Abstract: A method for tracking tax payment information includes fixing a unique machine readable identifier to each of a number of taxable items, storing each of the unique machine readable identifiers in a computer readable memory, and storing tax payment information in the computer readable memory for each of the items. The unique machine readable identifier may take the form of a machine readable symbol such as a barcode symbol or as a wireless memory device such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag. The tax information may include data such as the tax payment status, tax payment authority, a tax payment sum, a tax payment date, identify of a manufacturer, identify of a product or product type, and the identify of a product origin. Tax payment information may include tax payment information from multiple taxing authorities.

Abstract: A universal data input device includes a processor coupled to memory and a two-dimensional or area imager. One or more additional data input modules input wireless (e.g., RF), audio (e.g., voice), card or other data. Software performed by the processor receives the input data, and in one embodiment, receives voice commands. A task manager instructs an application layer to execute appropriate applications based on the voice command, and routes data to the appropriate applications.

Abstract: A document or object includes resonant tags, such as thin dipoles, and a machine-readable symbol, such as an area symbol, secured thereto. A reader reads the symbol and determines response characteristics encoded therein for the dipoles. The reader then can interrogate the dipoles and, together with the response characteristics and determined orientation (derived from the symbol), accurately determine resonant response characteristics received from the dipoles. Alternatively, a printer may interrogate the document to determine the response characteristics of the dipoles in the document, and then print the corresponding symbol.