Abstract: A blockchain-based election system includes an owner-controlled blockchain, an election administration server, registrars for authenticating voters and providing instructions for the election, and electronic devices for casting ballots. The administration server interfaces with the blockchain to manage election rules and content. The registrars authenticate each voter's identity and issue ballots to each voter through the blockchain. The voters may cast their ballots using an election polling place device, a wallet app or another electronic device such as a computer. Once cast, the ballots are tabulated and the vote counts revealed using the blockchain. Public key encryption is used to secure each step in the election process. As a result, any authorized person or entity may verify the election results by querying the blockchain.

Abstract: A device may determine that a verification method associated with a transaction card is to be modified from a first verification method to a second verification method. The first verification method and the second verification method may use different types of verification information. The device may provide a set of instructions to the transaction card after determining that the verification method is to be modified. The set of instructions may cause the transaction card to modify the verification method from the first verification method to the second verification method. The device may provide information identifying a modification to the verification method to a transaction backend device to notify the transaction backend device that the verification method associated with the transaction card has been modified from the first verification method to the second verification method.

Abstract: A processor of a card may detect variations (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration and direction) of a read head in relation to the card. Based on certain parameters (e.g., card length, initially detected read head position, and read head velocity) a processor of a card may adjust synchronization bit patterns that may synchronize communications between the card and a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. A processor of a card may generate a number of leading synchronization bits that is different than a number of trailing synchronization bits.

Abstract: A method of identifying data items by wave blocks, each wave block comprising a set of unique features distinguishable from the unique features of other wave blocks. The unique features of the wave blocks are extracted and stored. A plurality of wave tags are defined, each comprising a set wave blocks. A mapping of the set of wave blocks to each wave tag is stored. A request for a wave tag to identify a data item is received and a wave tag is assigned to the data item. The wave tag is broadcasted and is captured by a capturing device, which extracts the unique features of the wave blocks. The wave tag is identified by comparing the extracted features of the wave blocks with the stored features of the plurality of wave blocks. The data item is identified from the mapping of the data item to the wave tag.

Abstract: A smart card includes an antenna to transmit and to receive a radio frequency signal, a rectifier to rectify a signal received through the antenna to output a rectified voltage, a voltage regulator to operate in a first operation mode for stabilizing a level of the rectified voltage and a second operation mode for generating an internal voltage using the rectified voltage, a regulator converter to control the voltage regulator to operate the voltage regulator in one of the first operation and the second operation according to a mode selection signal, a clamp circuit to connect an output terminal of the rectifier to a ground according to the mode selection signal, a load modulator to vary a resistance of the antenna to perform a load modulation, and a regulator controller to generate the mode selection signal according to whether the load modulator is activated or deactivated.

Abstract: A system for firing a projectile mounted on a carrier, the decision assistance system comprising: a first simulator for simulating a navigation system of the carrier and configured to produce a precision of a solution for navigation of the carrier; a second simulator for simulating a navigation system of the projectile and configured to be initialized with the precision of the solution for navigation of the carrier and produce a precision of a solution for navigation of the projectile; and a selector configured to select or not the projectile as projectile to be fired as a function of the precision of a solution for navigation of the projectile.

Abstract: A device for handling value documents, comprises a value document dispensing unit with a dispensing compartment for dispensing value documents and with a first closure element which in a closed position delimits the dispensing compartment on one side. The first closure element is movable from the closed position into an open position to open the dispensing compartment, and from the open position into the closed position to close the dispensing compartment. The device comprises at least one second closure element, which is movable from an open position into a closed position and from the closed position into the open position. The second closure element is arranged in such a way that access to value documents provided in the dispensing compartment is only possible if both the first closure element and the second closure element are in their open positions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for verifying an identity of a user through contextual knowledge-based authentication. The system described uses contextual knowledge-based authentication. By verifying an identity of a user through contextual knowledge-based authentication, the verification is both more secure and more intuitive to the user. For example, by relying on confidential and/or proprietary information, the system may generate verification questions, the answers to which are known only by the user.

Abstract: Methods for generating fraud detection rules based on transaction data may include receiving historical transaction data, associating tags with each transaction, generating decision trees having root nodes and child nodes operably connected to the respective root nodes, determining at least one primary rule and at least one set of secondary rules associated with the at least one primary rule based on relationships between features of the transactions, assigning primary rules and sets of secondary rules to the at least one decision tree to populate the tree, extracting a plurality of rule sets including at least one primary rule and one or more secondary rules, determining an ordering of the plurality of rule sets; and determining a subset of rule sets from the ordered plurality of rule sets against which subsequently received transactions are compared against to determine if the subsequent transactions are fraudulent.

Abstract: An optical scanner device includes at least one image capture device and a transmitter of at least one aimer beam. The scanner device determines ranging to a subject using the at least one aimer beam projected to reflect off of a surface of the subject, and detects a position of the aimer-beam reflection within an image frame captured by the image-capture device, the position being a primary indicator of a distance to the subject from the optical scanner device. A secondary indicator of the distance to the subject within the image frame in combination with the first indicator is used to help detect the aimer beam reflection against noise and detect an occurrence of an optical misalignment with possible self-correction of calibration after such misalignment.

Abstract: A money processing system includes: a money processing machine including a processing machine communication section and a processing machine controller; a first terminal including a first reception section, a first communication section, and a first controller; and a second terminal including a second reception section, a second communication section, and a second controller. The first terminal is a mobile communication terminal. The processing machine communication section transmits state information indicating a state of the money processing machine. In a case where the first reception section receives a consent operation to handle an error in the money processing machine, the first communication section transmits consent information. The error in the money processing machine is indicated by the state information. The second controller causes the second communication section to receive the consent information.

Abstract: A system that automates the clearing and settlement of electronic coupons (E-Coupons) by leveraging existing technologies and enabling E-Coupon redemption at any merchant having electronic funds transfer (EFT) capabilities, such as credit/debit card acceptance. The system reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces or eliminates the need for manual clearinghouse counting and sorting of coupons, and provides an electronic audit trail for coupon redemption, tying a specific purchase to a specific coupon. After registering and selecting coupons, consumers then use an E-Coupon card or account access device at a merchant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. E-Coupon values are deducted from the consumer's final amount due. Both consumer package goods manufacturers (CPGs) and merchants may be charged a fee. Expired coupons are automatically removed from the account and their value refunded to the CPGs. Reports on redeemed coupons and consumer profiles can be generated and provided to CPGs or merchants.

Abstract: A key fob duplication device is disclosed. The duplication device may have a housing and a display device attached to the housing. The duplication device may also have a controller enclosed within the housing. The controller may read data stored in the first key fob. The controller may also determine whether the first key fob can be duplicated based on the data. When the data indicates that the first key fob can be duplicated, the controller may write the data of the first key fob and an indicator value on a second key fob. The indicator value may indicate that the second key fob cannot be duplicated. When, however, the data indicates that the first key fob cannot be duplicated, the controller may display a message on the display device, indicating that the first key fob cannot be duplicated.

Abstract: The antenna of an RFID device is formed by applying an adhesive to a substrate. A conductor is secured to the substrate using the adhesive and then a gap is defined in the conductor in the shape of an antenna so as to isolate an inner region of the conductor from an outer region of the conductor. Heat is applied to the outer region of the conductor so as to cause at least a portion of the adhesive positioned between the outer region of the conductor and the substrate to undergo a phase change or be activated without causing at least a portion of the adhesive positioned between the inner region of the conductor and the substrate to undergo a phase change or be activated. The outer region of the conductor is then dissociated from the substrate, with the inner region of the conductor remaining secured to the substrate by the adhesive as an antenna.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first reader, a touch panel, and a processor. The first reader has a first reading function which electrically reads first information, stored in a communication medium, in a non-contact manner. The touch panel electrically detects contact or proximity of an object as an input detection function. The processor is electrically connected to the first reader and the touch panel, turns OFF the first reader in response to the input detection function of the touch panel being turned ON, and turns OFF the input detection function of the touch panel in response to the first reader being turned ON.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved spectral signature strategies for use in a wide range of product and service applications. The present invention encodes spectral signature features into one or more optical brightener compounds and/or one or more infrared absorbing compounds. Equipment is modified with appropriate ultraviolet/violet or infrared LED illumination sources and corresponding detectors, optionally optical filters, and optionally mask elements, in order to read the spectral responses. These features desirably are used in combination with one or more other luminescent taggant compounds.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a first storage and a second storage that each stores a sheet; a transport that transports the sheet; a recognition circuit that performs a first recognition processing to recognize the sheet; an outlet that discharges the sheet in a case that the sheet is recognized as normal in the first recognition processing; a temporary storage that stores the sheet in a case that the sheet is recognized as abnormal in the first recognition processing; and processing circuitry that controls the transport and the recognition circuit such that storage control processing is performed, the storage control processing being processing in which the sheet stored in the temporary storage is transported to the first storage unit or to the second storage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for automatic handling of bank notes, gambling tickets, bills, or other types of paper notes. The disclosed devices, systems, and methods are directed to, or include, various robot arms, which may be articulated, that are configured to open a bill storage container, remove a bundle of bills, load the bundle on a bill conveying device, and load the bundle of bills in a bill storage case. The systems include one or more control devices to control the operations of the components that move the bill bundle.

Abstract: The device comprises an input compartment for inputting notes of value, a pull-off and separating unit for separating the notes, a value note identification unit for identifying the separated notes. The device comprises a cash box for storing notes. A control unit determines whether a filling level of the cash box has reached or exceeded a predetermined value. The control unit determines a remaining capacity of the cash box. The control unit deducts the number of notes transported to the cash box from the remaining capacity after a predetermined fill level of the cash box has been reached.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes a circuit board and a plurality of functional modules. The circuit board has an antenna conductor and a ground plane. On the circuit board, a control circuit and an RFID IC are mounted. The functional modules are connected to the circuit board. The circuit board includes a main part and an extended part. The main part includes a mounting plane for the control circuit and the ground plane. The extended part includes the antenna conductor and is integrated with the main part. The extended part and the antenna conductor are longer than one edge of the main part and disposed along the one edge.