding path defined in the card reader for facilitating easy removal of the card if jammed. The card reader also includes a memory for storing therein the data read out of the card and an input/output terminal for establishing data communication with an external device such as a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is a card transport mechanism for transporting cards along a transport path and method of operation thereof.

Abstract: A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing thereof and having structure providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of the printer mechanism. The housing for the printer and the platform for supporting the transaction terminal are formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of the modular portion and the transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.

Abstract: A photographic printer effects a second printing operation for one original frame (60) on a developed photo film (10), after a first printing operation is effected. First correcting information is used in the first printing operation for correcting an exposure amount of the original frame. To produce a photographic print, first and second equipment information is predetermined, which is associated respectively with the first and second printing operations. The first and second equipment information represents an ID of each photographic printer for effecting the first and second printing operation, or represents an ID of a printer group to which each printer belongs. The first correcting information of the original frame and the first equipment information is written to a magnetic recording layer (10c) in the first printing operation. The magnetic recording layer is formed on the photo film.

Abstract: A data carrier having an electronic module includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has not only has the usual components, but also an electronic check unit having a nonvolatile memory area and a separate interface. During normal operation of the data carrier, data are written additionally in the electronic check unit. If functional failure of the electronic module of the data carrier occurs, the data are still readable from the memory of the electronic check unit via the separate inter-face even if the integrated circuit is otherwise mechanically destroyed.

Abstract: If each part information, such as a product, a measure, a routine, a text portion etc. in an information handling system is given a bar code (2), and if these items of part information are stored in clear (3) together with their bar codes in bar code tables (1) and in the computers (6) included in the system, simple and rational registering, transferring and storing of information can be carried out as follows. Selected items of part information which together form information to be registered, transferred and stored, are registered in that the corresponding bar codes are read by means of a bar code reader (4) and are entered into a computer (6). The computer is caused to print the inputted bar codes and the corresponding items of part information in clear on a sheet of paper (8).

Abstract: A bar code scanning and labeling apparatus for scanning and decoding a bar code associated with a product and generating a two dimensional bar code dataform incorporating selected data including at least a portion of the decoded, product related data from the product's bar code and additional data related to the product is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microprocessor having data selection circuitry adapted to retrieve the selected data and to assemble the retrieved selected into a format suitable for encoding. A method of providing a modified bar code dataform using the apparatus is also disclosed. The steps of the method include: scanning and decoding a product's bar code dataform; selecting data to comprise the modified bar code dataform, the selected data including decoded data relating to the product from the product's bar code dataform and additional data related to the product; and utilizing the selected data to produce the modified bar code dataform.

Abstract: A noncontact scanner operating under microcomputer control provides on-line bar code verification. Synchronized or free-scanning operation of the scanner is controlled by the microcomputer responsive to user inputs provided through an input keyboard. Manual functions selection using the keyboard and output display using multi-function LEDs and LCD display for communication to the user, provides direct input and output from the microcomputer and a bidirectional communications interface allows data and instruction exchange between the microcomputer and a host processor for data designation, analysis and record keeping activities. A plurality of control outputs from the controller allows real time control of the process or system being monitored.

Abstract: A data storing medium comprising a substrate, a first display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying predetermined data, the first display portion having a first recording material storing data by first recording energy, and erasing stored data of history of the use by predetermined erasing energy, and a second display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying the same data as displayed by the first display portion, the second display portion having a second recording material for storing the data by a second recording energy different from the first recording energy, and stored data being impossible to be erased.

Abstract: A data system includes a portable printer unit and a portable data collection terminal. The printer unit and the data collection terminal are communicatively coupled by a data link which may be a low power radio frequency data link, or it may be a standard communications cable. The portable printer unit is distinguished over other portable printers by, among other features, having the capability of printing a check routing data block in magnetic ink and in a manner which conforms to MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) standards. Coding and decoding of data may be provided based on printer unit or printer cartridge specific data which may be transmitted from the printer unit to the data collection terminal. The portable printer unit is also adapted to receive a paper supply from either a roll paper supply cartridge or a sheet paper supply cartridge, having the capability to distinguish between the two types of cartridges.

Abstract: Machine readable electronic domain definitions of part or all of the electronic domain descriptions of hardcopy documents and/or of part or all of the transforms that are performed to produce and reproduce such hardcopies documents are encoded in codes that are printed on such documents, thereby permitting the electronic domain descriptions of such documents and/or such transforms to be recovered more robustly and reliably when the information carried by such documents is transformed from the hardcopy domain to the electronic domain.

Abstract: A method of and arrangement for updating inventory markings include printing an updated label containing updated information such as price obtained from the data base of a host computer on a real-time basis, The updated label is applied to a product identified by a scanner,

Abstract: A mail sorting apparatus includes a video signal conversion section for photoelectrically converting and quantizing characters, codes, and the like on a mail item into a video signal, a blank area detection section for detecting a blank area where characters, codes, and the like are not described on the basis of the video signal output from the video signal conversion section, a printing area designation section for designating a bar code printing area in the blank area detected by the blank area detection section, and a bar code printing section for printing a bar code corresponding to an address of the mail item on the printing area designated by the printing area designation section. Further, the printing area designation section designates the bar code printing area from a blank area obtained by excluding a window area detected by a window position detection section from the blank area detected by the blank area detection section.

Abstract: A method for shipping electronically stored letter contents or communications and/or data on flat information carriers, particularly chip cards, requiring postal franking or prepaid postage, includes storing shipping data in at least one of a plurality of memory regions of the information carrier. The shipping data is read out with a read-write module. The shipping data is linked to a postage table being stored in memory, for calculating a postage value appropriate for shipment of the information carrier. An accounting or debit is made for the calculated postage value for the information carrier with a postage meter device. A postage imprint is printed on an item to be shipped. In an apparatus for carrying out the invention, the read-write module and the postage meter device are integrated into a unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting bar code information into a circular barcode from a linear format using a graphics generator are disclosed. Data representative of a user selected barcode are retrieved from storage along with stored character generator data defining a plurality of bars and spaces representative of the user-selected barcode. The retrieved barcode is transformed into a circular barcode for commanding a printer to cause a print of said circular barcode to be made.

Abstract: An accounting book automatic entering device, by which, when it is used for business processing in an accounting system, linked with an output device of a computer, trade data can be recorded in lines directly succeeding the last line of the preceding recording also on the rear side of book sheets of all the relating books and they can be conserved in the form of books after recording only by inputting one assortment so that they can be accessed at any time. A book holding shelf driving device locates a shelf of a book holding shelf corresponding to a shelf code, based on the shelf code in positional data stored in a memory device and an entry page selecting device driving section drives an entry page selecting device so as to select a specified book to fix it by means of a book selecting mechanism, to open the book at a target page by means of a page turning mechanism and for a printer to record output data on that page.

Abstract: A method for sending electrically stored data on flat information carriers requiring postal franking includes transmitting communication data from a personal computer into a memory of an information carrier with a read-write module. Associated shipping data are transmitted from the personal computer to a postage meter device synchronously with the transmission of the communication data. Postal charges for sending the information carrier are accounted for with the postage meter device on the basis of the shipping data. Control data are transmitted from the postage meter device to a printer for printing a postage imprint on each item intended for sending the information carrier.

Abstract: A financial system for processing and printing financial documents takes the form of a professional financial workstation capable of multiple system tasks including financial applications, security operations, and networking. The system further supports the general functions of financial document typesetting, printing, data processing, and data management to provide a complete automatic financial service system. The system is modular in design, including a control module and an operation module, and a database. The control module includes a high speed image output device, a database/networking controller, a synchronous power supply, an electronic lock, a system real-time recorder, an authorization card, an identification card, and a removable high capacity storage device. The operation module includes a display, an operation processor, a financial keyboard, an optical scanner, and a magnetic ink character reader/magnetic reader.

Abstract: An envelope feeding and printing assembly providing for the individual, lengthwise feeding of envelopes and enabling printing thereon while said envelopes are in motion, including a plurality of print heads and a platen for imprinting the envelopes, an envelope storage bin for holding a stack of envelopes prior to printing and having a gate with a driven feed roller and a control surface defining an envelope nip leading from the bin to the print head array, transport rollers to carry envelopes from the gates to the platen, timing control means to produce timing signals corresponding to the speed of the transport rollers, envelope position sensors to sense the leading and following edges of envelopes passing through said transport rollers and to produce control signals corresponding to envelope position, and a controller to receive the timing and control signals and to control the feed roller and to control the "start time" and speed of printing of the print heads, so that envelopes may be printed seriatim and

Abstract: The method of the present invention is intended to facilitate routing of correspondence to a destination address by automatic mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps:(a) marking a letter with an easily machine readable first code corresponding to the human readable postal code of the destination address;(b) stuffing the letter into a window envelope such that the first code is positioned within the window;(c) machine reading the first code within the window; and(d) printing a machine readable second code corresponding to the first code and the human readable postal code of the destination address in the location and format utilized by a particular automatic mail sorting apparatus such that the envelope is suitable for processing by the apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyor track for passing window envelopes through a read station and a print station.

Abstract: In a printer for passbooks or the like, a passbook or the like, which is brought in on a transfer path, is stopped at the position of a page-turning roller, where a sheet is turned over by the operation of the page-turning roller. When a sheet is turned over by the page-turning roller, at a position separate from a start position of turning over of a sheet, a passbook or the like undergoes an initial deformation in a out-of-plane direction so that the passbook is bent in a first-order mode. By this initial deformation, a sheet can be turned over steadily. Such a turnover of the sheet can be effected in conjunction with utilizing an optical system which provides an image of the three-dimensional deformation pattern of the passbook which is processed. In accordance with this pattern a decision is made whether or not the out-of-plane deformation of the passbook is more than a specified amount. In the vicinity of the transfer path, a page-turning roller is provided and is supported rotatably.

Abstract: A spooler is shown for a barcode information system. The spooler allows one printer to be assigned to one queue of the spooler, multiple printers to be assigned to a single queue; and a single printer to be assigned to multiple queues. The spooler is flexible in its configuration so as to allow print jobs to be distributed evenly among the various printers of the system. The printers of the system need not be the same and may be incompatible in that they communicate in different languages and/or they do not have the same format options. To minimize processing time, jobs may be terminated while in the process of printing. The jobs can later be restarted at the point in the job at which termination occurred. Further, format and graphic packets previously transmitted to a printer by the spooler for one job are not retransmitted to the same printer for subsequent jobs utilizing those same format and graphic packets so as to increase the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A printer slip table which employs a laser scan module in combination with a printer to expedite checkout and return of merchandise articles. The scan module may be employed to scan bar code labels on slips attached to the articles, coupons, and previous receipts for return articles. The printer may be a single printer or a plurality of specialized printers. The printer prints receipts, voids coupons by printing seller information thereon, and prints journals. The printer may additionally print buyer information on coupons and return information on receipts, slips, and journals. Return information, such as purchase date and location, may be encoded as a bar code label to be scanned upon return.

Abstract: A promotional device requiring customer interaction is presented comprising a removable, tamper-resistant housing with a slot in the housing for accepting an encoded substrate. The substrate has a coded area and a validation area. An electromechanical assembly located within the housing comprises means for aligning the substrate, means for scanning the encoded area of the substrate, and means for validating the substrate in the validation area.

Abstract: A device suitable for printing bar codes is disclosed, this device comprising a housing, means for holding a label supply roll, printing means for applying indicia to a label, means for supplying data to determine the nature of the indicia printed on the label, and means for supplying electrical energy to operate the device, characterised in that said print unit is an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling the technique of deferred processing of OCR scanned mail to be compatible with existing techniques for mechanical sortation of mail that use standard sort barcode formats which are common to a given destination postal system. This enables deferred OCR processed mail to be sorted on an unsegregated basis along with other types of mail which have not been processed by the deferred OCR technique. This allows the OCR encoded mail to be processed along with other types of encoded mail during standard sort barcode that has been imprinted using prior technology such as OCR or manual code desks.

Abstract: A postage meter having the capability to print a zip code in bar code form. The postage meter includes an input for input of a postage value and input of a destination zip code, a display, a printer for printing an indicia on a mail piece, the indicia including a representation of a postage value and a representation of a destination zip code in bar code form. The postage meter also includes accounting means for accounting for expended postage and a controller responsive to the input. The controller controls the meter to receive a postage value and display a prompt requesting input of the destination zip code, convert the zip code to bar code form and add the bar code to the indicia. When a destination zip code is input the postage meter resets the postage value in accordance with a bar code discount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bar code label printer including a label sheet feeding unit for feeding a label sheet on which plural labels are adhered to at regular intervals, a printing unit for printing a bar code on the respective labels, a label peeling unit for peeling the printed labels from the label sheet, a sheet drawing unit for drawing the label sheet after the peeling unit, a bar code verifying unit for verifying the bar code printed on the label to detect an ineffective bar code, a re-printing unit for re-printing the same bar code as the ineffective bar code on the next label when the bar code verifying unit detects the ineffective bar code, and an ineffective bar code label remaining unit for remaining the ineffective bar code label on the label sheet without peeling. A bar code label issuing method uses the above described bar code label printer to issue only effective bar code label in an automatically control manner.

Abstract: A franking machine is disclosed which comprises an electronic accounting and control device with registers for storing accounting data such as credit available and a printer connected to and controlled by the accounting and control device. The machine has an input/output connection for receipt of franking and addressing data from a computer to control the franking machine to print a franking impression and destination address on a mail item.

Abstract: An indicia printing/verifying apparatus and an indicia scanning method are disclosed, in which a scanner is shifted in the line feed direction while indicia is scanned by the scanner so that even the indicia having a small length in the line feed direction can be completely scanned by the scanner without decreasing the printing/verifying speed of the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic cash handling system for handling cash transactions with the user using a cash card privately held by him or her. The system comprises a device for issuing a record such as a transaction statement printed with details of a transaction such as deposit, withdrawal or confirmation of balance, and a device for allowing the user to opt for or relinquish the issuance of a record. In operating the system, the user decides whether a record is to be issued or not, and if he requires one, a record issuing devices issues a record printed with transaction data. If he demands no issuance of a record, on the other hand, the transaction data is indicated on an indication device.

Abstract: A receipt generator which produces written receipts at locations remote to the location of use for a conventional charge-card activated system is disclosed. The charge-card activated system provides a telecommunications service and maintains billing records which are supplied at predetermined intervals, such as daily, to a receipt transmission computer. The receipt transmission computer communicates with a personal profile database that associates charge-card numbers with phone numbers assigned to the remote locations. Printing devices, such as facsimile machines, couple to phone lines at these remote locations. The receipt transmission computer identifies, through an examination of charge-card identifiers, particular ones of the billing records for which personal profile database entries exist. The receipt transmission computer then formats a text file for such records.

Abstract: A bill publishing apparatus is disclosed, for payment by use of a bank ca including an element for receiving a bank card, an element for receiving a bill, a printing drum with rotary wheels each carrying a series of characters and a mobile carriage carrying a printing roller. Each drum wheel is fast for rotation with a coding disk carrying a series of codes associated respectively with the characters of the wheel. An element for reading the codes and an element controlled by the reading element are provided for recording an angular positions of the wheels and so values of the characters.

Abstract: A passbook transporting or conveying mechanism has front gripping rollers for gripping the passbook in unprinted areas thereof and for moving the passbook to a printing station. The front gripping rollers are caused to be moved along guide rods in a rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports. The passbook is received by rear gripping rollers which are caused to be moved along guide rods in a further rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports to a predetermined position for reading a magnetic stripe on the back cover of the passbook. The magnetic stripe on the passbook is read out and the passbook is moved forward to position the passbook at the printing station for the printing operations on the desired print line or lines. After the printing operations, the passbook is again moved rearward to record the printed information in the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A machine readable binary code which is dynamically variable in size, format and density of information is provided. The binary code is formed as a matrix having a perimeter and data contained therein. The perimeter is provided with density indicia for indicating the density of data contained within the matrix. The perimeter is also provided with size indicia for indicating the size of the matrix. By utilizing the density indicia and size indicia, a scanning device is able to calculate the size and information density of the binary code.

Abstract: A machine readable binary code which is dynamically variable in size, format and density of information is provided. The binary code is formed as a matrix having a perimeter and data contained therein. The perimeter is provided with density indicia for indicating the density of data contained within the matrix. The perimeter is also provided with size indicia for indicating the size of the matrix. By utilizing the density indicia and size indicia, a scanning device is able to calculate the size and information density of the binary code.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ticket includes a circular ticket guide having a drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the circular ticket guide, an arcuate ticket guide having a ticket drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the arcuate ticket guide, a ticket transfer guide extending tangentially between the circular and arcuate ticket guides for transferring a ticket between the circular and arcuate ticket guides, at least one ticket input guide extending tangentially into the circular ticket guide for inputting a ticket into the circular ticket guide from an associated ticket input area, a ticket output guide for outputting a ticket from the arcuate ticket guide to an associated ticket output area, ticket writing and reading mechanisms for writing and reading information on a ticket and a ticket printer for printing information on a ticket.

Abstract: A biological syringe system for delivering a first and second fluid in a mixed composition comprising a manifold. The manifold has first and second component channels therethrough and first and second input connections respectively communicating with the first and second component channels. The first and second component channels terminate in exit channels adjacent to each other on an opposing end of the manifold. A discharge assembly is coupled to the opposing end of the manifold and receives fluid from both of the exit channels. The discharge assembly is used for mixing fluid from both of the exit channels and delivering the mixed fluid in a spray. The discharge assembly has a first and second passage therethrough communicating with the exit channels from the manifold for carrying fluid from the first and second component channels in corresponding first and second passages within the discharge assembly while maintaining the first and second fluids separated from each other.

Abstract: A tape supply including a replaceable tape supply cartridge for a portable, hand held thermal printing or transfer device having a receiving pocket, a supply of tape, a tape pathway aligned with the printhead and the mechanism for sensing relative movement between the device and the substrate and a structure to facilitate manual advancement of tape by pulling the tape past the printhead. The invention also relates to a thermal device having a self contained tape supply cartridge wherein the tape is advanced by manually pulling the tape past the printhead.

Abstract: Voidable articles are made with an identification code and a radiant energy responsive material coated over said code. The material is invisible and remains unactivated in ambient light but obscures the identification code upon being exposed to radiant energies such as heat or light from within a particular wavelength range. Printing can be accomplished by imaging light onto a substrate coated with photosensitive material including an infrared absorbing dye. A cancellation device for voiding documents of the present invention is made with a scanner, a comparator and a radiant energy source for exposing the document to activate the energy responsive material on the document.

Abstract: A data card for a printer includes a plurality of data areas. Data readable by a sensor can be written in the data areas to control specifications or functions of a serial printer. A standard mark is printed on the data card to provide a reference position. The serial printer includes the data card, a card receiver into which the data card is detachably inserted, a sensor for reading data written in the data card, and a carriage having a printing head thereon. Either the card receiver or the sensor is mounted to the carriage. The other component is fixedly arranged within the serial printer. The serial printer further includes a memory for storing the data, and a controller for controlling a printing mechanism according to the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hand scanner having an optical reader portion for reading data optically, a memory portion for storing the data read by the optical reader portion, and a light emitting portion for outputting the data stored in the memory portion as a light signal, and also provided is a printer comprising, in a successively connected arrangement, a light receiving portion for receiving the light signal emitted from the light emitting portion of the hand scanner, an opto-electro transducer means for converting the light signal received by the light receiving portion into an electric signal, a printing control portion for controlling printing in accordance with the electric signal obtained by the opto-electro transducer means, and a printing portion for making printing on a label in accordance with the control made by the printing control portion. Thus, the transfer of data from the hand scanner to the printer is realized by such optical means.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes an electronic main unit having a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces, and a first electrical connector. The electronic main unit is served to perform arithmetic operation. The apparatus further includes a cover member provided on one of the side surfaces of the electronic main unit, for openably covering the front surface of the electronic main unit. The apparatus also includes an electronic sub-unit capable of being coupled with the electronic main unit. This electronic sub-unit has a support portion to be located behind the electronic main unit to support the rear surface, a handle portion projected from side of the electronic sub-unit for supporting the cover member when the cover member is opened, a second electrical connector capable of being connected to the first electrical connector, and an auxiliary electrical device capable of being cooperated with the electronic main unit.

Abstract: A check processing device is particularly adapted for retailer/customer use at the point-of-sale through use of a MICR read head means, printer means and keypad means which feed information into a CPU which communicates, through an existing telecommunication system, with the customer's bank and the retailer's bank in order to transfer funds from the account of the customer to the account of the retailer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code printing or reading apparatus that includes a hand-held bar code printer and a portable computer or a bar code reader connected to a side of the computer. The bar code printer has a front horizontal surface and vertical plates to form a concave or recessed portion in which the portable computer is received. This recessed portion supports the computer. The portable computer and the bar code printer are optically coupled so that signals from the computer are optically transferred to the bar code printer and vice versa.

Abstract: A passbook printer has a print head movable along a printing station and in opposed relation to a platen for printing data on the passbook. The printer has an optical reading head assembly which is movable independent of the print head and in a direction of the path of the passbook past the printing station. The optical reading head assembly is positioned at the printing station for reading page and line information from the passbook and then is moved to a position adjacent the printing station for permitting the print head to freely move along the printing station.