Abstract: An optical pen comprising a shaft, a pen tip, a light source and an optical sensor. The shaft extends a predetermined length along an axial direction. The pen tip is arranged at one end of the shaft and situated in the same axial direction. The light source produces light that illuminates an outlying surface near the pen tip to generate a reflected imaging light traveling along a light path. The light path has at least a portion near the pen tip overlapping with said axial direction. The optical sensor is disposed in the light path to receive the imaging light and convert it into electrical signals. In light that the light path that captures imaging light from the optical pen is coaxial with the pen tip, when the optical pen is used for writing, the traveling speed, direction, and distance of images captured by the optical sensor are identical to those of the pen tip.

Abstract: A payment resolution module is configured to communicate with hand-held devices (such as mobile phones, PDA's, or computers) to allow purchase of products using the hand-held devices, without requiring the user of the hand-held device to enter payment information for each transaction. The user of the hand-held device may be identified as the owner of the device either by having the option to enter a personal identification code, or by using a biometric to identify himself, for example. Accordingly, only an authorized user of the hand-held device may use the hand-held device to purchase products. After the payment resolution module receives authorization for payment, an authorization code is transmitted to the mobile device. The user may be required to present the authorization code at the point of sale, such as by entering the code into a computing device at the point-of-sale, prior to completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.

Abstract: A optical scanner control method and a optical scanner capable of positioning a mirror at a high speed independently of a rocking angle, and a laser machining apparatus for irradiating a printed circuit board with a laser beam by use of the optical scanner to thereby perforate the printed circuit board. In order to operate an actuator for rocking the mirror based on a deviation of a current position from an commanded value, a change in gain of the actuator is measured in accordance with each rocking angle in advance, and the manipulated variable of the actuator is corrected to cancel the change in gain. Thus, the influence of the alteration of a torque constant in accordance with the rocking angle can be suppressed so that the response characteristic becomes uniform all over a scanning region, and the positioning speed can be improved.

Abstract: A method of tagged bar code data interchange includes creating electronic and/or printed documents with tagged bar coded information, capturing and decoding the tagged bar coded information, caching the tagged bar coded information, parsing the bar coded data tags, stripping the data tags, and inputting/storing the bar coded information. Business can be conducted on-line using e-mail transmissions of video displayed tagged bar coded information. Such tagged bar coded information can be stored and/or input into style sheets that are in common or company-specific formats. Further, companies can receive consumer information in a format that is easily accessible by any portion, affiliate, subsidiary, or related entity of the company, no matter what software system is running.

Abstract: A robust system, method and environment for the programming, collection, manipulation, and propagation of RFID data enhances the integration of RFID elements into new and existing enterprise systems.

Abstract: A stored-value card including a housing, a game, and an object. The housing includes an account identifier adapted to link the stored-value card to a financial account or a financial record. The game is enclosed within the housing. The object is also enclosed within the housing and placed to selectively interact with the game. The stored-value card is adapted such that manipulation of the housing results in the object moving through at least a portion of the game. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods, of using a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surface acoustic wave (SAW) identification tag discrimination methods including, in one embodiment (1) detecting a signal emanating from an electronic device operating within a SAW tag frequency band; (2) identifying a null period in a transmission pattern in the signal; and (3) effecting communication of information during the null period.

Abstract: An electronic device with image capture module. The electronic device comprises a display module, an image capture module, a resilient member and a rotating member. The display module comprises a seat with a through hole. The image capture module is rotatably connected to the seat with a shaft inserted the hole. The resilient member has recesses and is fixed on the shaft. When the image capture module rotates with respect to the main body, the resilient member interferes with the recesses of the rotating member, positioning at any angle and creating a positive interval response.

Abstract: An electronic unit for storing and displaying information includes a case, a computer having storage capability for electronically storing information and a processor for generating display signals corresponding to the stored information. A display screen is mounted within the case and connected to the processor for receiving the display signals generated by the processor and for displaying the information. At least one depressible key is mounted within the case, and a battery supplies electrical operating power to the computer. In addition, the unit includes a battery-saving feature for shutting off power to the display screen following a preselected period of time between successive depressions of any of the keys, and the case has a front which measures no more than about 3.5 inches by 2.0 inches and has a thickness which is no more than about 0.039 inches.

Abstract: An adaptor allows a magnetic stripe card reader to receive information from other media such as wireless proximity chip cards while maintaining the ability to receive a magnetic stripe card. In accordance with one embodiment, the adaptor includes a simulacrum structure of sufficiently narrow width to fit substantially permanently within the slot of the magnetic stripe reading device, while providing sufficient room for a magnetic stripe card to also be concurrently accommodated within the slot and read by the reader head. The simulacrum structure may be in electronic communication with one or more transceivers of wireless communications such as RF and IR.

Abstract: A method of about using icons and labels on window operation platform to express status of the memory card in a card reader having multiple slots is disclosed. The AP (application software) timely sends an inquiring packet to the reader. The card reader inspects the card status and then in response to the host with a responsive packet to the host. The AP then updates the icon and label in accordance with the responsive pocket, wherein the inquiring packet and responsive packet are through SCSI Pass through mode.

Abstract: An RFID tag that receives a calibration instruction from a reader can determine the basic backscatter period of the symbols to be backscattered. According to some embodiments, when the instruction includes a calibration feature that is to be divided by a divide ratio, the tag measures the duration of the feature in terms of numbers of internal pulses, resulting in a binary L-number. Then at least two versions of the L-number (PR1-number, PR2-number) are combined, so as to yield the effective result of the division alternately, even when the divide ratio is a non-integer. The backscatter period can then be determined from the BP-number and the period of the internal pulses.

Abstract: Most financial transactions involving check deposits and cashing at automatic teller machines are often associated with high risk. Although conventional security measures for many automatic teller machines record financial transactions, the recorded events are typically viewed after suspicious or criminal activity has already occurred. Therefore, a financial institution may not know in advance whether requested financial transactions are of suspicious or fraudulent intent. The present teachings relate to a method of scoring customers prior to authorization in a manner so as to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The method also relates to marking suspicious individuals by storing related transaction information, such as biometric data, in a database for purposes of verifying identification information and scoring the validity of future financial transactions.

Abstract: A data communication system includes a host device, a reader/writer device and a plurality of contactless identification tags. The contactless identification tag includes a data reception section, a data transmission section, a data control section, a data storage section, a driving electric current generation section and a coil antenna. In response to a command from the reader/writer device, the data control section generates a random number, and sets a time slot number based on the random number and a unique identification number stored in advance in the data storage section.

Abstract: Unique patterns of glyphs are represented within blocks. Each pattern identifies a unique position on a unit of print media. Moreover, a desired current position for any given glyph or subset of glyphs can be derived from captured portions of different ones of the unique patterns. The unique patterns are outputted for subsequent delivery to instances of the unit of print media.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading a symbol representing information having areas of different light reflectivity. The optical reader comprises a radiant energy source, a photodetector, an optical system and a decoder. The radiant energy source generates a radiant energy for illuminating a target region. The photodetector generates output electrical signals indicative of the radiant energy incident thereon. The optical system includes a projection portion and a collection portion. The projection portion directs the radiant energy along a projection path extending from the radiant energy source to the target region. The collection portion collects the radiant energy reflected from a symbol when the symbol occupies the target region and directs the collected radiant energy along a collection path extending from the target region to the photodetector.

Abstract: Light sensitive materials applied in shipping materials, including security seals and tear tape, for authentication, discrimination and recognition of items.

Abstract: Row signals or other typically regular signals generated by an imager during each frame period of the imager are counted to determine when to emit pulses of illumination. Methods in accordance with the preferred embodiments may facilitate synchronization of at least some of the pulses with exposures of the imager, while pulsing visible illumination at a rate in excess of the flicker fusion frequency of human vision, to thereby avoid a flicker effect. Methods in accordance with disclosed embodiments are especially useful for a data reader including an imager when visible illumination is pulsed or when it is desired to pulse one or more illumination sources (whether or not visible) at a constant rate or a minimum rate, wherein the constant or minimum rate of pulses differs from a nominal frame rate of the imager.