Abstract: A card reader includes a digital connector such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug or an Apple® Lightning® plug. The digital connector includes a corresponding connector interface, which provides voltage to at least a card reader interface and an integrated circuit (IC) of the card reader. The card reader interface outputs an analog transaction information signal upon reading the card. The IC generates a digital version of the analog transaction information signal, encrypts the digital version, converts that into an analog audio signal. The audio signal can then be sent to the connector interface, which converts it into a digital signal such as a USB or Apple® Lightning® signal that is sent by the digital connector to a mobile device. Alternately, the audio signal can be sent to a microcontroller that converts the audio signal to a digital format such as USB, and then to the digital connector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a code number generator that generates, when an operation reception unit receives user's designation of a number of tickets to be issued, a code key, and an encryption method, an encrypted code number for each of the designated number of tickets, with respect to each ticket number sequentially allocated to the designated number of tickets, using the designated code key and encryption method, a distinction image generator that generates, for each tickets, a distinction image containing the code number generated for each of the ticket, and a controller that adds, in each of the designated number of tickets, the distinction image of each of the tickets generated by the distinction image generator, to image data of an original of the ticket read by a document reading unit, and causes a printing unit to print each of the designated number of tickets.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer storage media, and user interfaces are provided for vacation tracking and providing marketing analytics. Check-in information for a group of people is received. A tracking device is associated with each of one or more persons associated with the group of people. Each tracking device associated with the one or more persons is activated. One or more boundaries are received from the user or location. The one or more boundaries may define safe areas associated with the location. Tracking information associated with locations of each of the one or more persons is provided. Alerts initiated by the tracking device may be provided to the user. Incentives are provided to the user and may be based on tracking information received by the location to encourage the user or the one or more persons to move to another area within the location.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment a data collection system including a data collection terminal having an encoded information reader device and a computer spaced apart from the data collection terminal. The data collection terminal in one embodiment can be configured to be responsive to configuration data expressed in an extensible markup language.

Abstract: A card reader may include a card conveying passage; and a card conveying mechanism. The card conveying mechanism may include a motor; a conveying roller; and a power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism may include a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear, a first support shaft structured to support the first gear and the third gear in a rotatable manner; and a second support shaft structured to support the second gear and the fourth gear in a rotatable manner. An axial direction of the first support shaft coincides with the first direction, and an axial direction of the second support shaft coincides with the first direction. The first gear and third gear overlap each other in the axial direction of the first support shaft, and the second gear and fourth gear overlap each other in the axial direction of the second support shaft.

Abstract: A method for performing image decompression. The method includes identifying a pixel in an image, wherein the image comprises a plurality of tiles including color data that is displayed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each tile is associated with a base value, a delta value, and a plurality of indices. One or more tiles associated with the pixel are identified. An interpolated base is determined by interpolating decompressed bases of the one or more tiles. An interpolated delta is determined by interpolating deltas of the one or more tiles. An index is determined for the pixel. A color value is determined for the pixel based on the interpolated base, interpolated delta, and the index.

Abstract: A card reader and an electronic protection module thereof are provided. The electronic protection module includes a circuit substrate, a first outer cover, a second outer cover, first communicated pieces, second communicated pieces, a first soft circuit board, and a second soft circuit board. The first soft circuit board covers a magnetic-card signal reading element located on a surface of the circuit substrate, the second soft circuit board covers a chip-card signal reading element located on the other surface of the circuit substrate, and the first outer cover and the second outer cover respectively cover the outside of the first soft circuit board and the outside of the second soft circuit board, to achieve a coating function of a stereoscopic box shape. Two sides of the circuit substrate are covered for protection, so that the card reader having card swiping and card inserting functions is provided with a protection mechanism.

Abstract: A method is presented for taking an unknown field of transponders and converting them to a slotted Aloha architecture and increasing the throughput allowed by the slotted Aloha architecture by using several different techniques including shortening the time of empty and collided timeslots, implementing a unique random number generator that creates random numbers that are uniquely based on an individual tags location, and on an ability to estimate the total number of transponders and control the offered rate such that throughput is always maximum. While these techniques work well together and produce the most benefit when used together, they are independent techniques and any one may be used alone without the others. Thus a system might use the estimated total number of transponders technique and the timeslot shortening technique, but use a standard random number generator rather one based on transponder location with only a small decrease in overall performance.

Abstract: Method and device of facilitating online interactions using dynamic barcodes are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving, from a first device, an interaction set-up request including information for an online interaction awaiting execution; in response to the interaction set-up request, generating an initial barcode in accordance with the interaction set-up request, wherein the initial barcode is configured to initiate subsequent execution of the online interaction when the initial barcode is scanned by a scanning device before expiration of the initial barcode; sending the initial barcode to the first device, wherein the first device is configured to cause the initial barcode to be displayed on a display device; and after sending the initial barcode, sending an updated barcode to the first device in accordance with predetermined barcode expiration criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for authenticating and/or identifying persons, objects, service systems or computer programs, in which a static, unchanging security feature that is characteristic of the person, the object, the service system or the computer program, is created or used, which is subsequently altered under the influence of an unforeseeable factor and thereby converted into a dynamic security feature. Positive authentication is obtained, when the dynamic security feature has at least been partly changed by a dynamic factor between two query times in comparison with the static security feature stored in the storage medium, wherein the static security feature stored in the storage medium corresponds to the most recently updated, altered dynamic security feature from the last query time. Further, the invention relates to an authentication system, in which dynamic security features originate from a static security feature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a cover glass having a display surface, a pixelated photoemitting element array, and a pixelated photodetecting element array. The pixelated photoemitting element array emits a light signal through the cover glass to the display surface. The pixelated photodetecting element array is positioned relative to the pixelated photoemitting element array and the cover glass to receive a reflected light signal. The reflected light signal includes a portion of the emitted light signal reflected by total internal reflection from a refractive boundary at the display surface. Operation of each pixel is switched between the one or more photodetecting elements and the one or more photoemitting elements by the pixel selector signal component received from the pixel selector signal bus. A sensing trigger is configured to trigger the imaging scan by the pixelated photoemitting element array and the pixelated photodetecting element array, responsive to detection of an initiating action.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting information from a scanned item having a plurality of regularly spaced row marks along at least part of a length of the scanned item are disclosed herein. The system can include a line scan camera that can generate a line of pixels of a portion of the scanned item in an imaging area; a feed device coupled to the line scan camera; and a timing circuit. The feed device can move at least a portion of the scanned item through the imaging area, and the timing circuit can provide a plurality of capture signals to the line scan camera. The timing circuit can vary a time interval between capture signals based on a number of pixels between adjacent row marks along at least a portion of the length of the scanned item.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a method for tamper-proof protection of containers used for shipment of goods. An optical fiber is embedded in an Optical Shield Wallpaper which lines all interior surfaces of any size of a shipping container, package, box, barrel or other shaped container. Wallpaper is manufactured using large scale rollers that press fibers with encapsulated adhesives onto an appropriate medium. Small medicine containers are protected with a fiber optic shield and sensors manufactured using ink jet printing techniques. Light is applied to the optical fiber and a measurement of optical fiber characteristics is performed. Digital signal processing is used to generate pedigree information, which may include items such as shipping location, serial numbers and lot numbers for the goods. The status of the autonomous anti-tampering system is monitored real-time for unauthorized intrusions. Intrusions detected are relayed to an authorized recipient via a variety of communication channels.

Abstract: We disclose a method of tagging pharmaceutical and nutritional products with nanoparticles which include noble metals. The disclosure describes a plurality of nanoparticles each with either a different size and/or shape. The nanoparticles of different sizes and shapes are distinguishable using spectroscopic techniques because each is associated with different optical properties and have a different spectral signature. The different optical properties are at least due to the unique size or shape of the nanoparticles. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles may be associated with a different characteristic of the tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product. The method includes mixing the nanoparticles with or adhering the nanoparticles to the tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product. Two or more of the plurality of nanoparticles may be mixed with or adhered to the tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product in a ratio and the ratio may be associated with a characteristic of the product.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: A pharmacy medication verification system is particularly useful for verifying medications to be dispensed to hospital patients while minimizing or eliminating verification by a pharmacist. Typically, a technician or robot picks the medications from storage bins in accordance with a medical prescription or stocking order and uses various sensors to ensure that the correct medication was picked and enters a medication container. The system typically provides correct and incorrect medication indicators as well as correct and incorrect entry indicators. Error reports may be generated when appropriate to communicate any relevant errors to the pharmacist, who can then verify that the correct medications are in the container. In one aspect, the containers are in the form of patient drawers which fit within a cart for delivery to hospital rooms. A containment device may be used to secure the drawer of other container during the verification process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intelligent energy management system and an energy management method for a passive radio frequency tag. Digital conversion is performed on the amplitude of a DC signal absorbed and rectified by an inductance coil antenna of the tag, by providing an intelligent energy management module. The input terminal of the intelligent energy management module is respectively connected to a power supply voltage detection and judgment circuit and a demodulator circuit, and configured to judge the level of charge and enabling state of the tag; and the output terminal thereof is respectively connected to a discharge path, a bias current source and an analog circuit module, and configured to bring the analog circuit module into the optimal operating state according to the enabling state of the tag, or to turn-off/get dormant each analog circuit module thus to reduce power consumption of the tag and improve the sensitivity of the tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of radio frequency identification, in particular to a rectifier and limiter circuit having a plurality of time constants and a passive radio frequency tag containing this rectifier and limiter circuit. By applying analog control signals with different time constants to control terminals of two discharge paths of the rectifier and limiter circuit, respectively, i.e., adjusting the voltage amplitude at different switching speeds, switching the two discharge paths from a completely open state to a completely closed state is realized. Discharging is performed properly according to the amount of charge at antenna terminals and the level of energy of the tag, thus to improve the demodulation capacity of the tag and increase the read-write distance of the tag.

Abstract: An exemplary security device includes a reader configured to read information stored on a credential device. The reader enters a sleep mode when not reading a credential device. A wake-up module includes an inductively coupled resonant circuit. The wake-up module is configured to detect a credential device near the reader if the credential device has a resonant frequency corresponding to a frequency of an electromagnetic field of the inductively coupled resonant circuit that is controlled by a stable oscillator. The wake-up module is configured to provide an indication to wake-up the reader from the sleep mode responsive to detecting a change in power of the electromagnetic field caused by the credential device.

Abstract: Various embodiments enable a video messaging experience which permits the exchange of short video messages in an asynchronous manner. The video messaging experience preserves the video intimacy and experience of synchronous-type video communications, while at the same time provides the convenience of SMS-type message exchange.

Abstract: A hologram module includes a phosphor layer and a rainbow hologram sheet. The phosphor layer has a phosphor array structure. The rainbow hologram sheet has a first display layer and a second display layer. The first display layer is disposed on the phosphor layer and has a first barcode array corresponding to the phosphor array structure. The second display layer is disposed on the first display layer and has a second barcode array corresponding to the first barcode array. The phosphor array structure, the first barcode array and the second barcode array are chromatic. A color of the phosphor array structure meets with a color combined by the first barcode array and the second barcode array so as to display a hologram image converted from light emitted by the phosphor array structure via the first and second barcode arrays.

Abstract: A reader system and an imaging device are provided. The reader system is configured to read a tag attached to an item at a location relative to a barcode. The barcode is associated with the item. Once the reader system identifies the tag, the imaging device uses the placement of the tag and/or features of the tag to identify and read the barcode. The imaging device may also identify the tag. Once the barcode is identified, the barcode and the tag are associated.

Abstract: Dual gate FD-SOI transistors are used as MOSFET capacitors to replace passive well capacitors in analog microcircuits. Use of the dual gate FD-SOI devices helps to reduce unstable oscillations and improve circuit performance. A thick buried oxide layer within the substrate of an FD-SOI transistor forms a capacitive dielectric that can sustain high operating voltages in the range of 1.2 V-3.3 V, above the transistor threshold voltage. A secondary gate in the FD-SOI transistor is used to create a channel from the back side so that even when the bias voltage on the first gate is small, the effective capacitance remains higher. The capacitance of the buried oxide layer is further utilized as a decoupling capacitor between supply and ground. In one example, a dual gate PMOS FD-SOI transistor is coupled to an operational amplifier and a high voltage output driver to produce a precision-controlled voltage reference generator.

Abstract: Dual gate FD-SOI transistors are used as MOSFET capacitors to replace passive well capacitors in analog microcircuits. Use of the dual gate FD-SOI devices helps to reduce unstable oscillations and improve circuit performance. A thick buried oxide layer within the substrate of an FD-SOI transistor forms a capacitive dielectric that can sustain high operating voltages in the range of 1.2 V-3.3 V, above the transistor threshold voltage. A secondary gate in the FD-SOI transistor is used to create a channel from the back side so that even when the bias voltage on the first gate is small, the effective capacitance remains higher. The capacitance of the buried oxide layer is further utilized as a decoupling capacitor between supply and ground. In one example, a dual gate PMOS FD-SOI transistor is coupled to an operational amplifier and a high voltage output driver to produce a precision-controlled voltage reference generator.

Abstract: Method and device of facilitating online interactions using dynamic barcodes are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving, from a first device, an interaction set-up request including information for an online interaction awaiting execution; in response to the interaction set-up request, generating an initial barcode in accordance with the interaction set-up request, wherein the initial barcode is configured to initiate subsequent execution of the online interaction when the initial barcode is scanned by a scanning device before expiration of the initial barcode; sending the initial barcode to the first device, wherein the first device is configured to cause the initial barcode to be displayed on a display device; and after sending the initial barcode, sending an updated barcode to the first device in accordance with predetermined barcode expiration criteria.

Abstract: A magnetic currency verification head may include a magnetoresistive sensor chip, and a magnetic bias unit disposed on the side of the magnetoresistive sensor chip away from the detection surface of the magnetic currency verification head, and separated from the magnetoresistive sensor chip; the magnetoresistive sensor chip comprises a gradiometric bridge circuit that includes magnetic sensor elements; the sensitive direction of the magnetic sensor elements is parallel to the detection surface of the magnetic currency verification head; and the magnetic bias unit has a recessed magnetic structure configured such that the magnetic field generated by the magnetic bias unit only has a small magnetic field component in the direction parallel to the detection surface, thereby enabling the magnetic sensor elements to operate in their linear range. As a result, the magnetic currency verification head has high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A contactless coupler is disclosed. The contactless coupler has an inductive coupling element adapted to transmit and/or receive power by inductive magnetic coupling and a capacitive coupling element adapted to transmit and/or receive a data signal by capacitive coupling. The capacitive coupling element comprises one or more capacitive electrodes disposed at an end of the coupler.

Abstract: Provided are a payment service system, a payment service apparatus and method thereof. A personal barcode is issued for each user, an integrated barcode is generated by mapping the personal barcode with a product barcode, and the integrated barcode is changed for a preset period by setting the integrated barcode to only be valid during a preset period when performing a payment using the integrated barcode. Accordingly, security can be improved.

Abstract: A card reader may include a card insertion part which is formed with an insertion port into which the card is inserted; and a magnetic sensor which is provided in the card insertion part and is structured to detect whether magnetic data are recorded on the card or not. The magnetic sensor may be disposed so as to secure a space between the card inserted into the insertion port and the magnetic sensor. The magnetic data may be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the card. When viewed in a thickness direction of the card which is inserted into the insertion port, a magnetism detection direction of the magnetic sensor may be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A card reader may include a conveying passage; a magnetic head structured to abut with a magnetic stripe on the card; a head moving mechanism structured to move the magnetic head in a widthwise direction of the conveying passage between an abutting position and a retreated position; an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs to contact a plurality of external connection terminals of an IC chip formed on the card; and a contact block moving mechanism structured to move the IC contact block between a contact position retreated position. The conveying passage may be formed with an opening part through which the magnetic head is passed. The magnetic head may be located at the head abutting position and is abutted with the one face of the card at a time when the IC contact springs and the external connection terminals are contacted with each other.

Abstract: A data storage control apparatus includes a compression part that performs lossless compression for reducing a data amount on image data that is in units of blocks, a determination element for determining whether lossless compression is possible or not, and a storage control part that performs storage control for, if the determination element has determined that lossless compression is possible, causing data obtained through lossless compression to be stored as compressed data in a storage part, and if the determination element has determined that lossless compression is not possible, causing the image data in units of blocks to be stored in the storage part.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring a three-dimensional (3D) printer during the performance of a print job are described herein. An example of a system in accordance with the present techniques includes a camera to generate an image of a 3D print job in progress. The system also includes a baseline image generator to generate a baseline image based on a 3D model of the object to be printed. The system also includes a monitoring engine to compare the image with the baseline image to determine a status of the 3D print job and trigger an alarm if the 3D print job fails.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a communication interface, an image processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, a plurality of imaging assemblies communicatively coupled to the image processing circuit, and one or more memory blocks communicatively coupled to the image processing circuit. Each imaging assembly of the plurality of imaging assemblies can be configured to output image frame data. The image processing circuit can be configured to receive the image frame data from at least one imaging assembly, buffer the image frame data received from at least one imaging assembly in at least one memory block, and/or process the image frame data received from at least one imaging assembly. The EIR terminal can be configured to output image frame data comprising decodable indicia and/or decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader system and an imaging device are provided. The RFID reader system is configured to read an RFID tag attached to an item at a location relative to a barcode. The barcode is associated with the item. Once the RFID reader system identifies the RFID tag, the imaging device uses the placement of the RFID tag and/or features of the RFID tag to identify and read the barcode. The imaging device may also identify the RFID tag. Once the barcode is identified, the barcode and the RFID tag are associated.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic device with a touch screen includes detecting a sequence of touch inputs within a predefined area on the touch screen; determining a sequence of dots and bars according to the sequence of touch inputs; and performing a predefined function on the electronic device when the sequence of dots and bars conforms to a predefined sequence of dots and bars.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of reading the screen of a mobile computing device. The apparatus is an imaging scanner that includes a NFC device having a NFC antenna. The imaging scanner also includes an illumination system operative to illuminate a target object with illumination light. Under a first condition that no NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a first illumination light with a first intensity. Under a second condition that the NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a second illumination light with a second intensity. The second intensity is less than the first intensity.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that obtains an end user assistance for an identified item within a geographic locale.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting from at least one of the imaging sensors to a controller a short frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a first illumination level. The method further includes transmitting subsequently from the at least one of the imaging sensors to the controller a regular frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a second illumination level that is determined based upon the short frame data. The size of the regular frame data being at least 50 times larger than the size of the short frame data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for managing multiple objects in an object zone. The system comprises multiple machine-readable object identification tags configured to be respectively attached to the multiple objects; a storage unit moving through the object zone to store the selected objects which are respectively attached with the machine-readable object identification tags; at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag attached to the storage unit; and multiple spaced reading units capable of remotely reading the multiple machine-readable object identification tags and the at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag, wherein the objects attached with the machine-readable object identification tags within a predefined spatial range defined based on the at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag are associated with the storage unit. A method thereof and a storage unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, an RFID reading device, and a display. The portable RFID reading terminal can be configured to display a scan trace provided by a line comprising a plurality of time varying points. Each point can be defined by a projection of a radio frequency (RF) signal coverage shape of the RFID reading device onto a chosen plane at a given moment in time.

Abstract: A card reader may include a card conveying mechanism structured to convey the card; a magnetic head which is structured to abut with the card and performs at least one of reading of magnetic data recorded on the card and recording of magnetic data on the card; a head moving mechanism structured to move the magnetic head in a longitudinal direction of the card; and an abutting part structured to abut with one end of the card in the short-side direction of the card. The head moving mechanism may be configured such that, while the card conveying mechanism holds the card in a state that the one end of the card in the short-side direction of the card is pressed against the abutting part, the magnetic head is moved in the longitudinal direction of the card to perform at least one of reading and recording of magnetic data.

Abstract: The invention provides a chip-and-PIN reader device, which includes a slot for a chip card and a plurality of keys including numeric keys 0-9 and possibly an enter key and a restart key. The enter key is used to indicate to the device that the PIN has been fully entered and the restart key is used to indicate to the device that a mistake has been made in entering the PIN and that the PIN is to be re-entered. A set of electrodes is provided for making contact with corresponding electrodes on the chip card. A reading means connected to the set of electrodes reads the entered PIN and the card-number data stored on the chip. A comparing means compares the PIN entered by the user with the PIN stored on the chip and provides a signal indicative of a wrong entered PIN. A restart means is provided, which allows the PIN to be re-entered.

Abstract: A multi media payment device includes a banknote acceptor and a RF card reader, and also may include a magnetic card reader. A bezel assembly for connection to the bill acceptor preferably includes a reader unit to read magnetic swipe cards and contactless chip cards.

Abstract: An RFID reader for tracking a plurality of RFID tags, the RFID reader comprising an array of multilayer antennas each multilayer antenna comprising a first coil and a second coil, the first coil being superimposed above the second coil; and an electronics unit configured to transmit a signal to and receive and process information from each multilayer antenna.

Abstract: An RFID reader is provided that includes an antenna array comprising multiple antenna elements circumferentially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the antenna array. Each antenna element includes multiple patch elements disposed above one or more underlying substrates, wherein the patch elements of each antenna element are disposed on an outer side of the antenna element. Further, one or more of the antenna elements is an asymmetric antenna element, wherein a first end of the asymmetric antenna element is wider than a second, opposite end of the asymmetric antenna element, wherein a first patch element disposed proximate to the first end of the asymmetric antenna element is larger than a second patch element disposed proximate to the second end of the asymmetric antenna element, and wherein a resonant frequency associated with the first patch element is approximately the same as a resonant frequency associated with the second patch element.

Abstract: A trigger signal generating device outputs a trigger signal activating an IC tag. The trigger signal generating device includes first and second trigger coils placed at a predetermined separation distance and each having predetermined magnetic field intensity distribution. Each of the first and second trigger coils includes attenuating means for attenuating intensity of a magnetic field generated by the first and second trigger coils to a predetermined level that allows the ID tag to detect trigger IDs of the first and second trigger coils on a side on which the first and second trigger coils are provided, and that does not allow the ID tag to detect the trigger ID of the first trigger coil on an opposite side to the side on which the first and second trigger coils are provided.

Abstract: A credit card reader shields a credit card, stores data from one or more credit cards simultaneously and then selectively broadcasts data associated with one of the cards. A slim, electromagnetically shielding housing has a cavity and a card reader for reading data from a credit card received in the cavity. A processor connects the card reader to a memory component, and connects both to an RFID device, where the credit card data can be broadcast to an RFID reader. A control interface allows a user to initiate reading credit card data, to select a card data set to store in memory, or to broadcast a dataset. A display shows transaction information and stored card data. A retractable input/output plug can engage a socket on another device to transmit and receive data. A memory card device can selectively store credit card data and transaction data.

Abstract: An electro-optical code reading terminal for dynamically switching mode of operation from a printed code reading mode to an electronically displayed code reading mode is provided. The electro-optical code reading terminal measures and monitors, using one or more magnetic sensors, a magnetic field experienced at the electro-optical code reading terminal. When the electro-optical code reading terminal device determines that a change in the measured magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time period, the electro-optical code reading terminal device infers presence of an electronically displayed code. The electro-optical code reading terminal device then switches its mode of operation from the printed code reading mode of operation to the electronically displayed code reading mode of operation.