Abstract: An autonomous and portable smartcard reader device incorporates a high level of embedded security countermeasures. Data transfers are encrypted with two specific input devices, namely a light sensor and PIN or other keyboard entry, and at the output through the use of a dual-tone encoder-decoder. The unit may be used alone or as a plug-in to another device such as a PDA, cell phone, or remote control. The reader may further be coupled to various biometric or plug-in devices to achieve at least five levels of authentication, namely, (1) the smartcard itself; (2) the smartcard reader; (2) the PIN; (3) private-key cryptography (PKI); and (5) the (optional) biometric device. These five levels account for an extremely strong authentication applicable to public networking on public/private computers, and even on TV (satellite, cable, DVD, CD AUDIO, software applications. Transactions including payments may be carried out without any risk of communication tampering, authentication misconduct or identity theft.

Abstract: A method is designed for validating an entrance to an event site. The method is carried out by the steps of accessing to a ticket issue server through a network by a portable terminal device to request an issue of ticket data, accepting a request of the ticket data at the ticket issue server and transmitting the ticket data in place of a physical ticket to the portable terminal device in response to the request, and receiving the ticket data by the portable terminal device to reproduce the ticket data in a visible or audible form at the event site for validating of the entrance to the event site.

Abstract: A physical distribution system comprises a tag writer device provided in a manufacturing facility for manufacturing common products to be supplied to a plurality of destinations, that writes related information concerning a product into a wireless tag included in the product, and a distribution facility system provided at a distribution facility, for determining a destination for the product and for shipping the product to the determined destination.

Abstract: An implementation of a system and method for regulating entry in a transit system using information from a bankcard, such as a credit card or debit card is provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for using a transit card application for providing access to a fare gate. The system includes a server and a mobile device. The mobile device determines whether a balance on the transit card application is below a threshold, and requests an approval for a balance increase from the server in response to determining that the balance on the transit card application is below the threshold. The server determines whether a predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase in response to the request for the approval from the mobile device, and approves the request in response to determining that the predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase. The mobile device promotes increasing the balance on the transit card application in response to the approval by the server.

Abstract: Data collected in connection with operation of a vehicle can be used to automatically determine upon which one of a plurality of predefined routes a vehicle has been operating. In one exemplary embodiment, an operator inputs identification data into a data set that also includes other types of data. The route identification data uniquely identifies the specific one of the plurality of predefined routes, enabling the route the vehicle was operating on during that time period corresponding to the data set to be determined. In a second exemplary embodiment, rather than requiring the operator to provide the route identification data, geographical position data collected during operation of a vehicle are compared with geographical position data corresponding to each one of the plurality of predefined routes until a match is found, thereby identifying the route the vehicle was operating on during collection of the geographical position data.

Abstract: An on-site system for calculating a transient parking fee. The system includes a ticket and a machine-readable storage device. The machine-readable storage device is disposed on, and is machine-readable from, the ticket, contains data necessary to compute the transient parking fee at exit of the transient parking without any further need to utilize a rate calculation engine, and is a bar code. A server communicates a rate structure to the machine-readable storage device, and looks forward from an entrance date and time to determine breakpoint times by minutes where there is a change in a fee and then encodes that data onto the machine-readable storage device on the ticket. Only either an entrance device or an exit device must be on-line, but not both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capital equipment units, such as systems for providing medical treatment, that are associated with smart supplies. The smart supplies are tagged with data carriers which may encode such information as a unique ID for the supply or component, the identification of the supply or component, the identification of the source of the supply or component, the status of whether said supply or component has been previously used, the expiration date of the supply or component, and in the case where the supply or component contains drug, the purity levels of the drug and the concentration levels of the drug. The capital equipment units or their users then utilize the information to assure quality of any procedure run with the units, by way of improved pre-use checks, certification of the supplies for use, record keeping, inventory control, and charge capture.

Abstract: Cashless instruments having counterfeit prevention features and methods for detecting counterfeit cashless instruments are disclosed. A pattern of attempted redemptions or other transactional recordings of gaming machine printed tickets, vouchers or other cashless instruments having identification numbers with valid predictable fields but invalid unpredictable fields can indicate a likely counterfeiting attempt or operation. Occurrences can include a thief or other unscrupulous party discovering which gaming machine printed ticket fields lend themselves to prediction and which do not, and then attempting to guess at some of the randomly generated numbers in hopes of coming up with a valid number or number set. In addition, stored hash numbers can be compared to a hash number generated according to a one-way hash function. A pattern of invalid hash numbers can also indicate a likely counterfeit attempt.

Abstract: An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.

Abstract: A tag receives a wireless signpost signal that contains a signpost code, converts the signpost code into location information representative of a physical location of a signpost that transmitted the received signpost signal, and transmits a wireless tag signal that includes the location information. In a different configuration, a tag receives a wireless signpost signal that includes a signpost code, and determines whether the signpost that generated the received signpost signal is a replacement for a different signpost. If it is a replacement, the tag transmits a wireless tag signal containing an information portion that relates to the signpost replaced by the signpost that generated the received signpost signal.

Abstract: A method for tracking a plurality of containers each joined to an electronic tracking device having routing capabilities and a WPAN-enabled radio receiver/transmitter configured to attempt to connect to a pre-configured WPAN upon being activated comprises activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each tracking device joined to a container being loaded onto a cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each tracking device that fails to connect to the WPAN; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each WPAN-connected tracking device; intermittently configuring the WPAN to include each WPAN-connected tracking device in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each WPAN-connected tracking device to maintain mutual communication with each WPAN-connected tracking device and enable mutual communication between each WPAN-connected tracking device; receiving transport-related data from each WPAN-connected tracking device; transmitting the transport-rela

Abstract: A combination Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminal and rear view mirror for vehicles is disclosed. The rear view mirror includes a Radio Frequency (RF) antenna, and an ETC module. The RF antenna is fastened to the upper end of a stay in order to transmit and receive RF signals to and from an RF module, which is provided in a tollgate gantry. The ETC module is connected with the RF antenna using a wire, and is mounted in a housing. Thus, the uninterrupted transmission and reception of RF signals between the ECT terminal and the RF module can be stably performed even when a vehicle passes through a tollgate at a high speed.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting parking transactions in a convenient manner is described. Users of the system can employ their biometric data or a preexisting token to conduct transactions at a parking facility.

Abstract: A check-in method for airlines allows passengers to use Short Message Service (SMS) to check-in themselves and baggage. A passenger requests to check-in via SMS from practically anywhere and not limited to the airport. After receipt of the request, a confirmation message is sent back to the passenger's registered mobile phone number by SMS. The system will ask the passenger for, and receive from the passenger, the number of bags they intend to check-in for the flight. The passengers can in some embodiments drop the baggage off without any required further action. The system issues an SMS-based cryptographically secure code, such as a bar-code boarding pass to the passenger once the baggage (if any) is successfully transferred and registered to existing baggage management systems through the process above. This code, when scanned, recognized and authenticated provides identification and security clearance for the passenger to board the aircraft.

Abstract: A wireless type prepaid IC card system enhances the convenience of users and assures the safe payment of tolls by vehicles including bikes when introduced for toll roads. This toll collecting system is composed of: a card processor that is arranged in a booth for the toll collection process and has an antenna unit for executing the card process through the wireless communication with IC cards, antenna units arranged at the left and right roadsides of the booth for executing the card process through the wireless communication with IC cards, a vehicle class discriminator for discriminating classes of vehicles entering into a traffic lane, and a traffic lane controller that selects an antenna unit to perform the card process according to a discriminated vehicle class and controls the card process.

Abstract: Provided according to the invention is a recording control apparatus capable of more accurately recording an image of a person carrying an article to which an RFID tag is attached. When a reader/writer receives position information on an RFID tag attached to an article, this information is stored in an article information storing section. When a position determining unit detects an article located out of a designated area, a monitoring camera control section starts controlling recording. The monitoring camera control section estimates the movement direction of the article based on the time-sequential record of the position information on the article, specifies any of monitoring cameras to be operated based on the movement direction and the current position of the article, and controls the recording operation of the specified monitoring camera.

Abstract: In a device for controlling access in a passage lane, particularly for controlling people, comprising a housing for receiving electronic components, particularly comprising a reader for tickets, the housing forming a lateral delimitation of the passage lane, it is suggested, for simple and rapid maintenance and putting into operation, that the housing have housing openings (3) directed toward the passage lane (2), the housing opening (3) be closable by covers (4), and at least two of the covers (4) be implemented as supports for electrical and/or mechanical modular components, particularly an identification module for tickets, a controller component for controlling an access control, a data transfer module for data exchange with further electrical and/or mechanical components, and/or a display module for displaying information, the particular modular components being positioned on an interior of the cover (4) implemented as a support, and being replaceable together with the cover (4).

Abstract: A parking system comprises an Internet-accessible Web server storing substantially real-time parking data associated with occupancy of a plurality of parking spaces and a plurality of detectors at a parking lot communicating with the Web server. The plurality of detectors collects substantially real-time parking occupancy data for a plurality of parking spaces at the parking lot. Each of the plurality of detectors includes a wireless communications device for transmitting said substantially real-time parking occupancy data to said Web server and one of a position detector, a motion detector, a weight detector, or a video camera to ascertain whether a parking space is occupied. The parking data is capable of being rendered by a display device running a browser application. The Web server transmits the parking data in response to a request sent from the browser application.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for ensuring that blood transfused into a patient is the correct blood for that patient, and that a complete audit trail is created that will allow later tracing of blood from donation through to transfusion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for ensuring that blood transfused into a patient is the correct blood for that patient, is transfused in the correct manner and that a complete audit trail is created that will allow later tracing of blood from donation through to ultimate transfusion.

Abstract: A management computer 21 extracts product type information from a product type data storing unit 23 based on an input product type identifier, and receives information about a selected shipment destination. Then, the management computer 21 extracts a permission type from a shipment destination specification data storing unit 22 based on the product type and a shipment destination identifier. Further, the management computer 21 determines whether or not permission about the permission type has been obtained. When the permission has been obtained, the management computer 21 extracts a permission identifier. The management computer 21 extracts rating information of the product type data based on record items of the shipment destination specification data, and provides an instance format of the rating label.

Abstract: In an information acquisition system such as a car navigation system, a history accumulation DB 104 accumulates user's travel history. A condition determination section 107 determines a condition for retrieval for performing accurate prediction, and a prediction section 108 predicts a travel destination using the condition for retrieval. An information-to-be-presented determination section 110 acquires information relating to the travel destination predicted by the prediction section 108 from a received information DB 802 or the like.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a database table comprising a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records comprising an identification of an object, and an identification of a particular location of the object, each particular location of the object automatically determined responsive to automatically generatable, automatically receivable, radio frequency identification information.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for remote authorization of fuel dispensing and authorization or confirmation of participation in frequent shopper programs, club memberships, and the like. In one embodiment, identification documents may be used as membership cards for a retailer's membership or frequent shopper program. In another embodiment, an identification may be a membership card to gain access to a retailer. In another aspect, an identification document may be coupled with one or more PINs to validate a customer, or alternatively, the one or more PINs can be used instead of the identification document to validate a customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to shield contactless portable electronic consumer devices such as radio frequency identification devices (RFID), tokens, mini-cards, key fobs, cellular phones, smartcards, etc. from wireless interrogation. In one embodiment, a contactless portable consumer device which includes a first antenna is shielded from unauthorized wireless interrogation with a radio frequency (RF) shield. The RF shield includes electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic material and is configured to prevent unauthorized data transfer between a second antenna external to the portable consumer device and the first antenna.

Abstract: A tag mounting device can temporarily mount a tag transmitter on a shipping container or trailer for tracking location of the shipping container or trailer. The tag mounting device includes a mounting frame having a support leg with opposing ends. A clamp mechanism is carried by the support leg for clamping the support leg onto a rim of a container or trailer such that the support leg extends against a surface of the container or trailer. A tag support member extends outward from the support leg. A tag transmitter is carried by the tag support member and operative for transmitting wireless signals to at least one receiver for subsequent processing to determine the location of the tag transmitter and a container or trailer on which the tag mounting device is mounted.

Abstract: An assembly of devices for charging and cashless automatic payment of costs, e.g. toll, bridge toll, entrance and the like, charged on the basis of geographical locations and/or geographical areas and for the information on the events on the basis of the above-mentioned charging consists of a control centre (1), an assembly of devices (2), of which one is located in each means (3), e.g. in a vehicle, boat, etc., of control devices (4) and (40) for physical control of operation or existence of devices (2) in means (3), situated in the area of a payable service, and of transmitters (5) of geographical co-ordinates, whereas the transmitters (5) are preferably a public or for this purpose intended satellite or terrestrial means and the entire procedure and control of payment is anonymous, until it is established via control procedures that payment is not effected properly due to a failure of the device (2) or due to unauthorized intervention into the device (2).

Abstract: A scanning device and an identification system that enable the operator of a materials-handling vehicle to identify and track goods by scanning labels or other identifying information from a remote location without having to leave the forklift. The device may optionally be used in conjunction with a motion sensor and a monitor.

Abstract: System and method for tracking inventory of a multiplicity of products. First RFID tags are associated with respective products or groups of products. Second Active RFID tags are associated with respective first containers for the multiplicity products. A third Active RFID tag is associated with a second container for the first containers. First RFID tags broadcast their respective identifications. Second Active RFID tags hash the identities of the first RFID tags within their respective first containers and broad their hashed values. Third Active RFID tag hash the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags. An expected value is compared to a result of the third Active RFID tag hashing the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows information about the product to be transferred to the testing device so that the pertinent tests can be run. After the product is tested and repaired, updated information can be encoded onto the medium and the medium can be stored with the product for later retrieval.

Abstract: In some of the embodiments described herein, a vehicle information system may be used to generate route map information, schedule information, estimated time of arrival information, or the like based upon location information received from passenger-carried or cargo-carried wireless devices, such as passengers' cellular phones. In such circumstances, a remote device (e.g., a display device at a vehicle station, a network-connected personal computer, or a cellular phone of a person who might board a mass transit vehicle) may access the route map information, schedule information, and other information related to one or more mass transit vehicles.

Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, a first antenna, a second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, a processor, and radiation absorbing material disposed between the first and second antennas and the path of travel, so that the absorbing material shields a portion of the radiation that would otherwise radiate into an area through which the items pass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held violation ticket issuing device which incorporates a digital camera so that the ticket can be printed with an image of the vehicle license plate and the expired meter and/or expired parking receipt or other evidence of a violation.

Abstract: Parking disc for mounting on a vehicle where the parking disc is externally visible and has an externally indicator of the time parking was initiated, the indicator including an electronic display which, during normal driving, is connected to an electronic clock which shows the actual time and where stopping the vehicle causes switching of the display to constantly show the time parking commenced, and where the display, when driving resumes, switches to the actual time based on an electric signal from at least one detector which determines an actual relative motion of the vehicle, the switching of the display occurring after determining a minimum value for motion of the vehicle, the switching of the display being effected based on determination by the detector of a minimum acceleration during the movement of the vehicle, the minimum acceleration being determined in a uniform direction over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A park user management system having a plurality of radio frequency tag readers installed along usable routes in a park for recognizing information stored in a radio frequency tag provided to each park user and an exercise quantity management module for calculating exercise information of each park user using the respective recognition times of the radio frequency tag recognized by the radio frequency tag readers and providing the calculated exercise information to each park user. The park user management system provides a recommendable exercise, a recommendable exercise section, and a recommendable target exercise quantity to each park user, calculates actual exercise quantity of each park user on the day in question, and provides the calculated exercise quantity to each park user.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring, managing, or transporting goods allows for monitoring the state of being of goods when in transit or unattached to wired power sources or communication means. The system also preferably includes the ability to adjust the conditions of the goods while they are in transit.

Abstract: A parking system using parking meters which accept payment by credit card or smart cards. The user can start the parking payment period by swiping a credit card in the reader. A fixed pre-payment is charged to the card. The payment period is terminated when the same card is swiped a second time. The pre-paid charge is cancelled and the card is charged only for the actual elapsed time.

Abstract: A system and method for releasing a security tag from an article automatically at a point of sale without the need for store employee involvement, assuming a valid sale is occurring. A system and method for releasing a security tag from an article automatically at a point of sale that tracks the detacher operation and the time and date of such operation.

Abstract: A directional object counter uses two or more light sources to generate pulses of light, which travel on two light paths across a passageway. Light from both sources illuminates two sensors, after the light has traversed the passageway, and a processor connected to the sensors determines, based on the pulsed nature of the sources, which source(s) is/are illuminating which sensor(s), and counts movement of objects through the light paths in an identified direction. The pulsed nature of the light permits low-power operation of the directional object counter with a battery. Furthermore, the independence of the pulse discrimination from the pulse generation, enables the light sources and light sensors to be positioned on opposite sides of a passageway without wiring connecting them across the passageway.

Abstract: The invention provides an approach for automatic and dynamic mapping of zone boundaries for position-determination systems. The system of the present invention utilizes beacons (“position determining devices”) to identify the boundaries and limits of device area coverage (“zone”) for tracking objects with a position-determination system. Beacons, used both to identify zone boundaries and to tag assets to be tracked, are distributed within the zone. The beacon locations are then detected and displayed in the visualization application. Three or more beacons may be linked together, either manually or automatically, to establish a detection zone. Using beacons to establish detection zone boundaries eliminates guesswork and its associated errors, and produces a zone boundary that is actually valid.

Abstract: A ticket management system is provided which can perform adjustments using a ticket to which non-updatable value information is assigned together with an electronic value, according to a payment form. The ticket management system includes an IC tag attached to a money ticket, a money ticket management server and a mobile terminal. The IC tag holds a money ticket ID for identifying the money ticket and reads the money ticket ID. The money ticket management server includes a storage unit, receives the money ticket ID from the mobile terminal and writes a valid money ticket ID to the storage unit. The mobile terminal includes a storage unit, acquires the money ticket ID held in the IC tag, transmits the acquired money ticket ID to the money ticket management server, and writes amount information of the money ticket identified by the valid money ticket ID to the storage unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tracking or otherwise accounting for chattel (e.g., personal property such as keys, pocket knives, and the like) at a point of departure such as an airport, bus station, train station, etc., or areas where people congregate (e.g., sporting events, concerts, etc.). In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a kiosk adapted for use near a security checkpoint, wherein passengers or patrons can efficiently deposit their items for shipment to their home, travel destination, or third party.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and regulating public street parking using RF and RFID technology including: tracking expired parking tickets and illegally parked vehicles and identifying parked vehicles using parking ticket from another location. The apparatus includes a central server coupled to parking enforcement, EDI, one or more kiosks, and a plurality of portable or mobile RFID transceivers. Each kiosk includes a controller, RFID transceiver, printer, card reader, cash acceptor, camera, connection to sensor LAN, connection to RFID transceiver LAN, connection to EDI, connection to central server, cash return mechanism, and parking violation mechanism. The apparatus uses a plurality of RFID parking tickets, with each ticket having a unique RFID tag or chip. Users acquire and pay for the RFID parking tickets using the kiosks and place the RFID tickets on their cars while parked.

Abstract: To provide a destination prediction apparatus which can predict a destination of a user by using a carried item carried by the user, the destination prediction apparatus according to the present invention includes: a position information detection unit which detects a present position of a mobile terminal; a carried item detection unit which detects the carried item of the user; a history accumulation unit which accumulates a history of date and time information detected by a clock unit, position information detected by the position information detection unit, and information of the carried item of the user detected by the carried item detection unit; a carry frequency judgment unit which calculates a frequency at which the carried item is carried; a causal relationship extraction unit which calculates an infrequently carried item and a related point; a destination prediction unit which predicts the destination using the position information, the carried item information, and a position causal relationship ex

Abstract: An apparatus for locating an item at a node includes an item-specific location device disposed in association with the item and that includes a circuit that uniquely identifies the item. A fixed mesh network communication device, in communication with a computer, is in an item storage portion of the node. The computer is programmed to execute the following steps: if an item identification request is received from a requester via a global computer network including a requested item identification, then send an item identification message to the fixed mesh network communication device. If an item identified message is received from the fixed mesh network communication device indicating that the item-specific location device corresponds to the requested item identification, then transmit to the requester, via the global computer network, an item identified notification and a location identification that identifies the node.

Abstract: A method, system, server architecture and/or tangible medium determines and/or transmits and/or establishes communication with a mobile device user. The method includes, for example, receiving a communication from and/or transmitting a communication to, an event customer, and optionally updating a database to reflect the communication. The method also includes obtaining at least one mobile address, e.g., a telephone number and a communication network used thereon by the event user and building a data address therefrom to establish the communication with the event user. In one embodiment, the method does not require the event user to provide a bbnetwork address associated with the mobile contact address. Various optional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification transponder includes a power supply and a dynamic memory array that stores data. When power from the power supply ceases, the data in the dynamic memory array is validly maintained for a predetermined period of time. The dynamic memory array is responsive to an interrogating signal for selectively updating the data. A radio frequency identification transponder includes a signal processor that extracts an identifier from the interrogation signal and is responsive to the identifier and the stored data to determine whether some or all of the identifier is stored in the dynamic memory array.

Abstract: A toll fee tracking system comprising a toll authority adapted to collect data associated with at least one toll fee tracking device and a toll rental entity adapted to communicate with the toll authority and a third part entity. The toll rental entity further acts as a communication channel between the toll authority and the third party entity for forwarding data from the toll authority to the third party entity.

Abstract: A method for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including printing a bar code on each shipment to be tracked, wherein the bar code includes at least one part for identification of the shipper of the shipment, which is invariable for each shipper, and a shipment rank identification part of each shipment, which is variable for each shipment; and a device for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including at least one database having at least one user data table listing bar codes of the shipper and address information, and a data table of shipments being tracked listing each shipment by shipper.