Abstract: Methods of detecting scan avoidance events are disclosed herein. An example method includes measuring, by a weighing scale associated with a barcode reader, an unstable weight over a timeframe having a duration that is greater than a threshold duration. The method further includes monitoring for (i) the barcode reader's failure, during the first timeframe, to transition from a first state in which an imager of the barcode reader does not transmit images for decoding to a second state in which the imager captures images over an FOV including a product scanning region and transmits the captured images for decoding; or (ii) the barcode reader's failure to decode a barcode from images captured over the FOV including the product scanning region during the first timeframe; and generating an alert indicating a potential scan avoidance event responsive to both the measured unstable weight over the timeframe and one of (i) or (ii).

Abstract: The present invention proposes a dot pattern on which code information and x and y coordinate information can be defined even if the dot pattern is extremely small, and proposes an information reproducing method and an information reproducing device based on the dot pattern. More specifically, a medium such as a printed material on which is formed a dot pattern portion by arranging in accordance with a given rule dots generated by a dot code generating algorithm in order to recognize various kinds of multimedia information is scanned as image data by scanning means. Then, the image data is converted into code data. Multimedia information corresponding to the code data is read out of storing means to be reproduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing sales tax information. The information may be generated, for example, in connection with transactions involving financial accounts, such as a credit card account. The sales tax information may be received electronically from, for example, a merchant or a point of sale device. A determination may be made whether there is any missing sales tax information. If there is missing information a request may be generated and sent to a source having the information. The source may receive the request, retrieve the desired information, and transmit it to the requesting entity. The sales tax information may be stored and later retrieved for presentation to a user, such as the account holder. The account holder may use the information in completing a tax return.

Abstract: A card reader may include card insertion port; a plurality of types of pulling-out detection mechanisms; and a pulling-out prevention mechanism. The pulling-out prevention mechanism may include a lock member having a prevention part configured to contact with the card and prevent pulling-out of the card; and a moving mechanism structured to move the lock member between a contact position and a retreated position. The plurality of types of the pulling-out detection mechanisms may the abnormal pulling-out of the card by methods different from each other. The lock member is moved to the contact position from the retreated position to prevent pulling-out of the card when the abnormal pulling-out of the card from the card insertion port is detected by the plurality of types of the pulling-out detection mechanisms.

Abstract: An LED strip light for shelf signboards, comprises a strip-shaped lamp chamber, and an LED light-emitting module. The strip-shaped lamp chamber comprises a card board connecting edge, a non-transparent edge, an upper transparent edge and a lower transparent edge. The upper transparent edge is parallel to the laminate. The LED light-emitting module comprises at least one LED chip, and a strip-shaped reflective device. The strip-shaped reflective device comprises a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first reflective surface reflects all the incident lights thereon toward the upper light transparent edge. The second reflective surface reflects all the incident lights thereon toward the lower transparent edge.

Abstract: A dual module for a dual chip card includes a supporting film supporting on an outer surface, a plurality of connecting pads including two series of connecting pads extending in a given direction and, on an inner surface, two inner connection areas for connection to an antenna of the dual card and a chip, the chip including contact terminals connected by wires to the inner connection areas or electric connecting pads by holes passing through the supporting film while being coated, together with the wires, by coating resin. The electric connecting pads of the outer surface include only three pads. Each of the two inner connection areas forms a comb including a body extending under each of the pads of one of the two series of connecting pads separated from the coating mass, respectively. Blades extend separately from one another from the body until ends covered by the coating mass.

Abstract: A backlight module and a display device are provided. The backlight module includes a plastic frame and a light guiding plate provided within the plastic frame. For each non-incident side of two parallel non-incident sides of the plastic frame, a respective space-keeping structure is provided at an end of a side edge on the non-incident side, with the end of the side edge on the non-incident side being close to a side edge of an incident side; and a side of the space-keeping structure that is away from an end surface of the light guiding plate is sealed with a cover structure. The present arrangement can effectively reduce bright lines at side edges occurring in the backlight module, and thus improve image-display quality of the backlight module.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for taking predetermined actions based on coded graphical objects in video content for display by a computer device. According to some aspects, the coded graphical object can include a barcode or QR code. According to additional aspects, the predetermined actions can include performing a monitoring function or automatically providing credentials to a web service.

Abstract: A metal contactless smart card includes a first metal layer having a first slit, a second layer, a radio-frequency integrated circuit chip module, and an inlay having an antenna. A nonconductive insert may be fitted in the slit. The first metal layer may include an inlay recess where the inlay may be received and a through-hole where the chip may be inserted. The second layer of the smart card may be made of metal and may also include a slit.

Abstract: An automated device for automatically and without any human intervention, receiving into the device articles to be distributed or sold, storing the articles, and then distributing or selling the articles to users/customers. The store includes within a housing an entry means for controlling entry into the housing of a plurality of closed shipping containers. Also within the housing is an automated forming means for forming an opening in each of the plurality of the shipping containers, a storing means for storing the plurality of opened shipping containers inside a storage area of the housing, a computer controlled retrieving means for entering into selected ones of the opened shipping so as to retrieve an article from inside one of the stored opened shipping containers and further including moving means for moving the retrieved articles to an output of the housing.

Abstract: An incremental dose counter for a metered dose inhaler having a body arranged to retain a canister for movement of the canister relative thereto, the incremental dose counter having a main body, an actuator arranged to be driven and to drive an incremental output member in a count direction in response to canister motion, the actuator being configured to restrict motion of the output member in a direction opposite to the count direction.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a housing having an opening in which an liquid crystal display device is disposed, a light source disposed inside the housing, and an optical member disposed inside the housing, turning a path of light from the light source toward the liquid crystal display device, and having a triangular prism portion made of a translucent material. The prism portion has one side wall serving as an entrance wall on which the light from the light source is incident, another side wall as an exit wall emitting light to the liquid crystal display device, and still another side wall as a reflecting wall reflecting the light incident on the entrance wall to the exit wall inside the prism portion.

Abstract: A system and method having a first device mounted on a first gimbal mount; a first visual feedback associated with the first gimbal; a second device mounted on a second gimbal mount physically displaced relative to the first gimbal mount; a second visual feedback mechanism associated with the second device. The orientation of the first device differs from the orientation of the second device by a dynamic correction amount. A correction controller having input that when acted upon by a user causes movement of the second device independently of movement of the first device to alter the correction amount to a revised correction amount such that subsequent movement of the first device causes motion in the second device that is at least partially dependent upon the revised correction amount.

Abstract: An integrated electronic assembly including a first electronic component defining a receptacle and at least a second electronic component wherein at least a portion of the second electronic component is disposed in the receptacle of the first electronic component, and a method for conserving space in a circuit or on a printed circuit board by integrating a plurality of electronic components so that the plurality of electronic components collectively take up a smaller amount of space on a substrate than the plurality of electronic components would if the plurality of electronic components were not integrated.

Abstract: A transaction card construction and computer-implemented methods for a transaction card are described. The transaction card has vector-formatted visible information applied by a laser machining system. In some embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for enabling the sourcing of visible information using a scalable vector format. The systems and methods may receive a request to add visible information to a transaction card and capture an image of the visible information. The systems and methods may capture data representing the image. The systems and methods may also determine an ambient color saturation of the image. Further, systems and methods may translate the image based on the ambient color saturation of the image. The systems and methods may also map the translated image to a bounding box and convert the mapped image into vector format. In addition, the systems and methods may provide the converted image to a laser machining system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

Abstract: A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler includes an incremental counting system for counting doses. The incremental counting system has a main body, an actuator arranged to be driven in response to canister motion and to drive an incremental output member in response to canister motion. The actuator and incremental output member are configured to have predetermined canister fire and count configurations in a canister fire sequence. The canister fire configuration is determined by a position of the actuator relative to a datum at which the canister fires medicament and the count configuration is determined by a position of the actuator relative to the datum at which the incremental count system makes an incremental count. The actuator is arranged to reach a position in the count configuration at or after a position in the canister fire configuration.

Abstract: A barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode and at least a second barcode, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold and upon exceedance of the at least one threshold the at least a first barcode becoming unreadable and generally simultaneously the at least a second barcode becoming readable.

Abstract: A card reader may include a magnetic sensor to detect whether magnetic data are recorded in the magnetic stripe of the card; a control section to supply electric power to the magnetic sensor and into which an output signal of the magnetic sensor is inputted; and a card insertion port into which the card is inserted and in which the magnetic sensor is disposed. The magnetic sensor may output an output signal when the electric power is supplied from the control section. The control section may supply the electric power to the magnetic sensor during a first supply time period which is shorter than a card passage time period.

Abstract: A system for transferring power and/or data between a host and a store over a single-wire umbilical cable is herein described. The system comprises a host-store interface configured to allow the transfer of both power and data between the host and a store in operative communication therewith. The store comprises a microcontroller and memory operatively coupled thereto, allowing the microcontroller to be powered on and to receive and store data sent by the host in its memory through a single-wire without requiring additional electronic systems that the store may comprise to also be powered on. This data may later be incorporated into pre-programmed systems onboard the store at full power-on, thereby enabling the reprogramming of the store without powering it on prior to launch.