Abstract: A flashlight mounting system includes a first elastomeric mount portion, a second elastomeric mount portion, and a fastener having a shaft that secures the first and second elastomeric mount portions to each other. The first and second elastomeric mount portions are able to rotate relative to each other about the shaft. The flashlight mounting system further includes a first strap that passes through the first elastomeric mount portion to secure the first elastomeric mount portion to a flashlight, and a second strap that passes through the second elastomeric mount portion to secure the second elastomeric mount portion to a support structure.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a plurality of settlement apparatuses and a registration apparatus. The registration apparatus includes a scanner, a storage unit, a communication interface, and a processor. The processor controls the scanner, the storage unit and the communication interface to identify a commodity corresponding to a scanned code, generate the settlement information, and transmit the settlement information to a selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses. The selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses determines, with respect to itself, whether a settlement processing is currently being performed and whether a settlement processing was completed within a preceding predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A lighting and fan combination device is disclosed where the lighting can be mounted on a housing of the fan. One or more light and fan combination members can be connected to a mount that allows the device to be mounted to a wall, ceiling, or other structure. The lighting component may be separable from the fan housing and can be interchanged with other types of lighting components. The lighting elements may be LEDs or other lighting elements.

Abstract: Synthesized-beam RFID readers may be used to locate RFID tags. In one embodiment, a tag's response rates on different beams can be used, along with the target locations of those beams, to estimate the tag's location. The estimated tag location is within a region where beams with nonzero tag response rates overlap, and the distances of the estimated tag location from any two different beam target locations may correspond to a ratio of tag response rates on the two different beams. In another embodiment, a tag's response rates on different beam pairs configured to cooperatively power RFID tags can be used, along with the target locations of those beam pairs, to estimate the tag's location.

Abstract: A method for wireless communication is described. The method includes using a routing table for multiple secure elements. The routing table assigns a preferred secure element for a transaction type. The method also includes selecting a first secure element for a transaction based on the routing table. The method further includes updating the routing table based on a received command to use a second secure element to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method including the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV, attempting to decode a code candidate in the image using a first decode algorithm, and where the attempt to decode the code candidate fails, maintaining the image in memory. The method including repeating the above steps until one of a threshold number of attempts to decode the code candidate have failed and the code candidate has been successfully decoded. Further, the method includes accessing the images maintained in memory and attempting to decode the code candidate in at least a subset of the images stored in memory using a second decode algorithm that is different than the first decode algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light emitting apparatus including a substrate, at least one light source, a wavelength converter disposed on the substrate to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the at least one light source, and a reflector which comprises an opening formed at a point nearest to the wavelength converter to allow the light emitted from the at least one light source to progress toward the wavelength converter, the reflector being disposed on the substrate to reflect light from the wavelength converter.

Abstract: Mechanisms for transferring data from a source computing device to a target computing device are provided. A filename identifier (ID) that identifies a file stored on the source computing device is presented on a display device. A selection of the filename ID is received. A unique identifier is generated, and association data that associates the unique identifier with the file is generated. The unique identifier is encoded into a coded image. The coded image is presented on the display device. A first file transfer request is received via a communications interface from a target computing device to transfer the file via the communications interface to the target computing device. The first file transfer request includes an identifier. Responsive to receiving the first file transfer request, the file is sent to the target computing device.

Abstract: A near field magnetically coupled anti-counterfeiting tag comprises a control microcircuit configured to implement a basic function and a cryptographic function; a sacrificial conductive track located across a sacrificial area of the tag; and a circuit for detecting continuity of the sacrificial track, cooperating with the microcircuit to implement the basic function without implementing the cryptographic function when the sacrificial track is broken.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a money reception device has a storage device, a reject device, and a control device. The reject device rejects money which has been judged not to be a normal coin, out of received coins. After the money has been rejected, when storage of the money to be received again in the storage device is permitted, the control device controls the reject device so that the money to be received again is not rejected.

Abstract: A license plate radio electronic identifier is provided. Through an isolated space defined between an RFID tag in an elongate frame of an identifier and a license plate to form a resonant cavity at a slot of a metal film antenna on the RFID tag, the metal film antenna can resonate and sense an electromagnetic wave signal reflected by the surface of the license plate through the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic wave signal of a frequency band is transmitted to a radio frequency identification chip under the action of the frequency band and the field pattern adjustment of the slot and a groove. The overall structure of the identifier serves as radio identification for a vehicle. The identifier is resistant to a metal interference and capable of long distance reading and can be put into mass production and is cost-effective.

Abstract: A numbering system is provided having an identifier with hexadecimal, vigesimal, quadrivigesimal, or any other suitable alphanumeric characters includable on a card and an account identifiable using the identifier. The card can be a gift card, a customer loyalty card, or a customer incentive card. An interface may be connected to a communications network that is accessible to associate the identifier with an account and manage funds associable with the account. Funds data may be associable with the account and storable on the remote server, the funds data relating to the funds transferred by a user to a card issuer. The identifier may be storable on the card in an electronically readable format, and may be included on the card via printing and/or imprinting. A method is provided for using the numbering system.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data flows for automatic processing of foreign currency tenderings, such as on Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminals and other devices and system on which currency transactions may be conducted. One method embodiment includes receiving an image of an image flow captured by a camera of a scanner and determining whether a currency item is present in the image. In such embodiments, when a currency item is determined to be present in the image, sending a data representation of a received currency denomination and value as a currency tender input to a process of a POS terminal.

Abstract: A light includes a housing defining a bottom end and a top end, a heat sink disposed within the housing and including a central body that defines a central aperture, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central body and extending outward from the central body, each of the arms including a light receiving surface. A plurality of LEDs is coupled to each of the light receiving surfaces and a hollow tube extends from the bottom of the housing and is coupled to the heat sink to define a cooling air passage that passes through the hollow tube and the central aperture to direct cooling air from the bottom of the housing to the top of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic device (300) is provided, having a housing (301). The housing has a cooling chamber (342) and a wireless-communication chamber (344). The cooling chamber comprises an electronic circuit (310) embedded in potting material. The potting material is arranged to conduct heat away from the electronic circuit. The wireless-communication chamber comprises a radio-frequency (RF) antenna (320) for wirelessly receiving one or more commands controlling the electronic device. The cooling chamber and the wireless-communication chamber are physically separated so that the radio-frequency antenna is free from potting material wherein the cooling chamber and the wireless-communication chamber share a common separation wall (340) formed from a non-conducting material to separate the cooling chamber and the wireless-communication chamber, and the separation wall (340) forms a non-zero angle with respect to a top opening of the housing (301; 401).

Abstract: A flashlight is protected from damage due to shock such as occurs when a flashlight is dropped, crushed or otherwise physically abused. A plastic molding can be attached to either the front or rear portion of a flashlight or to both portions to resiliently absorb shock forces. A series of thin fins projects axially outwardly from the molding to resiliently deform upon impact so as to absorb shock and distribute the shock around the ends of the flashlight and to reduce stress concentrations around the ends of the flashlight. A series of axially-extending and radially-extending ribs further protects the flashlight from axially and radially-directed shock forces and further absorb shock forces. An optional safety crush or clearance zone can be provided between each shock absorber and the flashlight.

Abstract: A vehicle identification card is provided to an insured that includes proof of automotive insurance information and charge account information. The card may include an insurance policy covering the insured's vehicle, the VIN number of the vehicle, and other information about the vehicle such as the vehicle's make and model. The card may include account information that allows the card to be used like a credit card. The card may further include means for wirelessly updating information and providing a display to the user, which includes, but is not limited to, a housing, a memory module, a processor, one or more displays, and a power source.

Abstract: An information providing system includes: a processor that executes a process including: receiving an identifier to uniquely identify an automatic transaction apparatus in which transaction is performed, and an input of a financial institution code read from a card inserted into the automatic transaction apparatus; determining information to be output in the automatic transaction apparatus, based on a relation between the financial institution code and the identifier of the automatic transaction apparatus; and displaying the determined information on a screen of the automatic transaction apparatus or an external display device controlled by the automatic transaction apparatus.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning an item positioned in a scan volume can include: an electronically switchable mirror configured to switch between a reflective state and a transmissive state, a plurality of mirrors, and a camera having a sensor. In a method for scanning the item, the scanner can repeatedly: switch the switchable mirror from the reflective state to the transmissive state, image a first field of view of the item onto the sensor with light that reflects from at least one mirror and transmits through the switchable mirror, switch the switchable mirror from the transmissive state to the reflective state, and image a second field of view of the item onto the sensor with light that reflects from at least one mirror and reflects from the switchable mirror. In some examples, the scanner can synchronize the switching of the switchable mirror to a frame rate of the sensor.

Abstract: A dimensioning system that analyzes a distance map for null-data pixels to provide feedback is disclosed. Null-data pixels correspond to missing range data and having too many in a distance map may lead to dimensioning errors. Providing feedback based on the number of null-data pixels helps a user understand and adapt to different dimensioning conditions, promotes accuracy, and facilitates handheld applications.