Abstract: Systems and methods include a kiosk that performs an electronic payment transaction based on instructions received from a portable device of a user. The system further includes a transmitting device electrically coupled to the kiosk. The transmitting device is configured to transmit a first signal to the portable device at a first direction. The system further includes a receiving device electrically coupled to the kiosk. The receiving device is configured to receive a second signal from the portable device at a second direction. The transmitting device and receiving device are positioned such that the first and second direction enable determination of a position of the user, where the processor enables the electronic payment transaction to be processed only when the portable device is at a location relative to the kiosk. The location is disposed within a transmission path coextensive with both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An electronic voting system that includes transportable voting equipment is described. Such transportable voting equipment includes a carrier that may be transportable and easily moved to enable curbside/mobile voting. The carrier may be ergonomically shaped for usage by passing through a vehicle window and resting in a voter's lap. In one embodiment, the carrier may include a printer to produce a printed vote record. The electronic voting system may include the use of a base station (for example located inside a polling building), the curbside/mobile carrier, and a smart panel that is dockable and removable to/from both the base station and the curbside/mobile carrier.

Abstract: An optical device comprises: a line sensor having a plurality of light reception elements that receive incident light including reflection light resulting from laser light having been emitted from a light source and reflected by an object, and including ambient light; a diffraction grating that guides the incident light to the plurality of light reception elements by diffracting the incident light to a direction depending on the wavelength; and a control unit that detects the reflection light on the basis of the light reception amounts of the light reception elements. The diffraction grating is configured to guide, to one of the plurality of light reception elements, a wavelength within a predetermined range that includes the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a photodetector configured to generate a photodetector output pulse when the photodetector detects a photon from a light pulse having a light pulse time period, a TDC configured to monitor for the occurrence of the photodetector output pulse during a measurement time window that is within and shorter in duration than the light pulse time period, a PLL circuit for the TDC, and a precision timing circuit connected to the PLL circuit and configured to adjust, based on at least one signal generated within the PLL circuit, a temporal position of the measurement time window within the light pulse time period.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of invasive pests includes an irradiation device that can generate an electron beam that is applicable to a tree infected by an invasive pest, wherein the electron beam provides an in-situ treatment for the tree infected by the invasive pest by killing the invasive pest via electron beam irradiation. One or more temperature sensors can be used to track the internal temperature of a tree surrogate. A differential temperature difference tracked by temperature sensor can be used to ensure that a reduction in temperature of the tree is attributable to the electron beam rather than increase in heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to time temperature indicator (TTI) systems for monitoring the time and temperature exposure of foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and similar products. More particularly, the present invention provides a cap system, such as a screw cap system, featuring a TTI system.

Abstract: An ATM system is provided. The system may include a back-end server, an ATM CPU that receives information relating to the ATM, an ATM dispenser configured to dispense a cash withdrawal amount in the event that the ATM CPU receives information relating to a selection of a cash withdrawal amount and a mobile computer. The mobile computer may include a CPU, a keypad, a touch screen having a diagonal dimension of between 9 inches and 17 inches, and an interface system that interfaces between the ATM CPU and MC CPU, wherein the back-end server is configured to format and transmit an API call to request information regarding an ATM session. The ATM may be configured to respond to the API call and the back-end server is configured to respond to an API call response. The back-end server response may be further configured for display on the touch screen.

Abstract: A method of ordering a new optical article definable based on features of an initial optical article including at least a lens, the method including the following steps: —acquiring an identifier by capturing a marking carried by the lens of the initial optical article; —sending, by an electronic device, the identifier and an order for the new optical article. A corresponding apparatus and a corresponding method for launching production of the new optical article are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a medium includes a safe having an entrance for replenishment and recovery to which a transit cassette is selectively connected, a reception unit configured to deposit and withdraw a medium by a customer, an identification unit serving to identify whether the medium is a normal banknote or a rejection banknote, a deposit cassette configured to store the medium deposited through the reception unit, a recycle cassette configured to store the medium recognized as the normal banknote, a conveyance path configured to convey the medium, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance path.

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 method comprises receiving, by a computing device from a customer device, a request to provision a financial account for the customer, associating, by the computing device, a mobile device with the requested financial account, and sending, by the computing device to the mobile device, authentication information for the requested financial account. The method further includes receiving the authentication information by the computing device from a financial terminal that received the authentication information from the mobile device, receiving, by the computing device, first location information of the mobile device, and provisioning, by the computing device and based on the first location information of the mobile device being within a predetermined distance of a location of the financial terminal, the requested financial account for the customer.

Abstract: A method for product tagging is presented including emitting, by at least one RF backscatter transmitter, a dual-tone Radio Frequency (RF) signal embedded within a standardized RF signal on a frequency channel, reflecting and frequency shifting, by a passive RF backscatter tag associated with a product, the dual-tone RF signal to a different frequency channel, and reading, by at least one RF backscatter receiver, the product on the different frequency channel by detecting a distributed ambient backscatter signal generated by a reflection and frequency shifting of the dual-tone RF signal by the passive RF backscatter tag.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic voting system based on homogeneous cryptography and a method thereof. An electronic voting method includes the steps of: (a) generating a serial number sn by using election identification information eid and a his/her secret key, wherein the election identification information eid is shared through a block chain; (b) encrypting a voting message M through verifiable homogeneous cryptography to generate a ciphertext CT, and generating a zero-knowledge proof key ? for the voting message; and (c) transmitting an electronic ballot including the serial number sn, the ciphertext CT, and the zero-knowledge proof key ? to a block chain network as a transaction.

Abstract: A medium stacking sheet is installed on a rotation shaft of a medium separating and stacking apparatus for stacking or dispensing a medium. The medium stacking sheet includes a body fixed to the rotation shaft and having a plurality of rotation holes which are spaced apart from each other in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft, and a plurality of vanes each including a vane pin rotatably installed in a corresponding rotation hole and a vane piece coupled to the vane pin to stack the medium.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for encoding and communicating detection results. In one example, a device includes a detector configured to capture measurement data in response to an external source. The device further includes one or more processors. The detection device further includes one or more memories including instructions stored therein, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include analyzing the measurement data to generate detection results. The operations further include generating a quick response (QR) code encoding at least a portion the detection results. The operations further include providing the QR code for access by an external device. Additional devices and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A deposit and withdrawal service system using Automated Teller Machine (ATM) includes a communication module configured to receive a transaction request associated with a customer's asset managed by an institution from the ATM, and transmit a processing result received from the institution in response to the transaction request to the ATM, and a statement conversion module configured to convert the transaction request received from the ATM into aggregated details data that is independent from the ATM, and convert the processing result received from the institution into statement details data corresponding to the ATM having requested the transaction. The communication module is further configured to transmit the aggregated details data to the institution, receive the processing result from the institution, and transmit the processing result to the ATM as the statement details data.

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: Techniques to improve operation of a processor or device utilizing colorspace conversions and operations are provided. A system includes a programmable logic array that can perform, a colorspace conversion, which can in turn be by a distinct processor device. The colorspace conversion can be performed by the programmable logic in response to the change of a colorspace associated with a target, e.g. a real or virtual environment, and the colorspace conversion is intended to optimize the colorspace of an object, entity, or other environment in the changed real or virtual environment, and where the optimized object, entity or other environment can be used by the processor device as part of a computing application as suitable for that colorspace conversion, which can include but is not limited to augmented reality, printing of images, detection of images, global positioning, and detection of real and virtual objects in real or virtual environments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing a failure in a blower of a vehicle improve performance of various systems using state information of the blower. The apparatus and method include a controller that converts an operating current value supplied to the blower of the vehicle into a voltage value and diagnoses whether the blower fails based on the voltage value. The apparatus and method also include a display that displays whether the blower fails.