Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive a complaint initiation signal that includes an indication that a card reader may be compromised, and initiation date and time of the complaint, and geolocation data related to the reporting party. The apparatus is further configured to identify a street address closest to the geolocation data in the complaint using a geolocation application programming interface and the set of geolocation data. The apparatus is also configured to determine that the identified street address is associated with an entity. The apparatus then calculates a confidence interval as to whether that entity is the type of entity that uses a card reader. The apparatus is further configured to determine that the confidence interval exceeds a threshold. The apparatus is also configured to determine an identifier of the entity. Further, the apparatus is configured to publish an alert to a data feed.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for automated object recognition and checkout at a retail kiosk is provided. The system includes a controller configured with a processor and a memory to control operations of the automated retail checkout system. The system further includes an imaging device in communication with the controller and configured to create multiple electronic images of an object, such as a product for purchase. The system also includes an object recognition device in communication with the controller and the imaging device. The processor may execute software to receive electronic images from the imaging device, extract at least one feature from the images, and recognize the object based on a predetermined model being applied to the extracted feature from the images. The system also includes a display device to display an indication of the recognized object from the object recognition device.

Abstract: In a banknote inspection device, a storage unit stores a first learning model generated using an image of a character with a hole as training data, and a second learning model generated using an image of a character without a hole as training data, and a recognition unit recognizes a serial number character that is a character forming a serial number of a banknote by using the first learning model when a character image, which is as image of the serial number character, has a hole, and recognize the serial number character by using the second learning model when the character image does not have a hole.

Abstract: A reading apparatus for reading a wireless tag attached to a commodity includes a wireless tag reader configured to emit a radio wave and read information in a radio wave returned from a wireless tag, and a processor configured to control the wireless tag reader to emit the radio wave, upon detection of radio waves returned from one or more wireless tags, determine one or more commodity codes based on information contained in the radio waves, and upon detection of at least one commodity placed in a predetermined area, register the one or more commodity codes determined within a predetermined time prior to the placement of said at least one commodity in the predetermined area.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system is a dual-screen stand assembly that includes a merchant terminal and a consumer terminal. The merchant terminal and the consumer terminal can be mated together in a fixed position to form a single unitary stand, or can be separated from each other in a separated position with each terminal serving as its own separate stand. The merchant terminal supports a merchant computing device and is oriented in a merchant-facing direction. The consumer terminal is detachably mated to the merchant terminal and supports a consumer computing device that is oriented in a consumer-facing direction. The point-of-sale system also includes a card reader as part of the customer terminal to perform a payment. The card reader is configured to accepting swipe cards, chip cards or contactless (EMV or NFC) payments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a volume dimensioner are provided. In one embodiment, a calibrating system comprises a dimensioner and a reference object. The dimensioner is configured to remotely sense characteristics of an object and calculate physical dimensions of the object from the sensed characteristics. The reference object has predefined physical dimensions and an outside surface that exhibits a pattern of reference markings. The dimensioner is configured to be calibrated using the reference object as a basis for comparison.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described for sending and receiving messages between a terminal reader and a payment device, such as a credit card. A dynamic signature is calculated on the payment device from an application transaction counter, a terminal unpredictable number, and a transaction amount, and it is sent with an application the locator (AFL) to the reader. The reader then sends a read record command to the payment device to get records associated with the AFL, among other normal processing. While the normal processing is occurring for the transaction, the dynamic signature can be recalculated and compared with that from the payment device in order to assure that nothing has surreptitiously changed the values in the messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a volume dimensioner are provided. In one embodiment, a calibrating system comprises a dimensioner and a reference object. The dimensioner is configured to remotely sense characteristics of an object and calculate physical dimensions of the object from the sensed characteristics. The reference object has predefined physical dimensions and an outside surface that exhibits a pattern of reference markings. The dimensioner is configured to be calibrated using the reference object as a basis for comparison.

Abstract: A secure smartcard reader including a smartcard connector and a flexible printed circuit board wrapped around and at least partially surrounding the smartcard connector and at least partially defining a security volume enclosing the smartcard connector, the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining on an outer-facing surface thereof a plurality of keypad contacts, the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining electrical conductors connecting the plurality of keypad contacts to connector pads and the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining a protective anti-tamper mesh protecting the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A system for measuring RFID strap characteristics by coupling through a dielectric. The system can include a meter, test pads, springs, and wiring. Test pads may contact a substrate opposite of the RFID strap, and the coupling capacitance through the dielectric substrate may be utilized to calculate the strap capacitance. Similarly, other electrical properties of an RFID strap or other RFID assembly may be measured by coupling through a dielectric.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing remote frequency identification (RFID) straps. A testing system includes an amplifier electrically coupled to an inductor or inductive component. The system further includes a pair of contact points to be placed in contact with a pair of contact pads of an RFID strap. Connecting the contact points and the contact pads places the RFID strap in parallel with the inductor to define a resonant circuit. The characteristics of the resonant circuit as an oscillator depend at least in part on the capacitance and the resistance of the RFID strap. As such, the characteristics of the resonant circuit as an oscillator may be monitored to determine the capacitance and/or the resistance of the RFID strap. One or more characteristics of the RFID strap may be compared to one or more threshold values to determine whether the RFID strap is acceptable or defective.

Abstract: A secure smartcard reader including a smartcard connector and a flexible printed circuit board wrapped around and at least partially surrounding the smartcard connector and at least partially defining a security volume enclosing the smartcard connector, the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining on an outer-facing surface thereof a plurality of keypad contacts, the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining electrical conductors connecting the plurality of keypad contacts to connector pads and the wrapped flexible printed circuit board defining a protective anti-tamper mesh protecting the electrical conductors.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described for sending and receiving messages between a terminal reader and a payment device, such as a credit card. A dynamic signature is calculated on the payment device from an application transaction counter, a terminal unpredictable number, and a transaction amount, and it is sent with an application file locator (AFL) to the reader. The reader then sends a read record command to the payment device to get records associated with the AFL, among other normal processing. While the normal processing is occurring for the transaction, the dynamic signature can be recalculated and compared with that from the payment device in order to assure that nothing has surreptitiously changed the values in the messages.

Abstract: A card substitution prevention method for a self-service terminal includes performing, by a card feeding portion of the self-service terminal, an alteration operation in the case that a card exists in a card reader of the self-service terminal, to make the card feeding portion unable to receive another card and prevent the another card from being placed in the card feeding portion. Also provided is a card substitution prevention apparatus for a self-service terminal. The method can effectively protect a card of a customer and prevent the card of the customer from being stealthily substituted, thereby improving service quality of a self-service terminal and maintaining trade credit of a merchant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing to avoid counting shelf edge promotional labels when counting product labels. Shelf edges are identified by detecting shelf edge content in a captured image by comparing the image to reference images of shelf edge content. Detected occurrences of shelf edge content are demarcated using a geometric pattern having corners at coordinates corresponding to positions around the identified shelf edge content. Corresponding corners are grouped into clusters, and the clusters are analyzed to define the upper and lower bounds of a shelf region in the image.

Abstract: Dynamic magnetic stripe communications devices are provided as magnetic stripe emulators. A magnetic stripe emulator may include a coil. Drive circuits may be coupled to this coil in order to produce electromagnetic fields from the coil operable to communicate with a magnetic stripe reader.

Abstract: Automatic data collection devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and the like may be tested using ADC device test executables, modules, or processes stored at a variety of network locations. One or more sets of tests or work lists may be defined to facilitate testing. Tests may be identified by name and/or keyword. Keywords may be indicative one or more functionalities tested by the respective ADC device test module.

Abstract: A card medium processing may include a medium transfer unit to transfer the card medium along a transfer path; a motor to drive the medium transfer unit; a magnetic head installed in an area of the insertion slot, the magnetic head structured to detect the magnetic record carrier of the card medium; a detection sensor to detect a presence and a position of the card medium in the transfer path; and a control unit to control a transfer of the card medium by driving the motor in accordance with a detection result of the detection sensor. If it is an abnormal transfer operation, the control unit is structured to, at the time of ejecting the card medium, supply a write current to the magnetic head to delete at least a part of magnetic information recorded on the magnetic record carrier of the card medium.

Abstract: A technique for tamper protection in an electronic device is disclosed. A conductive mesh is affixed onto one or more interior surfaces of the outer housing of the device. The mesh includes one or more conductive traces coupled to one or more detectors within the device. The detector can detect an open-circuit or short-circuit condition resulting from an unauthorized attempt to open the housing, and output a signal to trigger an appropriate countermeasure. The electrical contacts along the trace that are monitored can be selected differently from one manufactured unit to the next, and can be selected based on a randomness function. The selection of contacts may be made during or after manufacturing of the device. The mesh can include multiple metal traces that run very close together, in parallel, across one or more interior surfaces of the housing, allowing detection of both open-circuit and short-circuit conditions.

Abstract: An image based optical code scanner is presented that determines the health of each of a plurality of image capture devices located within the optical code scanner. The optical code scanner first determines a baseline performance for each of the image capture devices by capturing statistics for each of the image capture devices during item scanning operations. The optical code scanner then periodically determines the current performance of each of the image capture devices and compares it with the baseline performance. An alert message is generated if the current performance of any image capture device falls below its baseline performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatic calibration of robotic mechanism functions according to accurate decoding and locating of target features using spot scanning For example, a robotic mechanism in a storage library has one or more integrated scanners that can acquire contrast and/or topographic scan data from a scan window that represents a profile of the scan window expected to have one or more target feature sets. The scan data can be decoded according to predefined target masks (e.g., target type-specific fit tables) at a number of decode threshold levels to estimate target feature values, which can be used to converge on (or otherwise generate) a purported target definition with purported feature values. The purported target definition can be used to facilitate various functions, such as automatic calibration of robotic mechanism positioning and object identification.

Abstract: The invention provides a chip-and-PIN reader device having a slot for accommodating a chip-and-PIN card, a set of electrodes adapted to come into contact with corresponding electrodes on the card when the card is inserted into the slot, and a means for ensuring correct registration between the electrodes on the card and the set of electrodes of the reader device. The means for ensuring correct registration may include two orthogonally disposed walls of the slot, against which the card is pushed. Alternatively, the means may include a pair of electrodes on each side of the set of electrodes of the reader, which are short-circuited when the chip electrodes are not correctly registered with the reader electrodes. The short-circuit is flagged to the user of the card. The reader may also be equipped to read an MSR-type device.

Abstract: A data reading system including one or more imagers and a lower main housing structure with a horizontal surface and a horizontal window, across which items to be read are passed. At least one or more of the imagers in the data reading system is a part of a top-down data reader having a generally downwardly-facing field of view projecting through a scan window and onto the horizontal surface and the horizontal window. The top-down data reader may be freely repositioned at a range of height positions and angular configurations for processing items of various dimensions. The data reading system may further include a calibration system for assisting in adjusting the field of view of the top-down data reader to ensure proper aim and focus of the top-down data reader after adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an initial point for a scan path may include acquiring, using a mobile device, an image of an object, the image comprising decodable indicia. Using the mobile device, data is decoded from the decodable indicia. Indicia dimensions of the decodable indicia are determined based on the data, and image dimensions of the decodable indicia in the image are determined. An initial location of the mobile device is calculated relative to the decodable indicia based on a geometric relationship between the indicia dimensions of the decodable indicia and the image dimensions of the decodable indicia in the image.

Abstract: A method for operating an indicia reader such as a laser scanner is provided. The method affords a simplified technique for monitoring the offset between the drive frequency and the resonant oscillation frequency of the laser scanner. The phase offset between the drive frequency and the sense frequency is monitored to derive the drive frequency's offset from the resonant oscillation frequency.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for detecting a malfunctioning electronic device. The technology can receive payment information for multiple successfully completed transactions, wherein the payment information includes card-present transactions and card-not-present transactions, and determine status of an electronic device based at least in part on the payment information for the successfully completed transaction.

Abstract: An automated system for reading optical codes includes a conveyor system to automatically transport objects and an object measurement system positioned along the conveyor system to measure the transported objects. In one configuration, the object measurement system generates model data representing three-dimensional models of the objects; multiple image capture devices positioned along the conveyor system capture images as the objects are transported to enable an optical code reading system to read optical codes that are captured in the images. An exception identification system associates optical codes with the three-dimensional models to determine whether an exception has occurred.

Abstract: A target is read in the presence of interference light. A photodetector generates an output signal composed of an information signal and an interference light signal. A rangefinder determines the distance of the target in a range of working distances. A controller adjusts a scan angle of a scan drive to a narrow value and adjusts an output power of a laser diode to a low power level when the target is determined to be far out in the range. The controller adjusts the scan angle to a wide value and adjusts the output power to a high power level when the target is determined to be close in the range. Signal processing circuitry processes the output signal with the information signal having a greater magnitude than that of the interference signal due to the high power level to mitigate the presence of the interference light. A power safety arrangement including dual power monitors checks the output power of the laser beam.

Abstract: A system and method for payment card quality assurance is provided. The system and method use a grid or similar graphic to optically accentuate card surface deformations in test cards. The grid enables a generic test that checks the quality across the whole card surface. Process card monitors with the grid pattern can be used to qualify card-manufacturing processes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel has a conveyor structure and a scanning system. The scanning system has a laser light source, an optics system, and a processor. In a calibration mode, the processor locates a central area of the conveyor structure and identifies a first location at which there is a height above the level of the central area according to a predetermined criteria. The processor identifies a second location that is offset, by a predetermined distance in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor structure, from the first location.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an IC card includes a storage unit, a receiving unit, and an executing unit. The storage unit is configured to store a file, store definition information to control the file, store a program designated by the definition information, and store command execution information to execute command processing corresponding to a command. The receiving unit is configured to receive the command. The executing unit is configured to interpret the command, execute the program on the basis of the definition information, and execute the command processing on the basis of the command execution information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include devices for storing and exchanging color space encoded images. The encoded images can store input data into high capacity multi-colored composite two-dimensional pictures having different symbols organized in specific order using sets in a color space. The encoding can include performing two-level error correction and generating frames based on the color space for formatting and calibrating the encoded images during decoding. The decoding can use the frames to perform color restoration and distortion correction. The decoding can be based on a pseudo-Euclidean distance between a distorted color and a color in a color calibration cells. In some embodiments, an encoded image can be further divided into sub-images during encoding for simplified distortion correction.

Abstract: Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods for detecting a malfunctioning device using a sensor. An electronic device, such as a card reader, can be coupled to a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The smartphone has an integrated sensor, such as a motion sensor. An application can run on the smartphone and can use the sensor to determine the status of the electronic device, for example using the motion sensor to determine that the card reader has a status of malfunctioning. The application can determine that the card reader is malfunctioning by analyzing the motion sensor data to detect movements indicating multiple card swipes. If the card reader did not read any data during the card swipes, the application can deduce that the card reader is malfunctioning. The application can cause a replacement card reader to be sent to replace the malfunctioning card reader.

Abstract: A test device for a magnetic stripe decoder chip includes a signal generator, a chip slot, a signal conversion circuit and a control unit. The signal generator sequentially outputs a plurality of test waveform signals. The signal conversion circuit includes at least one transformer, the transformer is used for converting the test waveform signals into a plurality of false track signals, and correspondingly outputting the false track signals to one of track signal receiving ends of the magnetic stripe decoder chip. The control unit receives at least one decoding string generated respectively by decoding the false track signals through the magnetic stripe decoder chip, and compares the at least one decoding string with a test string represented by the basic track signal, thereby determining a decoding function of the magnetic stripe decoder chip.

Abstract: A retail information network includes one or more POS scanning and checkout systems, each including (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem, and (ii) a cash register computer subsystem interfaced with the bar code symbol reading subsystem and a network infrastructure, and each having access to product and price data maintained in a product/price database. The bar code symbol reading subsystem includes a local predictive error event (PEE) data store for logging and storing predictive error events (PEEs) detected within the bar code symbol reading system, wherein said PEEs are subsequently sent to POS information servers used to create predictive error alerts (PEAs) and corresponding instructions to maintain and/or repair certain aspects of the bar code symbol reading system.

Abstract: Calibrating extrinsic parameters of an imaging system in an automated data reading system includes obtaining, from the imaging system, image data representing an imaged portion of a planar calibration target. The target is coupled to a housing of the automated data reading system and superimposed on a surface thereof. For example, the calibration target is placed on a conveyer surface, or it is printed on the housing of the automated data reading system. The imaged portion of the planar calibration target includes spaced-apart optical codes disposed at positions that coincide with predetermined locations of the automated data reading system to define known calibration-control points for the surface. Optical codes represented in the image data are decoded to obtain observed calibration-control points used for calibrating the extrinsic parameters based on differences between the known and observed locations of the calibration-control points.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing test procedures for measuring and defining the sensitivity of payment devices to ESD (electrostatic discharge) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of test equipment in a controlled environment are used to measure the peak discharge current (Ip) when a payment device is inserted into a charge/discharge device during several simulated conditions. Energy levels of the discharge currents are calculated using an energy calculation program. One or more reference current and energy levels are determined.

Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus is set forth for measuring structural sizes or object sizes which has a light reception element for converting received light into image data, a reception optics arranged before the light reception element as well as an evaluation unit which is configured to identify structures or objects in the image data, to determine its dimensions in picture elements and to convert the dimensions into absolute, in particular metric, units of length with reference to a scaling factor, wherein the scaling factor can be determined in a calibration procedure. In this respect, the evaluation unit is configured to locate code regions in the image data and to read out code information from the code regions and to calculate the scaling factor during the calibration procedure from dimensions of a calibration code whose code information includes a size indication for the calibration code in the absolute units of length.

Abstract: A test device for a magnetic stripe decoder chip includes a signal generator, a chip slot, a signal conversion circuit and a control unit. The signal generator sequentially outputs a plurality of test waveform signals. The signal conversion circuit includes at least one transformer, the transformer is used for converting the test waveform signals into a plurality of false track signals, and correspondingly outputting the false track signals to one of track signal receiving ends of the magnetic stripe decoder chip. The control unit receives at least one decoding string generated respectively by decoding the false track signals through the magnetic stripe decoder chip, and compares the at least one decoding string with a test string represented by the basic track signal, thereby determining a decoding function of the magnetic stripe decoder chip.

Abstract: A card reading machine includes a card reader for reading data on a magnetic card and a device for preventing reading of the data on the magnetic card by illegal card reading devices operatively associated with the card reading machine. The device for preventing may include an oscillator, a driver circuit and a coil for generating electromagnetic signals similar to data on a card. A method for preventing reading of data on a magnetic card by in illegal card reader in operative association with an apparatus having a card reader intended to read the data on the magnetic card includes producing a signal ruining the data collected by the illegal card reader. The apparatus having a card reader may include an insertion slot in which case the method may further include producing the signal near the insertion slot.

Abstract: A system and method for auto-calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel to determine the orientation of one or more cameras with respect to a range finder and a conveyor belt comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, at least one range finder having an orientation, at least one camera having an orientation and at least one calibration object having at least one indicia disposed in a predetermined relationship to one or more features of the at least one calibration object, capturing at least one image of the at least one calibration object by the at least one camera, electronically detecting the at least one calibration object at least one indicia and the one or more object features and electronically calculating at least one component of the at least one camera orientation with respect to the moveable surface in response to information obtained from the image and the at least one calibration object at least one indicia.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the performance of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, comprising: a drive motor, that is driven according to a preset speed; a turntable, that is fixed on to a plane of drive motor, said turntable including a gadget to fasten the label, the gadget makes the under-test label perpendicular to the plane and rotates with the turntable; a reader antenna, that is set to a fixed position around the turntable and connected to the under-test reader, wherein direction of main lobe axes of the reader antenna and direction of the main lobe axes of antenna built in the under-test label are in the same plane. The present invention utilizes circular motion in the lab to simulate rectilinear motion in the practical application. The present invention reduces the volume of RFID test device and the space in the lab, and improves the flexibility of the test.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing test procedures for measuring and defining the sensitivity of payment terminals to ESD (electrostatic discharge) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of test equipment in a controlled environment are used to measure the peak discharge current (Ip) when a payment device is inserted into a payment terminal during several simulated conditions. Energy levels of the discharge currents are calculated using an energy calculation program. One or more reference current and energy levels are determined.

Abstract: A system and a method for testing a magnetic stripe decoding chip are provided. The system includes a host, a digital-to-analog converter, and a testing device. The host outputs simulation signal data. The digital-to-analog converter receives the simulation signal data and generates a test waveform signal representing a test string. The testing device includes a signal input terminal, a signal conversion circuit, a chip slot, and a processor. The terminal receives the test waveform signal. The chip slot is configured to receive a decoding chip. The circuit includes a transformer connected between the terminal and the chip slot, and is configured to couple the test waveform signal into a pseudo track signal. The processor receives a decoded string generated after decoding the pseudo track signal by the decoding chip. Through comparing the decoded string with the test string, a decoding function of the decoding chip can be determined.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.

Abstract: A device (110) for evaluating an electromagnetic field strength/field geometry of an electromagnetic gate apparatus (120) is provided, the device (110) comprising a measurement unit (112) adapted for receiving a measurement signal from the electromagnetic gate apparatus (120) and determining a value of the field strength of said measurement signal, a communication unit (114) adapted for receiving command data from the electromagnetic gate apparatus (120) and adapted for sending response datato the electromagnetic gate apparatus (120). Optionally, the device (110) comprises an evaluation unit (116,118) adapted for evaluating the electromagnetic field geometry of the electromagnetic gate apparatus (120) based on said values of the field strength received from the measurement unit (112).

Abstract: A method for calibration in the field of imaging systems and imaging systems using the method for calibration. In particular, the method involves calibration in the field of open loop variable focus imaging systems and methods for calibration in the field of imaging system having a variable optical parameter.

Abstract: An automated system for reading optical codes includes a conveyor system to automatically transport objects and an object measurement system positioned along the conveyor system to measure the transported objects. In one configuration, the object measurement system generates model data representing three-dimensional models of the objects; multiple image capture devices positioned along the conveyor system capture images as the objects are transported to enable an optical code reading system to read optical codes that are captured in the images. An exception identification system associates optical codes with the three-dimensional models to determine whether an exception has occurred.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and printing RFID record members with a continuous moving web is provided. In particular, a printer such as a RFID printer is capable of encoding an inlay or multiple inlays within a record member while the web is continuously moving. While a record member is being encoded on a moving web, the record member may be printed upon when a leading edge of a record member reaches the print position.