Abstract: An exemplary tracking device or system includes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit disposed on a substrate; an encapsulation cap encapsulating the RFID circuit and substrate; and, an information bearing indicia (IBI) disposed on the encapsulation cap, the RFID circuit and IBI providing at least some similar information when read with a respective reading device.

Abstract: A banknote handling machine according to the present invention efficiently utilizes stacking units so as to efficiently process banknotes by returning odd banknotes of a first predetermined type in every transaction whereas keeping odd banknotes of a second predetermined type in a stacking unit, and performing subsequent transaction when banknote processing including depositing, taking-in, recognizing, sorting/stacking, and bundling of banknotes and confirming the deposit amount for one transaction is sequentially performed for a plurality of transactions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing inserts provided with an electronic module supporting a chip and an antenna includes supplying top and bottom substrate sheets for a plurality of inserts, said substrates being provided with cavities for subsequently inserting an electronic module in each cavity; providing an antenna for each insert; providing at least one layer of adhesive; providing stacking and assembling by lamination a bottom substrate sheet, a first layer of adhesive, a plurality of antennas, a second layer of adhesive and a top substrate sheet; cutting the laminated assembly to obtain inserts each provided with an antenna; inserting electronic modules in the cavities after the step of laminating the substrate sheets, antennas and layers of adhesive. The method also includes printing the inner surface of at least one of the substrate sheets with a thickness-compensation layer, outside the substrate area intended for receiving the antenna.

Abstract: Each portable payment device associated with a single account within a payment processing system is distinguished using track data. The track data from the portable payment device is read at each of a plurality of merchant point of sale terminals (POS). Rather than relying on the PAN alone, a merchant may utilizes the track data, or a proxy thereof, as the unique identifier for the portable payment device. The merchant may then process transactions involving the portable payment device based on the unique identifier. For example, in the transit environment the transit fare for each rider with different portable payment devices but the same account can be calculated using the unique identifier, such as the full track data read from both tracks of the corresponding portable payment devices.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and each group of rows has sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination pattern assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value (CVV) are disclosed. A credit/debit card is able to generate a dynamic card verification value (CVV). Such a card may also include an indication that the dynamic CVV is to be used as a security code for purchasing or other transactions. A card-based financial transaction can be authorized in accordance with the use of a dynamic CVV by receiving a transaction authorization request for a specific credit/debit card, wherein the transaction authorization request includes a dynamic CVV. The dynamic CVV can be compared to at least a portion of a one-time password generated for the specific credit/debit card, and a transaction authorization can be sent to the merchant or vendor when the dynamic CVV matches all or a portion of the one-time password.

Abstract: A method of accessing an element in a process control environment using a portable communicator includes defining a plurality of control areas within the process control environment, determining a position of a user operating a portable communicator with respect to one or more of the control areas, establishing an identity of the user, and selectively allowing the user to access an element within the process control environment via the portable communicator depending on the determined position of the user with respect to the one or more control areas and on the identity of the user.

Abstract: A ballot processing system for processing paper ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, a processor operable to determine the voting selections marked on the ballots, and an output area configured to store the processed ballots. In an exemplary embodiment, a printing device is operable to print a unique identifier on each of the ballots during each pass through the system. A detector is operable to detect the printed identifier so as to verify that each of the ballots was processed during a previous count of the ballots and/or to prevent double-processing of the ballots. The system also includes a printer operable to print a report that identifies ballot information in relation to the unique identifier for at least a portion of the processed ballots.

Abstract: Pre-paid negotiable instruments are issued in response to a request at a host system from the holder of a stored-value account. The request is made through an IVR system or a web interface, and the host allocates funds from the account and provides a balance remaining after the negotiable instrument is issued. The instrument is printed with a transaction number or other identifier at an issuing system, and is then sent to the account holder. The account holder activates the instrument after receipt. The payee receives the instrument and authorizes the instrument by providing the transaction number or identifier to the host. When authorized, payment is guaranteed to the payee from the issuer.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device for remedying an error in reading bar-codes derived from a defect of the bar-code printed on a label, a way to hold the bar-code reader's sensor to the bar-code and so forth. The signal processing device comprises: a variable amplifier configured to output a signal, as an output signal thereof, corresponding to an input signal, an offset and a gain of the variable amplifier being able to be adjusted; a comparing means configured to compare a level of the output signal of the variable amplifier with a plurality of thresholds; a detecting means configured to detect either or both of a shift of the offset of the variable amplifier and an excess or deficiency of the gain of the variable amplifier based on the result of the comparison executed in the comparing means; and an adjusting means configured to adjust either or both of the offset and the gain of the variable amplifier based on the result of the detection executed in the detecting means.

Abstract: A system and method for auto-calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel to determine the orientation of one or more cameras with respect to a range finder and a conveyor belt comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, at least one range finder having an orientation, at least one camera having an orientation and at least one calibration object having at least one indicia disposed in a predetermined relationship to one or more features of the at least one calibration object, capturing at least one image of the at least one calibration object by the at least one camera, electronically detecting the at least one calibration object at least one indicia and the one or more object features and electronically calculating at least one component of the at least one camera orientation with respect to the moveable surface in response to information obtained from the image and the at least one calibration object at least one indicia.

Abstract: A memory card includes a non-volatile memory, a connector configured to enable the memory card to be operatively coupled to a host computer, and a housing enclosing the non-volatile memory. The housing has a customized physical contour that is determined according to a user-selected value.

Abstract: The method serves to verify the validity of an electronic parking ticket stored in an electronic entity. The method includes a step of securely obtaining from the electronic ticket specific data that is specific to said electronic entity or to the vehicle in which it is installed, and a step of making available at least a portion of said specific data on an inspection device. The method enables a dishonest attack of the “man-the-middle” type to be detected.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for reading symbology, and more typically linear barcodes (“symbols”) that employs trained attributes that remain invariant between scans of different barcodes during runtime to tune various aspects of the procedure for locating and decoding such barcodes. The procedure relies upon a training step in which one or more exemplary barcodes are decoded and the invariant attributes for such barcodes, including, but not limited to, size, shape, relative angle in the image field of view and resolution are stored. The runtime decoding procedure then employs these attributes to constrain the search for subsequent, scanned barcodes and then decode it according to a plurality of tuned steps.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, signals coming from a number of pixels or sub-pixels are compared and those signals from pixels or sub-pixels, which are substantially brighter than the other pixels in the comparison, are excluded from contributing to the output signal, to suppress direct detection events in X-ray detectors. For this an X-ray detector apparatus (101) can comprise: —an array (102) of pixel arrangements (303), —each pixel arrangement (303) comprising at least one radiation collection device (311) for converting incident radiation into a collection device signal, —switching arrangements (313, 324, 314, 142; 313, 315, 314, 352, 142; 313, 315, 314; 361) for providing to respectively one output element (141) a signal derived from the collection device signals of a plurality of radiation collection devices (311) of at least one pixel arrangement (303).

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program to reduce incorrectly declined transactions and improve risk calculation accuracy by reducing error probability during fraud detection. The tool first receives at least one data element as well as transaction account data and/or financial transaction instrument data. Then a customer is determined from a first record associated with the transaction account data and/or financial transaction instrument data. A record search is performed to identify at least one additional record associated with the customer. Finally, the data element is compared to the information contained in the additional record to create a comparison result that verifies a customer address. The comparison result may be used as an input to transaction risk calculations. The comparison result may also be provided to a merchant system and/or merchant for use in a decision-making process, for example, to verify customer identity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for switching between internal and external antennas. In some implementations, a system includes an antenna, a connector, and a housing. The antenna is configured to communicate wirelessly transactions with transaction terminals. The connector is connected to the antenna and configured to connect a transaction card to the antenna in response to at least insertion in the housing. The housing enclosing at least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the connector and including one or more elements that form an opening for receiving the transaction card. In addition, the housing is substantially rectangular and includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness different from the first thickness and at least the thickness of the transaction card.

Abstract: A system for defect detection and photoluminescence measurement of a sample may include a radiation source configured to target radiation to the sample. The system may also include an optics assembly positioned above the sample to receive a sample radiation. The system may also include a filter module configured to receive the sample radiation collected by the optics assembly. The filter module may separate the sample radiation collected by the optics assembly into a first radiation portion and a second radiation portion. The system may also include a defect detection module configured to receive the first radiation portion from the filter module. The system may further include a photoluminescence measurement module configured to receive the second radiation portion from the filter module. The defect detection module and the photoluminescence measurement module may be configured to receive the respective first radiation portion and the second radiation portion substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for switching between internal and external antennas. In some implementations, a system includes an antenna, a connector, and a housing. The antenna is configured to communicate wirelessly transactions with transaction terminals. The connector is connected to the antenna and configured to connect a transaction card to the antenna in response to at least insertion in the housing. The housing enclosing at least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the connector and including one or more elements that form an opening for receiving the transaction card. In addition, the housing is substantially rectangular and includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness different from the first thickness and at least the thickness of the transaction card.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for improved operation of readers of optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. Certain configurations include controlling image exposure and illumination pulse timing so as to avoid or minimize the perception of flicker of the pulsed illumination by a user or bystander while implementing methods for reading optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces.