Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for scanning of information, such as characters or symbols, without requiring a controlled scan velocity. Preferred embodiments utilize an optical sensor in detecting attributes of information scanned and implement compensation techniques to remediate the effects of distortion and present information which may be identified to a high level of confidence. A known topology may be relied upon to present known markers in the scanned information, such as known blank or filled regions, patterns, or other observable traits and utilized with respect to a distorted scanned image to compensate for the effects of the distortion. Additionally or alternatively, vector based pattern recognition may be utilized in remediating distortion of a scanned image.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using free storage capacity on a plurality of storage media as a virtual storage device on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. A first portion of each storage medium stores data. To implement Virtual Network Attached Storage (VNAS), the respective “free” second portions of each storage medium are aggregated into a shared storage volume. Computers on the network may mount the shared storage volume at one of a plurality of mount points and may store data on the shared storage volume. VNAS may be implemented in a peer-to-peer manner whereby each computer acts as a server for the data stored on its part of the shared storage volume (i.e., the second portion of its storage media). VNAS may be used to implement a system and method for managing data fail-over.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically authenticating a subscriber account for a network service is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a subscriber account provider receives initial information from a subscriber. The received information is stored by the subscriber account provider. A transaction processing device is provided to the subscriber and the subscriber is electronically authenticated prior to enabling the subscriber account for performing the network service. In the preferred embodiment, the step of electronically authenticating the subscriber comprises receiving captured information from subscriber through said transaction processing device. After receiving the captured information the subscriber account provider utilizes the captured information to receive verifying information about the subscriber; and then compares the verifying information with the initial information to authenticate the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically authenticating a subscriber account for a network service is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a subscriber account provider receives initial information from a subscriber. The received information is stored by the subscriber account provider. A transaction processing device is provided to the subscriber and the subscriber is electronically authenticated prior to enabling the subscriber account for performing the network service. In the preferred embodiment, the step of electronically authenticating the subscriber comprises receiving captured information from subscriber through said transaction processing device. After receiving the captured information the subscriber account provider utilizes the captured information to receive verifying information about the subscriber; and then compares the verifying information with the initial information to authenticate the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transaction processing device capable of secure communication over a public network or a private network. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable of performing various transactions. In the preferred embodiment the system which enables secure transaction processing over a communications network includes a transaction processing device, configured as a standalone transaction processing terminal, capable of secure provisionging and/or configuration over a public network, for example, the Internet. The preferred embodiment transaction processing device is useful for both SOHO type businesses and large businesses.