Abstract: A locker system includes one or more banks of electronic lockers. Each locker has a door lock that releasably retains the door in the closed position. The locker system also includes at least one barcode scanner selectively unlocks the door of at least one of the lockers. A locker manager is coupled to each of the electronic lockers via an electronic network. The locker manager stores a list of unique barcodes that are each associated with a locker rental plan including at least one locker account. Each locker account includes an activation indication, a use indication, a locker type indication, and a duration. The unique barcodes are printed or otherwise included on wristbands, which may be scanned at the barcode scanner to gain access to one or more of the lockers.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.

Abstract: The invention enables to improve flexibility, reliability and service life of a payment card having embedded ornamental elements. In order to achieve the technical effect, the device includes a foil layer, a first layer and a second layer, all being made laminating. The foil layer is fixed between the first layer and the second (outer) layer. The card is provided with a plastic plate, a magnetic strip, an adhesive layer, an insert made with a thickness greater than that of the foil layer and made of the same material as the foil layer. The ornamental element is fixed within the insert and flush to it. The outer surfaces of the second layer and the insert are located in a single plane, and the insert and the ornamental element are free from the second layer on the outside and are fixed in the plastic plate with the adhesive layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, computer program product, and related computer implemented methods to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, are provided. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a service that enables a consumer to purchase, at the storefront of a retail establishment, a chit card that the consumer can subsequently redeem through a graphical user interface of an Internet website for a closed-loop retail prepaid card with a user-designed external face. The user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, for example, can be subsequently printed and delivered to an intended recipient. Advantageously, such a service can be made available to any retail establishment that uses a point-of-sale system.

Abstract: A card may include a magnetic stripe emulator having a coil with magnetic or non-magnetic material located inside and/or outside of the coil. A shield may be located adjacent to the magnetic emulator that may include a magnetic or a non-magnetic material. The shield may attract magnetic flux lines generated by the magnetic stripe emulator to reduce a magnitude of an electromagnetic field generated on one side of the card as compared to a magnitude of an electromagnetic field generated on another side of the card. A shield may be laminated between layers of a card or may be fixed on a surface of a card.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.

Abstract: Images of a plurality of checks to be presented for payment may be captured through the use of a check sleeve. The check sleeve includes check-holding mechanism to hold one or more checks in place in the sleeve, and contains various types of markings or other features that allow an image of the sleeve to be oriented, and to allow the portion of the image that represents a check to be distinguished from portions of the image that do not represent a check. One or more algorithms may be used to distinguish check from non-check portions of the image, and to orient the image. The check sleeves may have one or more barcodes imprinted thereon, which may encode various types of information.

Abstract: The event souvenir bracelet and card comprises a bracelet and card displaying an identifying name or logo of an event inside a transparent package with an information packet containing information about the event. The card contains stored, retrievable data allowing it to function as a money card, such as a stored value card or gift card. In a second aspect of the inventions, a wearable bracelet contains a device allowing data to be transmitted to and from the bracelet. The data is stored on an RFID device allowing use of the bracelet as a wearable ticket, as an identification and location device, and as a gift card, credit/debit card or stored value card.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a security hang tag that includes a body, a head and a strap. The body includes a head-receiving compartment defining a circumferentially-extending flange. The head includes a circumferentially-extending lip to engage the flange, capturing the lip within the compartment such that the head is rotatably secured to the body. The head has a first strap-receiving channel including a first locking shoulder and a second strap-receiving channel including a second locking shoulder. The strap has first and second ends and includes a first cavity at the first end and a second cavity at the second end. The first end is configured for insertion within the first strap-receiving channel until the first cavity engages the first locking shoulder and the second end is configured for insertion within the second strap-receiving channel until the second cavity engages the second locking shoulder.

Abstract: A smart card that may include a first interface circuit to perform a first type interface with the outside using first and second pads; a second interface circuit to perform a second type interface with the outside using the first and second pads; and a mode selector to enable one of the first and second interface circuits according to whether a power supply voltage is supplied through a third pad.

Abstract: A meter for flowing material, e.g., water, has a meter register having an electronic display, e.g., an LED or LCD display, and a mechanical read-out display driven by a stepper motor to record units of water that flowed through the meter. In the event of an electrical power failure, the LED or LCD readout values are lost, however, the mechanical read-out values remain. Further, signals are transmitted to a microprocessor of a meter register to change the rotation of the stepper motor so that the meter register can be used with different types of meters. Still further, a meter generator co-acting with a meter register forwards an electrical pulse signal after a quantity of material or utility passes through a water meter to a microprocessor of a remote reader. The remote reader includes an odometer coupled to a stepper motor.

Abstract: A portable consumer device having a substrate layer, a protective layer and a diamond-based brittle material layer having an intentionally created unique fissure or cracked patterns or crystal zone boundaries and systems and methods for making and using same are disclosed. The diamond-based brittle material layer includes a diamond material. The unique random fissure or cracked pattern and crystal zone boundaries, or the electromagnetic signature based thereon, of the brittle material layer are detected and used to authenticate the portable consumer device.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.

Abstract: A presentation instrument package is constructed of a carrier having a package identifier. The package defines an enclosure into which is held a presentation instrument having a human readable presentation instrument identifier such that the human readable information is hidden from view.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel wireless barcode MEMS canary which can be embedded in electronic systems and periodically monitored to measure degradation over a period of time. The material used to print the bars of the barcode is selected such that it is capable of changing one or more of its properties in response to a change in ambient conditions. Means are provided for reading out said change in properties such that when an interrogator is brought into proximity to the sensor, the change in properties can be detected. By establishing the relationship between the healthy state of the barcode and its degradation to that of the electronic system and the components, the residual life of the system can be established and preventive measures taken before failure.

Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Such a magnetic emulator may comprise non-magnetostrictive material such that the magnetic emulator may be fabricated in a wide variety of fabrication processes. Additionally, magnets may be added to amplify the signal of a magnetic emulator. In doing so, a magnetic emulator may provide a large amount of signal while consuming a reduced amount of electrical energy when compared to a magnetic emulator that does not include the presence of one or more magnets.

Abstract: A bar code reader 10 includes a housing 20 including one or more transparent windows H, V and defining a housing interior region. As a target object is swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows an image of the target object is captured. Cameras C1-C6 have an image capture sensor array with a global shutter is positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view. All the cameras produce images in a sequential manner during an image frame time period. An image processing system has a processor for decoding a bar code carried by the target object. The processing system responds to signals from a light sensor to terminate object illumination when an adequate image exposure has transpired.

Abstract: A method of processing a mailpiece that bears identifiers for postal use and identifiers other than for postal use, in which method said identifiers other than for postal use are printed on the mailpiece prior to it being fed into a franking machine suitable for printing a postal imprint on the mailpiece, wherein the identifiers other than for postal use are printed in an ink that is erased after the process of printing said postal imprint.

Abstract: A ballot box assembly includes a secure location for storing a paper ballot generated by an interactive user terminal. The assembly includes a housing, a ballot storage chamber, an aperture and a drive assembly. The housing is provided for holding the ballot generated by the interactive user terminal. The housing includes a coupling portion for removably securing the housing to the interactive user terminal. The ballot storage chamber is disposed within the housing. The aperture is provided for receiving the ballot from the interactive user terminal when the housing is secured to the interactive user terminal. The aperture passes through the housing. The drive assembly is provided for conveying the ballot from the aperture to the inner ballot storage chamber. The drive assembly selectively blocks passage of the ballot between the aperture and the ballot storage chamber. An input device is provided for authenticating a voting session.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a purchased article registration apparatus includes a declaration unit, an input unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The declaration unit accepts a declaration input indicating that a customer carries a reusable shopping bag with which the customer takes a purchased article home. The input unit accepts input of article identification data that can identify the article purchased by the customer. The determination unit determines whether the article specified by the article identification data having its input accepted by the input unit is an article to be separately packaged or not. The notification unit notifies that separate packaging should be provided, when the declaration that the customer carries the reusable shopping bag is accepted and it is determined that the article is an article to be separately packaged.