Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that process service requests associated with one or more work machines. In one embodiment, a process is disclosed that includes receiving status information associated with operations of the first work machine and analyzing a first work machine flow sequence associated with the first work machine based on the status information. Based on the analysis, a service request is generated. To fulfill the service request, the process may include modifying a second work machine flow sequence associated with a second work machine.

Abstract: An RFID device detection system includes a proximity locator, which generates an electric field for reading an antennaless RFID device, or for reading other, antennaed RFID devices. An antennaless RFID device includes non-antenna conductive leads coupled to a chip. The proximity locator includes one or more conductors forming a transmission line structure arranged to set up a strong RF electric field in proximity to the locator. The strong RF electric field may be a short-range field that provides significant RF energy only over a relatively short distance, when compared with traditional RF fields that are set up over a relatively large distance. The short-range RF field allows coupling to antennaed and antennaless RFID devices that are near to the proximity locator. The RFID device detection system may be employed in a variety of tasks, including inventory control and theft detection.

Abstract: In order to realize both the security and convenience upon using the image forming apparatus, whether or not to store an operation history is selected for each operation mode. A desired one of a plurality of operation modes is designated. When the designated operation mode is selected to store the operation mode, the operation history is stored in accordance with the operation of the operation mode.

Abstract: A system including at least two parts or stations wherein a transaction or connection between any two or more of the parts or stations is conducted or established with an access code, the access code being available to an accessed part or station and requiring an identical access code to be provided to an accessing part or station at the time of conducting the transaction or establishing the connection. The system is characterised in that the access code is one of a plurality of codes provided to the accessed part or station and available to the accessing part or station. The system is further characterised in that the access code is selected from the plurality of codes at the time of conducting the transaction or establishing the connection, such that no two transactions are conducted or no two connections are established with the same access codes.

Abstract: A packing system is provided comprising a first object and a sensing device. The first object comprises an interface surface having a plurality of tags printed thereon, with each tag containing coded data identifying the object. The sensing device is configured to read the tags and send data to a packing device.

Abstract: A goods tracking method and system for tracking goods loaded on or in a carrier is disclosed. The carrier and/or goods have an RFID tag. A data writing device and a data reading device are used. The writing device is arranged to obtain information on the goods and write corresponding data to the carrier's or goods' RFID tag. The reading device is arranged to read data from the RFID tag of the carrier and/or goods being submitted for fulfilment of an order and to determine acceptance of the goods on or in the carrier in dependence on the data meeting requirements of the order.

Abstract: A system for batch conversion of RFID tag onto a label in a liner, to produce a RFID label, the system having at least a RFID tag dispenser having a plurality of RFID tags, a liner having a plurality of labels, each label spaced apart and marked with pitch marks, a bar code printer and electrical motor to move the liner forward. The system has additionally, a pitch mark sensor and a PLC controller. The pitch mark sensor detects the position of the pitch marks of a label, then sends a signal to the RFID tag dispenser to issue a RFID tag, moving the plurality of RFID tags along towards the liner, causing the RFID tag to be embedded onto the label to produce the RFID label.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for monitoring production of a target composition, such as an automotive paint or an architectural paint and a monitoring device used therein. The process includes (a) identifying one or more formulas associated with identification criteria of the target composition, the formula providing a required inventory for making a desired amount of the target composition; (b) generating a current inventory; (c) comparing the current inventory against the required inventory to ascertain whether said current inventory fulfills said required inventory; (d) generating a supplementary inventory if the current inventory partially fulfills the required inventory; (e) dispensing required items listed in the required inventory from current items listed in the current inventory, supplementary items listed in the supplementary inventory, or a combination thereof to make the desired amount of the target composition; and (f) generating an updated inventory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for monitoring production of a target composition, such as an automotive paint or an architectural paint and a monitoring device used therein. The process includes (a) identifying one or more formulas associated with identification criteria of the target composition, the formula providing a required inventory for making a desired amount of the target composition; (b) generating a current inventory; (c) terminating the process if the current inventory does not match with a stored inventory; or (d) continuing the process if the current inventory matches with the stored inventory.

Abstract: The method of the present invention changes the present day “value for value” methodology, system and process for the purchase of Stored Value Card purchases to a “value for greater value” or “value for greater perceived value” methodology, system and process by bundling the actual Stored Value Card product with coupons that would convey a value. The bundling of coupons, vouchers, and etc., with the Stored Value Card allows merchants to charge or allocate a certain fee for the coupon/voucher aspect of the Stored Value Card sale. This in turn allows merchants to transact and/or report and/or account for the sale of Stored Value Cards in a manner that avoids escheatment.

Abstract: A system for collecting data using a non-contact IC chip to manage the data using a computer. An IC chip sends data in a non-contact manner to a reader. The reader receives and stores the data in a memory. When an IC chip of a kind different from the IC chip is present near the reader, the reader sends the data stored in the memory to that IC chip by radio. The data received by the IC chip is supplied to a computer. The reader remains in a stand-alone setting and exchanges data with an IC chip.

Abstract: A system for using a prepaid card permits a card user to purchase a card, issued by an issuer such as a bank, through an agent at a retail establishment via a terminal, select a PIN, have the card activated at the point of purchase, use the card to purchase goods and services, and reload the card for future use. The system uses a communications network for issuance, activation, and accounting, and activation is accomplished on a real-time basis, either one account at a time or in a batch mode. The card can be used to purchase a wide range of goods and services including telephone services. The card can also be used to make cash withdrawals at an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there exists a voting system for making family decisions. A chart with write-on, wipe-off and steel properties is used to record preferred choices in family decisions on which to vote. One such application is the charting of baby names for a new baby. Magnets with the designations, Yes, No and ? are used by the family members to vote for each potential baby name. The name will be chosen when the voters reach a consensus on one baby name.

Abstract: A barcode on a material includes at least one line having a length and a width. The line may be formed by markings on the material, and the markings may form a first row and a second row. The first row may be adjacent to the second row. The markings also forming a first column and a second column, with the first column being adjacent to the second column. The markings of the first row are offset from the markings of the second row.

Abstract: A key ring card wallet for holding key ring cards such as club membership cards, shopping club cards, and small credit cards is made of a front sheet, a back sheet, and the sheets are connected by a folding line, a seam or a hinge. Each of the sheets has means for fastening itself to the other. Upon being folded along the fold line, the two sheets form a jacket for holding the cards inside and also provide a common hole through which a key ring passes. In such a key ring card and wallet assembly, each of the key ring cards is allowed to rotate around the loop of the key ring so that the key ring cards can get out of or retract into the jacket. Key ring cards can be added or removed from the assembly without removing the wallet from the key ring.

Abstract: A plurality of remotely readable sensor apparatus and reader systems for collecting data frames from all apparatus within the reader field of view. Each sensor apparatus converts one or more environmental observable into information signals, converts the information signals into digital data and appends other discriminating digital data as desired to form a digital data frame. The state of a diode, connected to an antenna with the digital data frame, is modulated and a timing apparatus controls the digital-data-frame start times. The modulated states of the diode connected to a sensor-apparatus antenna are chosen so the angle of the antenna reflection coefficient is modulated between two values separated by approximately 180 degrees, so a carrier signal received by the antenna effects a bi-phase modulated signal containing the digital data frame that is reflected by the sensor-apparatus antenna toward the reader receiver antenna.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for enabling the use of machine-readable codes. A computer program receives data generated by reading a machine-readable code and detects the presence of formatting information indicating whether the data's payload is in a first or second format. The program uses a first or second procedure to decode the payload depending on whether the formatting information is detected and what it specifies. In some embodiments, the formatting information can include information about how to decode the payload. The machine-readable code can have been produced according to an encoding instruction associated with an electronic document. The first and second formats can be open and closed formats, respectively. The use of multiple formats can enable multiple, co-existing business models in a document workflow, whereby different parties in the workflow can be charged or required to obtain authorization for the use of machine-readable codes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a high-speed personalization machine comprising a personalization station for personalizable documents and a computer system, the machine being characterized in that a personalizable document comprises information, whether visible or not corresponding to an identification, an electronic chip and contactless communication means of transmitting/receiving antenna type connected to the electronic chip, the electronic chip and the communication means being incorporated in the document, and in that the personalization machine comprises a reading device to read the document identifier, this identifier being associated with data memorized in a database of the computer system, at least some of this data to be recorded by the personalization machine into the electronic chip of the document.

Abstract: A method and system for building and utilizing a database containing images of transactions. As transactions are performed, a camera takes images of the transactions. These images are correlated to data that outlines the details of the transaction that includes date, time and sometimes the amount of money exchanged. The images and data are stored in a database for easy retrieval using query instructions so that a particular transaction and its corresponding image are quickly retrieved.

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.