Abstract: The present invention relates to bar-code reading from a carried object such as a cartridge and enables the bar-code reading from a gripped carried object. For a bar-code label attached to a carried object such as a cartridge storing a magnetic tape, a bar-code reading unit is provided in a hand unit, which grips the carried object, at a surface opposite to the carried object; the bar-code reading unit includes a light source (light emitting device) that emits light to the bar-code label and a light receiving unit (light receiving device) that receives reflected light from the bar-code label; the bar-code label is detected by scanning with the light; and therefore, the gripping of the carrier object can be performed concurrently with the reading of the bar-code label.

Abstract: A method and device for avoiding fraud on a Taximeter or Tachograph, by connecting an auxiliary generator between the censor and the Taximeter or Tachograph. The signal which is applied to the Taximeter or Tachograph is analyzed by sampling, in an anti-fraud action is triggered off if this analysis shows that this signal has undergone a regular amplitude modulation.

Abstract: An electronic device, placed in an impregnable envelope and electrically connected between an electronic sensor and a taximeter or chronotachograph, tests at least one of the internal characteristics of the active dipole present between two output wires of the sensor or electrical characteristics of a signal present at its terminals. The test values are then compared with one or several reference values. An electronic anti-fraud action is triggered in the event of non-conformity between the test values and the reference values. One anti-fraud action includes preventing the functioning of the taximeter or chronotachograph.

Abstract: An improved taxi meter construction is constructed of the following features: (1) an extrusion piece sideways reciprocal movement mount for the electrical and mechanical connection and disconnection without damage to the connection elements, (2) a detachable receipt paper cutter plate for ready access, maintenance and repair of the paper supply means, and (3) an extrusion piece hinged door for access to the receipt paper supply means for replenishment of the paper supply. The improved construction results from each of these features, as well as in the combination of these features. The taxi meter housing is of low cost extruded aluminum components. The taxi meter housing encases the operating elements in a tamper-proof housing, while permitting ready access to the mechanical features such as the fare receipt paper supply means, the fare printer and the receipt paper cutter plate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic multidigit display device illuminatable by means of light sources intended for a taximeter for indication of a trip price, of a possibly occurring surcharge as well as for superposition of stored data. The display device (3) is composed of a transflecting liquid crystal display (37) (LCD), a frame (38) as a common receptacle of the liquid crystal display (37) and a light conducting plate (43) and contact elements (39) for electrically connecting the liquid crystal display (37) with actuation lines (40) on a printed circuit board (2) and a hood (42) surrounding the frame (38) and provided with detent elements (41). By means of the hood (42) the complete display device (3) can be plugged into the printed circuit board and detented with same in a correct position with simultaneous completion of all line connections. The display device (3) is designed as a component intended specifically for the printed circuit board and for application in a taximeter device.

Abstract: A fare collection ticket transport that moves fare tickets through a closed alignment entry into an open longitudinal slot with a portion of the ticket projecting from the slot, and the portion of the ticket in the slot having the information processed by read, write, and verify components, so that the patron rider has to release the fare ticket, and the transport mechanism moves the fare ticket in the slot in a manner that the patron rider sees the fare ticket moving through the slot and can grab it at anytime he wants, with the transport mechanism moving the ticket at a determined speed and with the open longitudinal slot having protection against vertical entry.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the permanent protection of data in volatile write-read memories (RAM) such as the type used for the storage of tariff data and variable control counter data in a taximeter. The inventive circuit arrangement provides a signal line between the microcomputer system and a volatile write-read memory (RAM) via a control circuit. By means of this arrangement, in the sealed state of the taximeter, a permanently effective suppression of write instructions can be set. Thus, the data stored there can no longer be affected by any interference signals from the microcomputer system. The supply of operating voltage of the RAM is secured by means of a circuit which includes a buffer battery and a buffer capacitor.

Abstract: A taximeter assembly including an electronic calculating module with data memory, an operating keyboard, as well as a data indicating device, consists of two flat housing panels which are joined by detent devices and which are secured together by a lead-sealable screw connection. An electronic taximeter circuit wired on a single printed circuit board is installed between the housing panels and feed-in of all electrical transmitter lines and supply lines is effected, as desired, from the rear or from below, wherein the latter are guided directly to connectors on the printed circuit board. The rear wall of the rear housing panel is constructed, at the same time, as a mounting plate for installation in a vehicle. A compact, extremely flat taximeter device having its circuitry in a single printed circuit board system enables arrangement of the device in an optimal installation position within or on the outside of the dashboard of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to taximeter installations including mobile taximeter apparatus (2) coacting via radio (3, 4) with a central computer (1). Each taximeter (2) includes registers (15, 26) for collecting pulses relating to travelled distance and consumed time, the central computer (1) initiating periodic read-out (20, 21, 29, 30) of the register content, inter alia for fare price calculation. The central computer also sets a criterion frequency value, so that the pulses related to travelled distance are prevented by means of a circuit (9) from being stored in the register (15) when the frequency of said pulses falls below the criterion frequency, time pulses being stored in a register (26) when the criterion frequency is not attained by the travelled distance pulses.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and useful taximeter which allows simple changes in tariff display conditions in various operating modes without any change or modification in circuit construction. The taximeter using a memory device removable from the taximeter body and containing lamp enabling and disabling information is capable of optionally setting tariff display conditions in respective ones of operating modes without reconstructing the circuit arrangement of the taximeter body.

Abstract: This anti-fraud system includes a process and devices for avoiding fraud on the price indicated by an electronic taximeter. The taximeter apparatus, which includes a luminous display unit and a computing unit, is supplied with d.c. voltage V by the vehicle battery. One particular fraud, made more difficult by this system, involves voluntary cut-off of the voltage supply to the meter. To execute this fraudulent maneuver the cabdriver firstly starts the meter, and records a price on the fare meter, with no passenger in the taxi. Secondly, before a customer is picked up, the operator cuts off the current supply to the meter, which extinguishes the fare display. Thus, as the customer enters the cab, it is not apparent that the meter has already been run-up to a non-zero value. To preclude this maneuver, the anti-fraud system has a first comparator which compares the voltage V with a reference voltage Vr and emits a constant voltage Vc if V<Vr and a zero voltage if V>Vr.

Abstract: The housing of an electronic taximeter has a first fixed section including the rear and bottom walls which are fixedly secured to and sealed to the chassis of a taxicab, and a removable second section which may include the front, top and side walls of the housing and has grooves engaging portions of the bottom wall. The entire second section removable to enable adjustment or repair of the basic taximeter apparatus which is mounted on the first section. The second section is formed as a modular element which contains many of the operating elements of the taximeter, including actuating elements such as push-buttons or the like, all of which may be simply removed as a one-piece unit.

Abstract: A digital taximeter provides a visual read out of a first and a second multi-digit number. Instead of a plurality of discrete one-digit illuminated-digit display units arranged together to be capable of displaying multi-digit numbers, use is made of a single multi-digit illuminated-digit display unit having a row of equal-size digit zones. One or more of the middle ones of the digit zones are blocked from view to form a first and a second group of digit zones respectively adapted for the display of the first and the second multi-digit numbers and located to either side of the digit zones which are blocked from view. Although the digit zones are actually all of the same size, those of the first group are made to appear larger than those of the second group, in correspondence to the greater importance of the fare indication compared to the extra-charge indication.

Abstract: A mounting and demounting arrangement for an electric taximeter permits a mechanical-to-electrical converter to be slidably received into electrical contact with a socket provided in the taximeter housing or, at the option of a user, the mechanical-to-electrical converter is mounted at a location remote from the housing in order to protect a flexible shaft mechanically coupled to the converter from severe flexing.

Abstract: The modification is effective for use in an electronic taximeter through its ability to electrically compensate for variations in distance traveled per a predetermined number of degrees of revolutions of wheels of a vehicle in accordance with different makes and models of the vehicle. In one of the preferred forms wherein the taximeter electronics comprises means for producing only one set of electric pulses corresponding to distance traveled for the purpose of performing tariff calculations, the modification scheme provides respective one of binary-coded compensation signals dependent upon unique distance traveled per a predetermined number of degrees of the wheel revolutions of the vehicle on which the taximeter is installed, during calculation. In another form wherein the electronics comprising two sets of electric pulses corresponding to distance traveled and time of hire, although the distance pulses are subject to distance compensation, the compensation procedure is inhibited on the time pulses.

Abstract: An electronic taximeter having a fare computing unit, a selector circuit and an operation switching unit. The fare computing unit computes a fare at a rate determined by logic signals developed by the selector circuit, which is responsive to signals applied thereto. The operation switching unit is operable to develop selected operating signals to determine the logic signals developed by the selector circuit. The selector circuit remains in an operating state determined by the last operating signal applied thereto, even after the last operating signal is removed, until a new operating signal is applied to change the logic signal output of the selector circuit.

Abstract: A taximeter in which taxi speed is represented by an analogue signal, the analogue signal controlling the frequency of a variable frequency oscillator and an indicated taxi fare read out being obtained by counting pulses from the oscillator to display a fare charge the rate of advancement of which is thus dependent upon the magnitude of the analogue signal.

Abstract: The taxi meter receives a sequence of pulses each representing a determined distance travelled by the taxi. The repetition rate of the input pulses is to be reduced by a ratio T so that each pulse having the reduced repetition rate signifies a determined fare increment. An adder or counter has a determined capacity and furnishes a carry signal whenever the sum signal created therein exceeds that capacity. An addend equal to K/T where K is the capacity of the adder is applied to the input of the adder for addition therein in response to each of the input pulses. The carry signals furnished by the adder constitute the desired signals each signifying the correct fare increment. The repetition rate of pulses each signifying a unit of waiting time can be similarly reduced and the resulting carry pulse sequences be applied to a selection circuit which selects the one having the highest repetition rate to constitute the tariff signal, namely the signals for advancing the taxi meter by one fare increment.