Abstract: The present invention refers to a method and to an apparatus for obtaining a random code useable in a device for unique identification of a product wherein the apparatus comprises a sliding path of a continuous strip arranged along which is at least one drilling station for obtaining a plurality of holes on the strip, the plurality of holes forming the random code and it is wherein the drilling station is of the random type generating a plurality of holes according to a random and deterministically irreproducible process.

Abstract: In a method of processing recording media on which magnetic ink characters are printed, the media is transported at a first speed in an upright position along a transportation path from a supply unit to a discharge unit. The magnetic characters are read and output signals representative of the reading generated. The output signals are analyzed, including comparing the output signals with previously stored signal patterns of magnetic ink characters to determine if the magnetic characters can be recognized or not. The transporting of the recording media is paused, or slowed to a second speed substantially lower than the first speed, for a period of time during the analyzing of the output signals. A processing apparatus includes components for carrying out the operations of such method.

Abstract: In a method of processing recording media containing magnetic ink characters, the media is transported at a first speed along a transportation path to which a magnetic head is disposed. Character recognition is performed by analyzing signals outputted from the magnetic head in comparison with stored signal patterns. Until it is decided whether the characters are correct or can be recognized, transportation of the media is stopped or temporarily slowed to a significantly lower second speed downstream of the magnetic head. A processing apparatus includes appropriate components and functionality for carrying out such a method. In some embodiments, the analysis and comparison includes determining whether the check is inverted or upside down.

Abstract: An optical imager, a RFID reader, and a single host interface combined into a single module for use as a stand alone device or OEM product. The module includes a system microcontroller that interconnects an optical image microcontroller and a RFID microcontroller through the single interface to a host device, such as a computer. The system microprocessor is configurable via the host interface to selectively provide RFID reading, optical imaging, or a variety of combinations of both techniques. The module is programmable to allow the host computer trigger the RFID reader and optical imager. In addition, the system microcontroller is programmable via the host computer to provide image analysis, such as shape determination or recognition, prior to relaying data to the host computer through the single interface.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a card reader having a substantially planar delivery path which lies in a first plane and which extends between a mouth region of the card reader and a data reader portion of the card reader. The method comprises projecting light across the planar delivery path and in a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, detecting light which has been projected across the planar delivery path and in the second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, and generating a signal which is indicative of a foreign object being disposed in the planar delivery path in response to the amount of detected light being attenuated.

Abstract: A card reader system includes a sensor to sense the presence of a scoring of a card at a specified card location. A read head is employed to read a magnetic stripe disposed on the card. Also, a circuit is coupled to both a sensor and the read head. The circuit is configured to receive input from the sensor, to determine whether the card is a first size or a second size based on the received input, and to enable the read head to read the entire magstripe when the card is the first size and to read a portion of the magstripe when the card is the second size.

Abstract: An automate card package mailer for preparing card packages (60) composed of one or more cards(50) attached to matching carrier forms (33) for mailing has a carrier folding apparatus that is programmable to fold the carriers into different configurations including Z-fold, C-fold, bi-fold and no-fold, has a controller (42) that controls the movement of carriers by different amounts relative to a first folding arm to achieve different first folds, folds the carriers by pushing the fold location on the surface of the carriers into the nib of a first pair of folding pinch rollers with a first pivotally mounted folding arm after guiding the carrier with a slanted guide and an arcuate guide to the desired position beneath the folding arm, makes a second fold with a second pivotally mounted arm that pushes another fold location on a carrier into the nib of a second pair of rotating pinch rollers while a holding member holds a folded section upright in a well.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mini-card with a semiconductor memory device includes the steps of (a) providing an array of substrates including a plurality of individual substrates; (b) mounting a semiconductor memory device on each of the individual substrates forming the substrate array; (c) covering the individual substrates with respective cases; and (d) dividing the substrate array to provide encased individual substrates each completing a mini-card having the semiconductor memory device embedded therein.

Abstract: A card display packages is provided comprising front and rear panels and a card secured to the rear panel, wherein the panels and card are arranged so as to preserve uniform package thickness, provide for enhanced packaging security, and, is some cases, eliminate the need for making die cuts in manufacturing the package. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a card display package is provided comprising a front panel, a rear panel, and a card. The front panel height is less than the rear panel height. The front panel is secured to the rear panel such that a card mounting zone is defined in a lower portion of the rear panel. The card may include a magnetic stripe and may be secured within the card mounting zone such that the magnetic stripe and a portion of the card extend beyond the bottom edge of the rear panel.

Abstract: A medium issuing apparatus using at least a paper roll medium and an automatic teller machine including the apparatus are disclosed, in which the operation of changing the width of the paper rolls for issuing a medium, the maximum diameter of the paper rolls, the printing surface and the tandem arrangement or juxtaposition of the paper rolls is performed with a single apparatus. The medium issuing apparatus is so configured that the paper rolls are held on a replaceable holding frame, the roll paper from the desired paper roll is transported and printed in a common printing mechanism. The printed roll paper is cut off and a predetermined number of cut pieces are stored and bundled in a temporary storage section. The roll paper cut off and bundled are transported to a common ejection opening by a transport mechanism, and ejected from the same common ejection opening by another transport mechanism. The outer diameter, width and winding direction of the paper rolls can be changed by the holding frame.

Abstract: Downloadable identification labels which are downloaded from a world wide computer network to a remote computer and printed on paper using a printer. Each label is printed with the contact information of a central lost and found registry and attached to one or more personal possessions. The labels can also be printed with an identification code, notification that a reward will be paid for a possession which is returned to the owner, sponsor advertising and a warning that the possession has been indelibly marked with identification indicia such as the internet address of the lost and found registry. The central lost and found registry stores, on a database, information about lost possessions and owner contact information as well as information about found possessions and finder's contact information. If a match is found between a lost possession and found possession the registry communicates the contact information of the finder to the owner so that the possession may be recovered by the owner.

Abstract: A scanning fingerprint detection system that includes an array of capacitive sensing elements. The array has a first dimension greater than the width of a fingerprint and a second dimension less than the length of a fingerprint. Each of the capacitive sensing elements has a size less than the width of a fingerprint ridge. Circuitry is provided for scanning the array to capture an image of a portion of fingerprint and for assembling the captured images into a fingerprint image as a fingerprint is moved over the array.

Abstract: By linking together a first set of identification information and a second set of identification information, and by creating a database linking together manufacturing information, sales information, and distribution information with the first identification information as a keyword, the burden on the user of controlling manufacturing can be lightened by, for example, the manufacturing information side informing the sales information side that the product renewal date is approaching. Further, a response can rapidly be made to demands from the user, and steps rapidly taken (i.e. transmitted to the manufacturing process and put into practice) to meet those demands.

Abstract: A workpiece identifying method is provided, being characterized in that a plurality of identification areas of plural columns and rows are plotted in an identification mark providing region provided in the area of the unused portion of a workpiece or a product, identification holes are formed in the proper number of identification areas, whereby an identification mark is provided to the workpiece or the product. A workpiece is produced with identification holes formed in the proper number of identification areas. An identifying method for detecting the identification holes formed in the proper number of identification areas of the workpiece and workpiece identification apparatus are also provided. Sheet metal machining apparatus is further provided, having the workpiece identification apparatus placed in a workpiece feed device side or a carry-away device side for a sheet metal work machine. Thus, an identification mark is easily and surely provided to the workpiece, making it easy to identify the same.

Abstract: A scanner with multiple modes of operation producing two or more distinct scan patterns, with each scan pattern optimized for different modes of operation with a manually actuated switching mechanism whereby the operator may readily select a desired scan pattern. The switching mechanism may operate by mechanically moving one set of scan pattern generating optics out of the optical path of the scanner and/or moving another set of scan pattern generating optics into the optical path. Alternatively, the different sets of scan pattern generating optics may remain stationary while the optical path of the scanner is moved. In either case the operator may choose from among two or more distinct scan patterns the scan pattern most appropriate to the scanning application at hand.

Abstract: An electronic franking machine has a data reader for reading data stored in a microcircuit fitted in a chip card and includes a receptacle with respect to which are disposed a predetermined location and a punching mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a card type foodstuffs heating apparatus with a plurality of differnt heating modes in which at least one desired heating mode is selected from the plurality of heating modes by means of one card selected in use from a plurality of different cards.Each of the different cards carries main information for instructing the selection of at least one heating mode required for a desired cooking from the plurality of heating modes, and additional information for instructing at least one additional heating conditions determined dependent on the specified heating mode. The apparatus has setters for setting the additional heating conditions in accordance with the additional information carried by a selected card, and a heating operation controller for actuating the specified heating mode in accordance with the main information carried by the selected card so as to effect the heating operation under the set additional heating condition.

Abstract: This readout and obliteration head comprises, on a load-bearing frame, an entry for a magnetic card in communication with a channel receiving a portion of the magnetic card. A magnetic card readout and obliteration assembly is supported in the frame and is connected to a first motor for translating to and away from the channel and therefore an inserted magnetic card and to a second motor for rotating the assembly with respect to the card and effectuation of readout and obliteration of the card. The head further comprises a centering and locking pin driven by the first motor for locking the card during readout and obliteration of card.

Abstract: In a foodstuffs heating apparatus wherein a plurality of different heating function modes are selectively effected and heating temperature and heating time are settable, when an oven heating function is selected from the plurality of function modes by a selected cooking card, the function of selector switches adapted to select heating function modes other than the oven heating function may be changed from the heating function mode selection to the heating temperature setting, so that the setting of heating temperature may automatically be effected by utilizing the cooking card.

Abstract: A cash replacement system including an encoded plastic card and a card acceptor mechanism is provided by punching a number of specially shaped apertures with predetermined orientations into the card. The acceptor mechanism which receives the card has a sensor pin aligned with each of the punched apertures of the plastic card. The sensor pins have a probe section at one end which is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the punched apertures of the plastic card so that when they are in alignment with the apertures the probe sections will fit in the apertures as the sensor pins are depressed toward the card. The sensor pin also has a surface area adjacent the probe section which engages the card so that when the probe section extends through the aperture it insures that the aperture is of the correct shape and orientation. The sensor pins are lowered toward the card by a drive mechanism which is linked to a handle or other control device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable tape reader characterized in that a lid provided with a handle is integrally formed on the upper portion of a body provided with a reading head, the body is contained in a container box so that the body can be drawn out upwardly, and when the body is drawn out, the container box is held in the lower portion of the body and an opening of the container box is located below the reading head. In the portable tape reader having the above-mentioned structure, a tape which has been read is securely received and stored in the container box.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus may automatically cook according to a cooking program fed from a recording card. The apparatus includes a cooking program feeding mechanism detachably holding the recording card and reading a cooking program from the recording and by moving a detection bar with microswitches along the recording card.

Abstract: A tape and tape reader for industrial process programmable controller systems in which the I/O functions for process steps have been laid out in sequentially consecutive binary notation fashion computer data word form, in the order of sequence of the process steps, in accordance with which the tape is a ribbon that is delineated to have applied to same the computer data word indicia in modularized group or set form, in which groups or sets the computer data words for the consecutive process steps are sequentially arranged transversely of the tape, with succeeding groups or sets following in sequential order, wherein the computer data word indicia is manually marked on the tape binary notation system fashion, with electrically conductive marking material, and the reader is formed for pull through application of the tape therethrough and includes an electrical contact arrangement for electrically sensing the tape markings in consecutive word group or set form, with continuous manually induced movement of the ta