Abstract: Disclosed is a card reader which has a comparatively simple construction and is capable of appropriately detecting whether or not a magnetic head for skimming has been attached thereto. A card reader is provided with: a magnetic head which reads magnetic data recorded on a card and/or records magnetic data onto a card; a card insertion unit which has an insertion opening into which a card is inserted formed therein; and a metal sensor (which detects that a foreign body containing metal material has been attached to the front surface side of the card insertion unit. The metal sensor is arranged in substantially the same position as the arrangement position of the magnetic head, in the width direction of the card.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for use in RFID-based sensors and related methods are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID sensor system includes an RFID device having a near field only RFID tag and a conductive element which functions as a far field antenna. The near field only RFID tag and the conductive element are located in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other; wherein in the first position, the RFID device only operates in a near field, and in the second position, the RFID device operates in both the near field and a far field. The system may also include an RFID reader and controller located within the far field to read the RFID device only when the components are located in the second position.

Abstract: A payment interface apparatus, system and method is disclosed. In particular, a payment interface apparatus for use in vending machines, gaming machines, or other, typically unattended machines that accept payments via a variety of payment methods is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system and method for determining and processing a transaction as a particular transaction type based upon the type of media used on a standardized financial transaction card. The interface apparatus includes a plurality of sensors to read one or a plurality of media on a single standardized financial transaction card in a single presentation of the card.

Abstract: Infrared light, which is non-readily visible, illuminates at least part of a field of view containing indicia to be electro-optically read. Visible light illuminates another field of view containing the same indicia. The indicia is read by image capture by the illumination light from one of the illuminated fields of view. The use of IR light minimizes an adverse reaction due to only using bright visible light. The use of visible light enables thermally printed indicia, which is not readily readable by IR light, to be read.

Abstract: An automated checkout system and method of operation for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap therebetween, where the item is transported across the gap as it moves between the conveyors. A first and second reading device are each positioned beneath the conveyor sections, where each reading device has a field of view projecting through the gap. The first reading device is configured to acquire a first set of scan data and the second reading device is configured to acquire a second set of scan data different from the first. In some embodiments, the first set of scan data may include two-dimensional area views of the encoded data, and the second set of scan data may include linescans of the encoded data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers in which the empty clamshells are packed for later use. In various methods, the clamshells are marked with traceability codes and stacked together, one traceability code is read from one of the clamshells in each stack, a unique identifier is read from a container, and the stack is placed in the container. The traceability code is stored in association with the unique identifier for later retrieval. An exemplary table for making clamshell-to-container associations comprises a scanner for reading traceability codes and rails for positioning stacks of clamshells proximate to the scanner. The table can also comprise a second scanner positioned to read unique identifiers from containers placed proximate thereto. The table can further comprise a computing system to make and store the associations.

Abstract: A system for authenticating an optical pattern created by exposing a magnetically sensitive material to one or more magnetic field sources. The system includes illumination sources configured to illuminate the optical pattern, sensors configured to generate sensed optical characteristic data when the optical pattern is illuminated, a memory configured to store a reference optical data associated with a reference optical pattern, and a processor configured to access the memory and compare the reference optical data to the sensed optical characteristic data in order to authenticate the optical pattern.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning a barcode with plurality of bars of different degrees of grayscale includes a processing unit and a plurality of scanning units connected to the processing unit. Each scanning unit includes a light emitting unit and a light sensing unit. When each light emitting unit emits light, each light sensing unit detects reflected light from the barcodes and generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light. The processing unit generates a code according to each electrical signal. All the generated codes comprise at least three different codes.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, an EIR device including a two-dimensional imaging device, a motion sensing device, and a communication interface. The EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to detecting a pre-defined pattern in a first plurality of values received from the motion sensing device, to store in the memory a point of origin equal to a first spatial position of the EIR terminal. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive to detecting a user interface command, to determine, based on a second plurality of values received from the motion sensing device, a second spatial position of the EIR terminal relative to the point of origin, and to acquire an image of the object. The EIR terminal can be further configured to determine the image scale factor based on at least the second spatial position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coloured magnetisable security element which is suitable for the protection/verification of articles to be protected against counterfeiting and copying, in particular documents of value, is machine-readable and has a specific absorption behaviour in the NIR region, to a method for the verification of a security element of this type, and to the use of the security element for the protection and/or verification of products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information reader wherein the degree of freedom of design can be increased, and magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium can be properly read. Specifically, the information reader comprises a medium passage through which the information recording medium having the magnetic information recorded passes, a magnetic head which is brought into contact with the information recording medium passing through the medium passage and reads the magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium, guide sections for guiding the information recording medium so that a force acts on the information recording medium and the magnetic head to push each other when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other, and a biasing mechanism which biases the magnetic head in the direction in which the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A mobile computer is described. The mobile computer includes a memory for storing a software application. A processor is coupled to the memory for executing the software application. A display is coupled to the processor for graphically displaying information generated by the software application. A card reader having a slot is coupled to the processor for receiving input from a data card. A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna is embedded in a portion of the card reader proximate to the slot. The RFID antenna includes at least one conductor that forms at least one loop for communicating with an RFID device positioned at least partially within the slot.

Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding coded data on an inserted card is disclosed. The device features a barcode scanner, a magnetic strip reader, and a digital camera for recording an image of the surface of a card. By providing these three scanning options, the device is capable of extracting data from virtually any ID card. The device can also be used to compare text or photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph or encoded data in a two dimensional barcode and to display both sets for comparison for added reliability. The device can also be used to verify the authenticity of virtually any ID card.

Abstract: An information processing device is provided with plural reading units, an inclination detection section, a selection section, a control section and a processing section. The reading units are equipped to read plural identifiers with different reading systems. The inclination detection section detects an inclination of a body of the device. The selection section selects one reading unit from the plural reading units in accordance with the inclination of the device body detected by the inclination detection section. The control section causes the identifiers to be read by the reading units selected by the selection section. The processing section processes information of the identifiers that have been read by the reading units.

Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) reading terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, and an RFID reading device including a directional antenna. The RFID reading device can be configured to output raw message data containing an encoded message and/or output decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The RFID reading terminal can further comprise an aiming light source configured to emit aiming light, and at least one aiming lens configured to direct the aiming light onto a target to produce a visible aiming pattern at least partially contained within a projection onto the target of a coverage shape of the RF signal emitted by the directional antenna.

Abstract: A system for collecting data comprising a mobile terminal for capturing a plurality of frames of image data, the mobile terminal having a first imaging assembly and a second imaging assembly, the first imaging assembly for capturing a first frame of image data representing a first object and the second imaging assembly for capturing a second frame of image data representing a second object, wherein the system for use in collecting data is operative for associating first frame information and second frame information, the first frame information including one or more of image data of the first frame of image data and information derived utilizing the image data of the first frame of image data, the second frame information including one or more of image data of the second frame of image data and information derived utilizing the image data of the second frame of image data.

Abstract: A non-magnetic card reader, a magnetic card reader and a card transaction method are provided to selectively read a magnetic card and a non-magnetic card for identification of payment transaction at a transaction terminal. The non-magnetic card reader includes an integrator module electrically connecting to the magnetic card reader and the transaction terminal. Each of the non-magnetic card reader, the magnetic card reader and the transaction terminal has one or more physical connectors compatible with a magnetic-card communication protocol. A non-magnetic card signal incorporated with card data of the non-magnetic card is converted by the integrator module to match the magnetic-card communication protocol and is selectively transmitted to a main controller of the transaction terminal for identification. A magnetic card signal from the magnetic card reader incorporated with card data of the magnetic card is selectively transceived through the integrator module to the main controller for identification.

Abstract: A chip card receives and processes what-ever combination of contact data and contact-less data is available to allow multiple functionalities for the chip card. A micro-computer of the chip card is adapted to simultaneously receive and process contact data from a contact interface and contact-less data from a contact-less interface. In addition, the chip card includes a power voltage selector for selecting a contact bias to supply power to the micro-computer when-ever the contact bias voltage is available since the contact bias voltage is more stable than a contact-less bias voltage.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, an interference suppressing unit includes a closed-loop coil that forms a suppression area disposed in a propagation area where at least either one of the electromagnetic wave for power supply and the electromagnetic wave for transmission and reception of the ID information is propagated, and suppresses a magnetic-flux change based on the magnetic-flux change in the propagation area. At least one of an image pickup device and a carrier cable is disposed in the suppression area, and consequently, interference of the electromagnetic wave for power supply or the electromagnetic wave for transmission end reception of ID information that would otherwise propagate to a reading unit with the carrier cable thereof is suppressed. Thus, even if pickup image data of the RFID card and the ID information of the electronic tag are simultaneously obtained, the obtained pickup image data can be of high quality.

Abstract: A convertible barcode reader which includes different configurations for self-service operation and assisted-service operation. An example convertible barcode reader includes a first housing portion including a first barcode reader engine, and a second housing portion including a second barcode reader engine. The second housing portion is moveable between a first position recessed within the first housing portion and a second position extending from the first housing portion.

Abstract: Improved systems and techniques for imaging bar code processing. One or more cameras are deployed in a bar code scanner, oriented so that an imaging device of each camera is oriented such that rows of data elements in the imaging device are oriented nonorthogonally with respect to a preferred orientation of a bar code. One or more imaging devices captures bar code data representing light and dark spaces of the bar code. The captured bar code data is analyzed to create one or more rows of data completely transecting the bar code, and the rows of data are processed to generate a scan signal which is in turn processed to extract bar code data.

Abstract: A camera-based code reader (10) has an image sensor comprising a line-shaped reading area (18) for capturing an image line, an illumination unit (28, 30) for illuminating the reading area (18), an evaluation unit (46) configured to compose an image from successively captured image lines, and a decoding unit (48) for locating and decoding code information in the image. The code reader (10) further comprises an elongated base body (26) with a plurality of individual image sensors (32) mounted thereon, each of the individual image sensors (32) comprising a line-shaped individual reading area (18a-d), and the individual image sensors (32) together forming the image sensor by being oriented and arranged relative to one another so that the individual reading areas (18a-d) overlap to form the line-shaped reading area (18).

Abstract: An optical code reader (80,150,180,210) forms images of an optical code on an object (20). The reader (80,150,180,210) comprises first and second viewing surfaces generally transverse to one another. The surfaces bound a viewing volume (64) in which the object (20) may be imaged. The reader (80,150,180,210) also comprises a set of one or more imagers (60) positioned on an opposite side of one or more of the first and second viewing surfaces relative to the viewing volume (64), and oriented and configured to capture images of the object (20) from at least three different views (62). Each of the views (62) passes through one of said first and second viewing surfaces. At least one of said views (62) passes through the first viewing surface, and at least one of said views (62) passes through the second viewing surface. The reader (80,150,180,210) also comprises at least one mirror (130), off which is reflected at least one of the views (62).

Abstract: A portable data reader and methods of operation for reading encoded data, such as optical code labels and RFID tags, from an object. The data reader includes a housing adapted for handheld operation and a touch screen display supported on the housing. The data reader further includes one or more reading engines each associated with a set of decoding instructions for configuring the reading engines to read data from the object. The reading engines are each associated with a unique control gesture that may be applied to the touch screen display to configure the data reader with a particular reading engine. The portable data reader includes a processing subsystem communicatively coupled to the touch screen and the reading engines and operable to detect whether a control gesture has been applied to the touch screen display or rocker keys and then to configure the data reader with the selected reading engine.

Abstract: A hybrid-type bi-optical bar code symbol reading system having a vertical housing section having a vertical scanning window and a horizontal housing section having a horizontal scanning window, from which laser scanning planes are projected and intersect within a 3D scanning volume defined between the vertical and horizontal scanning windows. A digital imaging module is supported within the vertical section of the system housing and automatically projects a field of view (FOV) within the 3D scanning volume.

Abstract: A hybrid-type bi-optical bar code symbol reading system having a vertical housing section having a vertical scanning window and a horizontal housing section having a horizontal scanning window, from which laser scanning planes are projected and intersect within a 3D scanning volume defined between the vertical and horizontal scanning windows. A digital imaging module is supported within the vertical section of the system housing and automatically projects a field of view (FOV) within the 3D scanning volume when an object is detected in close proximity to the vertical scanning window of the system, providing an automatically-triggered digital imaging region in close proximity to the vertical scanning window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively attaching sensor(s) or antenna(s) to a mobile device at a convenient location are provided. The mobile device includes a body and a processing unit housed within the body for running an application, where the body includes a forward end and a rearward end that supports engagement with a charging dock. In addition, the rearward end accepts engagement of a snap-on module that physically assembles to and electronically interfaces with the mobile device. The antennas or sensors are externally mounted to the mobile device at a location proximate to the forward end of the body. Further, these antennas or sensors are interconnected to the snap-on module using media-routing conduit(s) that are configured to carry signals from the antennas or sensors to the snap-on module for distribution as an input to the application running on the processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes the primary components of an EAS system and a hand-supportable and countertop-supportable bar code symbol reading system having a housing with a light transmission window covered by an optically transparent faceplate having outer dimensions closely matched to the light transmission window. About the optically transparent faceplate, a faceplate bezel is mounted embodying a coil of electrically conductive wire having terminals connected to an electrical interface circuit, which is connected to a flexible EAS cable extending from the electrical interface circuit. The flexible EAS cable extends towards electrical drive circuitry associated with the EAS subsystem, for powering the coil during EAS tag deactivation operations controlled by the host computer system.

Abstract: A monitoring device may include a core cell including a detection circuit, and a radio frequency (RF) tag antenna configured to exchange data with a data acquisition reader device, and a single-tier corolla having sensor cells around the core cell and covering a monitoring area. The sensor cells may be configured to convert a change of a parameter at the cell location. The detection circuit may be configured to detect a change in the parameter and location based upon excitation by the reader device.

Abstract: A memory tag is a transponder device with a memory for storing digital content. Purchase-related information for a product is stored in such a memory tag. A write capability of the memory tag is disabled.

Abstract: A smart card that may include a first interface circuit to perform a first type interface with the outside using first and second pads; a second interface circuit to perform a second type interface with the outside using the first and second pads; and a mode selector to enable one of the first and second interface circuits according to whether a power supply voltage is supplied through a third pad.

Abstract: A scanner, method and system are provided for processing images captured by an optical code scanner. The optical code scanner includes multiple image sensors each adapted to capture an image of an optical code, and a processor that processes the captured images from the multiple image sensors to read the optical code presented to the optical code scanner.

Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for determining if an optical code is presented to an optical code scanner in either a printed form or on the display of an electronic device. Certain presentation characteristics of an optical code are different depending on whether the optical code is presented in printed form or on the display of an electronic device. The changes in the presentation characteristics require changes to certain parameters of the optical code scanner for the optical code to be read.

Abstract: An improved document scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner incorporates a set of emergency exit instructions so that a user can always retrieve sensitive documents at a moment's notice. These instructions include receiving an emergency exit command from a jamming sensor or from the user, and then attempting mechanical translation toward a first exit and further subsequent translation toward a second exit. If the document is not successfully retrieved, the scanner prepares for manual document extraction as detailed herein.

Abstract: An improved document or ID card scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. The scanner incorporates an internal motor and automatic multi-pass scanning function to quickly and accurately capture all data on a document. During these passes the document is imaged under a number of different lighting conditions and a magnetic strip is read multiple times. The document scanner can perform scans as the document moves in forward and reverse directions; and each scan occurs at a speed optimized to the particular scanning method and direction of the current pass. During the multiple passes, the document is scanned and or read at varying speeds for reliability and for different purposes as detailed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of using public key cryptography to determine the authenticity of a brand name product. The brand name product has a unique message personal to the owner of the brand name product and a digital signature which includes at least the encrypted unique personal message. The unique message and digital signature are authenticated using a public key.

Abstract: An optical indicia reading terminal configured to capture and process an image of decodable indicia can comprise a first image sensor and a second image sensor having overlapping fields of view. The optical indicia reading terminal can further comprise at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to convert analog signals read out of the two image sensors into first and second digital signals, respectively. The optical indicia reading terminal can further comprise a hand held housing encapsulating the two image sensors. The optical indicia reading terminal can further comprise a microprocessor configured to output a decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia by processing at least one of the two digital signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified, said reading device including a first reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified. The first reading element is a magneto-optical reading element; wherein the first reading element is adapted to conform to the tag or object adapted to be identified when brought into contact with the tag or object adapted to be identified.

Abstract: A hybrid optical code scanner, system and method are presented for alerting a user when one or more events related to a handheld imaging scanner, undocked from the hybrid optical code scanner, occur. The events include moving the handheld imaging scanner beyond it communication range, keeping the handheld imaging scanner undocked beyond a predetermined period of time and activation of a switch on the handheld imaging scanner.

Abstract: Techniques are addressed for control of an imaging scanner to supplement a laser scan line based scanner. Upon detection of the imaging scanner in a docked position, a lighting arrangement is automatically lit and the imager is triggered. Upon detection of the imaging scanner not in the docked position, the imaging scanner is not automatically lit, but rather is only lit upon manual trigger activation. As an alternative to the automatic lighting when docked, the lighting may be cued upon the imaging scanner being docked and an analysis of laser scan video detecting a barcode like object or upon detecting a barcode like object in the image field of the imaging scanner.

Abstract: The invention provides a remittance platform in which an enterprise, such as Wells Fargo, serves as a remittance transfer agent, where the remittance function is integrated with a bank. The invention allows access to the remittance program by both account holders with the enterprise and persons who do not have an account with the enterprise. The person accessing the service may pick the remittance service they want and the country they want. However, the service is not anchored to a particular account and can therefore work with both bank partners and non-bank partners and account holders and non-account holders. Further, the system may be private-labeled. Additionally, the invention provides a mechanism that allows one to send money easily to other countries and it allows bank partners to participate in the program easily as well. This is possible because the enterprise provides all of the processing in an integrated fashion.

Abstract: An illumination time of an illumination system and/or an exposure setting of an imaging system are adjusted by a proximity system operative for detecting a product entering a field of view in a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation. The proximity system includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light to the product, and an infrared sensor for sensing return infrared light from the product. Multiple predefined thresholds are stored for the sensed return infrared light, and a predefined illumination time and/or exposure setting are stored and assigned to each predefined threshold. Adjustment of the illumination time and/or of the exposure setting is performed by comparing the sensed return infrared light from the product in real time operation with the stored predefined thresholds.

Abstract: A reading system including: a primary reader for reading an information bearing device (IBD) having encoded IBD data provided therein for packetizing the encoded data and processing a first data packet of the packetized encoded data and transmitting a second data packet of the packetized encoded data; at least one auxiliary reader for receiving and processing the second data packet and the transmitting the processed second data packet; and wherein the processed first and second data packets are combined to produce decoded IBD data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for contactless programming of a memory element of an electronic device having a wireless short range communications interface. The method comprises performing an interrogation for detecting the presence of said wireless short range communications interface, receiving, responsive to said interrogation, data from said wireless interface, said data indicating a hardware configuration of said electronic device, selecting programming data for programming said memory element based on said hardware configuration, and transmitting said selected programming data to be received by said wireless short range communications interface.

Abstract: An EIR terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, and a radio frequency identifier (RFID) reading device including an antenna having a composite right- and left-handed (CRLH) structure. The antenna can comprise one or more spatially separated conductive cell patches mounted on a dielectric substrate, a feed pad mounted on the dielectric substrate, one or more conductive feed lines connected to the feed pad, and one or more ground planes mounted on the dielectric substrate. One or more conductive feed lines can be spatially separated from one or more conductive cell patches. One or more conductive cell patches can be connected by one or more vias to one or more conductive via lines.

Abstract: A convertible barcode reader which includes different configurations for self-service operation and assisted-service operation. An example convertible barcode reader includes a first housing portion including a first barcode reader engine, a second housing portion including a second barcode reader engine, and a hinge for coupling the second housing portion to the first housing portion between the first and second barcode reader engines. The second housing portion is moveable between a first position for self-service operation and a second position for assisted service operation.

Abstract: An illumination time of an illumination system and/or an exposure setting of an imaging system are adjusted by a proximity system operative for detecting a product entering a field of view in a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation. The proximity system includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light to the product, and an infrared sensor for sensing return infrared light from the product. Multiple predefined thresholds are stored for the sensed return infrared light, and a predefined illumination time and/or exposure setting are stored and assigned to each predefined threshold. Adjustment of the illumination time and/or of the exposure setting is performed by comparing the sensed return infrared light from the product in real time operation with the stored predefined thresholds.

Abstract: A card adapted to be read by a machine has certain patterns and physical characteristics unique to the card and includes electronic circuitry for storing selected of these characteristics. The machine includes apparatus for; (a) optically sensing selected characteristics of the card; (b) electromagnetically sensing information stored in the card; and (c) comparing optically sensed data with electromagnetically sensed data for validating the card. The machine further includes apparatus for selectively processing and updating the information stored on the card each time it reads the card.

Abstract: A structure for extending the field area of a device equipped with an RF tag reader. The structure can include at least one reader coupling area for inductively coupling with an RF tag reader, and at least one tag coupling area for inductively coupling with an RF tag, wherein the tag coupling area is disposed outside the field area of the RF tag reader, and the reader coupling area is conductively coupled to the tag coupling area such that a signal induced in the reader coupling area by the RF reader creates a signal in the tag coupling area, thereby inducing a signal in the tag, and allowing the RF reader to communicate with the tag.