Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for manufacturing a portable data carrier, an inlay for a data carrier, and a data carrier. A data carrier body has a gap for a chip and a chip is incorporated into the gap. In a subsequent step a cover layer is laid on the data carrier body, and the data carrier body and the cover layer are laminated. After the incorporation of the chip and before the lamination, a stabilizing agent is applied into the gap of the core layer, which remains soft or flexible during the lamination and cures or is activated (e.g. by means of UV radiation) only after the lamination, in order for mechanical tensions to be avoided.

Abstract: A digital imaging based symbol reading system has the capacity to automatically read both visible and invisible symbols in the same application environment. Typically, the system reads the symbols in a user-transparent manner. The system may employ visible/invisible illumination switching during operation. The system may include LED illumination sources. A method for reading both visible and invisible symbols using a single device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device such as a disposable cartridge has an RFID tag (30) having an antenna (10), and a fluidic element (20, 160), the antenna having a shape to at least partly enclose an area, at least a part of the fluidic element being located in this area. By having such a structure, the device can be made more compact or the antenna can be made larger, and hence the costs for a given performance can be reduced, or the storage space for a given number of devices can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sampling method for anti-counterfeiting information about a cash note, and a sampling apparatus for anti-counterfeiting information about a cash note, which executes the method. The sampling method for anti-counterfeiting information about a cash note comprises: through differences collected between sensors, utilizing a law of the differences to restore spatially coupled power-frequency of low-frequency electromagnetic interference signals acquired by an effective signal sensor (21); and then performing common-mode signal elimination on voltage waveform data corresponding to the anti-counterfeiting information, thereby thoroughly elimination the spatially coupled power-frequency or low-frequency electromagnetic interferences that magnetic signal sensors suffer from during the collection of magnetic anti-counterfeiting signals.

Abstract: A checkout system for data reading, and related methods of use, the checkout system including one or more data reading devices with a conveyor for transporting items toward a read zone of the data reading devices, and an exception identification system capable of identifying exception items transported through the read zone without being successfully identified by the data reader. The checkout system includes an exception handling system operable to receive exception handling input for resolving an exception associated with the exception item, and a feedback system for receiving the exception handling input and determining whether and how to adjust an object recognition model of the data reading devices to improve performance.

Abstract: A mattress age indicating device includes an enclosure and an indicating assembly contained within the enclosure. The age indicating device may be configured to present an indication related to the mattress's age and may be coupled to the mattress or other bedding or seating product.

Abstract: RFID tag structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, the RFID tag includes a flexible substrate, a strap attached to the substrate, an RFID IC mounted on the strap, and an antenna. The strap has a first surface, a second surface, and first and second terminals exposed on the first surface. The second surface of the strap is attached to the substrate. The RFID IC is electrically coupled to the first and second terminals. The antenna is attached to the first surface of the flexible substrate and connected to the first and second terminals on the first surface of the strap.

Abstract: A closing unit, closing apparatus, and method for locking and/or unlocking a lock is provided. The closing unit can include an actuator for moving or for blocking and releasing a locking and unlocking unit of the lock, an electrical energy supply arrangement, a switch between the electrical energy supply arrangement and the actuator, an encryption/decryption unit, a key memory, as well as a passive RFID basic circuit having an antenna, where at least the actuator, the switch between the electrical energy supply arrangement and the actuator, the encryption/decryption unit, and the key memory are disposed in a housing that cannot be opened without destroying it.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to three-dimensional coding are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for encoding data is described that includes generating a pattern in a substrate. The pattern includes elements and each element has one of an aperture or a protrusion. The aperture or protrusion has unique x, y coordinates within the pattern. The method also includes varying a depth of at least one element. The varied depth encodes data.

Abstract: A new framework for extending monochrome barcodes to color which offers higher data rates is described. In one embodiment of the present invention, the framework encodes independent data in each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow print colorant channels commonly used in color printing and decodes the data from each of the complementary red, green, and blue channels in capture color channels. The framework effectively increases the capacity of monochrome barcodes by a factor of three. In another embodiment of the present invention, a physical model based approach mitigates the effect of cross-channel interference among the print-colorant channels and capture color channels. In another embodiment of the invention, a pilot block methodology is used to estimate the model parameters and enable cross-channel interference cancellation. In another embodiment of the invention, an expectation maximization (EM)-type methodology estimates the model parameters and enables cross-channel interference cancellation.

Abstract: A card reader includes a taking-out detection mechanism for detecting taking-out of a card from a taking-out ready state, which is a state that a part of the card is protruded from the card insertion-and-ejection port to an outer side of the card reader so that the card is capable of being taken out from the card reader, and a resistance applying mechanism structured to abut with the card taken out from the card reader to apply a frictional resistance to the card so as to disturb taking-out of the card. The resistance applying mechanism may include a feed roller configured to feed the card in a direction ejecting the card from an inside of the card reader until the taking-out ready state and, when start of taking-out of the card from the taking-out ready state is detected by the taking-out detection mechanism, the feed roller may be temporarily rotated in a direction taking the card into the card reader.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising first and second parts that are brought together for each occasion the system is used. The first part comprises a label having a plurality of discrete magnetic portions arranged in a predetermined pattern unique to the first part, and the second part comprises a magnetic reader for identifying the magnetic pattern on the first part and generating a signal indicative of the pattern. The second part also includes a programmable controller configured to receive signals from the reader to confirm the identity of the first part and permit further operation of the system upon a positive identification of the first part.

Abstract: A wireless Bluetooth® paired connection is established between a Bluetooth® module in an electro-optical, handheld reader and a Bluetooth® module in a mobile terminal via a human interface device (HID) profile. Data capture from a target is initiated upon one type of manual actuation, e.g., a single pull, of a trigger on the reader. A soft keyboard is caused to appear on a display on the terminal, either immediately, or after a predetermined event, after the establishment of the Bluetooth® paired connection. The soft keyboard is caused to disappear upon manual actuation of the trigger with a different type of manual actuation, e.g., a double pull, of the trigger. Another double pull of the trigger will cause the soft keyboard to reappear.

Abstract: A read head is configured to be coupled to the mobile device. The read head is positioned in a housing. The read head has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card to enable a financial transaction between a buyer and seller. The read head reads data from the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head includes an output jack adapted to be inserted at least one of the audio jack or microphone input port of the mobile appliance to provide a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe to, the mobile device. The output jack extends at least 2 mm from the housing.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification automatic detecting system with an antenna net includes a radio frequency identification module, an enhancing surface wave-guide coaxial cable structure including a coaxial cable having at least one aperture region without an outer conducting layer, a receiving apparatus having a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of extension wires disposed adjacent to the receiving spaces and coupled or connected to the outer conducting layer of the coaxial cable. The electromagnetic field is formed in nearby regions adjacent to the receiving spaces because the electromagnetic wave caused by the current generated from the radio frequency identification module is transmitted by the outer conducting layer and extension wires. The radio frequency identification electronic tag on the object is triggered automatically when the object is moved toward or moved out from the respective receiving space such that the automatic detecting effect is achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring progress of delivery of a patient-specific medication are disclosed. A patient/medication identification (ID) device is provided on a package containing the medication, the patient/medication ID device comprising medication/patient information indicative of the medication and the patient. At least one location ID device is provided at a location, the at least one location ID device comprising a unique location ID associated with the location. The medication/patient information and the patient/medication ID are read. Delivery progress information indicative of a last-known read location where at least one of the medication/patient ID information and the unique location identifier was read is generated. The delivery progress information is stored in a database. The delivery progress information is accessed from the database in response to the request. A delivery status of the medication is indicated to the user.

Abstract: An RFID tag assembly for attachment to an enclosure surface including a door, an RFID tag attached to one face of the door or wrapped around the door, and an attachment device for connecting the door to the enclosure surface to allow the door to move to a position that shows both sides of the door. The RFID tag can include a ground plane, the tag wrapped around the door such that the ground plane is on the back of the door and the RFID tag antenna is on the front of the door. A ground plane can be provided on the enclosure inner or outer surface in alignment with the RFID tag antenna, with the antenna directly or inductively coupled to the ground plane when the door is in a closed position.

Abstract: A system includes an apparatus for identifying an item with inclusion of a contact smart card to store the authenticity information of the item, and a card reader to allow examination of the authenticity being conducted locally and/or remotely. The identifying apparatus further has a locking means and a disabling means. The locking means prevents normal use of the item in a locked position. The disabling means will disable the contact smart card when the locking means is unlocked. The identifying apparatus further has a releasing means to be engaged with the locking means and disabling means. The card reader includes a central operating unit, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to an external device and an interface to users. The interface to the contact smart card includes an adaptor of contact smart card and a fastening means to secure the identifying apparatus.

Abstract: An augmented binary code symbol (100) includes a perimeter, first and second data regions (20) along adjacent sides of the perimeter, first and second utility regions (30) along adjacent sides of the perimeter opposite the first and second data regions (20), first and second finder cells (40) at opposite comers of the rectangle, and inner and outer quiet regions distinguishing the first and second data regions, the first and second utility regions (30), and the first and second finder cells (40) from their background. Each data region and each utility region has at least one row (22) of a plurality of data cells (24) and utility cells, respectively, which encode data and have well-defined edges, enabling the number of data and utility cells to be increased, so as to increase the density of the encoded data. The data and utility cells are marked using a short wave length laser in order to create the well-defined edges.

Abstract: An instruction symbol identifier comprising a digital imaging capturing features that utilizes a light field sensor to capture the intensity and direction of incident light is described. The instruction symbol identifier comprises a computing device, whereby a digitally captured image may be digitally focused to identify an instruction symbol. An instruction symbol identifier is described being coupled to a point of sale counter, whereby product bar codes may be identified more quickly and effectively than conventional bar code scanners. A light emitting feature and an image locator feature are described, to further enhance capturing an image.