Abstract: An index card for mounting on a casing for accommodating a recording medium includes a contact type or non-contact type IC for storing information or for processing signals.

Abstract: A System and Method for Tracking Animals Using Bar Coding providing an infrared readable tag containing a bar code to identify and provide medical and other information about an animal. Information-sharing among animal owners, veterinarians, kennel operators, and boarding facilities is achieved by interconnected bar code, personal digital assistant, computer database, central processing unit, and Internet, which are used to input, store, download, collect, access, and otherwise use information about an animal. The present invention may be used to assist in locating owners of lost animals and in providing an animal's medical history, especially for emergency treatment.

Abstract: A radio communication device of an example of the present invention is one capable of communicating a plurality kinds of radio communicating media having different resonant frequencies comprises a transmission unit having a first resonant frequency tuned to and resonated with the resonant frequencies of the radio communication media in a prescribed communication range with the radio communication media to transmit signals to the radio communication media and a reception unit having a second resonant frequency not resonated with the resonant frequencies of the radio communication media in the prescribed communication ranges with the radio communication media to receive signals from the radio communication media.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a pharmaceutical product, the pharmaceutical product being associated with packaging having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the pharmaceutical product and at least part of a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The method includes having a computer system receive indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device being responsive to sensing of the coded data to generate indicating data at least partially indicative of the identity of the pharmaceutical product and the signature part. The computer system determines the identity at least one determined signature part and uses these to authenticate the pharmaceutical product.

Abstract: The steps of an identification theft proof tag and sticker method are providing a plurality of tags with a telephone number, a PIN, and a plurality of selections corresponding to a phone number, each tag optionally containing a smart chip and a smart card with a microprocessor; activating the tag by the user by following specific instructions and placing a registered tag on a valuable; following the instructions printed on the tag when finding a lost valuable by a person other than the owner; using the tag as a phone card, if needed, and dialing the number on the back of the tag; entering the PIN when prompted to do so, and selecting a contact number; and contacting the owner and ascertaining the best way to return the valuable.

Abstract: Provided is a laser display apparatus for displaying an image by scanning laser light onto a screen. The laser display apparatus includes: a laser and an optical scanning unit scanning laser light emitted by the laser, whereby an image is provided to the screen; a laser light intensity adjusting unit limiting the intensity of laser light being scanned onto the screen; and a projection lens unit that is disposed between the laser and the screen and enlarges and projects laser light onto the screen.

Abstract: A voting system includes one or more voting machines provided at a specific location, wherein for each authorized voter one of the voting machines is adapted to record a first set of voting selections, and one or more validation machines provided at the specific location, wherein for each authorized voter one of the validation machines is adapted to present the first set of voting selections to the authorized voter and record a second set of voting selections only if the first set of voting selections is confirmed. A first vote tally is determined from the first set of voting selections of each authorized voter, and a second vote tally is determined from the second set of voting selections of each authorized voter. The first vote tally is then compared to the second vote tally, wherein a vote modification may have occurred if the tallies do not match.

Abstract: A heater is provided in a cordless reader, or in a cradle, for heating the reader simultaneously with charging a battery pack on the reader, to resist the formation of condensation in the reader, or fogging or frosting of a protective window of the reader.

Abstract: Herein taught is a system that allows an individual to automatically transfer funds into a personal money saving program via a retailer/wholesaler. The system is novel as a percent of the actual sales price is incorporated into the purchase/sale and the percent is credited to the purchaser. Also, we provide numerous options that result in various levels of memberships each having novel characteristics and great money saving potential.

Abstract: A cashless vending system, comprising, a plurality of vending machines, wherein each vending machine comprises a Vending Machine Controller that supports the international Multi-Drop Bus/Internal Communication Protocol standard; wherein each vending machine includes a NetVend interface, wherein each NetVend interface communicates, via a Multi-Drop Bus/Internal Communication Protocol interface, with the Vending Machine Controller; wherein each NetVend interface communicates with at least one central server, wherein the central server contains a database for storing user Identifiers and an associated allowable credit or available cash data for each user Identifier, wherein the central server is capable of authenticating users for granting/denying access to a vending machine, receiving transaction data, and monitoring and controlling each of the plurality of vending machines; and wherein each vending machine includes a display/reader.

Abstract: Methods for generating and reading a two-dimensional barcode comprised of a number of data modules for storing a first encoded set of binary data and a second encoded set of binary data. The first set of binary data is encoded using a first data module size and the second set of binary data is encoded using a second data module size, wherein the first data module size is larger than the second data module size. Mail metering and verification systems for implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a biometric identification system, method and product for facilitating a transaction in a point of sale environment. In one embodiment, the biometric identification system facilitates creating or updating a biometric template based on biometric samples received from an existing customer belonging to an existing predetermined customer group, and approving a transaction at the point of sale terminal based on a validated biometric sample received from a verified customer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fraudulent transaction of an item having an item-identifying indicium processes the indicium to obtain item-identifying information, and captures a digital representation of a surface area of the item. The item-identifying information is used to retrieve a stored digital representation of the surface area of the item. Further, the method compares the captured digital representation with the stored digital representation to determine if the captured digital representation corresponds to the stored digital representation.

Abstract: Partial decode results that successfully decode a subset of bar code symbol components and a quality indicator associated with each component are stored. These partial decode results are combined based on the quality indicator to achieve an improved decode of the symbol.

Abstract: To provide a destination prediction apparatus which can predict a destination of a user by using a carried item carried by the user, the destination prediction apparatus according to the present invention includes: a position information detection unit which detects a present position of a mobile terminal; a carried item detection unit which detects the carried item of the user; a history accumulation unit which accumulates a history of date and time information detected by a clock unit, position information detected by the position information detection unit, and information of the carried item of the user detected by the carried item detection unit; a carry frequency judgment unit which calculates a frequency at which the carried item is carried; a causal relationship extraction unit which calculates an infrequently carried item and a related point; a destination prediction unit which predicts the destination using the position information, the carried item information, and a position causal relationship ex

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for implementing a card product or access mechanism with multiple relationships with an issuing entity (e.g., bank, etc.) where each relationship may be defined by one or more sets of rules that are customized for a particular customer. A computer implemented method and system for implementing a mechanism with multiple customized relationships may involve identifying one or more customized rules for an access mechanism associated with a customer; establishing a plurality of accounts for the customer wherein the plurality of accounts comprise different accounts with different account characteristics; and invoking one of the plurality of accounts for a transaction through the access mechanism, based at least in part on the one or more customized rules; wherein the plurality of accounts share at least one funding account.

Abstract: A software-programmed controller supported by a mobile electro-optical reader is operative for sensing when the mobile reader is supported in a steady state by the operator for a predetermined time period, and for automatically actuating the mobile reader in response to sensing the steady state to initiate reading of indicia while the mobile reader is supported in the steady state by the operator for the predetermined time period.

Abstract: In an optical information reader, a case, and a light source is installed in the case. The light source supplies light. A lens is installed in the case and focuses the supplied light through part of the case onto optical information attached to a target. A particle blocking member is installed in the case to be arranged between the part of the case and the light source. The particle blocking member allows light reflected from the optical information to pass therethrough. The particle blocking member is integrally provided with a holder configured to support the light source. The particle blocking member blocks flow of particles into the light source side in the case.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device that functions as an adaptor for a micro-memory card. The device includes a port to receive the micro-memory card and an internal interface within the port allows for electrical connection between the device and the micro-memory card. The device also includes a card interface that conforms to a standard sized memory card. The device can be inserted into another device that accepts such standard sized memory card so that the other device can store data onto the micro-memory card connected to the port. In addition, the device also includes a host interface, such as an external shieldless USB tab protruding from an edge of the device, or a wireless USB interface to allow for wireless USB communication.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive evidence-of-use feature for portable storage devices. A system in accordance with an embodiment includes: a movable outer sleeve for surrounding a portion of the portable storage device, wherein the movable outer sleeve is configured for movement in one direction only; and a ratcheting system for retracting and permanently locking the movable outer sleeve into a housing of the portable storage device to expose a contact area of the portable storage device, the ratcheting system limiting the movable outer sleeve to a single retraction into the housing of the portable storage device, such that the ratcheting system is configured to be broken upon any attempt to extend the movable outer sleeve after the movable outer sleeve has been retracted and permanently locked into the housing of the portable storage device. Retraction of the movable outer sleeve provides positive evidence-of-use for the portable storage device.