Abstract: Apparatuses forming portable identification cards and associated methods are described. A preferred apparatus includes an input device adapted for a consumer to enter authentication data, a memory for storing reference data, a processor configured to compare the authentication data entered by the consumer to the reference data stored in the memory to determine whether the authentication data entered by the consumer is valid authentication data, an indicator for informing a merchant when the processor has determined that the consumer has entered valid authentication data, and a power source adapted to supply power to the processor and the indicator. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for storing an electronic memory card. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is a memory card holder configured to removably retain a memory card within the cavity of a housing. The memory card holder may include a housing that resembles a recognizable electronic device (such as a PDA, a digital camera, or the like) but is natively inoperative as an electronic device, a cavity formed within the housing, and a retaining mechanism positioned within the cavity to removably retain a memory card. The memory card holder may further include an aperture integrally formed in the housing for attaching the housing to an object, such as a key chain, bag, string, or the like.

Abstract: A memory card wherein a substrate is affixed to a cap is formed without the projection of substrate edges from a back surface of the cap. The memory card includes a substrate having a sealing member bonded to a recess in the cap. By utilizing a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the sealing member and the substrate, the substrate is warped so that its central portion projects away from the cap. The shallow recess is deeper than the sum of the thickness of the substrate and the thickness of an adhesive for bonding the substrate to the bottom of the shallow recess, whereby peripheral edges of the substrate retract into the shallow recess without projecting from the back surface of the cap. The cap is shaped as a card several millimeters thick. A memory chip and control chip are incorporated in the sealing member.

Abstract: A system for use in assisting a financial transaction between a financial-services institution and a customer of that institution includes a display component including circuitry for creating a visual display for a human user of the system and a mobile interface component configured to receive information gathered by a self-service terminal through which the customer engages in the financial transaction. The system also includes a control component configured to receive from the mobile interface component information related to the financial transaction and to deliver the information to the display component for presentation to the user. The display component, mobile interface component, and control component are all packaged in a housing of a size that allows the user to hold the system in one hand while using it.

Abstract: A privacy apparatus (42) is installed on an existing ATM (12) to provide improved privacy for users of the machine. A frame (44) includes members (48, 56, 64) and extends externally of the ATM housing (14). A pair of disposed vertically extending panels (46) are attached in supporting connection with the frame. Each panel includes a generally horizontally extending shelf (76) which provides a support and writing surface. The privacy apparatus may be readily installed and removed without a requirement for producing fastener openings or other modifications to the existing ATM housing.

Abstract: A reading device for reading an interface surface provided on a product item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the product item. The reading device includes a harness having a finger portion, and a housing coupled to the harness finger portion for mounting on at least one finger of the user in use. The housing includes an aperture, and a sensor is provided in the housing for sensing at least some of the coded data through the aperture. A processor determines product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item using at least some of the sensed coded data.

Abstract: An automatic money transaction machine, which is small in size, to be able to detect a state of a tear in a bill with good accuracy and gives good service and no discomfort to a customer, includes a receipt/payment opening 4, a discriminating unit 6, a temporary accumulation section 8, and a bill discriminating device 20 for discriminating a state of a bill. The bill discriminating device 20 includes an energizing drive device provided on a conveyance path 5 between the receipt/payment opening 4 and the temporary accumulation section 8 for application of tensile or compressive forces in a direction horizontally perpendicular to a direction of conveyance in a plane of a bill, and a bill image acquiring device 53, such as image sensors, imagers or the like, provided close to the energizing drive device for acquiring an image of a bill, to which tensile or compressive forces are applied by the energizing drive device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying a mass-customized part by encoding a part identification into a multi-dimensional bar code; and using a stereolithography apparatus (SLA) to make the part with multi-dimensional bar code embedded therein.

Abstract: A banknote processing device where banknotes are stopped at a predetermined position of a stacker guide without being deformed. Braking means (4) is provided at a portion of a stacker guide (3), and the braking means (4) has a rolling body (7) producing a braking force in the advance direction of an inserted banknote without folding the banknote.

Abstract: An interference waveguide device made of a material with a positive derivative of refractive index over temperature may be combined with a compensating waveguide device. The compensating waveguide device may be made of a material with opposite and larger derivative of refractive index. The outputs of the compensating device may be selectively coupled to inputs of the interference device to provide an athermal interference waveguide device.

Abstract: A strap-on mounting apparatus includes a chassis having a frame formed by a pair of spaced-apart brackets having flexible couplings for removably mounting the mounting apparatus on a wearer's arm or leg extremity. The chassis rotatably supports a cradle that is structured for removably mounting a hand-held portable device of a type normally carried by people on their person. The cradle is rotatable relative to the chassis between different relative orientations. For example, the cradle is rotatable relative between a normal operational orientation that is substantially cross-wise to the arm or leg extremity, and a normal stored orientation that is substantially aligned with the extremity, with the cradle passing through a continuous series of intervening rotational orientations any of which may be useful as an operational orientation.

Abstract: A marking system and method for a well site sample is provided. The system includes a container for collecting the well site sample, a marker applied to the container and a scanner adapted to read the marker. Data may be uploaded to and/or downloaded from the marker.

Abstract: A system passively identifies objects at large distances with an integrated two-dimensional pattern, spectral tailoring, and an imaging system. Encoded information allows objects of various origin and configuration to be easily and rapidly identified by optical means, but is invisible to the naked eye. The devices used for detecting the objects may be ground-based, airborne, or even satellite-based, and can track engagements of such marked objects in real-time. A tailored reflective surface at a specific wavelength band is applied to the exteriors of the objects to form a unique signature. A scanning system passively records the light emanating from the signature in the specific band, and recognizes the signature to discern what the object is based on a database of information.

Abstract: A radio terminal includes a first case which includes an operation unit and a first antenna, and a second case which includes a display unit and a second antenna and which is foldably connected to the first case via a hinge. The radio terminal performs short-range radio communication with a predetermined communication device by using at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for obtaining data from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. A read of data stored in a RFID tag is initiated. It is determined that the read failed. A machine readable symbol of the RFID tag is scanned to identify the RFID tag. The read and scan can be performed by a multi-mode reader device or by separate devices. In an aspect, a portion of the scanning operation can be performed before it is determined that the read failed. In a further aspect, a reversible obscuration partially or entirely prevents decoding of the machine readable symbol. The obscuration is reversed to expose the machine readable symbol prior to scanning the machine readable symbol. An indication can be provided on the RFID tag to indicate to an operator that the machine readable symbol is present.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a method to allow a consumer to direct payments to be made via one or more payment vehicles of choice is provided. In another embodiment of the present invention a system to allow a consumer to direct payments to be made via one or more payment vehicles of choice is provided.

Abstract: A gate keeping system for a user accessible resource is provided. The system has a server, a transceiver and an RFID tag. The server is communicably connected to the resource for sending commands allowing and terminating user access to the resource. The receiver is communicably connected to the server and capable of sending an RF interrogation signal. The RFID tag is capable of sending an RF signal in response to the receiving the interrogation signal. The RFID tag has a program that embodies user unique credentials capable of providing user access to the resource. The user unique credentials represent a user associated with the tag.

Abstract: A data card holder is presented for releasable attachment to the rear view mirror of a vehicle. The data card holder includes a base with a slotted shroud having a transparent face. The face provides magnification of the data on the card and a means to illuminate in the form of an LED permits the user to read the card in low or dim light conditions. Below the shroud is an electrical housing containing battery driven circuitry. The front of the electrical housing supports a switch for the LEDs and retainers for holding a second data card against the housing.

Abstract: An adapter for removable insertion into a digital media slot, having the same interface as the adapter, formed in a front panel of a digital media reader, the adapter removably receiving digital media therein instead of directly into the reader, includes a generally rectangular header having a first face defining a plurality of female apertures in a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the reader's male connector pins and a second face having a plurality of projecting male connector pins in the same configuration as the reader's male connector pins, guide means corresponding to the reader's guide structure defining the sides of the header for slidably engaging the guide structure of the reader and a metal plate on the header for discharging electrostatic charge when the adapter is inserted into the reader, the adapter being positioned behind the front panel of the reader when fully inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.