Abstract: An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales (EPOS) systems with different types of vending machines is disclosed. The apparatus provides means for ensuring that the signals carrying control instructions for each EPOS system and vending machine connected to the control apparatus are in an appropriate format. The invention also ensures that one person is fully accountable for all vends originating from a particular EPOS system to provide one point of access and includes a verifiable audit trail. Each vend operation is recorded against a single authenticated operator.

Abstract: An identification document having enhanced security and replication deterrence, while providing a simple low cost solution to other verification and authentication technologies. In one implementation, the document is provided with a multi-layer, multi-axis diffractive optical variable image device (DOVID) that is based on specific data or information on the document. The result is that the DOVID is directly tied to data or information that is specific to the document. This DOVID security feature is verifiable by the human eye so that no high levels of technology are necessary to verify authenticity. In addition, this DOVID security feature has enhanced tamper detection.

Abstract: An identification document having enhanced security and replication deterrence, while providing a simple low cost solution to other verification and authentication technologies. In one implementation, the document is provided with a multi-layer, multi-axis diffractive optical variable image device (DOVID) that is based on specific data or information on the document. The result is that the DOVID is directly tied to data or information that is specific to the document. This DOVID security feature is verifiable by the human eye so that no high levels of technology are necessary to verify authenticity. In addition, this DOVID security feature has enhanced tamper detection.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for determining the locations of a plurality of actual objects based on the output of a plurality of range sensors. A multiplicity of range measurements are obtained from a plurality of sensors, each sensor capable of providing a multiplicity of range measurements. The range measurements from the plurality of sensors are correlated with each other to generate a list of potential objects and to order that list of potential objects from highest to lowest likelihood of being an actual object. The order may be based upon a cumulative error of the individual sensor measurements upon which the potential object is based. The ordered list of potential objects is then pared down to a smaller list of actual objects by assuming that the potential object highest in the ordered list as an actual object, and then removing from the list all other lower-ordered potential objects that are based on any of the range measurements upon which the selected object is based.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating an image. In the method, an image is obtained in HSV format, the color is determined, an artifact is identified in the image based on the color, and an output is produced based on the artifact. The artifact may include the image. The image may also be modified prior to output. The method may include obtaining a base image, and comparing the color of the base image to the color of the image to identify artifacts. The apparatus includes an imager for generating an image, a processor for distinguishing artifacts in images based on color, and an output device such as a video monitor, hard disk, or identification card printer. The apparatus may also include additional imagers and processors. One particular application of the invention is for cropping an image having a face therein to a leave only a portion showing the face.