Abstract: A fixed retail scanner and related methods comprises imagers configured to capture image data, and a processor operably coupled to the imagers. The processor configured to provide image data from at least some of the imagers in real-time during a transaction to a decoder within the data reader for decoding an optical code on an object within the image data, generate annotations for the image data based on an analysis of image content of the image data to generate annotated image data, and provide the annotated image data from at least some of the imagers to an external system in real-time during the transaction.

Abstract: A system (100) and a method for marking a product (10) utilize an encoding that specifies the presence or absence of each of a plurality of luminescent materials, at least one of which exhibits a predetermined decay behavior. The decay behavior of a plurality of different materials is detected, and based thereon the presence or absence of the luminescent materials is inferred. A corresponding encoding specifies whether or not the respective materials are present. In this way, different encodings can be associated in advance with different properties of the product (10). The luminescent materials that specify the associated encoding can be applied to the product (10) as a mark (20) in accordance with a determined property of the product (10).

Abstract: Cards made in accordance with the invention include a decorative layer attached to a core layer, where the decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal cards. At least one of the decorative layers is a layer derived from plant matter (e.g., wood). The cards may be dual interface smart cards that can be read in a contactless manner and/or via contacts.

Abstract: Systems/techniques that can facilitate video/animated QR codes are provided. In various aspects, a processor can identify a QR code. In various instances, the processor can decompose the QR code into a static fragment and a plurality of dynamic fragments. The static fragment can be a portion of the QR code that contains sufficient information to facilitate an online transaction, whereas the plurality of dynamic fragments can be a plurality of portions of the QR code that collectively contain sufficient information to facilitate an offline transaction. In various instances, the processor can sequentially render a plurality of frames on an electronic display, where each frame depicts the static fragment and a corresponding one of the plurality of dynamic fragments. Accordingly, a point-of-sale device can facilitate an online transaction by scanning one frame rendered by the processor, and/or can facilitate an offline transaction by scanning all frames rendered by the processor.

Abstract: A portable tracking device including a substantially rectangular base unit. A display screen, a video camera, a keypad, a pair of lights, an activation control, a video control, a bar code scanner, and a camera control are disposed on the base unit. The pair of lights includes a first light and a second light. The bar code scanner is configured to scan the barcode of each of a plurality of tags. The first light of the pair of lights is configured to activate when a user scans the barcode of one of the plurality of tags a first time. The first light of the pair of lights is configured to deactivate and the second light of the pair of lights is configured to simultaneously activate when the user scans the barcode of one of the plurality of tags a second time.

Abstract: Provided is a coin handling apparatus including: a storage unit; a drawer attachment unit to which a drawer is attached; a cassette attachment unit to which a coin transport cassette including an opening to be opened when the coin transport cassette is attached to a specific apparatus and giving or receiving a coin to or from the specific apparatus via the opening is attached; a first route forming portion forming a first route that guides the coin fed out of the storage unit to the drawer attached to the drawer attachment unit; a second route forming portion forming a second route that guides the coin fed out of the storage unit to the coin transport cassette attached to the cassette attachment unit; and a switching unit that switches a guide destination of the coin fed out of the storage unit to the first route or the second route.

Abstract: A handheld device contains a main body and a sensor disposed on the main body, which is configured to sense biometric data of a person. A recess formed in the main body is disposed relative to the sensor such that an electronic device with a light means is temporarily receivable in the recess and positionable in the recess below the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for detecting and decoding a two-dimensional encoded pattern, e.g. of the Robust Encoding Pattern type (REP), even in case the pattern is applied on a non-uniform colored background of a surface of a substrate. The operations for decoding such an encoded pattern involve detecting the states of its symbols through a test pattern, checking that local differences between parameter values of the elements of the symbols are consistent with an allowed representation of the test pattern to assign via a one-to-one mapping the states of the symbols of the test pattern to the corresponding symbols of the encoded pattern, and decoding the encoded pattern based on the assigned representation of its symbols.

Abstract: RFID devices comprising (i) a transponder chip module (TCM) having an RFIC chip (IC) and a module antenna (MA), and (ii) a coupling frame (CF) having an electrical discontinuity comprising a slit (S) or non-conductive stripe (NCS). The coupling frame may be disposed closely adjacent the transponder chip module so that the slit overlaps the module antenna. The RFID device may be a payment object such as a jewelry item having a metal component modified with a slit (S) to function as a coupling frame. The coupling frame may be moved (such as rotated) to position the slit to selectively overlap the module antennas (MA) of one or more transponder chip modules (TCM-1, TCM-2) disposed in the payment object, thereby selectively enhancing (including enabling) contactless communication between a given transponder chip module in the payment object and another RFID device such as an external contactless reader. The coupling frame may be tubular. A card body construction for a metal smart card is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the processing of machine-readable visual encodings in view of contextual information. One embodiment of aspects of the present disclosure comprises obtaining image data descriptive of a scene that includes a machine-readable visual encoding; processing the image data with a first recognition system configured to recognize the machine-readable visual encoding; processing the image data with a second, different recognition system configured to recognize a surrounding portion of the scene that surrounds the machine-readable visual encoding; identifying a stored reference associated with the machine-readable visual encoding based at least in part on one or more first outputs generated by the first recognition system based on the image data and based at least in part on one or more second outputs generated by the second recognition system based on the image data; and performing one or more actions responsive to identification of the stored reference.

Abstract: One or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and/or a console management, modeling, and analysis system is described. In some embodiments, the GUI and/or management system can be used to analyze investment purchases and/or sales. In some embodiments, users may be allowed to enter data used to produce dynamic models. In some embodiments, data may be aggregated from various users and/or sources to provide adaptive, dynamic models and/or projections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a marking on an object according to image data, wherein the image data comprises pixels with first pixel values and pixels with second pixel values, and wherein the marking to be produced comprises several cells, each cell corresponding to one pixel of the image data, in which at least one light beam is emitted with light emitting means; a deflection direction of scanning means for deflecting the light beam is scanned over the object; when the deflection direction points at a cell corresponding to a pixel with a first pixel value, the light emitting means are activated to produce a mark in that cell; and; when the deflection direction points at a cell corresponding to a pixel with a second pixel value, the light emitting means are deactivated to leave that cell blank.

Abstract: An example storage unit for a Universal Serial Bus drive can include: a casing integrated with a Universal Serial Bus data interface; a memory chip; a connector that couples the memory chip to the casing; and opposing tines extending from the connector, the opposing tines being flexible to allow the storage unit to be inserted and retained in an outer casing.

Abstract: Tamper-proofing and secure identity validation techniques in a transaction processing system and secure electronic payment techniques are disclosed. A tamper-proof transaction processing device is provided and comprises at least two different strength adhesives to secure parts of the device together and a housing comprising at least a first and second protective layer. An electronic component comprising a secure element chip storing unique information relating to the chip is located between the first and second protective layer in the housing. In another aspect, a transaction processing system includes a payment instrument that is configured to approve only negative value and/or zero value transaction requests. Another aspect provides an identity card checking system and method where the identity card is brought into proximity of a data processing device and identity information is displayed on the screen of the data processing device for the period of time while the card is in proximity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slot-type ultra-wideband depolarized chipless RFID tag. The tag comprises a tag slot unit, a metal plate and a dielectric substrate, wherein the tag slot unit is formed by means of etching the metal plate, and is located on the upper surface of the dielectric substrate; the tag slot unit is composed of at least four annular slot groups, and tags are distributed in a centrosymmetric manner; and each annular slot group is composed of four concentric annular slots that are distributed in a nested manner; a transceiver antenna TX transmits a horizontally polarized electromagnetic wave; a scattered wave obtained; a transceiver acquires a frequency spectrum of the scattered wave; the spectrum is converted into a time-domain signal; a response of the tag is extracted; and an MFCC feature of the time-domain signal is extracted.

Abstract: Tamper-proofing and secure identity validation techniques in a transaction processing system and secure electronic payment techniques are disclosed. A tamper-proof transaction processing device is provided and comprises at least two different strength adhesives to secure parts of the device together and a housing comprising at least a first and second protective layer. An electronic component comprising a secure element chip storing unique information relating to the chip is located between the first and second protective layer in the housing. In another aspect, a transaction processing system includes a payment instrument that is configured to approve only negative value and/or zero value transaction requests. Another aspect provides an identity card checking system and method where the identity card is brought into proximity of a data processing device and identity information is displayed on the screen of the data processing device for the period of time while the card is in proximity.

Abstract: Tamper-proofing and secure identity validation techniques in a transaction processing system and secure electronic payment techniques are disclosed. A tamper-proof transaction processing device is provided and comprises at least two different strength adhesives to secure parts of the device together and a housing comprising at least a first and second protective layer. An electronic component comprising a secure element chip storing unique information relating to the chip is located between the first and second protective layer in the housing. In another aspect, a transaction processing system includes a payment instrument that is configured to approve only negative value and/or zero value transaction requests. Another aspect provides an identity card checking system and method where the identity card is brought into proximity of a data processing device and identity information is displayed on the screen of the data processing device for the period of time while the card is in proximity.

Abstract: An example disclosed method includes, in response to receiving a first signal at a communication device when the communication device is in a deep sleep mode, changing the tag from the deep sleep mode to an awake mode for a period of time, wherein the communication device consumes a first amount of power in the deep sleep mode, and the communication device consumes a second amount of power in the awake mode, and the second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power; in response to receiving a second signal during the period of time when in the awake mode, changing the communication device from the awake mode to a fully functional mode, wherein the communication device consumes a third amount of power in the fully functional mode, and the third amount of power is greater than the second amount of power; and, in response to not receiving the second signal during the period of time, changing the communication device from the awake mode to the deep sleep mode.

Abstract: Secure cash deposit containers, such as secure cash bags or secure cash boxes equipped with an integrated bill scanner and a transmitter. The integrated bill scanner may receive and count the bills, and then store them in the secure cash deposit container. A transmitter in communication with the scanner may then transmit a report to the bank servicing the commercial establishment's cash deposit account. The bank may then automatically credit the amount reported by the scanner to the commercial establishment cash deposit account. The amount credited may be subject to further verification, for example, by a bank teller or by a bank's automated cash counting and sorting machines.

Abstract: An RF tag includes an RF tag antenna and an IC chip. The RF tag antenna is provided with: an insulation base material having a first main surface, a second main surface, and a first lateral surface; a first waveguide element provided on the first main surface; a second waveguide element provided to extend from the second main surface to the first lateral surface and the first main surface; and a power supply part and a short circuiting part that are provided on the first main surface. A planar inverted-F antenna is formed from the insulation base material, the first waveguide element, the second waveguide element, the power supply part, and the short circuiting part. The lengths of the power supply part and the short circuiting part are set such that the resonant frequency of an LC resonant circuit coincides with the reception frequency of radio waves.