Abstract: The present invention relates to a combi-card which can be used in a contact-type or noncontact-type fashion and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, this invention relates to a combi-card and a method for making the same, in which an inlay layer on which an antenna terminal made of a coil or conductive fiber is formed and a COB (chip on board) on which ACF (anisotropic conductor film) is applied, are pre-treated by a heating head and the like, the COB is attached to an antenna coil insertion layer, and an upper printing sheet with a protection film, and a lower printing sheet with a protection film, which are cut out to be suitable for the COB shape, are stacked to construct a combi-card.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for packaging electronically powered cards are provided for maintaining electronically powered cards in a deactivated state. In an embodiment, a housing having a face panel and two side panels attached to the face panel at opposite sides is configured to provide an offset distance between an activation device on the card and the housing so that the activation device is prevented from being activated by a force exerted on the housing. Annular or circular devices can also be provided for establishing an offset distance between activation devices on the card and planar substrates.

Abstract: A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes an integrated wireless modem. The wireless modem may be located within a housing of the cash recycler. The wireless modem may connect to a network via a network service provider account held by a retail store or other venue at which the cash recycler is located. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless modem may connect via a network access account held by the financial institution with which the cash recycler is communicating. The wireless modem may include various settings that may be configured and adjusted via the user interface of the cash recycler.

Abstract: A magnetic character recognition (MICR) encoding device has a treatment station that applies a chemical treatment to the blank region as the sheets pass along the sheet path that compensates for a fuser release agent that a marking station uses. If blank region was not treated, the fuser release agent might detrimentally affect the printing of the additional magnetic ink markings. In order to properly align the blank region with the treatment station, the embodiments herein include at least one read head that is positioned before the treatment station along the sheet path. A controller analyzes the signals from the read head to determine whether the magnetic ink markings are aligned with the treatment station.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for processing data stored on a magnetic stripe of a user medium performed by a hand-held computer system includes displaying an alignment GUI on a display of the computer system, wherein the GUI includes a visual alignment mark on the display at a first offset relative to a MEMS magnetic field sensor in the computer system, wherein when a user aligns the user medium to the alignment mark GUI, a portion of a first track of the magnetic stripe is disposed above the MEMS magnetic field sensor, sensing, by the MEMS magnetic field sensor, magnetic data stored on the first track when the user aligns the user medium to the visual alignment mark, and moves the user medium along the visual alignment mark, and determining user data stored on the first track from the magnetic data stored on the first track.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for customizing customer identifier. To resolve the problems in customizing the identifier in the electronic device by the manufacturer for its customers, such as high management cost, stock, and possibility of error, as well as the security problem in customizing the identifier by the customer itself, and the problem of counterfeiting by others, the method provided comprises generating an irreversible identifier from a seed data input by the customer using some one-way algorithm(s) and storing that identifier in the electronic device. For the manufacturer, both the management cost and the stock are reduced, and the error possibility of the product after leaving the factory as well. For the customer, the security of customizing the identifier is ensured, and its identifier cannot be counterfeited by other peers any more.

Abstract: A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; (b) sampling and decoding a plurality of registration symbols contained in the imaged portion; (c) determining an orientation from the decoded registration symbols; and (d) using the determined orientation to sample and decode tag data.

Abstract: An automated system and method for processing vote-by-mail ballots. The method comprises electronically evaluating the ballots for validity and sorting them according to sort parameters and sort plan. Included in the invention is an apparatus, computer readable medium, and computer system for carrying out the ballot processing method.

Abstract: A cash deposit apparatus has a user interface module that provides a user interface at a first external side of the apparatus and allows a user to interact with a cash processing transaction of the apparatus. A cash processing module processes cash deposited by the user and determines a value related to the processed cash, and has a service interface for providing access to the cash processing module. A cash storage module stores cash as processed by the cash processing module and has a cash storage interface for providing access to the cash storage module. The cash processing module and the cash storage module are independently configurable.

Abstract: A method and system of tracking devices uses imaging and optionally tags. Tracking is performed when the identification information associated with the devices are initially received and exposed towards a scanning bar in an enclosure. This scanning bar scans at one or more predetermined intervals the one or more devices in the enclosure of hardware. The system for tracking devices includes an enclosure capable of receiving one or more devices positioned to expose identification information related to each device and a scanning bar movably coupled to the enclosure that passes over each of the one or more devices and captures images of the identification information exposed by each of the one or more devices.

Abstract: An electronic payment method for a retailer using an operator network and a financial organization. During a transaction two certificates are produced; one using an operator key and the other using a banking key. The first certificate is sent to the operator and the other certificate is securely placed under the control of the financial organization.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a check code line image of a captured document such as a bank check. The method includes capturing an electronic image of a document; locating a code line region within the electronic image of the document; and performing a localized video gain on the code line region.

Abstract: An assistive reading device for visually impaired users comprises a sheet-like member containing a photo-active material. The sheet-like member responds to light patterns representing data from a patterned light source to form tactile shapes on its surface. The visually impaired user obtains information by touching the tactile shapes. Preferably, the photo-active material is a layer of cross linked azobenzene liquid-crystalline polymers. The assistive reading device preferably is an output device for a computer.

Abstract: A financial transaction card includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a soft and pliable material and defines a chamber configured to maintain at least one item. The account identifier is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The account identifier is configured to link the housing to a financial account or a financial record. Other embodiments of financial transaction cards, financial transaction card assemblies, and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerized device has an open communication session with a smart card via a smart card reader. The smart card reader and the computerized device cooperate to enable another computerized device to communicate with the smart card over the open communication session. Communication between the other computerized device and the smart card is routed via the computerized device that has the open communication session.

Abstract: A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.

Abstract: A card reader system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed. The card reader can include a transmitter that modulates a radio frequency carrier with a transmit data signal and a receiver that detects a modulation of the radio frequency carrier by a contactless smartcard. A processor can be coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The processor can generate the transmit data signal so as to simulate a data exchange according to a protocol of the contactless smartcard. The processor can determine a timing for reading data from or writing data to the contactless smartcard and can discontinue the simulated data exchange based on the timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of securing applications on a chip card which is disposed in a digital appliance. A count is made of the number of times a personal identification number of a chip card application is input erroneously. When this number reaches a threshold, the application or the chip card is blocked. The erroneous input count and unblocking the chip card or the application is restarted when the personal identification number of the chip card is input. In this way, PIN-secured applications offer a high level of security without requiring the storing of additional unblocking data.

Abstract: A system for generating a security mark includes a data reception component that receives information. A security mark generation component in communication with the data reception component generates at least one security mark configuration based at least in part upon the received information. The at least one security mark configuration includes at least one simulation mark which resembles a natural feature. An application component applies one configuration of the at least one security mark configurations to a recipient. The applied security mark configuration obeys at least one rule whereby the security mark is distinguishable from the natural feature which it resembles by a system for detection of security marks.

Abstract: Simplified wireless device activation may be achieved using temporary and permanent numbers used to connect to a wireless service provider. In one implementation, an electronic book reader device includes a memory that contains a temporary number that may be used to connect to a wireless service provider. The temporary number may be replaced with a permanent number that is used to connect to the wireless service provider. This replacement may occur once the electronic book reader device connects with the wireless service provider for the first time. The permanent number may be used to connect to the wireless service provider after the initial connection with the wireless service provider has transpired.