Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for scanning an illumination spot over a target area. The present invention removes stored energy from a scanning element to stop the scanning element from vibrating and to substantially return the scanning element to its starting position so as to enable high frame rates.

Abstract: A stored-value card including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface stores data adapted to be read by an electronic device to perform at least one interactive activity. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The second surface includes account indicia signifying a financial account linked to the stored-value card, and brand indicia relating to a retail setting configured to redeem the stored-value card. The at least one interactive activity includes displaying at least one of a character, an object, a textual passage, and a symbol associated with the retail setting. Financial transaction card assemblies, packaged stored-value cards, and methods of using such cards are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable media for recognizing and identifying items located on the belt of a counter and/or in a shopping cart of a store environment for the purpose of reducing/preventing bottom-of-the-basket loss, checking out the items automatically, reducing the checkout time, preventing consumer fraud, increasing revenue and replacing a conventional UPC scanning system to enhance the checking out speed. The images of the items taken by visual sensors may be analyzed to extract features using the scale-invariant feature-transformation (SIFT) method. Then, the extracted features are compared to those of trained images stored in a database to find a set of matches. Based on the set of matches, the items are recognized and associated with one or more instructions, commands or actions without the need for personnel to visually see the items, such as by having to come out from behind a check out counter or peering over a check out counter.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: A device external to a terminal transmits a specific application identifier and an encrypted first key and number to a first chip card in service in the terminal. In the first card, if the decrypted first number satisfies a first condition, the specific application is called up, application data are read, the data are encrypted using the decrypted first key to transmit them to the external device, and the application is made inoperable. Following replacement of the first card by a second card, the external device transmits the identifier and an encrypted second key and number to the second card. In the latter, if the decrypted second number satisfies a second condition, the encrypted data are transmitted to the second card so that the latter calls up the application, decrypts the encrypted data using the decrypted second key and installs said data.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or “sleep” when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The “presence” of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.

Abstract: A target is illuminated with high intensity light pulses to make the target appear stationary to a solid state imager of an imaging reader to improve reader performance at high swipe speeds of the target.

Abstract: A coding scheme is provided that relates to a dimension of a user. The dimension may be a hand size. Depending on the dimension, a code in the coding scheme may be determined. The code indicates an optimal ergonomic setup for a user. A user may thus use the determined code to adjust the product to a position corresponding to the code. At this position, the product may be in an optimal ergonomic setup for the user. Alternatively, the user may select a product according to the determined code.

Abstract: An electronic price tag is composed of separable internal and display modules and is adapted for wireless adjustment. The ID module is mounted to the goods at, for example, a point of manufacture for the goods, and contains a transponder and CPU, a receiver/decoder module, for example a horn, mounted to the placard for receiving signals from a remote location and decoding same to be inputted to the price display field and an electrically controlled latching mechanism to temporarily hold the modules together. The display module consists of a display placard, a plurality of price display fields on the placard. The separated ID module is capable of performing security and inventory functions where display is not needed. The display module is reusable and may contain a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing safeguards to the access of certain substances. Some implementations provide alerts and/or other appropriate actions when substances are subject to spoilage or expiration. Some implementations provide responses to potentially dangerous combinations of substances. Other aspects of the invention involve determining the allergies of a user and providing a warning when allergens are, or recently have been, present. One preferred embodiment provides a smart medicine cabinet for helping to provide medication safely to a patient and to provide other related services.

Abstract: The card processing apparatus is capable of reissuing a card-shaped storage medium and omitting a trouble of collecting accommodated card-shaped storage media. The card processing apparatus comprises: means for processing the card-shaped storage medium, which reads data from and writes data in the card-shaped storage medium; means for transferring the card-shaped storage medium, which has been accommodated in a card accommodating section; a movable guide section distributing the card-shaped storage medium to the card accommodating section or a card outlet according to a position thereof; means for changing the position of the movable guide section; and a control section selectively feeding the card-shaped storage medium to the card accommodating section, outside of a card inlet or outside of the card outlet.

Abstract: A plastic sleeve for enveloping a store discount card of the type displaying a machine readable code, such as a bar code, on one surface thereof and typically retained on a user's keychain, from being inadvertently scanned by a bar code reader at the checkout counter of a store.

Abstract: A biometric identification system that includes one or more identification devices or cards. Each identification card includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) element storing a first set of biometric information. A communication device operates to send and receive radio frequency signals to read the first set of biometric information from the identification device when they are proximal to each other but without insertion or physical contact. A biometric reader is provided that reads a second set of biometric information from an individual presenting the identification card. A comparison mechanism compares the first and second sets of biometric information to determine if the two sets are a match. When no match is found, a flag mechanism modifies a value of a flag in the RFID element of the identification device. An update mechanism determines when the match exceeds an accuracy limit and updates biometric information on the identification device wirelessly.

Abstract: For controlling the use of a device (1) performing a service, the authorized persons are issued contactless data carriers (2) that, upon use of the device (1), communicate with a reader (3) storing the personal authorization data in a memory (4). If authorization is ascertained, the reader (3) enables the device (1). The service performed by the device (1) is stored in the memory (4). The particular person's transaction data stored in the memory (4) are read by a control person with a portable reader (5) and transferred to a data center (10) with a terminal (8) by telecommunication.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for scanning an illumination spot over a target area. The present invention removes stored energy from a scanning element to stop the scanning element from vibrating and to substantially return the scanning element to its starting position so as to enable high frame rates.

Abstract: Multiple label writes to an optical medium label surface are aligned with each other by reference to a calibration band disposed on the label surface. On initial insertion of the optical medium into the optical drive, a label alignment module uses the optical head to detect the calibration band or, if no calibration band exists, to write a calibration band. The label alignment module analyzes the eccentricity error presented by the calibration band during rotation of the optical medium, such as the amplitude and phase of the error, and applies the error to the optical head to write label information in alignment with the calibration band.

Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A sleeve that is moveable by hand may be included to expose the set of contacts being used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading embedded indicia. A light energy sensing system for an embedded indicia interpretation apparatus. The system includes a first light sensor and a second light sensor. The first and said second light sensors being directed to sense light energy reflected by an embedded indicia. Also, an embedded indicia reading apparatus having a light energy sensing system. The light energy sensing system having a first light sensor and a second light sensor. The first and said second light sensors positioned to sense light energy that has been reflected from an embedded indicia. The embedded indicia reading apparatus also having a computerized processing system coupled with the light sensing system. The computerized processing system including a program that determines data carried by an embedded indicia by interpreting light energy signals reflected from an embedded indicia and then sensed by the light sensing system.

Abstract: A method of identifying items for checkout that improves checkout speed. The method includes obtaining first item identification information from RFID labels on grouped first items, obtaining second item identification information from bar code labels on ungrouped second items, determining prices of the first and second items from the first and second item identification information, and processing payment for the first and second items.

Abstract: A direct thermal barcode printer including a print assembly is provided. The print assembly is movably positioned relative to a print media for adjusting printing characteristics of an attached print head.