Abstract: An abnormal condition detection circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) card having a central processing unit (CPU), and a method of operating the CPU, allow the CPU to be reset when an abnormal condition is detected in the IC card. The IC card includes the CPU, a non-volatile memory, an abnormal condition detection circuit, and a reset signal generator. The IC card includes detectors that detect a corresponding abnormal condition in the IC card, and an enable signal generation circuit that generates a reset enable signal and an interrupt enable signal in response to an interrupt control signal and a detection signal output from at least one of the detectors. The reset signal generator generates a reset signal in response to the reset enable signal. The CPU is reset in response to the reset signal and interrupted in response to the interrupt enable signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for validating signatures on ballots sent through the mail that do not require significant amounts of hardware and/or software to perform are provided. The envelope for returning a ballot by mail includes a signature area in which the voter will sign and a reserved area in which no markings are provided. When the envelope is received at the registrar's office, the voter's identification is scanned and the voter's registration signature is retrieved from a registration database. The signature retrieved from the registration database is then provided in the reserved area. The signatures can then be compared directly on the envelope, without the need to image the voter's signature from the envelope and without the use of monitors to display the imaged and retrieved signatures.

Abstract: A disclosed method comprises scanning a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on a package to generate scanned data, and generating a handling instruction for the package based on the scanned data. The handling instruction can be executed to route the package to a tip position within a hub facility for directing the package to the next location along its route, and/or to pre-load the package in a vehicle for delivery to the package's final destination. Related systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An IC card comprising: an IC module including an IC-chip in which intrinsic information is stored at the stage of card manufacturing or card issuing and an antenna supported by an antenna supporting member; and two base plates between which the IC module incorporated with an adhesive layer; wherein hidden intrinsic information corresponding to the stored intrinsic information is recorded on a part of the antenna supporting member in such a way that the hidden intrinsic information is invisible by reflection light from the surface of the IC card and is read out from transmission light due to a transmission density difference between the recorded part of the hidden intrinsic information and a non-recorded part.

Abstract: Demographic and transaction data are presented in a report usable for marketing-related purposes and other applications using a camera apparatus to capture customer image data at a point-of-sale location and sends the image data to a customer image database where the image data is stored. Demographic data (such as gender, age group, height) are extracted from the customer image data and sent to the customer image database. Point-of-sale transaction data is collected and sent to a transaction database where the transaction data is stored. A computer processes customer image data, transaction data, and attributes relating to the customer image data and transaction data, to correlate extracted demographic data to transaction data. The correlated data is preferably sent to a target marketing database and used to generate a market research report.

Abstract: A chip card receives and processes what-ever combination of contact data and contact-less data is available to allow multiple functionalities for the chip card. A micro-computer of the chip card is adapted to simultaneously receive and process contact data from a contact interface and contact-less data from a contact-less interface. In addition, the chip card includes a power voltage selector for selecting a contact bias to supply power to the micro-computer when-ever the contact bias voltage is available since the contact bias voltage is more stable than a contact-less bias voltage.

Abstract: A product label for enabling entry to a competition, the product label comprising: machine-readable coded data indicative of at least an identity of the label, said machine-readable coded data being readable by a sensing device as the sensing device is moved across the product label, thereby to produce interaction data for enabling the competition entry; human-readable information pertaining to the competition, the human-readable information being at least partially coincident with the machine-readable coded data, the human-readable information including at least one field element that has a corresponding zone defined in relation to it in a page description stored in a remote computer system.

Abstract: The device includes a fiber optic cable, a transponder, a media converter, an antenna, and a transceiver. The transponder is attached to the fiber optic cable. The media converter is mountable to a bulkhead. The antenna is attached to the media converter. The transceiver is electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna.

Abstract: A reader for identifying passive transponders includes an antenna for receiving a first signal (Tx) from the reader and for transmitting a second signal (Rx). The reader includes: a time base generating a sinusoidal signal, a control circuit, a modulator for transmitting to the control circuit data to modulate the sinusoidal signal so as to generate a signal carrying commands which, when it is received by the antenna of the transponder, forms the first signal (Tx), a demodulator, a decoder, a communication interface and an antenna. The demodulator, which is connected to the antenna to receive the second signal (Rx), includes two multipliers, one being of the inverter type, and an adder designed to combine the data derived from the multipliers. A system including first and second devices that communicate by way of a modulated transmitted signal is also described.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal including a housing defining at least one interior location and at least one opening from the outside through which an insect can enter the at least one interior location, point of sale electronic circuitry located within the housing, at least one light source located within the housing and being operative to illuminate at least one region adjacent the at least one opening and light source driving circuitry operative to cause the at least one light source to output radiation of a type which repels an insect otherwise seeking to enter via the at least one opening.

Abstract: A control circuit performs capturing of pixel signals along each scanning line when a high-speed capturing mode is selected, switches the capturing mode to a partial capturing mode when it is assumed based on the captured pixel signals that an information code is present in one image region, sets a capturing objective area at a predetermined central region to capture pixel signals in this capturing objective area and perform a decoding operation.

Abstract: A smart card and a smart card and security function system for a mobile terminal for a wireless telecommunications system. The smart card includes a software services component in which software is organized in at least one functional software unit and in a plurality of software layers arranged in order from software layers providing higher level services to software layers providing lower level services, and at least one software module in each software layer. The smart card further includes means for providing access to information and services provided by the smart card.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. A baffle structure (164) is positioned on the housing adjacent the second fascia portion to enable cooling air flow within the housing of the machine and to prevent the introduction of moisture into the housing. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of a fraud device or unauthorized card reading devices.

Abstract: An ATM can accept a bulk stack of currency notes for deposit from a customer. The ATM includes a stack transporter (400) that can rotate an accepted stack while relocating it to a predetermined location inside of the machine. The stack transporter includes a rotatable housing (406) in which a stack holder (404) is movable. The stack holder can receive a currency stack (411) deposited in a fascia opening (412) by a customer. The stack holder is retracted to move the stack away from the opening and into the housing to completely move the stack into the machine. The housing, having the bulk stack therein, is then rotated to move the stack away from the opening and toward a stack processing area in the machine. The stack holder is then extended to expose a stack end out of the housing for stack processing.

Abstract: The invention comprises an information carrier on which the position of a measuring point (37, 41) may be determined using a mobile readout device, as well as an attendant method of determining a position wherein the information carrier features a surface onto which a visible primary information has been applied, in the manner of a book or a geographic map, wherein at least one machine-readable pattern has been printed on the surface, said pattern coding a position information, which upon bringing to bear methods of image analysis and of local sampling of parts (36, 40) of the surface, will allow a determination of position for a measurement point (37, 41) and wherein the pattern coding the position information is transparent in such a way that the primary information on the surface remains visible.

Abstract: A electrical structure and associated method for collimating a wireless signal between a RFID transceiver and a RFID tag. The electrical structure comprises a RFID tag and an enclosure structure. The enclosure structure comprises a radio frequency opaque material. The RFID tag is located within the enclosure structure. The enclosure structure is adapted to collimate, a first radio frequency signal from the RFID transceiver to the RFID tag.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15) and a cash dispensing mechanism (220). A fascia (12) of the machine includes a pair of horizontally disposed convex mirrors (338, 340). The mirrors are used to enable a machine user to view the rear area (343) behind the machine user. The machine can move the mirrors into operative viewing position in response to machine user input. The machine also includes lights that can be selectively directed and illuminated to reduce the risk of observation of inputs to the machine by unauthorized persons. A rear area light source focuses light away from the machine user's line of sight to the user interface but toward the rear area (343) to obscure nonuser view of machine user input to the user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and a lotto supply server of providing lotto using a bill or a receipt of a credit or debit card, and utilizing the front and the back side of a receipt or a lotto as an advertising space, in which, a financial VAN company accumulates and manages the paid back money for financial resources to purchase lotto, and a real lotto number printed on a bill or a receipt is provided to a user, thereby increasing sales of a member store due to customers who use credit or debit cards.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates 2a and 2b individually provided with electrodes 14a and 14b, a sealing material 3 with which the substrates 2a and 2b are attached to each other, a first terminal installed on one substrate 2a, a second terminal which is installed on the other substrate 2b and which is connected to the electrode 14b on the substrate 2b, a conducting material 21 for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, a wiring 19b which is installed on the substrate 2a and which is connected to the first terminal, and a light-shielding film 23 installed in at least a part of a region, which corresponds to the wiring 19b, on the other substrate 2b.

Abstract: A method for recovering postage for metered mail pieces that have not been posted, the method includes: placing information that uniquely identifies the mail piece in a postal indicia ; storing the information that uniquely identifies each metered mail piece at a remote site; requesting a refund for a mail piece that has not been posted; determining if the information in the postal indicia that appears on the face of the mail piece that uniquely identifies the mail piece is the same as the information that uniquely identifies the mail piece that is stored in the remote site; and refunding the postage if the information in the postal indicia that uniquely identifies the mail piece is the same as the information that uniquely identifies the mail piece that is stored in the remote site.