Abstract: A security architecture for a retail environment providing both on-line and off-line personal identification number (PIN) validation for a smart card transaction using a reduced number of secure access modules (SAMs). In one embodiment, the retail environment includes and security module and numerous fuel dispensers each including a controller and one or more PINpads and card readers. The security module includes one or more SAMs for off-line PIN validation. Each of the PINpads communicates with the security module, and the security module performs either on-line or off-line PIN validation for every PINpad in the retail environment. Accordingly, the security module uses one set of SAMs for off-line validation for every PINpad in the retail environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object sensor configured such that excitation coils (13c and 13d) and a detection coil (12) are separately disposed, and the detection is performed in accordance with the balance between the excitation coils (13c and 13d) in a pair, a residual variation amount after the impedance due to a DC resistance part and the like has been offset and removed is obtained at high sensitivity with excellent linearity while using a small core body (11), regardless of the impedance including a DC resistance part. Additionally, the object sensor to be used as an inlet sensor is located in an appropriate position on a more upstream side than the read/write position in an insertion direction of the IC card. A contact terminal portion of the IC card is sensed whereby to detect the validity of the card inserted into the apparatus from a card insertion slot.

Abstract: A system for use in banking operates responsive to data included in data bearing records. The system is suitable for securing the contents in safety deposit boxes or similar locked receptacles, and selectively permits access to key locks only to individuals who have been determined to be authorized to have such access. Each safety deposit box or other receptacle includes a door (16) with at least one key lock (22, 24) thereon. The assembly includes a body (32) that is held in a blocking position by a cover lock. A selectively programmable data bearing electronic key module (28) is operative to change the condition of a selected cover lock from a latched to an unlatched condition. Electronic key modules are appropriately programmed to enable the particular user access to key locks on a particular safety deposit box, through operation of a customer station (126).

Abstract: An image signal output device includes a code generating means for generating a two-dimensional geometrical code based on a source data, a obtaining means for retrieving a sequential image signal, a code inserting means for inserting the two-dimensional geometrical code in the sequential image signal and a output means for outputting the sequential image signal. The code inserting means imperceptibly inserts the two-dimensional geometrical code in the sequential image signal, and the output means outputs the sequential image signal having the two-dimensional geometrical code inserted therein. The imperceptible two-dimensional geometrical code is captured by a camera in a cell phone to be decoded and stored in a memory medium.

Abstract: A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The data elements encode data values by pulse position modulation, which facilitates low-pass filtering during image processing.

Abstract: An automatic guidance system and method directs a person in a defined area. An access control device includes a selectively encoded readable element. An access control device reader is adapted to read the element of the access control device and selectively deny or allow a user access to a predetermined location. A communication device included in the access control device reader directs the user to the predetermined location.

Abstract: An ATM with a currency dispenser includes both a magnetic stripe card reader and an RFID tag reader. A user card includes both magnetic stripe data and RFID tag data. The ATM can read both the magnetic stripe data and the RFID tag data from the user card. The magnetic stripe data and the RFID tag data have a predetermined relationship. The ATM can use the RFID tag data in conjunction with the magnetic stripe data to verify the card user as an authorized card user.

Abstract: Systems and methods of embossing flat pieces (such as thin cards and similar materials) that prevent the embossed pieces from sticking to each other during subsequent handling. In some embodiments, pieces are manufactured in rows and columns on a large sheet, with (typically) the distance between text embossed on adjacent rows and (particularly) the distance between texts embossed on cards from adjacent columns being constant. Cards that will be stacked immediately adjacent each other after the cards are cut from the large sheet have text embossed on them that varies, so that the cards cannot tightly nest against each other and stick together.

Abstract: A target is illuminated with illumination light for image capture by a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. Internal reflections of the illumination light at a window are minimized, if not eliminated, by configuring the window as a non-planar optical element operative for redirecting the internal reflections away from the imager to enhance reader performance.

Abstract: A shopping system comprising a reading device is provided. The reading device is adapted to read an interface surface provided on a product item. The interface surface has coded data disposed thereon which includes, at a plurality of locations on the interface surface, a corresponding plurality of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the product item and the location of the coded data portion. The reading device includes: (a) a radiation source for emitting radiation such that it exposes at least one coded data portion; (b) an image sensor for sensing the exposed coded data portion; and (c) a processor for determining, using the sensed coded data, product identity data and/or position data.

Abstract: A reading device for reading an interface surface provided on a product item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data. The reading device includes: a harness which is configured to tight fittingly receive at least a portion of a user's hand; a housing coupled to the harness, the housing including a void configured to tight fittingly receive therewithin a finger tip portion of a finger of the user's hand received within the harness, the housing including an aperture in a wall of the housing which is located, in use, adjacent the underside of the finger tip portion of the finger; a sensor provided in the housing for sensing at least some of the coded data through the aperture; and a processor for decoding at least some of the sensed coded data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image collecting module. The image collection module is provided with a first indicator operable to provide an indication of a valid read of a first portion of a hybrid dataform and a second indicator operable to provide an indication of a valid read of a second portion of the hybrid dataform.

Abstract: A terminal for marking a pre-printed document which lists a plurality of choices and which includes a marking space for each choice which can be either hand-marked by a user, or machine marked by the terminal. The terminal scans the document format, and then presents the choice selection options to the user visually by means of an LCD touch screen menu and aurally by means of a synthesized speech menu. Choice selections entered by means of the touch screen menu or by means of the audio menu are marked on the front and back sides of the document in marking spaces corresponding to the selected choices, and the document is returned to the user in a form which enables the user to visually confirm that his or her selections have been marked.

Abstract: A system is provided for using a transit card application for providing access to a fare gate. The system includes a server and a mobile device. The mobile device determines whether a balance on the transit card application is below a threshold, and requests an approval for a balance increase from the server in response to determining that the balance on the transit card application is below the threshold. The server determines whether a predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase in response to the request for the approval from the mobile device, and approves the request in response to determining that the predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase. The mobile device promotes increasing the balance on the transit card application in response to the approval by the server.

Abstract: A microcircuit card (31) comprising a microcircuit and a card body, characterized in that this card body is formed of a base (10) in which is formed a cavity provided with a bottom and an internal part fixed in the cavity and to which the microcircuit is joined, the internal part and the microcircuit (12) together constituting at least a part of a second microcircuit card (11) including at least a part of the body of said second card.

Abstract: A method for providing secure transactions generates a Secure Card Number (“SCN”) for a first entity that is transferred with a first entity identifier to a second entity and then to a money source that verifies that the transaction is valid by use of the first entity identifier and the SCN. The SCN includes a Transaction Information Block (“TIB”), a Counter Block, and an encrypted Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) Block. The SCN is transferred to the money source in an account number or a non-account data field. The money source can use the TIB to determine whether the SCN should be used once or multiple times or to identify one of several physical devices, all of which are issued to the first entity, used to generate the SCN. The money source validates the SCN by duplicating the encryption process used to create an encrypted PIN Block and comparing the result to the encrypted PIN Block received with the transaction.

Abstract: Machine-readable coded data disposed on or in a substrate in accordance with a layout, and method of generating such coded data, The layout has six-fold rotational symmetry and includes 6 identical sub-layouts rotated ? revolutions apart about a center of rotational symmetry of the layout. The coded data is disposed in accordance with each sub-layout including rotation-indicating data that distinguishes the rotation of that sub-layout from the rotation of at least one other sub-layout within the layout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting the most cost-efficient payment provider to pay for communication services. A calling electronic device communicates alternative payment provider data to a network via a communications link. The network examines costs charged by a plurality of alternative payment providers indicated by the alternative payment provider data. The network determines and contacts the most cost-efficient payment provider to determine if the contacted payment provider will accept responsibility for paying for at least a portion of the communication services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.

Abstract: The present invention includes a merchant system that recognizes virtually any payment device or technology that uses electronic check processing as a payment mechanism. For example, the merchant system associates presentation of the payment device with information used to electronically debit a checking account, such as MICR data, and submits the same to a transaction processor capable of settling electronic debit transactions.