Abstract: Products, systems and methods are provided for applying a tag or other label/indicia to an item, particularly an item with a circular, elliptical or irregular cross-section. The tag may take various forms. The tags may be secured to a variety of items, e.g., hoses, pipes, equipment, powered industrial units, and the like. The disclosed products, systems and methods allow the tag/label/indicia to be secured relative to the item in an easy and efficient manner. In addition, the securement mechanism includes cooperative mushroom style hooks and loops, and is generally susceptible to only a single use and is disabled and/or ineffectual if the securement is “reversed/undone” and reuse of the securement mechanism is attempted.

Abstract: The gas turbine engine part can have a heat sink portion having a surface having a plurality of protrusions distributed over an area of the surface, the protrusions projecting away from the surface and including protrusions being adjacent to one another and collectively forming an identifier. A flow of cooling air can be directed to the protrusions forming the identifier to cool the part.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a ballot for voting in an election. The ballot consists of first and second sheets having identical voting information for recording a vote printed thereon. The first and second sheets are attached together such that the first sheet overlays the second sheet and the identical voting information of the sheets overlap precisely. The first sheet is adapted to receive a first mark recording a vote by means of a writing implement. The first sheet is a copy paper which is configured to copy the first mark onto the second sheet. The first sheet is configured to be easily detachable from the first sheet. Each of the first and second sheets have an identifier, the identifier being unique to the ballot, the identifier on each sheet being obscured by a seal overlaying the identifier. The seal is configured to be easily removed to reveal the underlying identifier.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a portable device relative to a display is provided. An image stream is captured by the portable device when the portable device is positioned proximate to the display. The image stream is captured from a region of the display when the display is actively rendering a content stream, the content stream including embedded content for position determination. The embedded content is detected within the captured image stream, and the location of the portable device relative to the display is determined based on the detected embedded content.

Abstract: A microcircuit card (2) and held within a carrier card (3) is generally shown as 1 in FIG. 1. The microcircuit card (2) is bounded on all edges except one edge (10a) which is free. The free edge (10a) is substantially in alignment with an edge (7) of a carrier card (3). The microcircuit card and carrier card are held together by connections (12), which can be broken to release the microcircuit card (20) so it can be used independently of the carrier card. The position of the microcircuit card allows it to be easily and cleanly removed from the carrier card.

Abstract: A system for encoding energy peaks of an identifier comprises an encoder. The encoder is configured to define a readable spectral range of an identifier. The identifier comprises a rugate microtag. The encoder is configured to divide the readable spectral range into a plurality of bins. The encoder is configured to encode in a center of a bin near one end of the readable spectral range a reference peak. The encoder is configured to encode in a center of each of a set of bins a set of peaks of a data pattern within the readable spectral range.

Abstract: A laser scanning system with sufficient power to drill very small holes or marks in materials. The holes or marks are so small that they cannot be seen with the human eye. These holes and marks can be arranged in an ID matrix barcode or other barcode that can be detected with a specially designed barcode reader.

Abstract: A security document precursor including one or more lamellae provided with two or more holes near a perimeter edge surface of the precursor, wherein the holes perforate the largest surface of the one or more lamellae, and wherein at least one of the holes is filled with a colored material which differs in color from at least one of the one or more lamellae, such that the colored material is visible from a direction perpendicular on the perimeter edge surface; wherein at least one of the one or more lamellae is transparent or translucent: or wherein at least one of the one or more lamellae is opaque and the opaque part of the at least one of the one or more lamellae between the perimeter edge and the hole filled with a colored material has been removed. A security document and a method of preparing the security document precursor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of identifying a plurality of items, the method comprising: performing a CT scan of a plurality of items, at least some of said items bearing information tags; reconstructing an image based on the CT scan; and identifying an information tag associated with the items based on the reconstructed image.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a cover, a sheet support member, a plurality of separate sheet members, and an account identifier. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members transition between folded and unfolded configurations. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members is coupled to the cover via the sheet support member. In the folded configuration, each separate sheet member is maintained within a footprint of the cover. In the unfolded configuration, each separate sheet member extends beyond the footprint of the cover. When one separate sheet member is in the unfolded configuration others of the plurality of separate sheet members are in the folded configuration and substantially hidden from view via the sheet support member. The account identifier is statically connected to one of the cover, the sheet support member, and the plurality of separate sheet members and links the transaction product to a financial account.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a product identification tag, generally including a durable material that includes indicia thereon corresponding to useful information. The durable material is generally configured to be at least one of pierced and/or punched to capture distinctive identification information for a specific product. The distinctive identification information can be at least one of a serial number, an in-service date, and an inspection date. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to a method of product identification, comprising providing a durable material that includes indicia thereon corresponding to useful information. The exemplary method further includes at least one of piercing and/or punching the durable material to capture distinctive identification information for a specific product and detachably securing the durable material to the specific product.

Abstract: A security element is provided for a document of value. The security element includes an array of apertures through at least a portion of the document of value, the arrangement of apertures relative to one another forming an observable data item. The array of apertures includes apertures of at least two different shapes or orientations, the occurrence of the different shapes or orientations within the array representing an encoded data item. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a security element on a document of value, including: obtaining a first data item and generating an aperture array template; obtaining a second data item and encoding the second data item within the aperture array template; and perforating at least a portion of the security document according to the encoded aperture array template.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insert for a multilayer chip card, including an intermediate sheet and, on either side of the intermediate sheet, at least one outer sheet having a face in close contact with the corresponding face of the intermediate sheet, the intermediate sheet including at least one recess prior to the lamination of the insert. The insert having at least one of the outer sheets is made from a fluent material, such that, when the intermediate sheet is being laminated with the outer sheets, part of the material of the outer sheets moves into the recess in the intermediate sheet, thereby forming a visual and/or tactile defect on the surface of the insert, indicating whether of not the insert and/or the chip card is authentic.

Abstract: The present invention provides A surface identification system comprising: at least one identification code pattern comprising a plurality of recesses, through holes and/or projections formed on an code area of a first surface, the identification code pattern being made to correspond to the first surface or a second surface; and a code reading apparatus for reading the identification code pattern, the code reading apparatus being capable of irradiating light rays towards the code area, receiving reflected light rays reflected from the code area to read out the identification code pattern according to an amount of the reflected light rays from each of the plurality of recesses, through holes and/or projections, and indicating a correspondence between the identification code pattern and the first surface or the second surface. The invention also relates to a surface identification method, an object having an identification code pattern and a code reading apparatus for reading the object.

Abstract: A security document, such as a banknote or a check, is provided with a perforation pattern (5) having holes (5a, 5b) with elongate cross section. When viewing the perforation pattern (5) from a direction that is non-perpendicular to the surface of the document, different holes will have different optical transmission, which can be verified by eye or electronically. Perforation patterns (5) of this type are hard to forge and easy to verify.

Abstract: A noncontact IC tag label includes: a band-shaped label base material inclusive of a release surface formed at least at one end of the base material and releasably treated in advance, and a non-release surface; an electroconductive layer formed on the non-release surface of the band-shaped label base material and including a required antenna pattern; and an IC chip mounted on one face of the electroconductive layer. The electroconductive layer and the IC chip are shrouded by a surface protection sheet via a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. A thermoadhesive resin layer bonded onto the non-release surface of the band-shaped label base material is provided on an opposite face of the electroconductive layer including the antenna pattern, with respect to the surface protection sheet. Also, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is bonded onto the non-release surface and release surface of the band-shaped label base material.

Abstract: Aimed is easy locating of a card placed on a touch panel, when identifying card type by sliding a touch pen, etc. along card slits. When a reference slit determining unit (404) of a card identification device (401) determines that a locus input from a touch panel unit (402) matches a reference slit, a slit region display control unit (405) displays longest slit regions images in which value slits are to be included on an image display unit (403). When a value slit determining unit (406) determines that a locus input thereafter matches any value slit, an input-finished slit display control unit (409) displays the image of the identified value slit on the image display unit (403), overlaying it on the longest slit region. When all value slits are identified, a card identifying unit (407) identifies the card type based on types of the identified value slits, and outputs it.

Abstract: Direct application symbol mark which consists of information elements which are formed in needle-impact marking on the surface of the part being marked in the form of conical depressions and which are filled with paint, characterized in that an adhesively fixed film with the recorded optical information with perforated openings which coincide with the depressions is located overhead on this surface, and the paint which is used for filling is fluorescent.

Abstract: A method of identifying a plurality of items, the method comprising: performing a CT scan of a plurality of items, at least some of said items bearing information tags; reconstructing an image based on the CT scan; and identifying an information tag associated with the items based on the reconstructed image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transaction card with a three-dimensional tipping guide and techniques for using the card. The transaction card includes a base with a front and a back card surface wherein sets of indicators are visible along the outer areas of the front and back card surfaces. The card is configured to be rotated during usage. Also disclosed herein are accessory devices that support the transaction card.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; and an identification mark imparting unit that imparts an identification mark which is identifiable by a sense of touch on the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

Abstract: A card in a rectangular configuration has horizontal upper and lower edges, vertical left and right side edges, front and rear faces, and horizontal and vertical mid lines. Indicia on the front face of the card is in the form of alphanumeric characters. A plurality of pinholes extend through the card. Each pinhole is adapted to refract light and magnify images to be read.

Abstract: Set of tickets in the form of a continuous strip (35, 85) of multilayer detachable tickets featuring, between two adjacent tickets (30 and 31, 80 and 81), cross precuts (32, 82) alternating with ticket linking bridges (33, 83), the transversal precuts being used to guide the separation of adjacent tickets when a pulling force is applied on one of the tickets. The cross precuts (32, 82) feature at their end longitudinal precuts (34, 84) that are perpendicular or oblique to cross precuts so that the linking bridges (33, 83) between two adjacent tickets play the role of hinges when the adjacent tickets are folded or are not in the same plane, thus preventing the outer layer from being subjected to more stresses than the inner layer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a label comprising a pasting part for pasting said label to an object and comprising an electronic device preferably for a radio frequency identification (RFID). In order to improve such a label, it is suggested that the electronic device is pivotably connected to said pasting part.

Abstract: A mini card adapter for removably holding and fixing a mini card in a secure manner is provided. The mini card adapter holds a mini card having the same thickness as the standard card and outline dimensions smaller than those of the standard card. The mini card comprises a reference wall having the same thickness as the standard card and a bulging section formed on the top surface of the reference wall. In the reference wall, a card pocket for is formed for loading therein the mini card. The land section is formed in a region corresponding to the emboss section of the standard card, and a part of the land section bulges over the card pocket. As a result, an eaves wall for supporting one side of the mini card is formed. The eaves wall has a boss which fits in a hole formed in the mini card. A receiving nail for receiving the periphery of the mini card in corporation with the eaves wall is provided on the peripheral lower surface of the card pocket.

Abstract: A digital watermark which is incorporated, perceptibly or imperceptibly, into a diffractive device such as a hologram. When applied to protect and/or authenticate a document of value or a product, the device provides an increased degree of overt and covert security, and permits tracking of the sale, use or other parameters associated with the product and/or document of value.

Abstract: The steps of an identification theft proof tag and sticker method are providing a plurality of tags with a telephone number, a PIN, and a plurality of selections corresponding to a phone number, each tag optionally containing a smart chip and a smart card with a microprocessor; activating the tag by the user by following specific instructions and placing a registered tag on a valuable; following the instructions printed on the tag when finding a lost valuable by a person other than the owner; using the tag as a phone card, if needed, and dialing the number on the back of the tag; entering the PIN when prompted to do so, and selecting a contact number; and contacting the owner and ascertaining the best way to return the valuable.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for preventing engagement of stacked embossed cards is disclosed. The methods include the steps of embossing a sheet of cards in at least two unique embossment patterns, separating the cards from the sheet, and collating the cards using at least one conveyor such that no two adjacent cards have substantially the same embossment pattern. The apparatus includes an embossing press, a first conveyor, a stripping station, and a second conveyor.

Abstract: A mini card has a size smaller than a card that conforms to established standards, and includes a hole for attachment to a key ring or other external device. Increased durability is provided by means of a substrate that includes a core made of PVC material, sandwiched between two durable layers of polyester material. Printing on these layers is protected by transparent overlay layers made of PVC. The durability of the card is measured by means of a test procedure in which random multi-dimensional motion is imparted to an assembly of the card and an attached weight. The durability is quantitatively indicated by the amount of elapsed time until the weight becomes separated from the card while undergoing the vibrational movement.

Abstract: A transaction card having one or more folds therein to provide a compact and easily stored transaction card is provided. Moreover, a foldable transaction card having one or more holes or apertures therein for holding a keychain, or other device for attaching the transaction card to another item, such as a set of keys, a wallet, or other item is provided. Other embodiments include spring-loaded clips on the foldable transaction cards and protective sleeves, housings or cases for full-sized and smaller-sized cards. In addition, methods of making foldable transaction cards are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a price indication label comprising an detachable label body which has a price indication region capable of indicating a current price in an advertisement region capable of advertising information for sales promotion. In order to improve such price indication labels, the surface material of the price indication region and the surface material of the advertisement region are different from each other.

Abstract: An inexpensive non-contact communication type information carrier with good handling capability and productivity, characterized in that an IC chip 1 formed integral with the antenna coil 3 is mounted in a recessed portion 6 of a core piece body 5 to form a core piece 11 and that the core piece 11 is mounted at a predetermined position on the information carrier.

Abstract: A transponder label including a transponder film, a chip mounted on the transponder film and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a thickness that is equal to the thickness of the chip. The adhesive layer also has a recess in an area of the chip, which recess has a contour that matches the shape of the chip.

Abstract: A portable data storage configuration has a card base and a display device, the display device being fixed to the card base. The display device is only partially connected to the card base by the fixed connection. This mounting technique results in that almost no lateral or shear forces act on the display device.

Abstract: A baggage tag in which a recording layer is formed on one side of a laminate, a circuit element is placed on the side opposite to the recording layer of the laminate, the laminate is a laminate of a paper sheet and a plastic film. The Clark degree of the laminate including the record layer in the recording direction, prescribed by JIS P8143, is 50 to 200. Therefore, the baggage tag is substantially free from problems due to defective printing and is free from the danger that the circuit element will come off and the baggage tag will be pulled off during the transport of the baggage.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming displays are claimed. One embodiment of the invention includes a contact smart card wherein fluidic self assembly is used to build the microelectronic structures on the display such that a contact smart data is transmitted unidirectionally. A contact smart card is inserted directly into a device that transfers data to a display coupled to the smart card. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a contactless smart card in which fluidic self assembly is also used here to build the display. Data is transmitted to an antenna that is embedded in the contactless card in which a plurality of blocks were deposited thereon.

Abstract: A holographic ROM system includes a light source for emitting a laser beam; an expanding unit for expanding the laser beam; and a mask for modulating a certain portion of the expanded laser beam to thereby generate a signal beam which is directly provided to a holographic medium and sifting the remainder portion of the expanded laser beam to thereby generate a reference beam which is provided to a conical mirror reflecting the reference beam toward the holographic medium. The holographic medium is composed of a recording region onto which both the reference beam and the signal beam are projected; and a transparent region which passes through the reference beam sifted by the mask, to thereby provide the reference beam to the conical mirror.

Abstract: An identification tag 1 provided with a random pattern P readable with an image sensor 2 is configured by three-dimensionally disposing at least a pair of random pattern members 4a and 4b generating moiré fringes M forming the random pattern P in a transparent medium 3. Through this configuration, the moiré fringes M are generated by the random pattern members 4a and 4b and the moiré fringes M serve as a random pattern P (identification information) peculiar to respective identification tags 1 and so on which are difficult to be forged (copied).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contactless smart card manufacturing process and more specifically to a manufacturing process for a contactless smart card for which the antenna is on a fibrous material such as paper. This process includes a manufacturing step to screen print the antenna onto the support, a step to bond the contacts of the chip onto the antenna support using conductive glue, and a step designed to laminate the card body onto the antenna support by hot press molding. Cutouts made in the corners of the antenna support prior to the lamination step enable the card bodies to be bonded together. The card thus obtained allows a posteriori viewing of any mechanical misuse to which it may have been subjected (extreme bending).

Abstract: In a device for generating acoustic signals, a mechanical profile which contains information in a coded form is arranged on the surface of a plastic card, can be lead over an edge for generating sounds which contain information, and has at least two adjacent tracks. The plastic card can be inserted into a guiding part, for example a card slide, provided with at least one scanning cam of which one edge rattles on the profile when the profile is drawn past it.

Abstract: The optical data-storage card includes an optical data-storage medium layer supported on the card. The data-storage medium layer includes a plurality of data storage tracks for storing data therein. Each of the tracks having at least an arc-segment wherein each of the data storage tracks being substantially parallel to a neighboring track.

Abstract: All data registering devices, including voting machines, are subject to error, either from human lapses or mechanical malfunction. The object of the present invention is to disclose a device that incorporates features that immediately alert the user to the fact that an error has occurred, before it is too late or too inconvenient for the user to correct it. In voting devices that produce a machine-processable record card, such as the Votomatic and the Poll Star, votes are counted photo-electrically by shining a light through holes punched in the ballot card. According to the present invention, the greatest certainty regarding what punch-outs represent a valid vote can be obtained only if the same principle is employed to inform the voter as to whether his punch-out is or is not in the intended position and is a complete punch-out. To provide the voter with this verification, backlighting is introduced that directs a beam of light upward through each punch-out toward the voter's eye.

Abstract: A method of forming on a flexible backing strip a decorative thermal-transfer film containing graphics defined by images and/or texts and by a progressive identification code (bar code, alphanumeric code, etc.) assigned to each graphic; the method providing for applying on the backing strip a first polymer film, on which the graphics are screen printed, and the respective progressive identification codes are thermographically printed; and a second polymer film is then applied on the first film, so that the graphics and associated identification codes are interposed and packed between the two polymer films to form the decorative film. The polymer films are made of polymer materials compatible with both the screen printing and thermographic printing inks and/or pigments used.

Abstract: A Smart Card has an electronic circuit connected to a source of potential capable of destroying at least a portion of the electronic circuit. The potential is normally short circuited, but the path of the short circuit traverses a frangible portion of the card. When the portion is broken, so potential from the source is applied to destroy the portion of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating at least one electronic module or label which is adapted to be rendered adhesive. The method includes the following steps: an insulative film is supplied including at least one contact and/or antenna type interface, and an adhesive tape is supplied including an activatable adhesive and a removable protective film. The tape includes at least one perforation corresponding to the area of the resin on the module or label. The adhesive tape is applied to the support film so that the perforation coincides with the area of the resin and the adhesive is activated so that it fixes the tape to the film. The coating resin is dispensed over the intended area at least within the perforation and in contact with the perforation. The invention also provides a method in which the activatable adhesive is deposited with no protection film.

Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement of the type comprising a unit into which a badge is introduced manually into a housing in the unit, and which comprises a lever for immobilizing the badge in an active position in the unit and an electromagnet made to lock the immobilizing lever, wherein this arrangement comprises a member for manually unlocking the immobilizing lever which acts on the mobile core plunger of the electromagnet. It is applicable on board of a motor vehicle in which the anti-theft functions are partially or completely fulfilled by data processing, some of which data represents an authorized user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of bringing together and joining plastic cards, which are provided with an identification mark, and printed card carriers associated with the respective plastic cards, comprises the following steps: providing the plastic card and the printed card carrier; detecting the identification mark of said plastic card; reading data from a database by means of said identification mark; detecting the data on said printed card carrier prior to joining said card carrier to the plastic card; determining whether the data detected on the card carrier correspond to the data read; and, provided that the data read and the data detected correspond, bringing together and joining the plastic card and the card carrier.

Abstract: To impede the counterfeiting of a valuable instrument (e.g., a cash card, negotiable instrument or any document), an issuance mark is formed on the instrument at a programmed distance from a reference mark located on the instrument. The information pertaining to the distance is encoded and written onto a storage medium located in the instrument. In a particular system embodying the invention, a card vending machine is programmed to encode cards with various parameters, such as the distance between the reference and issuance marks, by writing the parametric information into an information storage medium located in the card. As a corollary, in a particular system embodying the invention, a dispensing machine is programmed to read the information stored in the information storage medium and the parametric information present in the card and to then compare the stored information with the values of the actual parameters present in the card.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a marking forming apparatus, a method of forming a laser marking on an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, an optical disk, and a method of manufacturing an optical disk, capable of providing a greatly improved copy prevention capability as compared to prior known construction. To achieve this object, in the optical disk of the invention, for example, a marking is formed by a laser on a reflective film of a disk holding data written thereon and at least position information of the marking or information concerning the position information is written on the disk in an encrypted form or with a digital signature appended thereto.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a marking forming apparatus, a method of forming a laser marking on an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, an optical disk, and a method of manufacturing an optical disk, capable of providing a greatly improved copy prevention capability as compared to prior known construction. To achieve this object, in the optical disk of the invention, for example, a marking is formed by a laser on a reflective film of a disk holding data written thereon and at least position information of the marking or information concerning the position information is written on the disk in an encrypted form or with a digital signature appended thereto.