Abstract: A buckle for binding two items together that includes a male plate and a female plate. The male plate further includes a locking member that is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the locking member in the locking position interacts with the locking mechanism to lock the male plate to the female plate along a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the binding axis. The female plate includes a locking mechanism that includes two arms extending from opposing ends of the female plate respectively and is adapted to slidably receive the male plate therewithin to secure the male plate face-to-face to the female plate along a binding axis.

Abstract: A belt buckle includes a male plate with a cylindrical pin extending transversely from a back side of said male plate. A female plate includes a cylindrical cavity which is partially enclosed by a first inwardly-extending flange and a second inwardly-extending flange. The female plate is adapted for coupling to a male plate when the buckle is in use. An elastic ring is fittingly disposed inside the partially enclosed cavity. A hollow of the elastic ring is adapted to fittingly receive the pin during use of the buckle. The hollow of the elastic ring has a polygonal-shaped wall, whereby the elastic ring is in contact with the pin at a plurality of contact points during use of the buckle to prevent the pin from getting loose when the buckle is in use.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus designed to provide a simple, fast and yet inexpensive way to tying two objects together is disclosed. The fastening apparatus comprises a coupling device with at least one fringe extended outwardly from its outer surface, a frame having a cavity for receiving the coupling device and a retaining ring with plurality of protruding teeth at the inner edge. The retaining ring is fittingly supported by an inner rim of the frame. Thereby when, during operation, the outwardly extended fringe of the coupling device interacts with the protruding teeth of the retaining ring, the coupling device is firmly latched onto the frame.

Abstract: A fastening device designed to be suitably used with needle detectors. The fastening device does not trigger alarms from needle detectors. A fastening device comprises a frame having a plurality of metallic strips coupled contiguously to form an enclosure. The plurality of metallic strips are selected from a group of metallic materials having different ferromagnetic responses and at least two of said selected metallic strips have different ferromagnetic responses. Thereby when said fastening device is attached to a garment and said garment is passed through a needle detector, said fastening device does not trigger a false alarm from said needle detector. A tongue is further attached to the metallic strip.

Abstract: A belt buckle includes a male plate with a cylindrical pin extending transversely from a back side of said male plate. A female plate includes a cylindrical cavity which is partially enclosed by a first inwardly-extending flange and a second inwardly-extending flange. The female plate is adapted for coupling to a male plate when the buckle is in use. An elastic ring is fittingly disposed inside the partially enclosed cavity. A hollow of the elastic ring is adapted to fittingly receive the pin during use of the buckle. The hollow of the elastic ring has a polygonal-shaped wall, whereby the elastic ring is in contact with the pin at a plurality of contact points during use of the buckle to prevent the pin from getting loose when the buckle is in use.

Abstract: A transaction processing system for processing a transaction between a supplier and a customer, said system comprising a supplier device for initiating the transaction, a system server and a mobile communication device, said device containing a message processing program module for enabling local verification of the transaction within the mobile device, wherein a transaction message is sent from the supplier device to the system server, a message requesting payment for the transaction is sent from the system server to the mobile communication device, the transaction is authorised and verified at the mobile telecommunications device from which a verification message is sent back to the system server, and the transaction is then processed.

Abstract: A transaction processing system for processing a transaction between a supplier and a customer, said system comprising a supplier device for initiating the transaction, a system server and a mobile communication device, said device containing a message processing program module for enabling local verification of the transaction within the mobile device, wherein a transaction message is sent from the supplier device to the system server, a message requesting payment for the transaction is sent from the system server to the mobile communication device, the transaction is authorized and verified at the mobile telecommunications device from which a verification message is sent back to the system server, and the transaction is then processed.

Abstract: A transaction processing system for processing a transaction between a supplier and a customer, said system comprising a supplier device for initiating the transaction, a system server and a mobile communication device, said device containing a message processing program module for enabling local verification of the transaction within the mobile device, wherein a transaction message is sent from the supplier device to the system server, a message requesting payment for the transaction is sent from the system server to the mobile communication device, the transaction is authorised and verified at the mobile telecommunications device from which a verification message is sent back to the system server, and the transaction is then processed.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a preview image for printing an input digital image having a first aspect ratio. The method includes providing a print format having a second aspect ratio different from the first aspect ratio, calculating a printable image portion of the input digital image for the print format, and displaying the printable image portion of the digital image for preview prior to printing an image print at the print format.