Abstract: A short range wireless protocol is established to/from a processing device, such as a point of sale terminal. Adapters are designed for mating with different ones of commercially available communicating devices (host) using the public switched network. The adapters are arranged to communicate with the host using the host protocol and with the processing device using the established, short range wireless protocol. In one embodiment, power is derived at the adapter using parasitic power from the communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically authenticating a subscriber account for a network service is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a subscriber account provider receives initial information from a subscriber. The received information is stored by the subscriber account provider. A transaction processing device is provided to the subscriber and the subscriber is electronically authenticated prior to enabling the subscriber account for performing the network service. In the preferred embodiment, the step of electronically authenticating the subscriber comprises receiving captured information from subscriber through said transaction processing device. After receiving the captured information the subscriber account provider utilizes the captured information to receive verifying information about the subscriber; and then compares the verifying information with the initial information to authenticate the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transaction processing device capable of secure communication over a public network or a private network. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable of performing various transactions. In the preferred embodiment the system which enables secure transaction processing over a communications network includes a transaction processing device, configured as a standalone transaction processing terminal, capable of secure provisionging and/or configuration over a public network, for example, the Internet. The preferred embodiment transaction processing device is useful for both SOHO type businesses and large businesses.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for scanning of information, such as characters or symbols, without requiring a controlled scan velocity. Preferred embodiments utilize an optical sensor in detecting attributes of information scanned and implement compensation techniques to remediate the effects of distortion and present information which may be identified to a high level of confidence. A known topology may be relied upon to present known markers in the scanned information, such as known blank or filled regions, patterns, or other observable traits and utilized with respect to a distorted scanned image to compensate for the effects of the distortion. Additionally or alternatively, vector based pattern recognition may be utilized in remediating distortion of a scanned image.