Abstract: A germicidal irradiation approach to killing germs on conveyors and other check out surfaces in stores, such as grocery stores, which sell articles such as food items where possible contamination from leaks and the like is a concern. An adaptable, portable ultraviolet light apparatus is provided to irradiate surfaces such as conveyor belts.

Abstract: Item characteristic databases, such as item weight databases are employed in a variety of checkout contexts in stores. As one example, a security weight database is often employed in a security check during self-checkout in which an item's weight is checked during bagging against a stored weight for the item. Approaches for extending such security checks for a single item or items sold in small quantities are addressed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for generating data showing a signal environment experienced by a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication device. A transceiver within the communication device sweeps through a frequency range of interest in order to receive signals within the frequency range. Depending on the nature of the signals of interest, the signals detected may be reflected signals generated in response to a carrier signal produced by the communication device, or active signals produced by active sources. Baseband analysis is performed in order to detect and identify reflective signals, and spectrum analysis is performed in order to detect and identify active signal sources.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader. The tag reader includes a power detection circuit operable to detect power from a plurality of different power sources, and a controller for operating the radio frequency identification tag reader at a power consumption level commensurate with a detected power source.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) for use in conducting multiple financial transactions between a user of the SST and a financial institution includes one or more user-interface devices and a processing module. The user interface devices are configured to receive information from and provide information to the user. The processing module is configured to: (1) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a first one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the first one of the transactions; (2) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a second one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the second one of the transactions; and (3) thereafter initiate execution of the first one of the transactions and the second one of the transactions over a financial-transaction network.

Abstract: A self-service terminal comprising a plurality of devices is described. The devices comprise: a racking handle for moving that device from an operational position to a maintenance position; a primary visual identifier (such as a bright color) associated with the racking handle, where the primary visual identifier is common for all of the racking handles and is not used for any part of the device except a racking handle; and a secondary visual identifier associated with any other parts of the device that may be safely touched, where the secondary visual identifier is visually distinct (for example, by using a different color) from the primary visual identifier.

Abstract: An automated access control system and method in one embodiment includes a storage rack comprising a plurality of storage compartments, a user port, a memory including program instructions for placing a key within one of the plurality of storage compartments, associating the key with the one of the plurality of storage compartments, identifying a user, associating the user and the stored key, removing the stored key from the one of the plurality of storage compartments, and making the removed key accessible to the user at the user port, and a processor operably connected to the memory for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: A food preparation predicting system and method in one embodiment includes a detector for obtaining customer information, a memory including program instructions for obtaining customer information from the detector, associating the customer information with stored customer specific preference information, generating a pseudo-order based upon the associated preference information, generating food preparation information based upon the pseudo-order, and displaying the food preparation information, and a processor operably connected to the camera and the memory for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for periodically measuring the level of ambient noise found on a radio frequency channel used by a radio frequency identification interrogator to read radio frequency identification tags. The measured level of ambient noise is then used to dynamically adjust a threshold value used to predict collisions on the channel.

Abstract: System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

Abstract: System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

Abstract: A privacy-enabled keypad comprising: a keypad; an opaque shield upstanding around the keypad for restricting viewing of the keypad to a user of the keypad; and at least one illumination source disposed on a portion of the shield facing the keypad, and oriented to illuminate the keypad. A public access terminal incorporating the privacy-enabled keypad is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for linking electronic shelf labels to and unlinking electronic shelf labels from a system. When a printed overlay for an electronic shelf label is prepared, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag is affixed as part of the overlay. The RFID tag provides an identifier associated with a product. When an ESL to which the overlay is affixed is to be linked, the RFID tag is read at substantially the same time the ESL is interrogated, and the product associated with the RFID tag identifier is associated with the ESL. When an ESL is to be unlinked, a communication including an identifier for the ESL is provided to a central data processor, with the communication having characteristics indicating that the ESL is to be unlinked. When a communication is received from an ESL, the characteristics of the communication are evaluated to determine if the ESL is designated for unlinking.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for multiple laser and multiple detector bar code scanning. multiple laser sources generate multiple laser beams directed to a rotating spinner and along optical paths to emerge from a scanner as multiple scan beams. The scan beams trace out a scan pattern within a scan volume. As the multiple scan beams strike an object within the scan volume, reflected light rays are produced representing reflections of the multiple scan beams. As the reflected light rays enter the scanner, they are directed to a collector and focused onto a plurality of detectors so that reflected light rays representing reflections of each scan beam are focused onto a detector associated with the laser source from which the scan beam originates.

Abstract: System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

Abstract: System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for assuring proper presentation of a bar code for imaging scanning in a hybrid laser and imaging bar code scanner. A scanner includes elements for laser bar code scanning and imaging bar code scanning, and includes indicia for assuring proper presentation by a user of a bar code suited to imaging scanning. Indicia may include targeting features on a scan window, designed so as to minimize interference with bar code scanning, or may alternatively include features alongside a scan window. Alternative indicia may include removable holders for securing an object bearing a bar code in an appropriate position, and further alternative indicia may include visible targeting beams so that a user can be assured that imaging scanning may be satisfactorily performed on bar code placed in a visible targeting beam.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for RFID communication using a frequency shift between uplink and downlink carrier frequencies achieved by digital processing of a baseband signal before radio frequency modulation of a carrier signal occurs. Generation of the carrier signal, and modulation of the carrier signal, is accomplished using digital techniques. A digital representation of a baseband signal is modulated to create a complex baseband signal multiplied by a negative frequency shift equal to a difference between downlink and uplink carrier frequencies. This signal undergoes analog to digital conversion and modulation by a carrier signal at an uplink frequency. The complex baseband signal includes in-phase and quadrature components. During uplink communication, the in-phase component of the complex baseband signal is replaced by a constant value. The quadrature component is replaced by a zero signal. During uplink communication, therefore, an umodulated carrier signal at an uplink frequency is generated.

Abstract: A dual aperture optical scanner which produces horizontal, vertical, and diagonal scan patterns. The optical scanner includes a housing having a substantially vertical surface containing a first aperture and a substantially horizontal surface containing a second aperture. A laser diode produces a laser beam. A spinner produces first, second, and third groups of scanning beams. A plurality of pattern mirrors reflects the first group of scanning beams in a substantially horizontal direction through the first aperture, the second group of scanning beams in a substantially downward diagonal direction through the first aperture, and the third group of scanning beams in a substantially vertical direction through the second aperture.