Abstract: A document image capture (scanning) system and control method are described for scanning and processing document images received live from a camera. A motion detector detects image motion between two image frames. When the image is stationary, image processing (such as OCR) is carried out automatically and made available to the operator. In one form, when movement is detected, the image processing results are discarded until the image is newly stationary, whereupon new image processing is carried out on the new image. In another form, the degree of movement is evaluated; if the movement is small, then at least some of the previous image processing results are re-used by re-mapping on to the new image.

Abstract: A system and method for handling laboratory information includes a graphical user interface with a plurality of windows. A palette of icons is provided in a first one of the windows, each icon representing a predetermined task to be executed by a processor in communication with the graphical user interface. The processor is also in communication with a database containing static laboratory data (such as the type of sample to be analysed) as well as dynamic laboratory data (such as the name of the specific sample to be tested and the results of that test). A user can select icons from the first window and “drag and drop” them into a second window. A sequence of tasks may thus be built up, in the form of a tree structure, and when run the processor executes the sequence of tasks in turn by reference to the static and dynamic laboratory data.

Abstract: A device and method are described for capturing an image of a document using a digital camera. The invention includes a resolution analyzer for analyzing the resolution of text characters in the image, to assess whether the resolution is suitable for OCR. In one aspect, if the resolution is too small or too large, an indicator is generated to guide the user as to the corrective movement of the camera to improve the resolution for OCR. In a second aspect, an electronic zoom control is controlled to alter the magnification of the captured image, to correct the resolution. In a third aspect, a method is described for analyzing the image to determine the resolution according to the height of text characters in the image. The method includes analyzing the run lengths of pixels in the image to identify a predominant length corresponding to the average character height (in pixels).

Abstract: A composite higher resolution image of an object can be obtained by combining or patching together multiple low-resolution camera images to form a composite image having a higher resolution. Each low-resolution camera image represents a subsection of an object (also referred to as “object subsection”) to be scanned. For example, each subsection may represent a quadrant of a document page. With the use of a periscope, the image visible to the camera can be shifted to capture images of the various object subsections. Mosaicing techniques are used to combine these camera images into a composite image of the object. This approach to scanning improves the resolution of documents scanned while using existing low cost video cameras.

Abstract: A system and an arrangement that process payment requests received from a number of distinct data communication devices via respective communications channels and consistent with different communications protocols. In an example embodiment, a payment processing system includes a plurality of data communications devices that transmit a plurality of payment requests in connection with purchases via respective communication channels. Each transmitted payment request includes a merchant identification code and a set of customer financial account data. The system further includes a payment server arrangement that receives the payment requests from the data communications devices at the respective channels via a plurality of adapter modules corresponding to each of the communication channels. Each of the adapter modules includes a payment processing application that identifies a financial institution identification code associated with the merchant identification code.

Abstract: The present system and method involves a multi-application terminal that comprises a memory for storing a plurality of payment and non-payment applications, a memory management unit for separating said applications in said memory. This permits said non-payment applications to exist side-by-side with said payment application without requiring additional certification. The multi-application terminal also comprises a processor for executing one or more applications, said memory management unit operable to assign a protected region within said memory to each application being executed by said processor. Said payment applications are operable to provide payment related services over a secured financial network and said non-payment applications operable are to provide non-payment related services over an open network.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a merchant to connect electronically to the customer, specifically the customer's portable digital appliance, from the merchant's point of sale (POS) terminal, thereby providing “last meter connectivity”. That is, the consumer can synchronize or download data onto (or off of) his/her portable appliance from (to) any public device, such as the POS terminal.

Abstract: A system enables users at different locations (e.g. different geographic locations) to work collaboratively on a document, and to view each other's annotations to the document. Each user can work with a paper document, and make handwritten annotations to the paper document. The system includes a plurality of workstations communicating with a server. Each workstation comprises a document-imaging device, such as a camera, for generating a digital image of the document. Handwritten annotations are identified by image processing, and new annotations made by each user can be tracked in real time. Image bitmaps of the annotations are distributed by the server to each workstation so that each user can view other user's annotations. In one view, the annotations from different users are superimposed in a combined image.

Abstract: A camera apparatus obtains a sharp, high-resolution image of an object which is difficult to focus in a single image at a fixed focus, such as the imaging of a document using a document camera held at an oblique angle to the document. The apparatus composites an image of an object from plural image segments of the object acquired at different focusing distances. High quality regions (i.e. sharply focused and/or high resolution) are extracted from each image to form the segments for compositing.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus that uses a wireless communications device to process payments through a server arrangement that is communicatively coupled with a data processing system located at a financial institution. In one embodiment, a server arrangement includes a processor and a memory arrangement, the memory arrangement including at least one of payment processing application that interfaces with the financial institution DPS. The server arrangement controls a plurality of data transmissions between the server arrangement and at least one EFTPOS terminal and includes at least one non-payment processing application that controls a set of functions of the EFTPOS terminal.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for providing products and services to current electronic funds transaction point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals without compromising the security of payment processing nor having to replace all of the EFTPOS terminals in the EFTPOS system. In one example embodiment, an electronic finds transaction point of sale (EFTPOS) arrangement is configured and arranged for communication via a first secure channel with a financial application hosted by a data processing system of a financial institution. The arrangement is also configured for communication via a second non-secure channel with a vendor application hosted by a data processing system of a vendor and is coupled to a plurality of EFTPOS terminals. The EFTPOS arrangement includes a proxy server configured and arranged to be coupled to the plurality of EFTPOS terminals and to receive sets of data from the vendor application via the non-secure channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which provide authentication for electronic transactions. The present invention involves inputting smart card information from a smart card into a payment enabled device and inputting an identification number into the payment enabled device. The smart card information and the identification number are then authenticated. Payment information is then sent from a server to a desired location after authenticating the smart card information and identification number.

Abstract: A method for conducting POS transactions with a cellular POS device while remotely located from a merchant location or from a payment authorizing data processing system (DPS). In one example embodiment, a cellular telephone point-of-sale device includes a mobile cellular telephone having a housing for an integrated display, keypad and communications unit. The communications unit includes a communications processor arrangement, a card reading device configured and arranged to receive customer-specific financial account data from a customer identification card and an application specific circuit arrangement coupled to the card reading device. The processor arrangement is adapted to be programmed to verify the integrity of a sales transaction using the customer-specific financial account data.

Abstract: A method and a system for using an electronic funds transaction point of sale (EFTPOS) payment system to provide products and services to a point of sale location without compromising the security of payment processing by the EFTPOS payment system. In one example embodiment, the EFTPOS terminal arrangement is coupled to a first vendor data processing system (DPS) hosting a first application and is coupled to a financial institution DPS hosting a second application, wherein the terminal arrangement hosts one or more payment applications and one or more non-payment applications. The method includes accessing the first application at the first vendor DPS via the non-payment application of the EFTPOS terminal arrangement and selecting a product via the non-payment application and offered by the first application on the first vendor DPS.

Abstract: A device for use in handling a semiconductor wafer from a front face of the wafer on which a finished surface is formed by processing of the semiconductor wafer, the front face including an outer peripheral edge margin. The device includes fingers having tip portions adapted to engage the wafer for use in holding the wafer and a frame mounting the fingers and positively locating the fingers for simultaneously engaging the wafer only on the outer peripheral edge margin of the wafer. The device further includes vacuum pressure passages terminating at the tip portions of the fingers for applying a vacuum pressure through the finger tip portions to the wafer to grip the wafer. The fingers are arranged for holding the wafer in a single predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An electrically-controllable liquid crystal filter device comprises two partially-reflecting substrate structures mounted substantially parallel to each other with a space therebetween to form a Fabry-Perot filter. A layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material is disposed in the space, the liquid crystal material being switchable, by application of an electric field, between different refractive index values whereby the device is switchable between transmissive and reflective states for light of a particular narrow wavelength band. The spacing of the substrate structures is selected in relation to the wavelength of light to be transmitted, such that the Fabry-Perot filter operates in a low order state, which may be the first order.

Abstract: An innovative recording and playback system to record and play back audio conferences. In one embodiment, each conference participant's spoken name is recorded and stored in audio files. In addition, the combined voice signals generated by conference participants during the conference are stored in a conference data file. Data links are provided between the spoken names of the conference participants and the combined voice signals recorded during the conference. During playback of the recorded conference, a user can enter a command to an input device to playback the spoken names of the conference participants. In other embodiments, other conference information is stored in audio files and linked to the conference data file such that the information can be retrieved and audibly played back to the user.

Abstract: A audio conferencing system is provided whereby an audio conference participant interfaces with the system through a graphical user interface (GUI) computer program running on a remote computer or workstation. To join an audio conference currently in progress, a participant controls the GUI computer program to transmit a signal over a local area network to a central server. The central server, by examining database information, determines whether the participant is authorized to join the audio conference. If so, the central server controls a telephone system connected thereto and causes the telephone system to call the participant at a pre-listed telephone number. The participant then joins the actual audio conference merely by answering the telephone. Numerous other functions are available to the audio participant both during an audio conference and other times.

Abstract: A repository, a loader, a model generator, a constraint generator, and a number of timing analysis tools, are provided for managing timing requirement specifications and measurements, and generating timing models and constraints of a VLSI circuit. The repository stores the timing specifications and measurements for each pin instances and each flow through arc instances. Timing specifications and measurements are identified by their classes including at least one current specification class and at least one measurement class for one timing analysis tool. Additionally, the repository stores a number of characteristics for each pin instance, the pin compositions of each net, and the hierarchical relationship of the functional block instances. The loader loads the various information into the repository. The timing model generator generates the timing models for the various functional blocks, using the stored information in the repository.

Abstract: An innovative recording and playback system to record and play back audio conferences. In one embodiment, the audio recorded during the conference is digitized and placed in blocks of a determined size. These blocks are stored on a computer storage medium such as a disk drive. A data structure is maintained consisting of an identification of the number and location of the voice blocks. Also provided in the data structure is the identification and location of blocks of data corresponding to the conference participants as well as the identification of other information associated with the conference. When the conference is to be played back by the user, the data structure and corresponding blocks are accessed to play back the conference as well as selectively provide the additional information, for example, the spoken names of the conference participants, to the user.