Abstract: A VIN verification system allow an accurate detection of incorrectly entered VIN in an electronic file followed by correction of the incorrectly entered VIN. A server of the VIN verification system verify characters and letters of the VIN in the electronic file to detect data entry and/or transmission errors. The server upon determining that the characters and entered in the VIN are incorrect will then replace the characters and letters with alternate or substitute characters and letters and generate a new VIN in the electronic file. The server will reexamine the new VIN to validate the new VIN, and then transmit the electronic file to another web application for further processing.

Abstract: An industrial process field device includes first and second loop terminals configured to couple to a two-wire process control loop. Device circuitry is powered from the process control loop and monitors a process variable or controls a control device. A current regulator is in series with the loop terminals, and regulates a loop current. A first shunt voltage regulator regulates a voltage across the device circuitry. Supplemental circuitry is connected in series with the first shunt voltage regulator and the second loop terminal, and is powered by power from the two-wire process control loop shunted through the first shunt voltage regulator. A second shunt voltage regulator is connected in series with the first shunt voltage regulator and the second loop terminal, and in parallel with the supplemental circuitry, and regulates a voltage across the supplemental circuitry.

Abstract: A method for distributing an interactive digital event program to a plurality of user devices comprising: receiving a request for an interactive digital event program from a first user device, the request received in response to scanning a first tag having a machine-readable code with the first user device; determining that the first tag belongs to a first group of tags to which a first version of the interactive digital event program is to be distributed; providing the first user device with the first version of the interactive digital event program, the first version of the interactive digital event program to include at least one dynamic content element that is capable of being updated while an event is in progress; and updating the at least one dynamic content element in the first version of the interactive digital event program in response to a predefined trigger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical wristband with invisible information and a method for manufacturing the same. The conventional developed dyes or inks in the prior art can store information which, however, is visible. In the present invention, polystyrene (PS) microspheres are prepared by micro-emulsification: PS particles are dissolved in a toluene solution and a fluorescent dye is added to obtain a fluorescent solution; an SDS solution is added in and mixed with the fluorescent solution to obtain a system to be ultrasonically emulsified; and the system is ultrasonically emulsified and the toluene is completely volatilized. The ink can be used directly as an invisible ink. The information is written, as two-dimensional codes and by the ink, on a piece of non-fluorescent paper, and plastic-packaged onto a wristband of a patient. Information about a patient can be successfully scanned in the ease of UV on.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personalized dining checks created by individualized check item ownership or payment enabled by associating device and table indicia. One method includes: receiving information identifying the mobile devices of one or more patrons and information identifying a table indicia as a result of associating the mobile devices of the one or more patrons with a table indicia; receiving requests for dining items, transaction amounts for each dining item, and payment preferences associated with each dining item from each of the one or more patrons; determining the amounts owed by each patron, based on the dining items requested by each patron, transaction amounts for each dining item, and the payment preference of each patron for each requested dining item; and outputting the amount owed by each patron to an electronic storage medium or display of the mobile device of each patron.

Abstract: A locker for receiving and retaining one or more packages includes an enclosure, the enclosure defining a storage cavity, the storage cavity configured to receive and retain the one or more goods, a radio signal sensing assembly disposed on the enclosure for sensing radio signals, the radio signal sensing assembly disposed on the enclosure in an orientation such that the radio signal sensing assembly can detect the presence of radio signals within the storage cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically changing displayed content of a tag. The methods comprise: performing operations by sensors of the tag to detect when an individual is interacting with a first item to which the tag is coupled; determining a type of interaction between the individual and the first item; selecting at least one first accessory from a plurality of accessories for the first item based on the type of interaction; obtaining information for the selected at least one first accessory that is to be presented to the individual; and dynamically changing the displayed content of the tag to include the obtained information while the individual is still in proximity to the tag or interacting with the first item.

Abstract: Various embodiments determine a sale price of an item via a smart price tag associated with the item. In one embodiment, the smart price tag is detected as being shaken. Responsive to detecting the smart price tag as being shaken, a request for a current sale price of the item for sale is sent to a back end price server. The current sale price of the item for sale is received from the back end price server and displayed for a predetermined period of time. The current sale price may be displayed on the smart price tag or a separate display sign. The current price is displayed until expiration of a predetermined period of time unless a lock request is detected which locks the price of the item for sale at the current sale price. If a price unlock button is pressed, the sale price of the item is unlocked.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secure telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users is accomplished by using a personal identification number, preferably in conjunction with speaker independent voice recognition and speaker dependent voice identification. When a user first enters the system, the user speaks his or her name which is used as a sample voice print. During each subsequent use of the system, the user is required to speak his or her name. Voice identification software is used to verify that the provided speech matches the sample voice print. The secure system includes accounting software to limit access based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. Management software implements widespread or local changes to the system and can modify or set any number of user account parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personalized dining checks created by individualized check item ownership or payment enabled by associating device and table indicia. One method includes: receiving information identifying the mobile devices of one or more patrons and information identifying a table indicia as a result of associating the mobile devices of the one or more patrons with a table indicia; receiving requests for dining items, transaction amounts for each dining item, and payment preferences associated with each dining item from each of the one or more patrons; determining the amounts owed by each patron, based on the dining items requested by each patron, transaction amounts for each dining item, and the payment preference of each patron for each requested dining item; and outputting the amount owed by each patron to an electronic storage medium or display of the mobile device of each patron.

Abstract: A method and system for auditing and verifying vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with crowdsourcing. Digital photographs of vehicle VINs are collected and verified with independent crowdsourcing techniques including crowd voting techniques used in CAPTCHAs, etc. The crowdsourcing techniques are also used to detect fraud associated with VIN audits of vehicle lots.

Abstract: A system for alerting e-mail activity status. The system has at least one e-mail server for integrating N e-mail accounts, at least one second server communicating with the e-mail server adapted to monitor at the e-mail server; at least one computer readable medium (CRM) adapted to receiving an e-mail alert wherein the second server identifies activity status in the e-mail server according to a set of predetermined parameters. The second server alerts the CRM on the activity status. The parameters may consist of entries to e-mail accounts type of actions performed in an e-mail account and other activities and events. The invention further comprises methods of applying the aforementioned system.

Abstract: The present application relates to a post-shipment inspection method, a workpiece useable in the method, and a post-shipment inspection system. Furthermore, the present application relates to an identifiable material including identification means disposed therein, a workpiece produced therefrom, a corresponding production method and identification method for such workpieces. Also disclosed are an identification method for a plurality of workpieces including identification means integrated therein and corresponding devices and a computer program product.

Abstract: An Internet-of-Things (IoT) reading device, a method of secure access using the same, and a control center apparatus are provided. The Internet-of-Things reading device includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface is configured to communicate with an Internet-of-Things device located in a communication range. The processor actively obtains, by using the network interface, a device identification code from the Internet-of-Things device, and determines whether the Internet-of-Things device is an approved device according to the device identification code. The processor transmits the device identification code to a control center apparatus to obtain an authentication password while the Internet-of-Things device is identified as the approved device, and transmits the authentication password to the Internet-of-Things device to perform an authentication process by the Internet-of-Things device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to visualize locations of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged items are described. One example method includes receiving a request from a portable electronic device to access product information associated with an individual radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged item, determining a location of the product information in a database, transmitting the located product information to the portable electronic device for display thereon, receiving modified product information associated with the individual RFID tagged item from the portable electronic device, and storing the modified product information to the location of the product information in the database.

Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.

Abstract: An information offering apparatus includes an offering unit that offers target information concerning a target of a user's action to the user; and a changing unit that changes the target information in accordance with history information concerning the user's action.

Abstract: A vehicle messaging method (600) and system (100) can include any number of data sources (101-103), an interface (104) that formats messages and addresses from the data sources, and a corresponding number of messaging servers (111-113) that receive targeted messages intended for a predetermined subset of subscribers associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN). Each messaging server can include a corresponding controller (121-123) programmed to assign (604) targeted messages to a predetermined channel and encode (606) the addresses of the targeted messages to the predetermined subset of subscribers using a VIN or portion thereof. The controller can be further programmed to transfer (608) the targeted messages and addresses to a satellite uplink (107) and satellite (110) via a messaging uplink interface (106) for retransmission and reception by a plurality of selective call receivers 109 addressable individually using a predetermined VIN or portion thereof.

Abstract: The suitable representation of information on the outside of an apparatus is intended to be simplified. For this purpose, an arrangement having an apparatus (2) and a display device (1), which has electronic paper and is fastened to the apparatus, is provided. The display device (1) has a localization module which can be used to determine an item of country information relating to that country in which the arrangement is currently situated. The display device (1) is also designed to represent predefined data relating to the apparatus specifically on the basis of the country information.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing commentary for multiple points of interests utilize audio communication devices having an optic code reader, a microcontroller, a transmitter/receiver, a storage module and a speaker and/or headphone jack. Two or more audio communication devices may be synced to the same channel. A primary audio communication device sends a signal that triggers a dependent audio communication device to play a prerecorded commentary regarding a selected point of interest in a language selected by a person using the dependent audio communication device. A map having icons representing points of interest includes optic codes embedded within the icons. When an audio communication device scans an icon with an optic reader, a triggering signal causes the audio communication device and any dependent audio communication devices to play a corresponding commentary and a language selected by a user.

Abstract: This invention is for tracking at least one plant. A method of this invention comprises: putting at least one seed or at least one stem in a corresponding at least one pot; positioning a corresponding at least one RFID tag with respect to the seed or stem in a manner, wherein the RFID tag comprises a strap; packaging a harvested material into a packaged product and attaching the RFID tag from the potted plant, or a product RFID tag that is associated with the plurality of tags to the packaged product; confirming a request for authorization by a RFID buy card; and after confirming ID information, transferring at least one product.

Abstract: In one example, a method for detecting input can include detecting a capacitive input pattern of an object in proximity of the system and comparing the capacitive input pattern to a sensed capacitive input profile of a known object, the sensed capacitive input profile comprising information about a plurality of characteristics of the known object. The method can also include determining a confidence that the object in proximity of the system corresponds to the known object based on the capacitive input pattern and at least one of the plurality of characteristics of the known object. Furthermore, the method can include assigning a functionality associated with the sensed capacitive input profile to the object in proximity of the system if the confidence exceeds a threshold and processing input received from the object in proximity of the system according to the functionality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personalized dining checks created by individualized check item ownership or payment enabled by associating device and table indicia. One method includes: receiving information identifying the mobile devices of one or more patrons and information identifying a table indicia as a result of associating the mobile devices of the one or more patrons with a table indicia; receiving requests for dining items, transaction amounts for each dining item, and payment preferences associated with each dining item from each of the one or more patrons; determining the amounts owed by each patron, based on the dining items requested by each patron, transaction amounts for each dining item, and the payment preference of each patron for each requested dining item; and outputting the amount owed by each patron to an electronic storage medium or display of the mobile device of each patron.

Abstract: Various embodiments determine a dynamic price of a first item for sale via an attached first smart price tag. The back-end price server receives a request for a current price of the first item for sale and a representation of a user signature motion from the first smart price tag, the first smart price tag associated with the first item for sale. The back-end price server determines the current price of the first item for sale for a user profile handle mapped to the user signature motion. The current price of the first item for sale is sent to at least one of the first smart price tag or a mobile device associated with the user profile handle. The request for a current price of the first item for sale is initiated by shaking the first smart price tag using the user signature motion.

Abstract: A security system and method including a transmitter broadcasting an inaudible signal. The security system further includes one or more sensors configured to detect the inaudible signal. The security system further includes a processing system in communication with the one or more sensors. The processing system tracks the inaudible signal of the transmitter throughout a location in response to detecting the inaudible signal.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes image-based systems and methods for object tracking within an asset area. Some exemplary methods include receiving, from an ingress detector, an ingress indication of a first object entering an asset area and receiving, from one or more image capture devices positioned to view respective portions of the asset area, data indicative of a plurality of captured images. The methods also include performing, by at least one processor, object classification of the first object based on the ingress indication, one or more of at least one of the plurality of captured images, and an identification signal detected by the ingress detector. The methods further include determining a first object location of the first object based at least in part on the object classification and outputting an indication of the first object location.

Abstract: Various embodiments determine a sale price of an item via a smart price tag associated with the item. In one embodiment, the smart price tag is detected as being shaken. Responsive to detecting the smart price tag as being shaken, a request for a current sale price of the item for sale is sent to a back end price server. The current sale price of the item for sale is received from the back end price server and displayed for a predetermined period of time. The current sale price may be displayed on the smart price tag or a separate display sign. The current price is displayed until expiration of a predetermined period of time unless a lock request is detected which locks the price of the item for sale at the current sale price. If a price unlock button is pressed, the sale price of the item is unlocked.

Abstract: A system and method for using an RFID tag to automatically setup and configure a universal remote control to command appliances of various types and various manufacturers.

Abstract: Briefly, a method for verifying the visual perceptibility of a display is provided. An intended message is written to a bistable display. Pixels that comprise portions of the message are measured and evaluated to determine if the message actually displayed on the bistable display was perceptible by a human or a machine. In some cases, information regarding the message actually perceivable from the display may be stored for later use. Responsive to determining that a message is perceivable or not perceivable, alarms may be set, one or more third parties notified, or additional display features may be set.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices to radiate wideband signals. The devices may include a tunable high Q narrowband antenna having a plurality of ports including a feed port and a tuning port as well as a tuning element coupled to the tuning port of the antenna. One or more voltage sources supply energy for radiating a radio frequency signal. A modulating signal generator may also be provided for generating a high data rate signal coupled at the tuning element for modulating the tuning element.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances provides an interactive instruction set and associated programming which is downloadable to a controllable appliance having an associated display, such as an Internet enabled television. The programming is accessible by the controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions from the interactive instruction set to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for setting up the controlling device to communicate commands to another controllable device (e.g., a DVD, VCR, DVR, etc).

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the use of electronic devices to interact with electronic tags associated with objects, services, places, people, or animals (“objects”) in order to access programming material related to these objects. The invention discloses the input of keywords, phrases, preferences, or interests into a user's device to search a plurality of electronic tags within a given physical range to access programming material from the tags—or via data links provided in the tags—that matches the keywords, phrases, preferences, or interests. Furthermore, the invention locates, maps, and labels the objects associated with this programming material on the user's display.

Abstract: A sensory totem badge capable of transmitting individualized information and includes: a totem badge body attached or sewed onto an object surface; an e-tag, installed to the totem badge body, and including an NFC chip and an NFC coil; and a totem individualized information, stored in the e-tag or a cloud server; such that when a mobile sensing device is near the e-tag of the totem badge body, the implication represented by a totem on the totem badge body, the story behind it, or private words can be read. Therefore, the totem badge body is given with intangible specificity and commemoration to achieve higher value and sense of technology.

Abstract: A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secure telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users is accomplished by using a personal identification number, preferably in conjunction with speaker independent voice recognition and speaker dependent voice identification. When a user first enters the system, the user speaks his or her name which is used as a sample voice print. During each subsequent use of the system, the user is required to speak his or her name. Voice identification software is used to verify that the provided speech matches the sample voice print. The secure system includes accounting software to limit access based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. Management software implements widespread or local changes to the system and can modify or set any number of user account parameters.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate, dual-waveband photosensitive devices, at least one infrared photosensitive device, a transparent dielectric layer, at least one infrared band-pass filter, a color filter layer and a micro-lens layer. The dual-waveband photosensitive devices are disposed in the substrate, and each dual-waveband photosensitive device is configured to sense an infrared light and one visible light. The infrared photosensitive device is disposed in the substrate, in which the dual-waveband photosensitive devices and the infrared photosensitive device are arranged in an array. The transparent dielectric layer is disposed over the dual-waveband photosensitive devices and the infrared photosensitive device. The infrared band-pass filter is disposed in the transparent dielectric layer and corresponds to the infrared photosensitive device. The color filter layer is disposed to cover the transparent dielectric layer and the infrared band-pass filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secure telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users is accomplished by using a personal identification number, preferably in conjunction with speaker independent voice recognition and speaker dependent voice identification. When a user first enters the system, the user speaks his or her name which is used as a sample voice print. During each subsequent use of the system, the user is required to speak his or her name. Voice identification software is used to verify that the provided speech matches the sample voice print. The secure system includes accounting software to limit access based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. Management software implements widespread or local changes to the system and can modify or set any number of user account parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances provides an interactive instruction set and associated programming which is downloadable to a controllable appliance having an associated display, such as an Internet enabled television. The programming is accessible by the controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions from the interactive instruction set to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for setting up the controlling device to communicate commands to another controllable device (e.g., a DVD, VCR, DVR, etc).

Abstract: A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.

Abstract: In a case where a plurality of users share the use of one mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus has performed authentication printing also on image data to which the previous owner of the mobile terminal has sent a printing instruction. According to the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a data reception unit configured to receive data having a device ID of a mobile terminal and user information for identifying a user of the mobile terminal, and includes an authentication information reception unit configured to receive authentication information including the device ID and the user information from the mobile terminal. The image forming apparatus also includes a print control unit configured to control, in response to the reception of the authentication information, a printer to print the data received by the data reception unit.

Abstract: A revenue and productivity optimization system includes a service request device, also called a “smart bell,” an environmental sensor near or incased in the service request device, a service request reception device, and a cloud-computing server operating software components for the revenue and productivity optimization system. In one embodiment, one or more environmental variables, such as ambient temperature, humidity, noise levels, brightness, and ambient gas compositions, are measured by one or more environmental sensors, and relevant sensor data are transmitted to the cloud-computing server. The revenue and productivity optimization system correlates the sensor data to bell button press frequencies and intervals from the service request device, and analyzes and determines an optimal threshold or range for those environmental variables for higher revenue and/or productivity of an organization.

Abstract: An electronic label system including a control unit and a plurality of electronic label units is provided. The control unit transmits wireless power. The electronic label units are coupled to the control unit. The electronic label units respectively output a plurality of state information to the control unit, so that the control unit monitors operation states of the electronic label units according to the state information. The state information is transmitted to the control unit when a state of the electronic label units is varied. The control unit transmits the wireless power to the electronic label units by using wireless communications, and the electronic label units are charged with the wireless power. Furthermore, a wired communication interface is used as the communication interface between the net unit and the electronic label units in the electronic label system, so that the cost of the electronic label system is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.

Abstract: This invention is a jewelry locket having an NFC chip which is capable of transmitting digital content to a smart phone by retrieving information from the NFC chip with the NFC chip housed within a metal jewelry structure having an internal compartment fixedly holding the NFC chip sufficiently away from the walls to permit wireless transmission between the chip and a smart phone.

Abstract: A method of reading RFID tags may include providing a device that can read barcodes and RFID tags. The barcodes may be attached to an object and respectively having a predetermined sequential read order. While reading the barcodes in the predetermined sequential read order, outputting an interrogation signal to RFID tags so that the RFID tags can be read while the barcode reader moves to sequentially read the barcodes in the predetermined sequential order.

Abstract: An RFID reading terminal can be configured, responsive to receiving a user interface action, to capture an image of at least one part of a physical structure sustaining a plurality of inventory items, locate and decode optical decodable indicia into a message comprising an identifier of the physical structure. The RFID reading terminal can be further configured to retrieve from a database, using the identifier of the physical structure, a reference image and/or a description of the physical structure. The portable RFID reading terminal can be further configured, while being moved to follow an imaginary trajectory within the physical structure, to repetitively capture an image of the physical structure using the imaging device, determine orientation and the current spatial position of the RFID reading terminal relative to the physical structure responsive to identifying one or more objects within each captured image, and displaying the RFID scan trace.

Abstract: A power consumption suppression system enables effective reduction of power consumption of an electronic key terminal. A position information acquisition section (210) provided on an electronic key terminal (200) acquires locking location information concerning the locking position of a vehicle (100) and terminal location information concerning the position of the electronic key terminal (200). A power consumption suppression section (220) provided on the electronic key terminal (200) reduces the power consumption when the distance between the locking location of the vehicle (100) indicated by the locking location information and the location of the electronic key terminal (200) indicated by the terminal location information is equal to or longer than a prescribed distance.

Abstract: A remote control system and method having reduced vulnerability to noise. In an environment having noise at a frequency of infrared signals transmitted by a remote controller, errors and malfunctions in a remote control receiving device such as a set top box are controlled by selectively transmitting an entire code including header pulses and data pulses, or a repeat code including header pulses, data pulses and repeater pulses from the remote controller, and receiving and using the entire code or repeat code at the remote receiving device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking offender movement with RFID. Such a system can include a transponder associated with an offender and a radar module configured to determine a direction of a moving object passing within range of the radar module. The system can include a radio frequency identification reader situated near the radar module and configured to transmit an interrogating signal to the transponder and receive an identifying signal in response to the transponder receiving the interrogating signal. The system can include a server configured to receive data from the radio frequency identification reader and the radar module through a network, transmit the received data to a web service through the network, and receive an alert from the web service that a monitoring rule of a plurality of monitoring rules associated with the offender was violated.

Abstract: A method of selectively authorizing access includes obtaining, at an authentication device, first information corresponding to first synthetic biometric data. The method also includes obtaining, at the authentication device, first common synthetic data and second biometric data. The method further includes generating, at the authentication device, second common synthetic data based on the first information and the second biometric data. The method also includes selectively authorizing, by the authentication device, access based on a comparison of the first common synthetic data and the second common synthetic data.