Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention are directed toward optical arrangements for use in providing illumination light emitted by a barcode reader. In some embodiments, the arrangement includes an illumination source, a lens positioned within the path of the illumination light emitted by the illumination source where the lens is operable to collimate the light and redirect its central axis, and a window positioned within the path of the redirected and collimated light where the window is operable to alter the illumination light such that the resulting illumination light beam has a height-to-width ratio of less than 8 to 25.

Abstract: A sales registration apparatus includes a reader to read information from a commodity and a main body on an upper surface of a checkout counter. The main body houses the reader and comprises a plurality of side surface regions distributed adjacently along a side surface in a height direction of the main body. A plurality of cover sections including panel surfaces having a planar dimension substantially matching a planar dimension of least one of the plurality of side surface regions. An attachment section in each of the plurality of side surface regions and configured to permit attachment of a corresponding cover section in the plurality of cover sections in a detachable manner. At least two of the side surface regions have the same size such that a cover section matching one of will also match the other of the at least two side surface regions.

Abstract: A flash control method, includes detecting a view operation of electronic ticket information, obtaining a view time of the view operation and corresponding target electronic ticket information, obtaining an effective time range included in the target electronic ticket information, and controlling a flash component to start lighting when the view time matches the effective time range.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a magnetic security feature of a valuable document including a transport apparatus configured to transport the valuable document through the apparatus, sensors configured as magnetic sensors and having at least two security feature sensors and at least one compensation sensor, and an evaluation unit configured to receive the signals output by the sensors, wherein the sensors are arranged and configured in a line parallel to the transport plane and transversely with respect to the direction of transport. The sensors are arranged at a distance from the transport plane such that the distance of the security feature sensors is configured to capture a security feature by means of at least one of the security feature sensors, and that the distance of the compensation sensor is configured not to capture a security feature by means of the compensation sensor.

Abstract: An identification device for identifying identifiers on and/or features of laboratory objects and/or of samples located therein in conjunction with automated laboratory systems or facilities, for example, medical, chemical, or pharmaceutical analysis devices. Barcodes on sample containers, for example, sample tubes, reagent tubs, or microplates are used, for example, as identifiers. An optical recording unit and a mirror are used, the spacing is variable for the detection of laboratory objects, each at different distances, from a recording distance by the optical recording unit is within a depth of field of the optical recording unit. The mirror is used for imaging the laboratory object to be detected on the optical axis. The identification device is substantially simplified, more reliable, and more cost-effective in comparison to known devices that use a zoom lens together with an autofocus unit.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a transaction card with an integrated card stand. The transaction card comprises a substrate having a card thickness, and first and second card surfaces, the second card surface being substantially coextensive with the first card surface. The transaction may further comprise a card stand pivotable relative to the second card surface and having a stand thickness.

Abstract: A peripheral controller for an access control system according to one embodiment includes a reader interface, a Power over Ethernet circuit, a processor, and a memory. The reader interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to at least one credential reader. The Power over Ethernet (PoE) circuit is configured to receive power over an Ethernet cable for powering the peripheral controller. The memory includes a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, causes the peripheral controller to analyze credential data received via the reader interface make an access control decision based on the analyzed credential data.

Abstract: The system and method of dynamic weapon to target assignment (DWTA) using a control based methodology to dynamically assign each projectile to a target in a multiple target engagement situation. In some cases, closest proximity is used in a real-time, to accomplish the DWTA functional requirement and performance criteria. In some cases, g pulling acceleration and projectile fin deflection motion are also used to assess the best matched pair for each projectile and each target with an end goal of intercepting the target or guiding the projectile to an acceptable error basket for target destruction via detonation. For the closest distance criterion for projectile/target pairing, a cutoff time is used to ensure the pairing is conducted within an acceptable duration while still being able to intercept the target or meet a required miss distance basket (e.g., <3 m).

Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking consumption of supplements by a user includes, at a software program executing on a mobile computing device: receiving a selection of a supplement, from a set of known supplements, contained in a supplement package of a particular packaging format; loading a supplement profile of the supplement into a user profile; rendering an instruction for placement of a tracker on the supplement based on the packaging format; retrieving a motion model, from a set of motion models for characterizing a consumption event at the packaging format; and uploading the motion model to the tracker. The method also includes, at the tracker: characterizing motion of the supplement package as a consumption event based on the motion model; and transmitting a time of the consumption event to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a tailgate LED (light emitting diode) cap system, device and method, for attaching LED caps on top of truck tailgates as a safe and secure after-market or retrofit product. The LED cap can be easily attached to the tops of truck tailgates with fasteners but are not removable without unlocking locks covering the fasteners.

Abstract: A method for customer assisted robot picking includes navigating a robot to a pose location within a retail space in proximity to an item to be picked, the retail space having items for purchase by customers, the robot identifying, by a sensor in communication with the robot, a customer located within a zone proximate the robot, communicating to the customer information identifying the item to be picked, detecting presentation of the item by the customer for identification, and updating customer performance data stored in a customer account to include data corresponding to picking of the item by the customer.

Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate enrollment of authenticating biometric data for authenticating an authorized user via a biometric sensor. Included devices transmit power to a sensor-enabled device that does not have an independent power source without transmitting data to or from the device. Data input devices coupled to the biometric sensor enable user input of non-biometric data, such as an activation code, via the biometric sensor. For biometric sensors comprising fingerprint sensors, finger guides position a finger to contact the sensor at a desired orientation. Systems and methods allow for enrollment of one or more authenticating biometric data templates with or without requiring input of non-biometric authentication data, such as an activation code.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supporting a mobile check deposit of a check into a bank account, the check having a first value, the first value being in a first currency, the bank account holding funds having a second currency. The system architecture may include one or more of a mobile phone platform, a shadow account creator module, a mobile check deposit host and/or a shadow account module. The mobile phone platform may provide a user with a selectable display including a plurality of bank accounts in which the check may be deposited, the plurality of bank accounts including the bank account. The shadow account creator may store funds having the first value or a second value, in the second currency, until the check has been cleared by a clearinghouse and/or honored by a drawing bank.

Abstract: A credit card reader that is configurable for use is provided that includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a mag stripe card reader. The second assembly has a Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) reader. The second assembly is coupled to the first assembly, where the first assembly rotates about an axis perpendicular to a plane in which the assemblies are disposed to one of a plurality of angular positions, the plurality of angular positions indicating an offset angle of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.

Abstract: A presentation stand for enabling a mobile device to read barcodes in presentation mode includes a cradle portion that is connected to the base portion. The cradle portion is configured to hold the mobile device in a position for reading a barcode. A shield portion is attached to the cradle portion and configured to modify a field of view of a camera of the mobile device. The shield portion is also configured to modify a field of illumination of an illumination source of the mobile device. The shield portion includes a camera optic system that is at least partially aligned with the camera of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion. The shield portion also includes an illumination optic system that is at least partially aligned with the illumination source of the mobile device when the mobile device is held in the cradle portion.

Abstract: Software on an image-capturing device iteratively captures a visual code in a series of visual codes displayed in a repeating progression on a screen of a mobile device. The visual code was generated from a display block that resulted from a partition of an original data file into a series of display blocks of at least a specified size. The software converts the visual code back into a display block and reads a header for the display block, discarding the display block if it has already been captured, as determined by the ordered identifying block number in a header. The software stops the iterative capturing when all of the display blocks in the series have been captured, as determined by the count in the header and coalesces the captured display blocks into the original data file, using an order determined by the ordered identifying block numbers.

Abstract: A film assembly or a multilayer stack can include an antenna having a spiral form disposed on a stretchable layer. The film assembly includes a stretchable substrate having opposite major top and bottom surfaces, and a first material disposed on the major top surface of the stretchable substrate in the form of a plurality of intersecting rows and columns making the film assembly less stretchable than the stretchable substrate. The rows and columns define a plurality of closed cells. An antenna for use in a radio frequency identification tag is disposed on the stretchable substrate in each closed cell and is isolated from the first material. The antenna includes an elongated electrically conductive electrode having a spiral form.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion, the reference portion comprising an arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion comprising: a data unit arranged on an encoding line D which intersects the reference line r, the data unit arranged a distance d along the encoding line D from said intersection as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby the encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at the intersection point; and a plurality of discrete positions arranged in operative proximity to the reference line r and distal the encoding line D, whereby said discrete positions either comprise or do not comprise a data unit as a variable to at least partially encode a paramet