Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for assisting a check-cashing entity to efficiently and accurately locate relevant positive pay information or other reconcilement information regarding a check or other negotiable instrument that has been presented in association with a request to cash, deposit, use as payment or other otherwise accept the check or negotiable instrument. In various embodiments, when a plurality of potentially useful reconcilement information sources are selected for querying in association with a proposed check-cashing transaction from amongst a set of available reconcilement information sources, factors relating to the transaction, factors relating to characteristics of the information sources, and factors relating to preferences on the part of the check-cashing entity may be considered in order to select and prioritize the querying of information sources that are deemed likely to hold desired reconcilement information.

Abstract: Electronic cards include a package having vertical and horizontal dimensions of a standard credit card, and including first and second opposing faces. A flat panel display extends over the first face. A dynamic magnetic encoder is provided on the second face. A user input device also is provided on the package. A processor is provided in the package that is configured to display a substantially full size image of a credit card on the flat panel display, and to control the dynamic magnetic encoder to provide magnetic stripe information for the credit card, in response to user selection of the credit card via the user input device. Accordingly, the look (image) of a credit card can be emulated, as well as the magnetic stripe information that would be provided by the credit card, in response to user selection of the credit card.

Abstract: A data collection device (10) reads a machine readable data storage medium (38) comprising data encoded in a machine readable format. The data collection device (10) comprising a code reading system (21), a processor (20), and a communication module (26). The code reading system detects the data encoded in the machine readable data storage medium (38) and generates digital data representative thereof. The processor (20) operates an embedded decoder system (76). The embedded decoder system (76) comprises a decoder module (72) and an interpreter module (84). The decoder module (76) receives the digital data and generates decoded data (134). The interpreter module (84) receives the decoded data (134) and manipulating the decoded data (134) in accordance with the plurality of data manipulation commands defined in a rules file (85) to generate formatted data (136). The communication module (26) transfers the formatted data to a remote system.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine including an extensions for financial services (XFS) layer is provided. An application interface portion of the XFS layer is operative to communicate with an application layer of the ATM which may include terminal applications. A hardware interface portion of the XFS layer is operative to communicate with a hardware layer of the ATM which may include hardware devices of the ATM and associated service providers. A diagnostic application is operative to determine whether problems exist in the application layer or the hardware layer of the ATM by causing a plurality of hardware devices to perform predefined operations using the XFS layer and by monitoring the operations. The diagnostic application is operative to output a determination as to whether a problem with the ATM is associated with the components of the application or hardware layers of the ATM responsive to the success or failure of the operations.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine including an extensions for financial services (XFS) layer is provided. An application interface portion of the XFS layer is operative to communicate with an application layer of the ATM which may include terminal applications. A hardware interface portion of the XFS layer is operative to communicate with a hardware layer of the ATM which may include hardware devices of the ATM and associated service providers. A diagnostic application is operative to determine whether problems exist in the application layer or the hardware layer of the ATM by causing a plurality of hardware devices to perform predefined operations using the XFS layer and by monitoring the operations. The diagnostic application is operative to output a determination as to whether a problem with the ATM is associated with the components of the application or hardware layers of the ATM responsive to the success or failure of the operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for distributing and purchasing contents data by way of wired and wireless communication, said system comprises an accumulating section (33 ) for accumulating a plurality of contents data, an input operation section (23 ) to be used for selecting contents data from those accumulated in the accumulating section (3), a memory section (21) for storing the contents data selected by way of the input operation section (23), a purchase history memory section (33) for storing the package media purchase history of each user in the actual world and a control section (39) for controlling a recording according to the purchase history stored in the purchase history memory section (33). With this arrangement, the purchase history of package media is controlled by the purchase history memory section (33).

Abstract: The present invention provides a bar code reader support stand that is portable and easy to set up in addition to being stable and not easily tipped. The support stand provides a reading surface on which to place a coded medium. The support stand further provides a securing area for mounting a bar code reader, such that said bar code reader is held at a predetermined and fixed distance and angle with respect to said reading surface. The fixed position and orientation of the bar code reader with respect to the reading surface allows for a consistently reliable reading of the coded medium. Installation and usage of the device can be more efficient since the user need not adjust the bar code reader orientation at the time of set-up, nor re-adjust it during the course of usage. The design of the weight-stabilised base allows the device to be set up and used in an active environment without the need to rigidly connect it to a table top by means of screws or bolts.

Abstract: The invention provides an IC card in which it is difficult to separate IC chips from the IC card. In accordance with the invention, an IC card formed by laminating a plurality of substrates can include a sensor for identifying an authorized person, a signal processing circuit for processing the identification based on an output from the sensor and a card-shaped card medium containing the sensor and the signal processing circuit. At least the signal processing circuit can include a thin film circuit which is sufficiently thinner than the card medium and contains a material which is dissolvable equally to or more than the card medium.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting a physical change at a transaction card, and, in response to detecting the physical change outputting content to attract the attention of a user.

Abstract: Magnetic field response sensors designed as passive inductor-capacitor circuits produce magnetic field responses whose harmonic frequencies correspond to states of physical properties for which the sensors measure. Power to the sensing element is acquired using Faraday induction. A radio frequency antenna produces the time varying magnetic field used for powering the sensor, as well as receiving the magnetic field response of the sensor. An interrogation architecture for discerning changes in sensor's response frequency, resistance and amplitude is integral to the method thus enabling a variety of measurements. Multiple sensors can be interrogated using this method, thus eliminating the need to have a data acquisition channel dedicated to each sensor. The method does not require the sensors to be in proximity to any form of acquisition hardware. A vast array of sensors can be used as interchangeable parts in an overall sensing system.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for processing captured images within a semi-automatic hand-supportable imaging-based bar code symbol reader in order to read 1D and/or 2D bar code symbols graphically represented therein. The semi-automatic hand-supportable digital imaging-based bar code symbol reader comprises: an automatic object presence detection subsystem; a multi-mode area-type image formation and detection subsystem having narrow-area and wide area image capture modes of operation; a multi-mode LED-based illumination subsystem having narrow-area and wide area illumination modes of operation; an image capturing and buffering subsystem; a multi-mode image-processing bar code symbol reading subsystem; an input/output subsystem; a manually-activatable trigger switch; and a system control subsystem integrated with each of the above-described subsystems. The bar code symbol reader embodies advanced image processing methods for reading 1D and/or 2D bar code symbols graphically represented in captured digital images.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tunable filter comprising an optical fiber incorporating a Bragg grating on a portion of the fiber. Said fiber portion is coated with a material retained within a confined space and adapted to exert pressure on said Bragg grating to compress said portion of fiber radially and to stretch it longitudinally.

Abstract: The invention is related to an optical cross-connect switch comprising a waveguide connected with one waveguide end to a first optical port and connected with its other waveguide end to a steering device for directing an optical signal beam from said first optical port to a second optical port, said waveguide comprising a patterned waveguide layer disposed on a substrate. The steering device can be arranged in a cavity in the substrate. The optical cross-connect switch then comprises a substrate, which is partially covered by a waveguide layer and a cladding layer, patterned for example by etching processes, with at least one waveguide, connected with one end to one of the optical ports and with the other end, comprising core and cladding, unsupported by the substrate or remaining layers and extending into a switching plane above the cavity, which is located in the substrate.

Abstract: A unique conductivity pattern is applied to printable articles to provide a “signature” for later verifying the authenticity of the printable articles. Preferably, the conductivity pattern is hidden from sight and differs from other conductivity patterns applied to other printable articles in an effectively random manner. Capacitive sensors read the conductivity patterns, and the resulting data for recording the signatures reflects not only details of the conductivity patterns themselves but also the characteristics of the capacitive sensors and their use.

Abstract: An optical fiber inventory selection system selects optical fibers from inventory for use in a communication network. In one embodiment, the system includes a vendor computer system that executes code that performs a number of steps. Initially, the system accesses a plurality of optical parameters for each of a plurality of optical fiber reels that are located in inventory. Next, a customer order is received that includes customer requirements for at least a portion of the plurality of optical parameters and a total optical fiber length, and may include requirements for sets of reels, blocks of sets, and batches of blocks. Then, two optical parameters are selected from the plurality of optical parameters that are included in the customer requirements. Next, a number of the optical fiber reels are combined into optical fiber reel pairs that meet the customer requirements for the selected two optical parameters.

Abstract: The multi-line barcode scanner with no moving parts includes a light source, a light condensing lens and a linear light receiver. When scanning light beams (maybe linear or strip-shaped light beams) emitted from the light source are projecting onto a barcode, the reflected images thereof are focused onto the linear light receiver by the light condensing lens. The characteristics of the structure are that at least one beam splitter and reflectors are disposed at the projecting path from the light source converted into scanning light beam to the barcode, so as to enable the scanner to project two or more scanning light beams onto a same barcode in a non-overlapping manner, thereby selecting a complete barcode image for decoding at a fastest speed and for further increasing the barcode reading rate from the barcode at different angles or positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an transparent or translucent transaction device having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, RFID circuitry, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the RFID circuitry and signature on back of the device is visible through the device body. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or device manufacturing assembly line.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) for fiber optic modules includes a board with multiple bends, forming a structure with sides and a bottom. The traces in the FPCB traverse from the opto-electronic chips, through the sides of the FPCB, to the module interconnects at the bottom. The multi-fold structure allows the FPCB to support a higher number of traces than conventional single-fold FPCB's, and it allows the fanning out of signal traces from the opto-electronic and electronic chips at the front of the fiber-optic module, thereby reducing the crosstalk between the traces. This higher number is provided with a FPCB that features a single insulating layer and without the need to criss-cross the traces, resulting in improved signal integrity over conventional multi-layer FPCB's.

Abstract: A method for performing a money transfer receive transaction involving a recipient that receives money from a sender includes the steps of providing a receive code to a recipient via a transaction staging device that is used to stage the receive transaction, wherein the code is used to identify the receive transaction on a data base; receiving at the data base an entry, provided by the recipient and corresponding to the code, from a transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base; and providing transaction details of the receive transaction to the transaction fulfillment device for verification with the recipient; wherein the code is not provided by or to the sender for use by the sender during the receive transaction.

Abstract: A reading device adapted to read 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 including: a housing for mounting on at least one finger of the user in use, the housing including an aperture; a radiation source for illuminating the interface surface of the product item; a sensor provided in the housing for sensing at least some of the coded data through the aperture when the product item is positioned substantially in contact with the housing; and a processor for determining, using at least some of the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item.