Abstract: A transponder apparatus for a transponder unit has a UHF and HF transponder The UHF transponder has a transponder support, a UHF antenna and a UHF chip. The HF transponder has an HF antenna and an HF chip. The UHF antenna is at the transponder support and is made up of conducting UHF antenna structures in transponder support planes which are spatially separated from one another. The transponder apparatus includes an electrically-insulating attachment layer connecting the UHF transponder to the HF antenna. The transponder apparatus includes an electrically-insulating spacer element connected to the HF transponder and which spatially separates the UHF transponder and the HF transponder relative to a body. The UHF transponder is disposed on the HF antenna. A conducting HF antenna structure of the HF antenna extends beyond a covering surface of the UHF transponder and the HF antenna structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein may provide automated teller machine (ATM) security. For example, an ATM security system may comprise an ink staining system, an electronic lock, and a processor in communication with the electronic lock and the ink staining system. The processor may be configured to determine that the lock is being opened, disable the ink staining system in response to the determining, and enable the ink staining system when the lock has been closed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tray for use with a cloud application platform is described. A cloud application, operatively coupled to the RFID tray via the cloud application platform, issues a command to the RFID tray. The issued command is received by an embedded agent of the RFID tray. Based on the received command, the RFID tray performs an RFID scan of one or more RFID-tagged items placed on or in the RFID tray, and the embedded agent sends the tag information from the one or more RFID-tagged items to a cloud application of the cloud network that tracks an inventory of the RFID-tagged items.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting information from a surface coated with a coating containing quantum dots are disclosed. In embodiments, the method comprises charging the quantum dots in the surface coating, scanning the surface to retrieve information from the quantum dots, and processing the retrieved information to identify data encoded in the quantum dots. In embodiments of the invention, the processing includes filtering the retrieved information to adjust the received information based on defined effects of the coating. In embodiments of the invention, the filtering includes filtering the retrieved information to account for chromatic deviation due to the color of the coated surface. In embodiments of the invention, the quantum dots include a plurality of different types of quantum dots, and the processing the retrieved information includes processing the retrieved information to distinguish between the information retrieved from the different types of quantum dots.

Abstract: A system controlled responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records is operative to cause vehicle parts usable to repair or upgrade vehicles to be determined and furnished. Data from the vehicle such as data read by a reader from a tag associated with a vehicle is used to determine vehicle identifying data. A repair estimate calculation circuit (RECC) operates responsive to the read data to produce a needed parts record (NPR). The records produced by the RECC are operative to cause a vehicle repair entity (VRE) to be furnished the vehicle repair or upgrade parts.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus includes a moving unit, an obtaining unit, and a presenting unit. The moving unit causes the information providing apparatus to move toward a specified destination or along a predetermined route. The obtaining unit obtains information associated with a user located around a current position of the information providing apparatus in accordance with moving of the moving unit. The presenting unit presents the information obtained by the obtaining unit.

Abstract: A window environmentally seals an imaging reader operative for reading a target by image capture. An integrated optical system having one or more optical elements is formed of one-piece construction with the window for optically modifying an aiming light and/or an illuminating light passing through the optical elements.

Abstract: Smartcards with metal layers manufactured according to various techniques disclosed herein. One or more metal layers of a smartcard stackup may be provided with slits overlapping at least a portion of a module antenna in an associated transponder chip module disposed in the smartcard so that the metal layer functions as a coupling frame. One or more metal layers may be pre-laminated with plastic layers to form a metal core or clad subassembly for a smartcard, and outer printed and/or overlay plastic layers may be laminated to the front and/or back of the metal core. Front and back overlays may be provided. Various constructions of and manufacturing techniques (including temperature, time, and pressure regimes for laminating) for smartcards are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for a remote weapon station or incorporated into manually-aimed weapons. The methodology requires use of a muzzle velocity sensor that refines the aiming of the second and subsequent fires or volleys fired from weapon systems. When firing the first volley a weapon uses an estimated velocity and, at firing, the muzzle velocity of a projectile is measured. When firing the second volley a weapon's fire control calculates an aiming point using the measured velocity of the first volley.

Abstract: A fluid supply package is described, which includes a fluid storage and dispensing vessel, and a fluid dispensing assembly coupled to the vessel and configured to enable discharge of fluid from the vessel under dispensing conditions, wherein the fluid supply package includes an informational augmentation device thereon, e.g., at least one of a quick read (QR) code and an RFID tag, for informational augmentation of the package. Process systems are described including process tools and one or more fluid supply packages of the foregoing type, wherein the process tool is configured for communicative interaction with the fluid supply package(s). Various communicative arrangements are described, which are usefully employed to enhance the efficiency and operation of process systems in which fluid supply packages of the foregoing type are employed.

Abstract: A target designator for a guided weapon is disclosed. The designator has a sight arranged to display, in operation, a reticule superimposed upon a field of view. The reticule is moveable within the field of view. The designator further comprises an eye tracker operable to track the gaze of the operator whilst the operator uses the sight. The eye tracker communicates with the sight such that the reticule moves so as to be aligned with the direction of the gaze of the operator.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, first and second light-transmissive members disposed on the light-emitting element, a light-guiding member, and a light-reflective member. A perimeter of a lower surface of the first light-transmissive member is disposed inwardly of a perimeter of an upper surface of the light-emitting element in a plan view. The light-guiding member is in contact with a portion of lateral surfaces of the second light-transmissive member and covers the upper surface of the light-emitting element and the lower surface and lateral surfaces of the first light-transmissive member. The light-guiding member contains a resin material, and has convex lateral surfaces. The light-reflective member covers the lateral surfaces of the light-guiding member and at least the portion of the lateral surfaces of the second light-transmissive member exposed from the light-guiding member. The light-reflective member does not cover the upper surface of the second light-transmissive member.

Abstract: Techniques, described herein, may enable network services to be efficiently and effectively implemented as containers by computing devices operating in a cloud computing environment. Container images may be built and tested locally by an operator device and pushed to the computing devices for deployment of containers defined by the container images. The computing devices may enable the containers to communicate with one another by applying a domain name service (DNS) and port mapping tool to the containers. The computing devices may provide data collection, data search, and data visualization tools to enable an operator to monitor and manage the containers themselves as well as the activity of the containers.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the above devices and apparatus.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a first full thickness portion and a second, reduced thickness portion. Each of the first and second portions includes a top surface and an opposing bottom surface spaced from the top surface by a thickness of the card. The first, full thickness portion includes an extent of the card that remains exposed when the card is inserted into a pocket of a card-carrying case, and a feature deviating from a flat region along at least one of the top surface and the opposing bottom surface of the card. The feature is configured for tactile engagement to facilitate removal of the card from the pocket.

Abstract: The invention provides a miniaturized radio frequency identification tag, which comprises a radio frequency identification chip and an antenna. The antenna comprises a plurality of loop antenna line segments. Each of loop antenna line segments is disposed on a corresponding insulating layer, and electrically connected to the radio frequency identification chip or the other loop antenna line segment via a corresponding conductive through hole. Accordingly, the structure of the antenna is fabricated by multi-layer loop antenna line segments so as to reduce the size of the radio frequency identification tag, effectively.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a configurable electronic credential reader. The electronic credential reader defaults to a first communication mode utilizing a unidirectional communication interface. A bidirectional communication interface is monitored. If data is detected on the bidirectional communication interface, the electronic credential reader switches to a bidirectional communication mode. Circuitry within the electronic credential reader switches between the unidirectional communication interface and bidirectional communication interface such that the same external communication lines are used for both the unidirectional mode and the bidirectional mode.

Abstract: A local electronic voting network configured as a daisy chain network is provided. Each network device may include a switch for routing and propagating voting network communications. A TCP/IP protocol over Ethernet based connections may be used. Voting devices may include a relay configured such that in case of power down of a voting device the relay shunts the communications down the network. Multiple input/output ports may be provided on network devices and a physical port blocker is provided to block unused ports. A network controller may include a display screen which utilizes a graphical user interface to display status information regarding individual ones of the voting devices that are coupled to the voting network.

Abstract: A lighting system of an aircraft cabin includes a plurality of light units disposed at a plurality of locations within the aircraft cabin, wherein each of the plurality of light units includes at least one infrared light source, with an emission of infrared light across the aircraft cabin resulting from an operation of the at least one infrared light source of the plurality of light units.

Abstract: A method for contactless payment is disclosed. The method comprises, at a point of sale, initiating payment by transmitting a token from a first device to a second device using a speaker associated with a first device, and a microphone associated with the second device; transmitting the token from the second device to a payment server; authenticating the token by the payment server; and upon successful authentication of the token, determining with a payment server whether the authorize of the payment.