Abstract: Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a secure financial transaction that can be processed through open loop or closed loop networks using electronically readable or visual data that is preferably provided or integrated into a financial card to determine network selection and card authentication and verification requirements.

Abstract: Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a secure financial transaction that can be processed through open loop or closed loop networks using electronically readable or visual data that is preferably provided or integrated into a financial card to determine network selection and card authentication and verification requirements.

Abstract: Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a secure financial transaction that can be processed through open loop or closed loop networks using electronically readable or visual data that is preferably provided or integrated into a financial card to determine network selection and card authentication and verification requirements.

Abstract: Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional symbology codes that use plural characteristic features encoded in a data cell and related methods. Such methods include methods of encoding, methods of creating and methods of reading multi-dimensional symbology codes that use such plural characteristic features. The features, for example, include colors, grey scale levels, cell shape, patterns within a cell or any grouping discernable by an area array camera or similar device.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system that provides visual and electronic information in a readily identifiable system. For example, the present disclosure is directed to a combination tag, suitable for use as a vehicle identification window sticker. The combination tag includes a retroreflective article having an optical surface and a radio frequency responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element includes an antenna and an integrated circuit. The radio frequency-responsive element has information storage and transmission capabilities adapted to enable an interrogation system to obtain information from the radio frequency-responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element is operably coupled to the retroreflective article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing retroreflective sheeting and corresponding articles. The invention is useful for improving the print quality, particularly for contact printing methods such as thermal mass transfer printing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system that provides visual and electronic information in a readily identifiable combination tag where the radio frequency-responsive element is in close proximity to the retroreflective element. The combination tag includes a retroreflective article with an optical article and a reflective layer. The optical article has an optical surface and structured surface. For example the optical article can include as optical elements glass microspheres (optical beads) or cube corner reflectors. The reflective layer is deposited on at least a portion of the structured surface of the optical article. For example, the reflective layer can include a non-contiguous metal layer. The combination tag also includes a radio frequency-responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element includes an antenna and an integrated circuit.

Abstract: Techniques are described for distributed production of controlled certificates, such as license plates for motor vehicles, in a secure manner. Controlled certificates may be printed at a local branch office subject to the control of a client computer. A server computer may regulate the operations of the client computers at the branch offices. The production system includes any of several security features to deter forgery and counterfeiting. For example, the security components that make up a finished controlled certificate may be separately secured with unique security elements. The finished controlled certificate may also have a unique security element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing polymer films and corresponding articles. The invention is useful for providing dimensional stability during printing and/or improving the print quality, particularly for contact or thermal printing methods such as thermal mass transfer printing.

Abstract: Techniques are described for distributed production of license plates, such as license plates for motor vehicles, in a secure manner. License plates may be printed at a local branch office subject to the control of a client computer. A server computer may regulate the operations of the client computers at the branch offices. The production system includes any of several security features to deter forgery and counterfeiting. For example, the security components that make up a finished license plate may be separately secured with unique security elements. The finished license plate may also have a unique security element.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system that provides visual and electronic information in a readily identifiable combination tag where the radio frequency-responsive element is in close proximity to the retroreflective element. The combination tag includes a retroreflective article with an optical article and a reflective layer. The optical article has an optical surface and structured surface. For example the optical article can include as optical elements glass microspheres (optical beads) or cube corner reflectors. The reflective layer is deposited on at least a portion of the structured surface of the optical article. For example, the reflective layer can include a non-contiguous metal layer. The combination tag also includes a radio frequency-responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element includes an antenna and an integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing polymer films and corresponding articles. The invention is useful for providing dimensional stability during printing and/or improving the print quality, particularly for contact or thermal printing methods such as thermal mass transfer printing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system that provides visual and electronic information in a readily identifiable system. For example, the present disclosure is directed to a combination tag, suitable for use as a vehicle identification window sticker. The combination tag includes a retroreflective article having an optical surface and a radio frequency responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element includes an antenna and an integrated circuit. The radio frequency-responsive element has information storage and transmission capabilities adapted to enable an interrogation system to obtain information from the radio frequency-responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element is operably coupled to the retroreflective article.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus 41 that can transfer a colorant from a moving ribbon 66 onto printable areas 140a, 140b of a thermal print receptive sheeting 46. The apparatus 41 includes a thermal print head 44, a transport, a mechanism that can move the thermal print head 44 in a second direction x, a ribbon travel mechanism that is capable of supporting a ribbon 66, and a mechanism that allows colorant to be transferred to a thermal print receptive sheeting 46 while the ribbon travel mechanism is in operation and while the thermal print head 44 is moving in the second direction x. The ribbon 66 and the thermal print head 44 are in motion while the indicia is being printed on the thermal print receptive sheeting. The thermal print head 44 is elongate, has a length L of at least one centimeter, and extends substantially in a first direction y.

Abstract: A method of thermally transferring colorant from a movable ribbon onto printable areas of a thermal print receptive sheeting. The method includes arranging a print head so that its length is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the thermal print receptive sheeting and transferring colorant from the movable ribbon to the sheeting as the sheeting is stationary and the thermal print head is moved in a second direction substantially normal to the length of the thermal print head. The system includes a thermal print head, a transport for moving the thermal print receptive sheeting past the thermal print head in the first direction, and a mechanism that moves the print head in a second direction normal to the first direction when the print head is transferring colorant onto the sheeting.