Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for tracking animals, which may include production animals as well as pets. The system and method may comprise a tag system that is attached to an animal that generally has at least a near-field-communication (NFC) tag. The tag system comprises at least an NFC tag and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. For NFC tags, such tags may be read with a portable computing device, such as a mobile telephone running NFC reader application software. The phone may communicate with a communications network and ultimately a computer server in order to relay information received from a respective electronic tag. The electronic tags may be fastened, embedded, or ingested by an animal. The electronic tags may be part of a mechanical coupling. Each mechanical coupling may comprise a different structure depending on the whether the tags are fastened to, embedded in, or ingested by the animal.

Abstract: A flexible card may include a stacked dynamic magnetic stripe communications device having multiple layers, such as a magnetic emulator, a magnet, and a shield. A shield may form a non-flexible layer within the stack and may bend, but the shield may not be able to stretch or compress. Flexible layers may surround and adhere to the shield such that when the card is flexed, the flexible layers may stretch and compress with the movement of the shield.

Abstract: In implementations of answering questions during video playback, a video system can receive a question related to a video at a timepoint of the video during playback of the video, and determine audio sentences of the video that occur within a segment of the video that includes the timepoint. The video system can generate a classification vector from words of the question and the audio sentences, and determine an answer to the question utilizing the classification vector. The video system can obtain answer candidates, and the answer to the question can be selected as one of the answer candidates based on matching the classification vector to one of the answer vectors.

Abstract: There is provided a barcode detection device including an image sensor and a processor. The image sensor captures an image frame of a barcode. The processor calculates a gradient vector of bars of the barcode in the image frame for determining a rotation angle of the image sensor. The rotation angle is used to calibrate a detected bar width.

Abstract: Processors and methods for neural network processing are provided. A method includes receiving a subset of data corresponding to a layer of a neural network. The method further includes prior to performing any matrix operations using the subset of the data, scaling the subset of the data by a scaling factor to generate a scaled subset of data. The method further includes quantizing the scaled subset of the data to generate a scaled and quantized subset of data. The method further includes performing the matrix operations using the scaled and quantized subset of the data to generate a subset of results of the matrix operations. The method further includes descaling the subset of the results of the matrix operations, by multiplying the subset of the results of the matrix operations with an inverse of the scaling factor, to generate a descaled subset of results of the matrix operations.

Abstract: An access system and system for enabling a package to be delivered to a house are disclosed. The access unit includes a keypad, a light, and an activatable open button. The access unit opens a door to the structure when the button is pressed while active. The access unit also includes an authentication module configured to communicate via Bluetooth with a package delivery unit when the package delivery unit reaches a predetermined delivery distance near the structure and to authenticate the package delivery unit. The access unit also includes an execution module configured to store one or more rules pertaining to delivery of a package by the package delivery unit and to execute the one or more rules in response to the access unit successfully communicating with the package delivery unit, wherein one of the rules is to activate the activatable open button if the authentication is successful.

Abstract: A multiple-pattern fiducial for a heterogeneous imaging sensor system. The multiple-pattern fiducial includes a first pattern detectable by a first wavelength of electromagnetic energy, and a second pattern detectable by a second wavelength of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide a service processing method, device, and system associated with unified resource locator (URL)-based two-dimensional (code). In an implementation, a URL is received from a first service institution. The URL is obtained by a mobile device from scanning a 2D code provided by a service provider and sent to the first service institution. The URL is then parsed to identify one or more data elements including a service network identifier, a service institution identifier, and a payload including a service object identifier. The one or more data elements is sent to the second service institution based on the service institution identifier. Service information associated with the service object is received from the second service institution based on the service object identifier, and the service information is sent to the first service institution for presenting on the mobile device.

Abstract: An induction heating system can be adapted for shrink fitting a plurality of different assemblies. A plurality of tooling units associated to respective ones of the assemblies, each one having an appropriately configured induction coil and holder, can be provided. A computer can be used to control the delivery of electrical power to the induction coil in accordance with a heating recipe, and can be provided with an input device for inputting an assembly identifier allowing the computer to operate the control based on the right heating recipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for using cryptography to secure computer-implemented choice mechanisms. In several preferred embodiments, a process is provided for securing participants' submissions while simultaneously providing the capability of validating their submissions. This is referred to as a random permutation. In several other preferred embodiments, a process is provided for securing participants' advance instructions while simultaneously providing the capability of validating their advance instructions. This is referred to as a secure advance instruction. Applications include voting mechanisms, school choice mechanisms, and auction mechanisms.

Abstract: A method includes: reading, by a tile lifter, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag within a floor tile that is locked to a support structure; comparing, by the tile lifter, a personal identification number (PIN) of the RFID tag to an access code within the tile lifter; determining, by the tile lifter, a match between the PIN of the RFID tag and the access code; and actuating, by the tile lifter and in response to the determining the match, an actuator in the floor tile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to document processing, and more particularly to systems and methods that can utilize relative positions between the content of the document and a decodable indicia affixed to the document. In one embodiment, indicia reading terminals are provided that include an imaging module for capturing a frame of image data of a document. The document can include one or more decodable indicia such as a form barcode and various content fields, which delineate particular content of the document. The form barcode can include information respecting the form design and form design data. This information can be used to process the content of the document such as by providing coordinates or similar location and positioning metrics for use in processing the content of the document.

Abstract: Technology for generating, reading, and using machine-readable codes is disclosed. There is a method, performed by an image capture device, for reading and using the codes. The method includes obtaining an image, identifying an area in the image having a machine-readable code. The method also includes, within the image area, finding a predefined start marker defining a start point and a predefined stop marker defining a stop point, an axis being defined there between. A plurality of axis points can be defined along the axis. For each axis point, a first distance within the image area to a mark is determined. The distance can be measured from the axis point in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis. The first distances can be converted to a binary code using Gray code such that each first distance encodes at least one bit of data in the code.

Abstract: A device for flavoring beverages is disclosed herein. The device includes a spoon having a handle end and a shovel end. Located on the shovel end is a dissolvable composition including a flavor. Printed on the shovel end is indicia, preferably inspirational indicia. In use, a user may place the shovel end of the spoon into a beverage and stir to dissolve the flavor into the beverage. The shovel end may additionally come in variety of shapes and sizes and not limited to a spoon shape. Once the composition is dissolved, the indicia is revealed. Furthermore, the device for flavoring beverages includes inspirational indicia thereon to motivate users of all walks of life. Additionally, the device includes a QR code that may be scanned by a user's mobile device in order to share and create more motivational indicia.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.

Abstract: A method of reading machine-readable marks on a movable support and object of a sample instrument. The method includes capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device; determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image; determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on a first object coupled to the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark; and associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the first object with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark.

Abstract: A computer-readable code array comprises a first three-dimensional module and second three-dimensional module. The first three-dimensional module comprises a first face and a second face. A state of the first face encodes a pixel of a first computer-readable code. A state of the second face encodes a pixel of a second computer-readable code. The second three-dimensional module comprises a third face and a fourth face. A state of the third face encodes a second pixel of the first computer-readable code. A state of the second face encodes a second pixel of the second computer-readable code.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of data identification, in particular to a technique for forming and capturing a two-dimensional code. The invention provides a method for forming and capturing a two-dimensional code positioning dot matrix for rapid positioning. The method for forming the two-dimensional code positioning point lattice comprises the following steps: Setting or reading the positioning point data lattice; drawing four central symmetric primary positioning point lattice on the setting background; and adding the positioning interval area to the periphery of the primary positioning point lattice. The invention solves the technical problems of long locating time and high locating error rate in 2d code recognition, strengthens the reliability of two-dimensional code locating, improves the identifying efficiency, and reduces the pollution of locating points and data.

Abstract: Systems and methods display machine-readable codes and assembled machine-readable codes that drive or push new online users to generate new online user accounts and reward new and/or existing online account users for generating new online user accounts.

Abstract: A wearable computing contact tracing, medical tracking and passport device has a main body, at least one indicator light, a location tracker, and a processor. The indicator light provides a first visual indication, such as a red light, of when the user has been exposed to a pandemic disease and a second visual indication, such as a green light, of when the user is immune to the pandemic disease.