Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus is provided with encoding configuration information as an optical code. The optical code is displayed on a display of the apparatus. The optical code can be read from the display and configuration information derived from the optical code is sent to a database of configured apparatuses.

Abstract: A connection line protection system employs unique identifiers on outlets and inlets. A connector connects a selected outlet with a selected inlet. The connector mounts at opposing ends an identifier that identifies the connector. A scanner is employed to scan in tandem a first identifier of the outlet and a connector identifier and a second identifier of the inlets and the identifier of the connector. The readings are compared with a schedule to determine whether the connector is properly mounted and connected between a selected outlet and a selected inlet. The identifiers include RFIDs and barcodes. The identifiers are preferably angularly spaced around the outlets, inlets and the couplers of the connector. The identifier may be affixed by snap rings mounting barcode labels or RFID buttons.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retch point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless inter net connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a smart card including at least one chip and another electronic component having a face accessible from the outside. The method includes: forming a card body having two opposing faces and in which at least two recesses are formed, one being a through-recess extending from one of the faces to the other, forming a first module including the chip and forming a second module separate from the first module and including the other electronic component, the second module including a support to which the component is secured opposite the face that must be accessible, securing the second module in the through-recess from the face of the body that is opposite the face through which the face of the component must be accessible, via a shoulder in the through-recess, and securing the first module in the other recess.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus has a circular base plate and a plurality of tracks arranged radially about the base plate. LED modules are disposed upon the tracks, and transmission members coupled to the LED modules move the LED modules along the tracks. A distance measurement sensor is mounted on one side of the base plate, and is used to measure a distance value of an illuminated object. A processor is configured to determine a desired radius value for the plurality of LED modules based on the distance value and move the transmission members according to the desired radius value.

Abstract: A pipette check station for checking the calibration or service status of a pipette includes an RFID reader, a user interface with a display and buttons, and a digital interface to connect the check station to additional equipment; the check station optionally further includes provisions to hold pipettes for storage and to charge electronic pipettes held thereupon.

Abstract: A solution for inventory identification and quantification using a portable computing device (“PCD”) comprising a camera subsystem is described. An exemplary embodiment of the solution comprises a method that begins with capturing a video stream of a physical inventory comprised of a plurality of individual inventory items. Using a set of tracking points appearing in sequential frames, and optical flow calculations, coordinates for global centers of the frames may be calculated. From there, coordinates for identified inventory items may be determined relative to the global centers of the frames within which they are captured. Comparing the calculated coordinates for inventory items identified in each frame, as well as fingerprint data, embodiments of the method may identify and filter duplicate image captures of the same inventory item within some statistical certainty. Symbology data, such as QR codes, are decoded and quantified as part of the inventory count.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal device (LCD). The backlight module includes a LED component, a light guiding plate, a quantum dot (QD) layer, and a graphite sheet. The QD layer is arranged between the LED component and the light guiding plate, and the QD layer is arranged on the graphite sheet. By configuring the QD layer on the graphite sheet, the QD layer is prevented from being failed due to high temperature so as to extend the life cycle of the QD layer. Thus, the display performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing an electronic receipt for a vending machine transaction. Upon conclusion of a vending machine transaction a screen on the vending machine displays an optically encoded electronic receipt. The optically encoded electronic receipt may encode a transaction identifier and may additionally encode details of the transaction. The vending machine may also transmit transaction data to a server. A user computing device may scan the optically encoded electronic receipt and retrieve a transaction identifier. Using the transaction identifier, the user computing device may request transaction data from the server either directly or by way of a server owned or controlled by a different entity. Additional content, such as advertisements may be transmitted with or for display with transaction data.

Abstract: In an example of an ordering method, an application receives an order for a product. The application may be an in-vehicle application resident on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit of a vehicle or a mobile-device application resident on a memory of a mobile device. Without contacting a merchant of the product, the application determines a preparation time for the product. The application dynamically determines an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle or the mobile device at a location of the merchant. The application holds the order for the product until the estimated time of arrival is equal to or less than the preparation time for the product.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing multifactor authentication with a wearable user authentication factor. A multi-factor authentication module is implemented to use a plurality of authentication factors, including a unique tag identifier associated with an electronic tag embedded within a wearable article, such as a ring or watch, for the authentication of a user. A user of a wearable user authentication factor approaches a multi-factor terminal, which detects the electronic tag and reads its unique identifier. The user is then requested to provide a predetermined biometric feature, such as a fingerprint, to a biometric reader. The biometric feature is processed to generate a unique biometric identifier. The unique identifier of the electronic tag and the unique biometric identifier is then submitted to a multi-factor authentication module, which compares it to authentication information associated with the user.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes an accessory information acquiring unit and an execution availability determining unit. The accessory information acquiring unit acquires accessory information related to security of the sheet based on attribute data of a sheet on which an erasable image is formed. The execution availability determining unit each determines execution availability of erase processing for the image on the sheet and execution availability of preservation processing for the image data generated by the readout unit, based on the accessory information.

Abstract: A system for reducing a processing time for a bank transaction is provided. The system includes a kiosk (102) which has (i) an input means (202) for receiving an information related to the bank transaction, (ii) a controller (204) which is configured to receive the information and generate a coded information; and (iii) a dispensing means (206) which dispenses a pre-processed receipt (104) which comprises the coded information (110).

Abstract: A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.

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. Data may include the type of reward that a user would like to earn as a result of making a purchase or the type of reward that a user would like to utilize to at least partially pay for a purchase.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones.

Abstract: A depository system operates in response to data bearing records. Information regarding planned future deposits is recorded, at least one record visible appearance feature is stored or generated, and data corresponding to the at least one record appearance feature is stored in associated relation with deposit data. The at least one record appearance feature is made visible on a deposit item. The deposit item is subsequently presented to a depository that includes an image sensor. The image sensor operates to read the at least one record appearance feature. At least one controller in the depository causes a determination to be made that at least one record appearance feature corresponds to a pre-registered deposit and such determination enables the deposit item to be received in the depository.

Abstract: An optical device magnification level reader includes a base configured for attachment to an optical device, such as a microscope, where the base supports other components of the reader including a support arm and an electronic scanner. At least two indicia elements are positioned at different locations along the microscope. The different locations correspond to different respective magnification levels of the microscope. The electronic scanner is coupled to the base via the support arm, and is repositionable relative to the base and indicia elements to achieve proper alignment. The electronic scanner is in electronic communication with a computer associated with the microscope and is operable to detect the indicia element that corresponds to a current selected magnification level of the microscope, so that the electronic scanner is operable to send to the computer a signal indicative of the selected magnification level.

Abstract: The disclosed method, and corresponding system, for controlling items on a production/distribution line relies on secure identification of items transported arranged according a given disposition along a transport path at different sites of the line and checking operation according to a protocol which allows reducing processing load while ensuring high reliability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to network-implemented methods and systems for providing dynamic product pricing to a seller, using a self-updating database.