Abstract: Optical wand for automatic character recognition including a scanner unit designed to be a manually movable along a line of print of a data carrier in order to recognize optical characters and incorporating a light source for illuminating a scanning window and a sensing device. A second scanner unit includes a second sensing device and is designed for recognizing bar code marks. A gun shaped housing forms a common case for both scanner units.

Abstract: A single columnar array of scanning diodes is used to make width measurements of bar codes in order to read the contents thereof. The bar code is scanned utilizing a scanning procedure which directs the columnar array along the bar code such that the photo elements on the scanning array lie along an axis parallel to a line drawn horizontally through the bar codes. The same scanning array may be used to read alphanumeric characters scanning along an axis perpendicular to the columnar array.

Abstract: A common scanning unit is utilized in an optical character reader which reads both alphanumeric and bar code characters. An N column by M row area photosensor detects both the alphanumeric and bar code signals. The system detects which type of character is being read and then outputs the identity of the character.

Abstract: An electronic scanner scans both bar code characters and alphanumeric characters producing a set of electrical signals. The electrical signals are examined by both a alphanumeric optical character reader and a bar code reader and the system outputs a signal indicative of what is read by either the bar code or alphanumeric reader but not both.

Abstract: A reading device which uses both optical character recognition techniques and magnetic reading are combined in a reader wherein the magnetic reading head stays at a fixed position while the optical reading aperture may be varied to accomodate different documents. The slot through which checks, credit cards or other similar documents are passed is movable vertically to adapt to different media from which information is to be read.

Abstract: A secure document is produced by securely attaching to a support a body of including a security feature and having a shape which conveys information to the eye. For example the body is a layer of magnetizable material having apertures of letters, numbers and the like. The document can be examined by both magnetic and optical examination apparatus to cross-check that no alteration has been made. A method of making a secure document and examination apparatus is also described. The security feature may be a pattern of magnetic anisotropy fixed into the material.

Abstract: Bar symbols having different bar width for representing information are grouped and recorded on a surface of an object. A light-responsive sensor is swept automatically to repetitively scan the density of the surface-reflected light along the direction in which thegrouped bar symbols are arranged, while the object is moved orthogonally thereto. Electrical signals indicative of the bar width derived from the sensor are processed thereafter for the read-in of the coded data.

Abstract: Device and method for reading indicia embossed, punched or impressed in a sheet of base material, such as credit-type cards and the like. The reader employs a head having a plurality of movable fingers disposed to sense the holes or embossing when the card is moved relative to the head. The fingers carry light guides thereon which are spaced from and disposed to transmit light from a fixed source. A light cut-off shield is disposed between the source of the light and the light guides to intercept and prevent or permit transmission of the light when the fingers pass over the embossed indicia or holes. Light detectors are disposed at the opposite terminus of the light guides to detect the presence or absence of light and produce electrical pulses corresponding thereto. These electrical pulses can be used or processed in any circuitry as information input correlating to the indicia on the base material, e.g.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing documents such as paper money, credit cards, identification cards and the like in a manner so as to prevent forgeries thereof, comprises the steps of producing a base material, coating fibers with a magnetic or magnetizable material, and embedding the fibers into the base material during the production of the base material; an apparatus for checking the authenticity of documents such as paper money, credit cards, identification cards, and the like comprises in combination a document having fibers which are coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material embedded therein, detecting means for scanning the document to determine the number of magnetic particles present in the document, and means for moving the document and the detecting means relative to each other so as to provide a scanning trace, the document and the detecting means being disposed in a close relationship to each other.

Abstract: A wear compensating transducer is provided for reading optical and magnetic data from documents comprising a magnetic read head with a group of optical fibers passing through the reluctance gap and with the fiber ends disposed for wiping engagement with documents as they are read. The fiber ends define an optical reading aperture which remains substantially constant as the fiber ends wear with the contact surface of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A system and method for character recognition in which each of a plurality of characters is recognized both magnetically and optically. If the magnetic reader fails to recognize a character while the optical reader is successful in recognizing it, a character identification signal corresponding to the character recognized by the optical reader is generated while if the optical reader fails to recognize a character and the magnetic reader is successful in recognizing it, an identification signal corresponding to the character recognized by the magnetic reader is generated. Where the magnetic and topical readers provide signals indicative of different characters while attempting to read the same character, depending on the parameters of the system an identification signal corresponding to one or the other recognition signals, or a reject signal is generated.