Abstract: A signal processing means (40) outputs a signal (41) representing a number when a combination of at least two imagers (11), (12) detects a spatial arrangement of a plurality of code portions of a coded data source (60)—where the spatial arrangement of the plurality of code portions represents the number, and where imager combinations can comprise spatial, temporal, and light property combinations.

Abstract: Payment transactions using a payment infrastructure are efficiently combined with e-merchandise transactions using an e-merchandise infrastructure, while allowing each infrastructure to concentrate on its primary function. An electronic payment device configured according to the payment infrastructure is interrogated by a payment module (also configured according to the payment infrastructure) of a first terminal to obtain financial data. Electronic merchandise-related information is generated by an electronic merchandise module (configured according to the electronic merchandise infrastructure) of the first terminal, and such information is transferred to the electronic payment device within a transaction conducted in accordance with the financial data and the payment infrastructure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating and using a transaction card comprising two storage media is provided. A composite transaction card comprises a transaction portion detachably coupled to an activation portion. The transaction portion comprises a substantially planar transaction portion substrate having a machine readable transaction storage medium applied thereto. The transaction storage medium has transaction card data associated with an account stored therein. The activation portion comprises a substantially planar activation portion substrate having a machine readable activation storage medium applied thereto. The activation storage medium has activation data associated with the account stored therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first circuit which operates in accordance with an internal clock, a second circuit which generates information of which an external apparatus is to be notified, an interface section which notifies the external apparatus of the information generated by the second circuit without using the first circuit upon receiving a predetermined command from the external apparatus, and a plurality of terminals each of which is connectable to one of power terminals and ground terminals provided on a substrate. The information is determined depending on whether each of the plurality of terminals is electrically connected to the power terminal or ground terminal on the substrate.

Abstract: A monocoque card for performing transactions is disclosed. The card comprises a substrate having a lenticular portion on a front side and a flat portion on a back side. The substrate has a thickness between 28 and 34 thousandths of an inch. Inks are applied on the flat portion on the back side and an information bearing portion is applied over the inks and for use in performing the transactions. A method for making such a monocoque card is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for entering information into a battery test/charger that includes a bar code reader, a controller that is used to receive information from the bar code reader wherein the controller controls a battery tester/charger. In addition, a method for entering information into a battery tester/charger that includes reading a bar code and inputting information into a controller for the battery tester charger based on the bar code. An additional method of recording information about a battery that includes printing information on a bar code reflecting information about the battery and associating the bar code with the battery.

Abstract: A method for real-time remote shopping using a real-time remote shopping system includes the steps of (a) obtaining the commodity information from a hand-held terminal and registering the information on a customer, (b) sending the shopping request information including the commodity information to a host server or a mobile terminal through the wired/wireless communication device, (c) receiving, at the mobile terminal, the shopping request information from the hand-held terminal or the host server, and sending the shopping data processed in real-time to the host server or the hand-held terminal, (d) receiving, at the hand-held terminal, the shopping data from the server or the hand-held terminal, and (e) sending, at the hand-held terminal, a shopping-ended signal to the host server or the hand-held terminal, and paying the price. The hand-held terminal includes a hand-held electronic device of the customer. The system and method can be applied to an internet shopping.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for bar code detection. The method comprises generating a digitized bar pattern (DBP) including a series of elements corresponding to elements of a scanned bar code, and identifying a first set of margins around a first portion of the series of elements. When an attempt to decode the first portion is unsuccessful, the first portion is analyzed to determine a second set of margins around a second portion of the series of elements, the second set of margins being within the first set of margins, and the second portion is input to a decoding algorithm.

Abstract: Controlling electronic withdrawals by a transaction processor including receiving in the transaction processor from a withdrawal device a withdrawal request, where the withdrawal request includes a withdrawal device identifier, a drawer identifier, a drawee identifier, and a withdrawal amount; transmitting from the transaction processor to a drawee a request for limitations on electronic withdrawals for the drawer, where the limitations include a limitation on drawer location; receiving in the transaction processor from storage in computer memory of the drawee data representing the limitations on electronic withdrawals for the drawer, including the limitation on drawer location; and authorizing, by the transaction processor, an electronic withdrawal in dependence upon the limitations, including the limitation on drawer location.

Abstract: In a data printing method of printing a plurality of data items, each including a name of an object, on a print sheet by a printer which has a function for printing a plurality of types of meshing patterns, the method includes the step of printing the plurality of data items so that adjacent ones of the data items are covered with the meshing patterns different from each other.

Abstract: A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers.

Abstract: A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card and selection means for allowing a user to select a feature in a few simple steps, preferably in a single step. In one embodiment the card includes a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using conventional reading devices. Each magnetic strip activates a different feature of the card. In another embodiment the card includes a programmable magnetic strip, a plurality of features stored in memory means mounted on the card, a plurality of buttons or contacts, and means for programming the magnetic strip with a different card feature. The card may also include a thin, flexible display.

Abstract: A hand-held, compact fixed mounted or mobile optical symbol scanner assembly that employs black-light emitting diodes to illuminate luminescent or fluorescent bar code symbols that are invisibly printed or formed the surface of an article. The scanner employs an array of far blue or UV LEDs or laser diodes. An optional nosepiece or shroud on the distal face of the scanner device limits glare from ambient light and also protects against stray UV light. A filter disposed in advance of the imager device blocks the illuminating wavelength but transmits the luminescent light from the target. With proper selection of optical filters and illumination LED wavelengths, the scanner can be used with inks or dyes that fluoresce when exposed to light in the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A portable consumer device is disclosed. The portable consumer device includes a body and a computer readable medium coupled to the body. The computer readable medium comprises a data string including one or more wildcard values. The data string is specifically associated with the consumer. For example, the data string may represent one or more products that the consumer prefers to use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device comprising an antenna for transmission of data to and/or from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. More specifically, the invention relates to a low or ultra-low temperature storage device comprising an antenna for transmission of data between a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and an RFID tag transceiver and its use for item identification, organization, classification, databasing, tracking or locating.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for assisting a check-cashing entity to efficiently and accurately locate relevant positive pay information or other reconcilement information regarding a check or other negotiable instrument that has been presented in association with a request to cash, deposit, use as payment or other otherwise accept the check or negotiable instrument. In various embodiments, when a plurality of potentially useful reconcilement information sources are selected for querying in association with a proposed check-cashing transaction from amongst a set of available reconcilement information sources, factors relating to the transaction, factors relating to characteristics of the information sources, and factors relating to preferences on the part of the check-cashing entity may be considered in order to select and prioritize the querying of information sources that are deemed likely to hold desired reconcilement information.

Abstract: A system for notifying an operator of a result of attempting to read a number of product labels on an item which produces only a single good read indication or bad read indication. The system includes a good read indicator, a bad read indicator, and control circuitry for notifying an operator of a result of attempting to read a number of product labels, including at least one of a barcode label and a radio frequency identification label on an item. The control circuitry activates a bad read indicator to indicate a single bad read indication if the control circuitry fails to receive item identification information from at least one of the barcode label and the radio frequency identification label, and activates a good read indicator to indicate a single good read indication if the control circuitry receives item identification information from at least one of the barcode label and the radio frequency identification label.

Abstract: Magnetic reading head assemblies are described that enable the alignment of a magnetic reading head to a track of magnetic information on a data card. In addition, embodiments of the present invention can enable the detection of misalignments in circumstances where the elastic mounted magnetic reading head could not aligned with the card reference edge; and therefore, the track of magnetic information on the data card. One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetic reading head including at least one magnetic gap having an alignment axis and a magnetic reading head mount including a base plate.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus configured to provide self-alignment in use when measuring the print quality of an encoded indicium. The apparatus is configured to exclude ambient light, and to align an encoded indicium located at a first aperture defined in a first surface of the apparatus with an imager positioned at a second aperture defined in a second surface of the apparatus. A source of illumination is provided to illuminate the encoded indicium during an interval when the encoded indicium is undergoing a verification process. An illumination control is provided to control the source of illumination. The apparatus can be controlled using a computer and a computer program recorded on a machine-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for the secure reading of answers to questions or quires by an RFID reader that were made by marking answers with a pencil or ballpoint pen on a material. The questions are securely transmitted because an identification on the material indicates the order of the transmitted questions or from which electrical contacts the answers correspond to.