Abstract: A method and system for data input is provided. The method includes inputting data, reading a subset of a set of predefined machine-readable codes from a printed media, the printed media including thereon the set of predefined machine-readable codes and a set of human-readable indicia. Each of the set of human-readable indicia is associated with a respective one of the set of predefined machine-readable codes. Each of the set of human-readable indicia indicates a user-selectable input value. The subset of the plurality of predefined machine-readable codes consists of predefined machine-readable codes that have not been defaced. The method also includes saving as user input values the user-selectable input values indicated by the indicia that are associated with the machine-readable codes in the set of predefined machine-readable codes that have not been read.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device is electrically powered and features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate extracting of data from the bar code and immediate removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and if complete, data is extracted and if incomplete a complete image formed from the two individual scans. The device also employs a magnetic strip data reader to extract magnetically encoded data.

Abstract: A data carrier (2) or an integrated circuit (41) for a data carrier (2) comprises a memory (54) which is designed to store intermediate operating state information (ZS, CI16, CI20, BRS) significant for an intermediate operating state of the data carrier (2) or the integrated circuit (41) and comprises a memory control device (51), which after the occurrence of information significant for intermediate operating states ensures that this intermediate operating state information is stored in the memory (54) and comprises a control device (51), which—after the detection of the non-existence of the supply voltage (V) required for faultless operation during execution of a communication sequence interrupted by this non-existence and the subsequent detection of the re-existence of the supply voltage (V)—ensure that the data carrier (2) or the integrated circuit (41) is controlled in an intermediate operating state for which intermediate operating state information (ZS, CI16, CI20, BRS) stored in the memory (54) is sig

Abstract: The present invention provides a document verification system capable of verifying whether a document is an original at low cost and with ease. A terminal device acquires, as a registered feature vector feature information indicating a feature of a nonreproducible disorder portion in a printing region on a document serving as the original, and stores the registered feature vector on a hard disk via the Internet. A server acquires, as a calculated feature vector the same information as the registered feature vector in a document to be verified as to whether the document is the original, reads out the registered feature vector from the hard disk, compares the acquired calculated feature vector with the read out registered feature vector, and verifies whether the document to be verified is the original on the basis of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: There is provided a bank note processing machine in which a discrimination sensor can be formed compactly even when bank notes are discriminated using a light source having a plurality of wavelengths and in which the bank note transport path is shortened to achieve compactness.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises; an image forming section to form an image and having a plurality of second print boards; and a control section to control the image forming section and having a first print board including a data processing device, wherein each of the plurality of second print boards comprises a printed circuit board, parts mounted on the printed circuit board and a memory device for memorizing life information of the parts.

Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies that facilitate data capture and/or display of data to users are provided. In one aspect, a mobile scanning terminal device provides inverting and/or rotating the display based at least upon; a user's perspective, image capture and bar code scanning requirements. Suitable orientation for the display can be determined via employing various sensors and artificial intelligence techniques to infer a user's optical viewing position. Such inference can be according to criteria such as; a user-state, context, and prior use of the terminal device. Accordingly, a display can be automatically configured to optimize its orientation for viewing by the user. The system can additionally provide for a holder that enables a user to employ the terminal device hands free for capture of data.

Abstract: An optically readable digital bar code comprising two rows of printed spaces and non-printed spaces, one row being a calibration row for reading the data row; and a scanner having two optical reading heads controllably joined together and disposed side by side for reading the code and for converting it to data and outputting the data. Also shown is method of storing data as a bar code and a communication system including the bar code and the scanner.

Abstract: A code reading apparatus main body optically reads a code from a recording medium, recording it as optically readable code, and stores the outcome of the reading operation and the parameters acquired during the reading operation in the data RAM of an application program storing cartridge. When a program processing apparatus reads the outcome of the reading operation as stored in the data RAM, it provides randomness to the outcome of the reading operation according to the parameters stored in the data RAM.

Abstract: In a clock frequency controlling method and method, a plurality of clock output selectors are provided to respectively provide output clock signals based on input clock signals with different frequencies at respective selector inputs. One of the plurality of clock output selectors is controlled in response to an operating clock request to provide a selected clock signal among the output clock signals in accordance with an indication of the request. When the first indication of the request is changed to a second indication, the selected clock signal is deactivated in synchronism with a corresponding one of the input clock signals. After the selected clock signal is deactivated, a second selected clock signal is activated in response to the second indication of the request in synchronism with a corresponding one of the input clock signals.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device is electrically powered and features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and a complete image formed from the two individual scans. The device can also be used to compare photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph scanned from a two dimensional bar code and to display both photos for viewing.

Abstract: Development assistance for a program comprising code in more than one language, is provided appropriately for each language in an integrated development environment. The assistance can include syntax highlighting, structure analysis, error reporting, completion assistance and/or context-sensitive help. The language of the subject element of code is determined and the appropriate assistance processes are applied. If the code is in a supplementary language, routines associated with the supplementary language are invoked to provide the assistance. When needed, information from other parts of the program file is provided to determine the appropriate assistance for the element of code.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reader (10) for identifying passive transponders (12) comprising an antenna for receiving a first signal (Tx) from the reader and for transmitting a second signal (Rx). The reader comprises: a time base (54) generating a sinusoidal signal, a control circuit (64), a modulator (56) for transmitting to the control circuit (64) data to modulate the sinusoidal signal so as to generate a signal carrying commands which, when it is received by the antenna of said transponder, forms said first signal (Tx), a demodulator (58), a decoder (60), a communication interface (62) and an antenna (14). The demodulator (60), which is connected to the antenna (14) to receive the second signal (Rx), comprises two multipliers (76, 78), one (78) being of the inverter type, and an adder (70) designed to combine the data derived from the multipliers (76, 78).

Abstract: There have been a problem that if the capacity of a receiving buffer is small, data cannot be reliably received and another problem that the rate of detection of transmission errors caused by influence of noise is low. The IC card connector comprises a receiving buffer status flag (305) set up when a receiving buffer (304) cannot hold any more data, an overrun inspecting section (306) for detecting reception of another data while the receiving buffer status flag (305) is set up, and a resending request signal generating section (102) for requesting an IC card to resend the received data if the overrun inspecting section (306) detects overrun. If a receiving buffer (304) receives another data though the receiving buffer (304) cannot hold any more data, the IC card is requested to resend the data, and the same data is received again.

Abstract: The present invention provides a document verification system capable of verifying whether a document is an original at low cost and with ease. A terminal device acquires, as a registered feature vector feature information indicating a feature of a nonreproducible disorder portion in a printing region on a document serving as the original, and stores the registered feature vector on a hard disk via the Internet. A server acquires, as a calculated feature vector the same information as the registered feature vector in a document to be verified as to whether the document is the original, reads out the registered feature vector from the hard disk, compares the acquired calculated feature vector with the read out registered feature vector, and verifies whether the document to be verified is the original on the basis of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: An image reading system includes an image reading device and a terminal device which are connected via a network. The image reading device includes a setting unit for setting parameters, a first storage unit for storing a series of parameters set by the setting unit as one template, and an image reader for reading an image on the basis of the parameters set in the template. The terminal device includes a second storage unit for storing the template stored in the first storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system and method for capturing information, storing images and for encoding and printing a plurality of proximity devices. The system comprises a printer/encoder platform a card reservoir, a print station, an encoder station, a reject bin, an output bin and a transport mechanism. The present invention further provides a database for storing printable and encoded data together with administrative functions. A printer/encoder program manages operation of the database and the printer/encoder platform.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader to read magnetic cards having either a first or a second format for the magnetic data on a stripe. The reader includes a first and second format processor for first and second patterns, a format selector to select one of the two format processor in accordance with a selection or indication command from a host computer. A format determinator determines if the format read out from the card is consistent with the indicated format.

Abstract: The oscillator integrated into a chip can generate an electrical clock signal with a reference signal, wherein the chip contains the following components: at least one laser transmitter, which can generate two coherent light signals with a differing optical transmission frequency, a coupler, in order to merge the two light signals, an electromagnetic converter, which can generate an electrical signal, whose frequency corresponds to the distance between the two transmission frequencies, a frequency divider, which can divide the frequency of the electrical signal in order to deliver a clock signal with a lower frequency. The oscillator can be inserted into a SIM card, for example, in order to make possible a non-falsifiable determination of the connection duration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new composite code symbology having two differently encoded information portions positioned adjacent to each other. The linking between the two portions is achieved by external link-flag that is adjacent to at least one of the encoded portions. The link-flag can extent past one or both of the encoded portions in order to enable skewed scanning of the composite label. Methods for encoding and decoding of the invented composite code that are read by optical readers are presented.

Abstract: The system and methods described herein relate to printing usage information for managed printing devices in a uniform manner on customized self-test pages and using the customized self-test pages for automatic data entry of the usage information. A formatting device accesses and formats usage information from a printing device and creates a print job containing the formatted usage information in a customized self-test page. Formatted usage information printed on a customized self-test page is readily scanned and optically recognized for automatic entry into an accounting system. Automatic entry of usage information reduces labor hours and costs associated with managing fleets of printing devices.

Abstract: An information entry and reporting system and method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point of sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine readable dataform pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the dataform pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned dataform pattern, extract the transaction data and store it for subsequent analysis and reporting. The system includes a computer, software adapted to retrieve selected data, assemble the retrieved data in a format suitable for encoding and encode the data in a dataform pattern, a printer to print the encoded transaction data, a scanning device to capture the encoded data, software to decode the transaction data and software to display the data in human readable form.

Abstract: Ideographic keyboard and method in which an array of characters are printed on one side of a panel and optically readable data corresponding to the characters is recorded on the other side of the panel. A character selector is moved about the first side the panel for selective alignment with the characters, and an optical reader is linked to the character selector for movement about the recorded data in concert with the character selector. The data corresponding to a selected character is read, and a coded signal for the selected character is output in response to the data which is read. In one disclosed embodiment, the data is recorded in the form of bar coding, and the reader is a bar code reader. Precise alignment of the reader with the data for the selected character is assured by reading data from a region larger than the data field itself and extracting the character data in software.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor memory device which can easily constitute a large-capacity memory system for a compact information terminal at low cost. The semiconductor memory device (RAM) which receives a command from a CPU to read and write data is connected to a storage flash memory for reading and writing data in predetermined access units. The RAM includes a flash interface circuit for generating a control signal required for data access to the flash memory in synchronism with the command from the CPU, and a pseudo-SRAM serving as a memory element which can be randomly accessed. The RAM reads/writes data from/to either the flash memory or the pseudo-SRAM in accordance with the commands from the CPU.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling a proximity transaction between first and second communications devices, each of which is provided with a short-range transceiver. The first communications device has an RF/ID reader, and the second communications device has an RF/ID tag, the RF/ID tag containing the same identifier information as the second communications device. The second communications device is positioned within the range of the reader of the first communications device. Then, the transceiver of the second communications device transmits a transaction request and the identifier information of that device to the first communications device. The reader of the first communications device then interrogates the tag of the second communications device and the transaction is completed upon the reader of the first communications device receiving identifier information from the tag of the second communications device that is identical to the identifier information already received.

Abstract: A CPU and an enciphering circuit are provided in a memory card with a construction of a memory stick. Data which is inputted and outputted is enciphered and stored in a flash memory. A command system for accessing the memory stick has a public command system and a non-public command system for management. In file data which is stored in the flash memory, an access restriction, copy guard information, and encipherment and a personal identification number at the time of access can be selectively set for every file data. In those file data, a data file including hidden file data manages processes. An access right is set into the file data and accesses for reading and writing the file data are restricted in accordance with the access right. Since the data is enciphered and stored in the flash memory, the security of the data to be stored is enhanced.

Abstract: Described is a mobile computer and a reader that may be constructed as a standard modular attachment (e.g. sled) for the computer that may be used only when RFID interrogation is desired. The sled may carry an antenna loop, integrated RFID reader electronics, and a dedicated battery that are separate from the actual mobile computer.

Abstract: A magnetic media processing device including an encoder for producing an output for a predetermined distance in a conveyance distance of a magnetic media on conveyance, a road circuit device for reading magnetic data stored in the magnetic media in synchronizing the output from the encoder to be processed as to its waveforms to produce read data, and an arithmetic device for converting a data length to data of a distance based on a time component of a data length of the read data of the read circuit device by employing the output signal from the encoder to read data based on distance data, wherein the arithmetic device compensates the process delay time in a time component of read data produced from the read circuit device when the arithmetic device converts the data length into the data of distance.

Abstract: Information is recorded on or reproduced from a hybrid card having an optical recording region and a non-contact type IC memory region connected to a card-side antenna coil. The information recording and/or reproduction is effected by an apparatus including an optical head for scanning the optical recording region with a light beam, a control circuit for exerting tracking and focusing control on the light beam, an apparatus-side antenna coil to be disposed opposite to the card-side antenna coil, a reader/writer for storing information in or reading information from the IC memory region by way of electromagnetic induction coupling between the card-side antenna coil and the apparatus-side antenna coil, and a processing circuit for controlling the operation of the optical head, the control circuit and the reader/writer.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) is described. The terminal (10) comprises a user interface (12) and at least one proximity sensor (40) located adjacent the user interface (12), such that the sensor (40) may detect foreign objects placed in contact with or in close proximity to the user interface (12). A fraud prevention arrangement, and a method of detecting fraud at an SST are also described.

Abstract: A merge sorting apparatus includes a comparison tournament circuit including comparison nodes, and a comparison control circuit for supplying to the corresponding comparison nodes validity flag information concerning the input data to each of the comparison nodes determined based on comparison results from the comparison nodes. The comparison control circuit includes comparison result registers for retaining the comparison results, validity flag registers for retaining the validity flag information, and merge member registers for retaining information as to whether the input data to each of the input registers corresponding to respective pathways should be the object of comparison in the following data comparison processing. With this arrangement, contending readouts of record arrays from a memory can be reduced and the necessity to initialize each register is eliminated, thereby speeding merge sorting.

Abstract: A digitizer/sequencer device (10) for the processing of scanner digital input data including bar code data is disclosed. The device is flexible and universal in nature in that it can provide inputs to both a fixed program decoder (20) for the decoding of the Universal Product Code (UPC) code as well as a programmable processor (26) which can decode UPC as well as a variety of many other bar codes. Further, the device can handle inputs from various types of scanners (11) include high-speed counter top, hand-held scanners and light pen scanners and magnetic card readers, which provide input data over a wide range of frequencies. A large number of individual frequencies are made available in the device. One of these frequencies may be optimally selected by the programmable processor (26) to provide an internal clock for the device and a clock frequency for the digitizer counters (S clock) and another of these frequencies may be selected to provide a clock frequency (M clock) for the hard wired decoder.

Abstract: A magnetic strip interface reads data from a first track and a second track of a magnetic strip. The magnetic strip interface transmits the data read from the first track to a first data handler, which converts this data into a first data word, and the magnetic strip interface also transmits the data read from the second track to a second data handler, which converts this data into a second data word. The first and second data handlers transmit the first and second data words, respectively, to a multiplexer in response to command signals transmitted from a control mechanism. The multiplexer transmits the first and second data words received from the first and second data handlers, respectively, in response to control signals transmitted from the control mechanism. The control mechanism analyzes a priority scheme to determine the timing of transmissions from the data handlers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for rapidly producing encoded, ink-jet printed cards. The method includes providing an encodable and printable card and providing an electronic database with stored data. The method also includes encoding and printing the card by concurrently transferring electronically data from the database to an encoder and to a printer. The data printed on the card is verified for accuracy with a verification mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the print quality of a series of barcodes positioned on at least one side of a high speed moving web. The apparatus includes a synchronization element having a light source and a photocell; a laser scanning element; a microprocessor, and means for generating decoded barcode data. Also included is a means for comparing the contrast value of the print on either side of the web material, whether black or multicolored. The apparatus includes an objective means of inspecting print quality which is more efficient than subjective means of visual inspection. If erroneous scanned data is found, the web is stopped until the problem is corrected.

Abstract: The slope lines of the peak lines are determined for a reference specimen and a test specimen and then compared with one another to analyze peak lines independently of the background. Preferably a minimum amplitude of a slope line is established with a threshold specimen so that fluctuations with a smaller amplitude can be disregarded. This method is suitable especially for automatic analysis of blot strips.

Abstract: An information processing method in which after various sorts of information such as voice, image, and moving picture are printed as embedding information on a printing medium such as paper, the embedding information is scanned to reproduce the embedding information in an optimum form thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to facilitate the correlation and retrieval of notes of a meeting or transaction taken on paper by conventional handwriting or typing with the sound recording of the same transaction or meeting. The device comprises multiple pick-up and control units which transmit sound and a unique bar code identifier through a control device to a computer where the sound transmission is recorded and stored. A removable medium recorder is also provided to provide storage in the event that the storage capabilities of the computer are exceeded. The computer will not accept data for recording until the unique identifying bar code or other identification device is detected. After recording, the data is maintained in the memory of the computer or some other electronically accessible medium.

Abstract: A multiple application card data system comprises a data management device and a user card. The user card includes a first memory for storing provider data, and a second memory, separated from the first memory, for storing data unique to a user. The data management device compares a unique set of user data on the device with the data on the second memory of the user card for identification of the proper user card. The device also includes a stored digital representation of the user's fingerprint and a fingerprint scanner for imaging of a fingerprint for comparison with the digital representation of the user's fingerprint for identification of the proper user. A memory in the device stores copies of data from a plurality of provider data cards. The device enables transfer and storage of the data of one provider on the first memory of the user card, making the user card an effective clone of that provider's data card. The provider data on the first memory can be re-encoded as desired.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the acquisition of information assigned to objects, in particular of a bar code, are proposed and are distinguished by the fact that an optimum compromise between performance and reliability of the read operation is set and is kept constant over time.

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity-mode digitizer circuit for a bar code reader has circuits that perform two thresholding techniques. The bar code reader includes a first derivative circuit for receiving an analog signal from a scan of the bar code symbol and for generating a first derivative signal of the analog signal. The digitizer circuit includes a first thresholding circuit for generating a first digitized signal in response to a comparison between the first derivative signal and a first threshold representing a first detection sensitivity. A second thresholding circuit generates a second digitized signal in response to a comparison between the first derivative signal and a second threshold representing a second detection sensitivity. A mode selector selects as the output digitized signal one of the first digitized signal and a third digitized signal, the third digitized signal representing the first digitized signal modified by the second digitized signal.

Abstract: The new bar code symbology under the present invention directly encodes one symbol character for each human readable character in known 16-bit data character encoding standards such as Unicode. The symbology employs six bars and six spaces for each symbol, and has a total width of 21 modules for each symbol character, and thus is a (21,6) symbology. Bars and spaces in symbol characters having greater than six modules in width are eliminated, as are bounding strings of more than six adjacent one-wide elements. As a result, the symbology is wand scannable, readily printable, and can be read when out-of-focus. Parity codes are employed, to enable Hamming distances between symbol characters to be maximized, and thereby improve data security of the symbology (e.g, the total width of all bars in each symbol character is equal to an even number). As a result, the present symbology preferably encodes 80,077 data characters.

Abstract: A system that allows a third party such as a postage meter manufacturer or PSD manufacturer to collate data, process the data and use this information to identify delayed mail pieces that may have been incorrectly addressed. The apparatus of this invention may be utilized by organizations or people who mail invoices, bills, letters, or other items. The foregoing is accomplished by connecting a scanner and control software to a digital postage meter or PSD that would read incoming digitally metered mail. Instead of printing an indicia the scanner would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract the sender data fields that are contained in the indicia or on the mail piece. The extracted mail data would be periodically uploaded to a data center.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of information stored in bar codes composed of characters is proposed, in which the bar code is exposed to light by means of a light source and the light reflected from the bar code is detected by means of a light receiving device during a relative movement between the bar code and the light receiving device in a scanning operation. The method is distinguished by the fact that the acceleration (a) of the relative movement during the scanning operation is assumed to be constant and can assume different values.

Abstract: The new generic bar code decoder system described, with its multistage error correcting, is far more powerful than dedicated reference decode algorithms for popular linear and two dimensional bar codes. For example: the 1-7 and 2-8 EAN and UPC character substitution problems are 100% solved (because EAN and UPC become 100% self-checking with the new decoder); the ink spread tolerance improves, especially for EAN, UPC, Code 128 and Code 16K; far greater levels of random systematic edge noise are tolerated and decoded; even many spike edge errors greater than 0.50X module can be corrected; and, generous levels of acceleration are tolerated. These are all the ways bar code scanning data gets distorted. Using this new generic decoder system, the ultimate linear binary coded binary bar code with error correcting, BCB, also described, performs dramatically better than any other, despite being more compact.

Abstract: A code read apparatus optically reads, by manual scanning, a two-dimensional code recorded on a recording medium. The code comprises a plurality of blocks having dot patterns arranged in accordance with multimedia information. An area sensor of an imaging section of the code read apparatus outputs an image signal in accordance with a clock signal generated by a clock generator. The area sensor is constructed and the clock signal is determined such that a maximum scan speed V of 160 mm/s to 200 mm/s, at which the code can be read at the time of manual scanning, is achieved, the maximum scan speed being given by ##EQU1## where m=the number of blocks in one imaging screen in the scan direction, lm=the length of one block in the scan direction, and t=the imaging cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inspecting documents having information recorded thereon include a visual inspection cell, a recording unit, and a packaging unit. The manufactured documents can include driver's licenses, credit cards, military identification cards, welfare cards, social security cards, and other such cards having information recorded thereon suitable for identifying persons or objects. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the manufactured documents include a laminated overlay that includes a holographic overlay as a security feature and the visual inspection cell includes a lighting unit and camera adapted to illuminate and image the recorded data positioned behind the hologram.

Abstract: In a method of coding an electronic text document, the length of a space preceding a word in a line of text data of an electronic document relative to the length of a space following the word is modulated with the value of a bit of signature data. The signature data are thus embedded into the text data of the electronic document, not being easily discernible to illicit readers.

Abstract: Improved integrity of a payment system for paying for services or goods, for example, telephone facilities, through use of electronic payment cards. In any session to increase a card balance, a “flag” is placed (“1”) on the payment card which indicates that the session must not be interrupted. After completion, the flag is removed again (“0”). A session to pay for the product or the service or to increase the balance can only be established if the flag is absent (“0”) indicating that the last session to increase the balance was correctly completed. If, on the other hand, the flag is still “1” at the start of a session, a correction routine is first performed in which the previous session to increase the balance is then correctly concluded to prevent the flag being removed by fraud, the flag can only be removed by a central system (PSTN/ABS) through issurance of an authorized instruction.