Abstract: A barcode or similar scanning device is adjusted and calibrated by utilizing test pulses and measuring the peaks and calculating average of reflected light. The duty cycle of the pulses is adjusted based upon the measurements taken, in order to insure that the amount of reflected light is within the appropriate range associated with the charge coupling device or similar device collecting the reflective light.

Abstract: An XML processing system for use in a barcode printer apparatus includes a computer system operatively coupled to the barcode printer apparatus. The computer system further includes an XML processor configured to receive, parse, and process an XML input data stream and obtain schema identified in the XML data stream from a schema repository. The XML processor validates the XML data stream based upon the schema obtained. Also included is an XSLT processor configured to obtain a stylesheet identified in the XML data stream from a stylesheet repository. The XSLT processor transforms data in the XML input data stream into transformed XML data based upon the stylesheet obtained. Also, an XSLFO processor formats the transformed XML data into formatted XML data based upon XSLFO instructions contained in the stylesheet. A barcode rendering subsystem then receives the formatted XML data and generates a bit map representative of the bar code label.

Abstract: A laser markable heat transfer label for application to an item includes a light transmissive carrier, a heat transferable substrate disposed on the carrier and an adhesive disposed on the substrate. The substrate is formulated, at least in part, with a laser light alterable material. A variable graphic component is marked on the label by application of a laser light through the light transmissive carrier, into the substrate to alter the laser light alterable material. The variable graphic component is marked prior to application of the heat transfer label to the item. A method of making and a method of using the laser markable labels are also disclosed.

Abstract: An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a reader on a periodic basis. The tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver. The tag uses sleep modes to conserve power. The tag transmits tag data to a reader in response to an interrogation request, or automatically on a periodic basis. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper, status data (e.g., delivered, displayed), and time and date information. This data is processed by a central server to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.

Abstract: Parallel and reflective coding structures inclusive of data from both parties to a transaction are propagated beginning with an algorithm derived maker's code, an item code unique to and associated with a single article made by a maker, and data identifying both the maker and the legitimate acquirer. Use of secure hash algorithms, single and double key encryption are suggested to obtain two virtually irreversible parallel coding structures that reflect the identities of the current and previous owner and are also mathematically reflective in that one code is derivable by either code structure in verification of both authenticity and ownership. Multiple modes of verification with coding printed on a receipt for the article are provided including Internet, offline computer, land line and SMS cellular telephone. Authenticity, non-repudiation, proof of legitimate ownership and provenance are provided for any article of value including pharmaceuticals and other consumable product warranting authentification.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system component is deformed to control a shape and size and orientation of a laser beam spot that is scanned across a symbol to be read by an electro-optical reader.

Abstract: An ATM network includes a plurality of ATMs. Each ATM can determine the amount of currency in its currency cassettes. The network can track the amount of currency therein. The information can be provided in real time, enabling a network operator to provide efficient currency management.

Abstract: An ATM media cassette includes a self-locking arrangement for a media directing guide. The guide is automatically placed in a locked condition during removal of the cassette from an ATM. The guide is automatically unlocked during reinsertion of the cassette into the ATM. The self-locking arrangement enables the guide to be locked during transport.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer includes a consumer interface and a settlement administrator. The consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer, and the settlement administrator is configured to receive the consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer. The settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of the merchant and an account of the consumer upon receipt of the consumer identity signal and the amount owing signal. In addition, the system may include an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer. The incentive administrator may be configured to receive the consumer identity signal so that the incentive offer may be based at least in part on the consumer identity signal.

Abstract: An information carrier medium includes at least first and second sheet members (12, 14) each having first and second surfaces opposite to each other and laminated together with the first surface of the first sheet member bonded to the first surface of the second sheet member. A security indicium (14; 71) is formed on at least one of the first surfaces of the respective first and second sheet members (12, 14). The security indicium is made of at least one inking material of a kind capable of responding to a coherent light when irradiated thereby. An electro-optical reader for reading the security indicium (14; 71) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interface card comprising a substrate with indicia formed thereon. The card is configured for insertion into a read device. The read device has a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay the interface card so as to present the indicia to a user of the read device through the membrane. The read device also comprises a memory for storing a service identifier for identifying a service to be received from an external device according to indicia selected by the user and data stored in the memory and associated with the indicia.

Abstract: An ATM currency cassette includes an RFID tag. The tag includes information about the cassette, such as the cassette serial number and the currency denomination. An ATM includes a tag reader that can interrogate the tag to receive the information. The history of a particular cassette can be tracked via the cassette serial number. Problem cassettes can be identified.

Abstract: A limited electronic system and method are provided for automatically shutting down equipment when an account associated with purchased or leased equipment falls into arrears. The system includes a control center (connected to a machine) with a screen display, means for entering a code, and a controller. The controller has a disabling program that shuts down the machine after a predetermined interval, such as time. Because the program automates the shut-down when no (timed) interval is in place, the user must obtain a “re-set code” from a non-user—i.e., the financing entity, the equipment supplier, the account manager, or other entity—and enter it into the system to set the next interval so the machine remains operational. The re-set code is generated by the machine. The non-user at a location remote from the machine receives or generates parallel re-set codes.

Abstract: There are described a system and a method of detecting the passage of persons or objects through an entry-exit (4) of a delimited space (2). The direction of passage is detected on the basis of the reception, by a portable electronic unit (40) with which the person or the object is equipped, of first and second electromagnetic signals (a, b) respectively transmitted in respective spatially separate and partially overlapping first and second communication regions (A, B) each crossing an entry-exit zone (32) defined by the entry-exit. The first and second electromagnetic signals are transmitted substantially in phase at the same frequency and each comprises an identical message portion (100), one of said first and second electromagnetic signals further comprising an additional message portion (150) identifying the corresponding communication region (A, B), transmission of the other of said first and second electromagnetic signals being interrupted during the transmission of said additional message portion.

Abstract: A data carrier used for an electronic purse including a display arranged to indicate a credit balance present in the electronic purse, and a battery in combination with a device for detecting the usability or probability of use of the display. The device is configured to determine the opereability and brightness of the display. The device is arranged to selectively deactivate the display upon an indication of a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A circuit is enabled to capacitively drive a memory cell (erasing, programming, and reading) via a capacitance. The capacitance is additionally present and isolates the antenna from the driver circuit of the memory cell. Charge accumulates on the antenna in the case of a FIB attack. The capacitance prevents the charge from flowing away, so that the voltage thus generated acts on the memory cell, which thus experiences a corresponding alteration of its charge state, which is detected. The capacitance can be implemented and realized in any conventional manner, such as any arbitrary capacitor structure of the circuit.

Abstract: An electronic display comprises a transversally U-shaped fixing beam with a two-wired conducting strip installed therein. Two terminal-fixing bases to fix the two-wired conducting strip and connected electric cables are provided at both ends of the two-wired conducting strip, respectively. Two magnetic connectors are disposed at the back side of each display corresponding to the two-wired conducting strip, when the display is disposed on the fixing beam the electric connection is achieved through magnetically adhesive contact of the magnetic connectors with the two-wired conducting strip. The invention has the advantage of simple installation and flexible positioning.

Abstract: A bread maker including a pair of kneading drums inside an oven compartment, to which are attached opposite ends of a mixing bag containing bread ingredients, the kneading drums reversing rotary direction periodically; a bar code scanner to read a bar code on the mixing bag; a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions; a bar code reading checking part sensing whether the bar code scanner is reading the bar code; and a controller determining whether the bar code scanner is reading the bar code based upon a sensed signal output from the bar code reading checking part, and controlling the drum driving part to rotate the kneading drums at a bar code reading speed while the bar code scanner reads the bar code, and at a faster dough kneading speed when the bar code scanner has completely read the bar code.

Abstract: Electronic purse payment system in the form of a smart card in which payment of a purchase in a shop is performed by a payment terminal (20), by deducting the purchase amount from the amount in purse memory, the payment terminal being connected to a bank system including an authorization center (22), an acquisition system (24) for collecting all transactions made using the payment terminal and a centralized compensation system (26). The system includes an electronic till (14) located where the transaction occurs including at least a reading/writing device (40), a microprocessor (36), a memory (38) and a security application module (42) for giving authorization to perform the transaction, the purse memory being increased equal to the purchase amount when the purse memory is read by the reading/writing device so that management of a transaction made at the shop is achieved at the transaction location.

Abstract: An ATM currency cassette includes a currency-low indicator mechanism. The indicator mechanism can be held in a locked position during cassette handling and transport. The indicator mechanism can be automatically locked during removal of the cassette from an ATM; automatically unlocked during opening of the cassette lid; automatically locked during closing of the cassette lid; and automatically unlocked during insertion of the cassette into an ATM. With the lid open, the cassette can be replenished with currency. The locking and unlocking can be controlled by both a cassette tambour door and the cassette lid. The locking arrangement can reduce service calls due to the currency-low indicator mechanism tripping prematurely.