Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing an audible feedback based on a proximity or a link quality between an external reader and a tag. The external reader transmits power to the tag with a radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The tag may rectify the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and create a rectified voltage. This rectified voltage may be used to power various components of the tag. Once it receives power from the reader, the tag may communicate information back to the external reader. The information communicated back to the reader is communicated by modulating an antenna impedance of the tag. By modulating the impedance, the tag will backscatter radiation transmitted by the reader. The reader is able to create an audio output based on determining the proximity or link quality from the reader to the tag based on the backscatter radiation it receives from the tag.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a time of an event participant passing a detection point having a participant identifier number by a proximity detector at a detection point, a highly portable device with a transceiver and a location detector for selectively receiving a participant number read, and determining a location of the portable device, and a timing system having the geographic location of the proximity detector, receiving the geographic location of the handheld device, the handheld read participant number and a handheld determined time, determining that the timing system has not received a usable tag read time from the proximity detector and determining a time of passing of the participant by the detection point by determining a delta time between the proximity detector and the handheld device and an adjusted time of participant passing based on the determined delta time and handheld determined time.

Abstract: A system and method to detect an event associated with a first object relative to a second object and a support is provided. The system can include an antenna at a support to receive the first object, a tag reader in communication with the antenna and a tag located on the second object. In response to detecting a change in impedance of the antenna associated with the presence of the first object, the tag reader communicates a presence signal. In response to detecting the tag within a threshold proximity of the tag reader, the tag reader generates a tag signal. A remoter server is operable to detect an association of the first and second objects based on a comparison a time associated with each of the tag signal and the presence signal, and in response then creates an output indicative of a detected event based on the association for illustration.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an RFID tag with the aid of an RFID reader via a radio interface, wherein a user-specific key is stored in the RFID reader and a tag-specific identifier and a password generated from the identifier and the key in accordance with a known derivative function are stored in the RFID tag, comprising the following steps performed in the RFID reader: receiving via the radio interface the identifier of an RFID tag to be authenticated, generating the correct password from the received identifier and the stored key according to the known derivative function, and generating at least one incorrect password differing from the correct password, sending a series of at least two passwords, at least one being correct and at least one being incorrect, via the radio interface to the RFID tag, and authenticating the RFID tag if no confirmation response is received to any incorrect password.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear barcode scanning system and associated methods for reading a linear barcode borne by an item during transport of the item along a direction of transport by a transport system. A displacement between consecutive scanline samples is determined based on movement imparted to the item from an item-transport system. Image data representing an area of the linear barcode located between positions of the linear barcode corresponding to the consecutive scanline samples is synthesized by quantizing a portion of a first one of the consecutive scanline samples and extending the quantized portion along a direction of the displacement to provide for a depiction of the area of the linear barcode.

Abstract: A method for identifying a one- or two-dimensional barcode in input image data, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining first image data of a first image of the object, said first image being acquired using a first illumination wavelength; obtaining second image data of a second image of the object, said second image being acquired using a second illumination wavelength being different from said first illumination wavelength; calculating a weighting factor based on a statistical processing of pixel values of the first image data and pixel values of the second image data; and generating third image data by calculating a weighted combination using the pixel values of said first image data, the pixel values of said second image data, and said weighting factor.

Abstract: An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination.

Abstract: A stack barcode reader may include an imager configured to image the stack barcode; an image memory configured to store an image datum of the stack barcode; and a data processor including a decoder configured to decode an encoded information expressed as the stack barcode, on the basis of the image datum. The decoder may be configured to measure width of a bar and a space of the stack barcode; measure a T-sequence, being a sequence of numerical values, according to line width of a bar and a space of the stack barcode; obtain a code-word corresponding to the T-sequence; and compare a cluster value obtained from the T-sequence with a theoretical cluster value, and modify the T-sequence by using the theoretical cluster value and the conversion table of T-sequence/code-word if there appears a difference between the two cluster values.

Abstract: A ring-type terminal including a main body configured to be placed on and surround a user's finger and including an insertion region in which the finger is inserted; a fingerprint sensor provided on at least one region of an inner circumferential surface of the main body and configured to recognize a fingerprint of the finger; a guide module provided on the inner circumferential surface such that the finger comes in contact with the fingerprint sensing module while the finger is inserted in the insertion region; and a controller configured to execute a function based on the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint sensing module.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a light source to irradiate light on an object, an imaging device to capture the object, a luminance computing unit to compute a luminance at a plurality of positions on the object, and a coefficient computing unit. The coefficient computing unit computes a correction coefficient for each of the plurality of positions, according to a distance from the light source to each of the plurality of positions and the luminance at each of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A method for processing, saving and viewing a digital image of a microscope slide includes inserting a microscope slide into a digital slide scanner connected to an acquisition computer. A pre-scan formed from a plurality of image tiles uploaded to a network server while the pre-scan is being generated. The network server analyzes the image tiles in realtime to identify an area of interest. The acquisition computer generates a high magnification local scan of the area of interest. The local scan is formed from a plurality of local image tiles that are uploaded to the network server while the local scan is being generated. Each local image tile is viewable by a client computer in communication with the computer network while the plurality of local image tiles is being uploaded. A raw final image is then saved on the network server independent of the acquisition computer.

Abstract: A face detection device for detecting the face of a person in an input image may include the following elements: a face detection circuit including a hardware circuit configured to detect a face in an input image; a signal processing circuit configured to perform signal processing based on an input image signal in accordance with a rewritable program including a face detection program for detecting a face in an input image; and a controller configured to allow the face detection circuit and the signal processing circuit to perform face detection on an image of a frame or on respective images of adjacent frames among consecutive frames, and to control face detection by the signal processing circuit on the basis of a face detection result obtained by the face detection circuit.

Abstract: A face detection apparatus detecting a face from an image including the face of a target person in a region imaged by an imaging unit, includes: a model fitting unit generating a first model of the face based on a first image from the imaging unit; a tracking unit fitting the first model to a second image from the imaging unit; a position detection unit detecting positions of face parts based on the second image; and a comparison unit determining whether or not a deviation occurs between the positions of the face parts in the first model fitted by the tracking unit and the positions of the face parts detected by the position detection unit. When the comparison unit determines that the deviation occurs, the model fitting unit generates a second model of the face based on the second image.

Abstract: A face recognition apparatus and method using plural face images includes detecting a reference face image from an image input for registration in advance, calculating plural face feature information from a frontal face image if the detected reference face image includes the frontal face image, generating plural compared face images using the calculated plural face feature information, and determining whether the input face image matches the generated plural compared face images by comparing the input face image with the plural compared face images. Face images having diverse points of view are generated through single user registration, and thus the face recognition ratio can be heightened.

Abstract: Methods for providing drawing assistance to a user sketching an image include geometrically correcting adjusting user strokes to improve their placement and appearance. In particular, one or more guidance maps indicate where the user “should” draw lines. As a user draws a stroke, the stroke is geometrically corrected by moving the stroke toward a portion of the guidance maps corresponding to the feature of the image the user is intending to draw based feature labels. To further improve the user drawn lines, parametric adjustments are optionally made to the geometrically-corrected stroke to emphasize “correctly” drawn lines and de-emphasize “incorrectly” drawn lines.

Abstract: A system for processing an image of a human face, the system including a data processing and analyzing utility including a high-pass filtering module outputting a high-pass signal indicative of edges or contours of the face in the input image data; at least one band-pass filtering module outputting a bandpass signal indicative of low-contrast slowly-varying qualitative features of the face; a low-pass filtering module outputting a low-pass signal in which low-contrast regions are smoothed and high-contrast regions are preserved; a feature computation module calculating a localized feature of the image for a plurality of pixels of the image; a strength computation module determining a localized operand using the localized feature to determine a strength of filters to be used in the high-pass, band-pass, and low-pass filtering modules at the pixels, and transmitting the localized operand to the filtering modules; at least one transformation module altering a portion of the high-pass, the bandpass, or the low-pa

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for organizing images including receiving an image that includes a representation of a human face; generating a correlation value indicating a likelihood that the human face corresponds to a stored facial profile associated with one or more profile images including a human face; evaluating the received image and the generated correlation value to determine, depending on a result of the evaluating, whether the image corresponds to the stored facial profile; associating the received image with the stored facial profile; and storing an indication of the associating.

Abstract: Various implementations of the invention perform facial recognition on a target image compared against a color image from an image gallery, where the target image was acquired by an infrared-sensitive camera of a target that was illuminated with infrared light. According to various implementations of the invention, a blue component and a green component of the pixels in the color image are suppressed or eliminated, and facial recognition is performed between the target image and the color-suppressed image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of computation and covers methods to find one to one mapping between fiducial markers on a tracked object and fiducial marker projections on the image plane captured by a camera in optical object tracking systems. A method for solving correspondence problem is realized to find correspondences between 3D points of an object and 2D projection of that object onto the image plane so that this can be used to find the object's 3D location and orientation. It is designed to work without current pose of the tracked object thus it is equally efficient on initial correspondence problem as correspondence problem. Furthermore, a method for selecting LED groups to be used for solving correspondence problem is also presented, which uses pose data representing possible poses of tracked object under working conditions thus LEDS groups are selected to satisfy use case requirements.

Abstract: A method for identity verification using biometric data is disclosed herein. The method comprises receiving, by a processor, an image of an identification document and receiving a video associated with a face of a user. A predefined number of frames are selected in the video. Based on the selection, it is determined whether the video depicts a live person. Additionally, the face of the user in the video is compared with the image of the identification document and, based on the comparing, results of the identity verification are provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for processing a document image is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes an edge-detection unit configured to identify an edge of a document from a document image. The system also includes a keystone-correction unit and a flattening unit. The keystone-correction unit is configured to correct keystone distortion in the document image. The flattening unit is configured to flatten content of the document in the document image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing biometric templates and generating secret keys are provided. One or more images are received. Interest points are identified based on the received images, and a plurality of obfuscating data points are generated based on the interest points. An obfuscated template based on the interest points and the obfuscating data points is created and stored. A secret key can be encoded using a subset of at least one of the obfuscating data points and the interest points in the template.

Abstract: A gaze-point detection system includes at least one infrared (IR) signal source to be placed in a test scene as a reference point, a pair of eye glasses to be worn by a person, and a data processing and storage unit for calculating a gaze point of the person wearing the pair of eye glasses. The pair of eye glasses includes an image sensor, an eye-tracking unit and a camera. The image sensor detects IR signals from the at least one IR signal source and generates an IR signal source tracking signal. The eye-tracking unit determines adapted to determine the gaze direction of the person and generates an eye-tracking signal, and the camera acquires a test scene picture. The data processing and storage unit communicates with the pair of eye glasses and calculates the gaze point relative to the test scene picture.

Abstract: An iris recognition system may include an optical system having an intentional amount of spherical aberration that results in an extended depth of field. A raw image of an iris captured by the optical system may be normalized. In some embodiments, the normalized raw image may be processed to enhance the MTF of the normalized iris image. An iris code may be generated from the normalized raw image or the enhanced normalized raw image. The iris code may be compared to known iris codes to determine if there is a match. In some embodiments, the iris code generated by the normalized iris image may be processed with equalization function before comparison with the known iris codes.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for recognizing and locating one or more objects in a scene are disclosed. An image and/or video of the scene are captured. Using audio recorded at the scene, an object search of the captured scene is narrowed down. For example, the direction of arrival (DOA) of a sound can be determined and used to limit the search area in a captured image/video. In another example, keypoint signatures may be selected based on types of sounds identified in the recorded audio. A keypoint signature corresponds to a particular object that the system is configured to recognize. Objects in the scene may then be recognized using a shift invariant feature transform (SIFT) analysis comparing keypoints identified in the captured scene to the selected keypoint signatures.

Abstract: An information providing device according to the exemplary embodiment includes an object recognizing unit, a retrieving unit, an obtaining unit, and a transmitting unit. The object recognizing unit extracts an image of a specific object which appears in an image of a moving image content to be distributed to a terminal device. The retrieving unit requests a retrieval device to retrieve a similar image with the image of the specific object as a retrieval key and obtains a retrieval result from the retrieval device. The obtaining unit obtains recommend information related with an image of the specific object which appears in an image of a moving image content based on the retrieval result. The transmitting unit transmits the recommend information to the terminal device.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and storage mediums associated with controlling content capture of prohibited content on remote devices, are disclosed. In embodiments, components of a remote device may receive image data of an image captured by the remote device and analyze the image data to determine whether the image includes prohibited content. In embodiments, the remote device may conditionally display or persistently store the image data, based at least in part on a result of the analysis.

Abstract: A methodology for detecting image anomalies in a target area for classifying objects therein, in which at least two images of the target area are obtained from a sensor representing different polarization components. The methodology can be used to classify and/or discriminate manmade objects from natural objects in a target area, for example. A data cube is constructed from the at least two images with the at least two images being aligned, such as on a pixel-wise basis. A processor computes the global covariance of the data cube and thereafter locates a test window over a portion of the data cube. The local covariance of the contents of the test window is computed and objects are classified within the test window when an image anomaly is detected in the test window. For example, an image anomaly may be determined when a matrix determinant ratio of the local covariance and the global covariance exceeds a probability ratio threshold. The window can then be moved, e.g.

Abstract: A method for detecting a stream of electromagnetic pulses emitted, according to a predefined occurrence law, in a scene observed using a detection system comprising a matrix detector and a processing unit for processing signals comprising the electromagnetic pulses. The method includes the following steps: acquiring and transmitting the signals from the matrix detector to the processing unit, and for each pixel of the detector calculating a subtraction signal between two signals acquired during two consecutive time windows of the same length, calculating a signal for accumulating the subtraction signals spaced apart in time by an interval defined by the predefined occurrence law, and thresholding the accumulation signal, the pulse being detected if the accumulation signal is greater than a predetermined threshold for at least one pixel, and locating the pulse detected in the observed scene from the coordinates of the pixel including the detected pulse.

Abstract: Embodiments include a computer-implemented method for identifying locations of infrastructure assets. The method including identifying a location of a first infrastructure asset and a location of a second infrastructure asset, identifying a region of interest extending at least partially between the locations of the first and second infrastructure assets, obtaining an aerial image of the region of interest, determining that the aerial image of the region of interest comprises a third infrastructure asset, determining a location of the third infrastructure asset based at least in part on the aerial image, and storing the location of the secondary infrastructure asset in an infrastructure asset datastore.

Abstract: A method for recognizing individual plants of a selected type growing in a field, wherein the method comprises capturing color NIR image data of an entire field having plants of a selected type growing therein utilizing an automated plant counting system and calculating a ratio value between each pixel of the color image data and the corresponding pixel of the NIR image data utilizing a plant recognition algorithm executed via a data processing system of the plant counting system. The method additionally comprises generating, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, a false color image of the field based on the calculated ratios for each pixel, and identifying, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, all plants of the selected type in the false color image based on a plant distinguishing characteristic uniquely rendered for each individual plant of the selected type in the false color image.

Abstract: An advertisement detection system based on fingerprints, including a content stream storage unit storing broadcast content in real time, a section selection unit selecting a reference section and a test section from broadcast content stored by the storage unit, a fingerprint extraction unit extracting fingerprints from the reference section and test section selected by the selection unit, a fingerprint matching unit comparing fingerprints from the test section and reference section, extracted by the extraction unit, with each other and then performing matching between the fingerprints, an advertisement section determination unit determining advertisement segments from the test section based on results of the matching performed by the matching unit, an advertisement DB management unit storing segment information about the advertisement segments determined by the determination unit in an advertisement DB and managing the DB, and a section update unit changing the reference section and test section selected by t

Abstract: Foreground feature data and motion feature data is determined for frames of video data acquired from a train track area region of interest. The frames are labeled as “train present” if the determined foreground feature data value meets a threshold value, else as “train absent; and as “motion present” if the motion feature data meets a motion threshold, else as “static.” The labels are used to classify segments of the video data comprising groups of consecutive video frames, namely as within a “no train present” segment for groups with “train absent” and “static” labels; within a “train present and in transition” segment for groups “train present” and “motion present” labels; and within a “train present and stopped” segment for groups with “train present” and “static” labels. The presence or motion state of a train at a time of inquiry is thereby determined from the respective segment classification.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a people counting apparatus including: a reception unit which receives a video of an area including an entrance captured by a video capture device; a line setting unit which sets an inline at the entrance and sets an outline such that a specific region is formed on a side of the inline; a detection unit which detects moving objects in the video using information differences between frames of the received video and detects human moving objects among the detected moving objects; a tracking unit which tracks the movement of each of the detected moving objects; and a counting unit which determines whether each of the moving objects passed the inline and the outline based on the tracked movement of each of the moving objects and counts the number of people based on the determination result.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for detecting and reporting improper activity, such a traffic violation. In one embodiment, a computing device receives multiple image frames from a client device. The computing device detects that a vehicle shown in at least one of the image frames is in violation of a rule. The computing device generates an evidence package based on at least one of the image frames. The computing device transmits the evidence to an evidence review device for review by an enforcement individual.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods for image and map-based detection of vehicles at intersections. Once example computer-implemented method for detecting objects includes receiving, from the one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle, image data representative of an image and detecting an object on the image. The method further includes identifying a path extending from the vehicle to the detected object on the image and retrieving map data including lane information. The method further includes comparing the path to a representation of the lane information and determining the position of the detected object based on a comparison of the path, representation of the lane information, and the image.

Abstract: A method and a device determine whether a vehicle can pass through a passage of an object, based on image data from a 3-D camera, which records an image of surroundings of the vehicle. A trajectory of the vehicle is ascertained. From the image data, it is determined whether an object located above the trajectory is recognized and whether the object has at least one connection to the ground. The dimensions and the shape of an entry area or a passage space between the object and the roadway, through which the vehicle is to pass, are determined from the image data. By comparing the dimensions and shape of the entry area or the passage space with the dimensions and shape of the vehicle, it is determined whether and how the vehicle can pass through the entry area or passage space.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically managing how and when computerized advanced processing techniques (for example, CAD and/or other image processing) are used. In some embodiments, the systems and methods discussed herein allow users, such as radiologists, to efficiently interact with a wide variety of computerized advanced processing (“CAP”) techniques using computing devices ranging from picture archiving and communication system (“PACS”) workstations to handheld devices such as smartphone and tablets. Furthermore, the systems and methods may, in various embodiments, automatically manage how data associated with these CAP techniques (for example, results of application of one or more computerized advanced processing techniques) are used, such as how data associated with the computerized analyzes is reported, whether comparisons to prior abnormalities should be automatically initiated, whether the radiologist should be alerted of important findings, and the like.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device for use in authenticating documents includes a camera for capturing images from the document to be authenticated as well as on-board computer-implemented instructions to capture and analyze Digitally Watermarked images and output an indication as to whether the document is authentic or not authentic.

Abstract: A method for product recognition from multiple images includes producing a plurality of recognition results for a plurality of input images, stitching the plurality of input images into a single stitched image; merging the plurality of recognition results using information from stitching the plurality of input images to generate a merged recognition result; and outputting the merged recognition result. The disclosure also includes systems for implementing the method.

Abstract: During a description technique (100), a local descriptor for an object (300) is generated (122) by computing a 2-dimensional histogram (600) of pairs of angles (514, 516) between pairs of line segments (510, 512) that are aligned with edge pixels associated with the object (300). The pairs of line segments (510, 512) belong to a subset of k neighboring or proximate line segments (310). Moreover, this 2D histogram (600) may represent the relative displacement and the relative orientations of the pairs of line segments (510, 512) in the subset as weights in bins or cells defined by angular quantization values, and the 2D histogram (600 may exclude lengths of the line segments. Subsequently, the generated 2D histogram (600) may be compared (210) to predefined sets of descriptors in a model library that are associated with a set of objects, and the object may be identified (212) as one of the set of objects based on a group of match scores determined in the comparisons.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer program products for determining a mood and a strength of an image. An exemplary method comprises: determining a mood of an image based on a color tone and a color saturation of the image; determining a strength of an image based on a brightness of the image; determining a mood-strength distribution of the image based on the mood of the image and the strength of the image; and selecting a music piece based on the mood-strength distribution of the image.

Abstract: A method for identifying a best item among a plurality of respective different items includes selecting a current best score, identifying a set of attributes associated with each of the items, and for each of the sets of attributes: determining a best possible score for a subset of the set of attributes, if the best possible score is greater than the current best score, determining an actual score for the set of attributes, and if the actual score for the set of attributes is greater than the current best score, setting the current best score as the actual score for the set of attributes. After both of the determining steps and the setting step for each of the sets of attributes, the item associated with the current best score is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus for presuming positions of organs is configured to transform plural organs included in a template that is a model including the plural organs so as to match a predetermined target organ among the plural organs in the template to a corresponding organ in volume data; and perform a first processing and a second processing a predetermined number of times. The first processing includes transforming a first organ selected among the plural organs in the template according to a corresponding first organ in the volume data, and the second processing includes transforming, for each of second organs that are predetermined organs, which are influenced by transformation of the first organ, the second organ according to transformation performed for third organs that are predetermined organs, which influence the second organ in the template.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for searching for corresponding points between a first image and a second image is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a window setting portion, a phase information extraction portion that extracts phase information by subjecting a representation included in each set window to frequency decomposition, a corresponding points determination portion that determines the corresponding points based on comparison of the phase information extracted from each window, and a window size control portion that causes the window setting portion to set a window different in size in accordance with a frequency used for calculation of the frequency decomposition. The window size control portion causes the window setting portion to set a window having a first size in response to a first frequency and to set a window having a second size smaller than the first size in response to a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an object (120) in an image (100), in which the recognition of the object (120) comprises a first scaling stage of a scaling region of the image (100), and at least a further scaling stage of the scaling region of the image (100); and in which the image (100) is subdivided into at least one image segment (110); a first decision being taken for the at least one image segment (110) on the first scaling stage of the scaling region as to whether the at least one image segment (110) is considered on the at least one further scaling stage of the scaling region for the recognition of the object (120).

Abstract: Enhanced contrast between an object of interest and background surfaces visible in an image is provided using controlled lighting directed at the object. Exploiting the falloff of light intensity with distance, a light source (or multiple light sources), such as an infrared light source, can be positioned near one or more cameras to shine light onto the object while the camera(s) capture images. The captured images can be analyzed to distinguish object pixels from background pixels.

Abstract: Implementations relate to verifying labels for images using image recognition. In some implementations, a method includes obtaining an image associated with location information, obtaining one or more descriptor labels associated with the location information, determining one or more recognized image features depicted in the image, comparing the recognized image features with the descriptor labels, and determining one or more verified labels from the one or more descriptor labels. The verified labels are determined to describe at least one of the one or more recognized image features depicted in the image based on the comparing of the recognized image features with the descriptor labels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically recognizing and setting an attachment for a construction machine are disclosed. The method for automatically recognizing and setting an attachment includes detecting a kind and a type of the attachment from an attachment image, determining whether the attachment is a registered attachment, and automatically setting inherent functional values that match the attachment if the attachment is a registered attachment as the result of determination and automatically setting a user input attachment ID and functional values if the attachment is not a registered attachment. By automatically recognizing and setting the attachment that is attached to (or changed on) a construction machine (for example, excavator) using image processing, equipment setting can be optimized and easily adopted.

Abstract: A system for monitoring coffee machines, comprising: a coffee machine (10) having an electronic circuitry (14, 40, 41) configured for collecting and storing usage parameters of the machine; and a display (12) connected to the electronic circuitry and configured for displaying information processed by the electronic circuitry (14, 40, 41) in the form bar codes of QR code type. The system includes a device (50) external to the machine (10) and configured for acquiring through photographs the processed information, in order to decode it and transmit it to a remote server (15). A method of for monitoring coffee machines is also described.