An electronic device, such as a video tape recorder (VTR), is set into a desired, but complex mode, such as automatic recording of a desired program, by manual scanning with an optical wand or other scanning instrument of one or more code groups printed on a selection card. Respective selection cards have code groups thereon for selecting, for example, mode, channel, day of week, recording start time (including AM or PM), and recording end time. Code signals provided from the scanning instrument are processed in a data processing circuit, which can be provided as a microprocessor and included in the VTR to provide control signals to the VTR in response to information contained in the scanned code groups. Alternatively, a combination of an FM receiver and high fidelity audio recorder can be set into an auto record mode or other complex operating mode by scanning of selection cards with a scanning instrument associated with such combination.

A method of checking out bulky products at a retail check-out counter having a stationary countertop bar code scanner alleviates having to lift heavy or bulky products onto the counter. Cards are assembled into a booklet that allows them to fold out. Each of the cards has a bar code and the name of one of the bulky products. When a bulky product is brought by a purchaser to the check-out counter, the clerk identifies the particular card, folds it out from the booklet and moves the card over the scanner.

A bank check or like instrument has a marking area at the right side thereof which includes a plurality of rows and columns of blocks for receiving marks. The combination of the marked blocks represents a dollars and cents amount. The contiguous area adjacent the rows and columns of blocks is coated with wax to prevent marking outside the boundaries of the blocks.

A two dimensional row and column based system for storing digital data is formatted on a suitable base medium such as paper sheet 10. The data format is formed by a plurality of data units 10U having L data entry locations 14. The data is contained in the selective presence or absence of recording ink within the locations. Each data unit extends R locations along the row axis and C locations along the column axis. Any E entry locations of the L locations within the data unit are designated recording material present locations. The L-E remainder locations are designated recording material absent locations. The number of codes C that may be represented by these E in L type data units is determined by the relationship: The number of entries E is the same for each data unit throughout the data storage area, and cannot be less than E. Codes having the greatest number of presence absence interfaces are discarded to reduce the effect of recording ink intrusions into adjacent units. In decoding the code the locations with the highest greyscale are selected as recording material present locations.

A bar code configuration which may be molded in the sidewall of a tire and has even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from a light source toward a receiving sensor to define bars of a bar code. The uneven surface portions may have grooves or ribs with a sawtooth cross section and sloped faces for reflecting light to a receiving sensor at an angle to the sidewall surface. The bar code configuration for tires molded in a particular mold may be provided by an insert fastened to the mold and having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at the inner mold face to mold the even surface portions and uneven surface portions of the bar code configuration in the tire sidewall as the tire is being vulcanized. By changing the insert the bar code configuration can be changed to provide different information about the tire.