Abstract: A security tag may include a pin cover, a pin housing, a receiving gap disposed between the pin cover and the pin housing, a pin configured to engage an article placed within the receiving gap, and a biasing member configured to actuate the pin by urging the pin toward the pin cover in response to the article being substantially placed within the receiving gap.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe reader apparatus comprises a first casing, a second casing, a magnetic stripe reader unit, and at least a connecting element. The first casing has an opening, a first positioning portion, and an adjustable fixing portion. The second casing has a second positioning portion disposed corresponding to the first positioning portion, and a through hole disposed corresponding to the adjustable fixing portion. The magnetic stripe reader unit is disposed between the first and second casings, and has a magnetic stripe reader head and a fixing element disposed on a side of the magnetic stripe reader head. In assembly, the connecting element passes through the through hole and connects to the adjustable fixing portion to fix the first and second casings. The second positioning portion and the first positioning portions hold the fixing element, and the magnetic stripe reader head is exposed from the opening.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a conveying member configured to convey a sheet; a first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on the opposite side of the conveying member across a conveying path and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, the first opening section being configured to form the conveying path using the conveyance guide section if changing to a closed state and open the conveying path if changing to an open state; and a second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section if the first opening section changes to the closed state and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section, the second opening section being configured to cause, if pivoting, the first opening section to pivot following the second opening section.

Abstract: A security device is removably affixable to an article. The security device includes a housing having a securing pad, a locking element and a strap. The locking element is disposed within the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region that is insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidingly movable between an open position and a locked position. The locking element engages with the latching region of the strap. An eccentrically mounted wheel may be mounted on one of the securing region of the strap and the securing pad. When in the locked position, the eccentrically mounted wheel secures the article between the securing pad and the securing region of the strap.

Abstract: The invention claimed is a method and apparatus to allow for scanning of both paper documents and thicker media such as credit or identification cards utilizing the same piece of scanner hardware. The inventive apparatus provides a depressible card reader slot located in the center of the horizontal axis of the sheet feed, and accompanying cantilever system for providing appropriate thickness of insert area for the particular media. A software implementation facilitates an automatic scan of either media inserted. The inventive method and apparatus is unique to the prior art in that it allows both media types to be scanned utilizing the same piece of hardware, and wherein scanning occurs automatically, which offers both ease of use and value to the consumer.

Abstract: An IC card reader includes contactors contacting to IC contact points of the IC card, a frame forming with a card insertion path into which the IC card is inserted and a retraction domain for retracting the contactors in a direction away from the insertion path, a plate spring biasing the contactors to the retraction domain, and a mechanism responsive to the insertion of the IC card, advancing the contactors into the insertion path with the plate spring deflected to make contact the contactors to the IC contact points of the IC card, and responsive to extraction of the IC card and retracting the contactors to the retraction domain with the plate spring released force of the plate spring, becoming difficult for deformation and damage of the contactors.

Abstract: An optical code reader system is provided for reading a presented optical code having first and second sets of elements, the first set of elements including a plurality of elements having a first reflective property and the second set of elements including a plurality of elements having a second reflective property. The system includes a photo sensor module which senses incident light reflected from the presented optical code and generates electrical signals corresponding to the sensing. The system further includes a software decoder module executable on a processor for uncompensating the presented optical code by adjusting a relative measured dimension of individual elements of the first set of elements in accordance with a predetermined adjustment factor for uncompensating the first set of elements without uncompensating the second set of elements for generating an uncompensated optical code.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a connector interface frame comprising a plurality of detachable limbs. When one or more specified limbs are detached, the connector interface frame accommodates a particular one of a plurality of host processing system connector interfaces. Depending on which limbs are detached, the frame can accommodate either a CF card or a PCMCIA card. In alternative embodiments, the frame accommodates other host processing system connector interfaces. Embodiments of the invention, therefore, allow a production run that allow the production of a standard frame kit that can be used for multiple types of host processing system connector interfaces.

Abstract: An optical storage system capable of use as a business card or a credit card of a rectangular card lying flat against an optical storage medium which can have a circular track for the optical storage of data. Symmetrical fastening elements around the whole optical storage medium secure the card and the optical storage medium together in two positions at right angles to one another. In one position the system has a rectangular configuration corresponding to that of a card. In the second position arcuate ends of the optical storage element lie along the longitudinal edges of the card to enable the system to be placed in a reader or writer for the optical data.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) (10) having a reconfigurable media entry slot is provided. The slot (16) has paired vertically movable (22) and horizontally movable (20) shutters located so as to be capable of being moved to restrict the size of the slot (16). In use, the SST (10) determines the orientation and size of media to be entered, and adjusts the slot (16) size accordingly by means of motors (28, 30) driving the shutters. An indicator (18) may also be provided to further indicate to a user the expected media size, with media sensors (32) being present to further avoid entry of incorrect media.

Abstract: A card records data as an optically readable code. A non-interference area is provided around the code to inhibit presence of only an interference image having an attribute causing an error during reading of the code. The code reader's CPU provides a code detection area to be used when a restoration section detects a code image from an image pickup area as a frame image stored in memory. This code detection area is determined based on an alignment error between the image pickup element and the code, and a specification of the code. The alignment error may result from the bottom of a slit which specifies a positional relationship between the code and the image pickup element to pick up the code.

Abstract: In order to make it possible to determine the erroneous insertion of an information recording medium at a position close to a recording medium insertion port by utilizing a notch portion provided at the information recording medium, the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus comprising a recording medium insertion port for taking in and out a memory stick having a notch portion used to prevent erroneous insertion and provided in one corner, and an erroneous insertion preventive mechanism provided inside the recording medium insertion port so as to prevent the erroneous insertion of the memory stick, and recording and/or reproducing an information signal using the memory stick. The erroneous insertion preventive mechanism is moved outside for the notch portion of the memory stick to allow the insertion of the memory stick, and is engaged for corners other than the notch portion to hamper the insertion of the memory stick.

Abstract: A device for reading magnetically encoded data on a document, such as a strip of characters printed in magnetic ink along the lower edge of a check, executes a subroutine to determine whether each character, as it is read, is legitimate. This error detection may be done by comparing recognized code patterns with legitimate code patterns, or by comparing a signal representing the strength of the signal derived from the output of the magnetic read head reading the data with a predetermined level. If an error is detected, the magnetically encoded data is read and checked again, as often as need up to a predetermined number of attempts to read the data.

Abstract: A device for holding a charge couple device (CCD) in an optical scanner where optical alignment of the CCD to the position of scanned image of document can be easily made. The device includes a holder for holding a lens and providing a focused image taken from the scanned document; and a positioning element mounted on the holder for adapting a CCD to be slightly moved in a line along a longitudinal direction of the CCD and aligned with the focused image. The positioning element is furnished with a matching hole for carrying a bottom portion of the CCD. The positioning element mounted to the holder only needs one-dimensional adjustment in shifting which is easier and more effective.

Abstract: Process for identifying characters, which are formed on a plurality (2) of silicon sheets, whereby the sheets are arranged in parallel planes (P.sub.0) and are aligned relative to the support (1), and comprises:inserting luminous reflector (5) between a first (2a) and a second (2b) successive sheet of the plurality of sheets starting from underneath the plurality of sheets;illuminating the characters, which are formed on the first sheet, via the intermediacy of a first incident luminous ray (R.sub.1) which is reflected by the luminous reflector and which are inserted between the first and the second successive sheets in such a way that the first incident luminous ray, which is reflected by part of the first sheet which is parallel to the parallel planes (P.sub.

Abstract: A document dispenser comprises a document guide defining a guide portion of an advancing document path and a document identification code reading aperture formed in the document guide wherein a single detector in communication with the dispenser controller is positioned proximate the document identification code reading aperture and is operative to read a specific document identification code through the document identification code reading aperture. Correlated data, indicative of a specific document identification code and corresponding document data input during dispensing of a document carrying the specific document identification code, is generated subsequent the reading of the identification code. A plurality of alternative document identification code reading apertures are formed in the document guide.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information with a light beam in or from a card information recording medium provided with a plurality of linear tracks, includes a card holder on which the medium is mounted, an optical head for projecting the light beam toward the medium, and a card holder moving mechanism for moving the card holder in a transverse direction to the tracks. An optical head moving mechanism translates the optical head in a direction along the tracks, and a holding mechanism provided below the card holder, holds the medium on the card holder.

Abstract: A data symbol reader which reads a two-dimensional data symbol includes a reading device which receives light reflected from the data symbol, a casing in which the reading device is provided, and a guide member which defines a symbol reading area in which the data symbol can be positioned. The guide member is attached to the casing and is moveable between a fisrt postion in witch the position of the data symbol realative to the symbol reading area can be viewed from the exterior of the data symbol reader, and a second position in whitch the data symbol can be read by the the reading device in the casing.

Abstract: The contacting device described is designed to contact the contacts of boards of different sizes with preferably the same contact pattern, using a chip board reader which is adapted by means of a board holder, preferably a SIM board holder, in such a way that the SIM board can be read with the chip board reader.

Abstract: A card reader having an antiabrasion member for preventing a bottom surface of a card checking passage of the card reader from card contact abrasion. This antiabrasion member is easily inserted in a mold before an injection molding of a main body of the card reader and prevented from displacement in the mold, and allows a magnet head to be easily changed with new one to provide a good compatibility of the magnet head. The plurality of notches prevents the antiabrasion member from being horizontally displaced in a mold and are provided at both sides of the member, and engage with individual ribs of the mold when the member is located in the mold. The slit is provided as a result of lateral cutting of the member between the notches. The resilient part integrally extends from a side of the member near the slit and allows the slit to be inserted in a rib of the mold, and prevents the member from being vertically displaced in the mold.

Abstract: A reading head mounting arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a base having a top surface and extending from a side thereof an upright mounting member for mounting of a reading head in proper spaced relationship from the top surface of the base for reading of a information containing stripe attached to a card. Preferably, the base has downwardly projecting portions at either end thereof to provide on and off ramps for a credit card being slid over the base, whereby when the arrangement is installed in a magnetic stripe reading terminal having a slot for passage of a credit card past a magnetic stripe reading head, the change in elevation of the base relative to the remainder of the slot provides a user of the terminal with positive feedback that the card is properly positioned in the slot. Accuracy in positioning the strip for movement past the magnetic head is predetermined during the manufacture of the mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track located at a prearranged data track position thereon. The reader assembly includes a transducer means having at least one data pickup element on a front face thereof. A guide means defines a guide slot having first and second side wall members and a bottom wall member adapted to guide a data carrier through the reader assembly, the first side wall member having an access window formed therein for permitting communication between the transducer means and the data carrier. A frame means carries the transducer means in a prearranged location thereon.

Abstract: A smart card includes a control and logic unit which recognizes an interrogational signal sent to the card and automatically responds by sending an identification code. The interrogational signal is received using a noncontact communication medium in digital, bit-serial form. Input circuits connected to the logic unit convert the received signals to electrical digital input signals. Output circuits connected to the logic unit are used to transmit the identification code using a bit serial, noncontact communication medium. The control and logic unit automatically accepts the information received through the input circuits and stores the information in a writable memory in the card. The information which was stored in the memory during a previous transaction is automatically read and transmitted through the output circuits, together with the identification code.

Abstract: In an inserter system, an apparatus for bar code scanning includes a scanner, a travel bar attached to a frame of an inserter, and adjustable brackets for slidably fastening said scanner to the travel bar. The travel bar is positioned wherein said scanner is moveable transverse to a paper path travelled by a sheet having a bar code symbol thereon. The apparatus further includes a plate attached to the adjustable brackets, and nylon and hook type fasteners for fastening the scanner to the plate. A transparent medium deck is positioned between the scanner and the paper path. The transparent medium deck is resistive to abrasion and has optical characteristics which would allow scanning by the scanner through the transparent medium deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably positioning a scanner along a transport deck includes a cartridge; and a belt structure rotatably mounted in said cartridge, for positioning the scanner transversely along the transport deck. The belt structure includes a reach parallel to the transport deck having an aperture at which the scanner can be mounted. There is adjustment structure, adjacent the belt structure, for rotating the belt structure to adjust the position of the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus (570) for forming a window in which printed characters on an item such as an envelope can be read. The apparatus (570) comprises a base member (572) fastened to a planar horizontal surface (508) and positionable intermediate a reader device (50) and an on-edge envelope. The base member (572) has an elongated vertical slot provided (576) therein. A slide member (584) has a bottom edge which includes a dimpled portion. The dimpled portion of the slide member (584) fits into the elongated vertical slot (576) of the base member (572). The base member (572) carries a block (578) which accommodates a screw (582) for selectively adjusting the position of the bottom edge of the slide member (584) relative to the base member (572). A bottom edge of the slide member (584) and a portion of the elongated vertical slot (576) below the bottom edge of the slide member (584) form a read window through which characters are readable.

Abstract: A data terminal having a card reader assembly for reading a data card having at least a pair of magnetic stripes formed thereon at adjacent ones of at least three defined magnetic data track locations thereon. The terminal includes a read head having two magnetic pickup elements on a front face thereof, the pickup elements being separated by a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the separated magnetic data track locations on the data card. A housing assembly defines a card guide slot adapted to guide a data card during a manual swipe of the card through the card reader assembly. The card guide slot comprises first and second opposite side wall sections and a bottom wall section with one of the side wall sections defining an access aperture for admiting the read head into the card guide slot.

Abstract: An apparatus provided in an automatic vending machine and the like for selectively accepting and conveying a paper money and a magnetic card. The apparatus includes first and second belts driven, respectively, by first and second pulleys having a same radius, a common rotary axis and a space left therebetween; a semicircular convex passage formed on and along the two belts, in a region where the two belts are bent into the form of a semicircular convex by the two pulleys, for selectively conveying the paper money and the card therein and guiding means arranged on and along the convex passage for guiding the paper money and the card in and along the convex passage in cooperation with the two belts so that the paper money and the card are moved while being bent along the convex passage.

Abstract: A card or badge reader is provided for reading badges or cards on which there are coded indicia such as a bar code symbol. The reader has a front wall plate that is removably affixed onto the front of the main housing, but separated a slight amount to define a badge reader slot. A wear plate is disposed horizontally between the front wall plate and the front wall of the main housing to define a floor for the badge reader slot. The wear plate comprises an elongated web with downturned end flanges, and is suspended in one of a plurality of parallel horizontal grooves in the front wall plate. The position of the wear plate can be changed from one of these grooves to another, as desired.

Abstract: Data can be recorded onto an optical card (102; 200; 601; 800) on which a plurality of tracks are parallelly arranged and can be reproduced therefrom. The optical card is supported by card supporting means (101; 501). This card supporting means is reciprocated in a first direction by card drive means (109; 511). An optical head (103; 503; 603) is provided above the optical card to selectively provide access to tracks by a light beam. This optical head is reciprocated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by head drive means (108; 507). The reciprocating motion of the card supporting means is accelerated and decelerated when the optical head scans on guide sections (G) provided on both the sides of the optical card. Error correcting codes are added to data recorded onto the optical card. Thus, error correction is made by an error correction circuit (136). Motors of respective drive means are enclosed with vibration proof metal (321, 323) and vibration proof rubber (322).

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus which has a mechanism for aligning the center line of the optical image sensor with the characters on the subject matter to be read. As the vertical position of the optical image sensor is adjusted, and indicator plate with a pointer which indicates the position of the center line of the optical image sensor enables alignment of the center line of the optical image sensor with the characters to be read.

Abstract: A reader-writer apparatus for an optical memory card for reading and/or writing data with respect to the optical memory card having a data storing face, which apparatus includes a card holder including a carriage for carrying and holding the card inserted thereon and transporting the card to a reading or writing position and a feeding mechanism for driving the carriage. The reader/writer in another aspect of the present invention includes an optical waveguide holder holding an optical waveguide, which is connected at a base end thereof to the light emitting and receiving section of a reading head, so that another end of the optical waveguide may oppose a data recording face of the optical memory card. The waveguide holder is moved independently of the movement of the card holder.

Abstract: An X-ray film cassette has on its top a triangular bar code field readable by a bar code reader of an automatic film sheet charging and discharging apparatus. The bar code field is in the form of an isosceles right triangle whose hypothenuse faces a reference corner and whose legs extend parallel to edges of the cassettes. The bars of the code extend parallel to the hypothenuse. An optical axis of the bar code reader, when the cassette is in its end position in the apparatus, intersects a vertex area formed by the legs of the triangle. This arrangement guarantees that its bar codes on cassettes of small format, even if misaligned in the feeding direction, are reliably read by the reader.

Abstract: A document reader module which provides precise alignment for the document being read and the associated reader, like an optical reader. An integrated frame member provides accurate control surfaces for the precise alignment mentioned. An elevator mechanism mounted on the frame member provides an apparatus for adjusting the read head relative to the line of data on the documents being read. A special pinch roller construction, which can be locked in a retracted position, facilitates the removal of jammed documents from the associated document track.

Abstract: The method of aligning generally flat data supports of flexible sheet material such as credit cards, identity cards, check cards and similar documents includes the steps of engaging at least one edge of the data support and exerting an alignment force thereon; prior to exerting the alignment force on the data support edge, an arching force is exerted substantially normally on at least one main surface of the data support to deform the latter into a generally arched state. Preferably, the data support is deformed into a shape having a generally waved cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arching force. At the end of the alignment operation, the data support is restored into its flat shape by a pressure plate urging the data support against a flat supporting face of a receiving member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manually controlled wand which is particularly suited for use in a file control system in which the files are provided with machine readable codes located along an edge of the file. The wand is adapted by the provision of a jig used to bear against the edge of the file for locating the wand in a read position over the code and riding along the file edge to guide and steady the manual movement of the wand to provide an accurate reading of the code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to an electrically controlled service for perdetermined periods of time employs a dual magnetically striped record medium encoded in a CRB format with data indicative of the periods of time during which access is to be provided. The data is read by a reader and stored in a processor having an internal clock and a comparator for comparing the instantaneous time output of the clock with the predetermined time period data encoded on the record medium for enabling a security device only when the instantaneous time is within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A movable divider wall means is resiliently supported to extend through a slot opening in a bottom wall and into contact with the top wall so as to define between one of its faces and one of the edges of a channel guide for documents an effective guide for documents of a narrower width defined by the wall and the opposed channel wall. The movable wall has a tapered top edge which tapers from a widely spaced leading edge to the flat top of the movable wall which abuts the top wall and is held into the top wall by resilient means. Documents of greater width may be inserted over the movable wall and passing documents will urge the movable wall downward to displace it and allow their passage. Guide means is preferably provided to direct documents of the second narrower width into the channel at a position after the beginning of the movable wall and from above the movable wall so that they do not tend to move the wall out of its position as they are introduced.

Abstract: A container blank is encoded on all flaps thereof in manner providing for presentation of the same coded pattern to a sensing unit irrespective of the flat registered with the sensing unit. The sensing unit is connected through article-designator apparatus to an indicating unit which is energized exclusively when the sensing unit indicates container blank article indication not conforming the article setting of the article-designator apparatus.