Abstract: A method and system for tracking the time spent by an employee at a job site. The employee is provided with an identification card which includes an encrypted representation of a biometric characteristic of the employee. When the employee arrives at, or leaves, the job site the biometric characteristic recorded on the identification card is compared to the characteristic as directly sensed from the employee and, if the comparison is successful, the approximate time as derived from a secure clock, is recorded.

Abstract: An identification card and method and apparatus for producing and authenticating such an identification card. An object or other entity for which the identification card will evidence identity, status or characteristics is scanned to produce a digital signal which is compressed, encrypted, and coded as a two dimensional barcode or as some other appropriate form of coding, which is incorporated into one portion of the identification card. The image is also printed or otherwise embodied onto another portion of the identification card. A text message maybe appended to the signal before it is encrypted and also printed as plain text on the identification card. In one embodiment the signal representing the image is encrypted using a public key encryption system and the key is downloaded from a center. This key maybe changed from time to time to increase security. To facilitate authentication the corresponding decryption key is encrypted with another key and incorporated on the card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing images. An ink jet printhead forms an image on a transfer roller for transfer to a substrate. The substrate can be an envelope and the image can be a postal indicia. Portions of the image can be interleaved during successive revolutions of the transfer roller to increase the horizontal and/or vertical resolution of the image. A mechanism is provided to deflect the substrate away from the transfer roller after the image is printed so that formation of a new image can begin before the substrate has cleared the print station.

Abstract: An alphanumeric character is recognized by optically scanning that character, detecting the occurrence of predetermined geographical features in the scanned image, comparing the detected geographical features to a store of particular geographical features which identify respective alphanumeric characters, and identifying the scanned image as the alphanumeric character having those geographical features to which the detected geographical features favorably compare. The aforementioned geographical features comprise lagoons (formed as enclosed areas) and bays (formed as open areas). The types of bays and lagoons, as well as the relative positioning of such bays and lagoons with respect to each other, characterize the respective alphanumeric characters. By detecting the bays and lagoons and relative positions thereof in the scanned image, the identity of that image is ascertained.

Abstract: A communication system for processing information for distribution, including: a central data station, a plurality of user stations, a communication link interconnecting the user stations with the central data station, each the user stations including means for accessing the central station, the central station including a data base of usage information and billing data, the central station including means for accessing the user station usage data base, the central data station including means responsive to the user usage pattern for calculating a billing data means for transmitting the billing data to the station, the billing data including a billing plan based upon the usage information of the user and the projected usage calculated from the central station data base in accordance with the user data base.