Abstract: A system for confidentially retrieving data from a person, such as by authorized personnel. One embodiment provides a data carrier item such as jewelry, having encrypted data imparted upon the item in manner that is only intelligible after being unencrypted. Such data can be encrypted and/or invisibly disposed such that the data is not identifiable by the public, but can be quickly and accurately retrieved by authorized personnel.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor device includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cell transistors electrically connected between bit lines and source lines, wherein the memory array is partitioned into a plurality of memory blocks, and a source line driver configured to set a voltage level of the source lines to a reference voltage level. First and second wirings are respectively connected to a first monitoring position of the source lines and a second monitoring position of the source lines different from the first monitoring position. A selection circuit selects between the first and second monitoring positions. A source line voltage control circuit compares a source line voltage at a selected monitoring position, and outputs a result to the source line driver.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transaction product and an auxiliary vehicle. The transaction product includes a folded sheet configured to be repeatedly folded and unfolded between a collapsed position and an extended position. The folded sheet defines a substantially planar surface defining a printed track. The transaction product comprises an account identifier statically connected thereto. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The auxiliary vehicle includes a microcontroller, one or more sensors, a motor, and at least one movable component. The microcontroller actuates the motor to induce movement of the at least one movable component propelling the auxiliary vehicle along and following the printed track based on detection of a location of the printed track as determined by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An RFID tag or label or device includes an RFID chip and an antenna. The antenna is manufactured by weakening a portion of a foil material, which weakened portion may be in a tessellating pattern. The foil material is then placed in contact with adhesive on a substrate. The foil material and substrate are separated, so as to retain on the substrate the portion of the foil material in contact with the adhesive. The foil material remaining on the substrate defines an antenna, which may subsequently be electrically connected to an RFID chip to provide an RFID tag or label or device.

Abstract: A quick response (QR) code change event configured to cause a processor to change encoding of a displayed dynamic QR code is detected. The dynamic QR code includes an encoded unique value associated with an item displayed in a retail environment. Encoding of the dynamic QR code is changed to encode a new unique value. The new unique value is based upon a set of contemporaneous data elements associated with the item displayed in the retail environment. The changed dynamic QR code including the encoded new unique value is displayed in association with the item displayed in the retail environment.

Abstract: A system for reducing a processing time for a bank transaction is provided. The system includes a kiosk (102) which has (i) an input means (202) for receiving an information related to the bank transaction, (ii) a controller (204) which is configured to receive the information and generate a coded information; and (iii) a dispensing means (206) which dispenses a pre-processed receipt (104) which comprises the coded information (110).

Abstract: A graphic may include a consumable and having optically encoded information.

Abstract: A designer-adaptive visual code (32, 32?, 32?) includes a user-selected set glyphs (36, 36?, 36?, 36??), a user-selected set of allowable glyph orientations relative to a user-selected reference angle, and a user-selected spatial arrangement of the glyphs (36, 36?, 36?, 36??). The user-selected set of glyphs (36, 36?, 36?, 36??) has a size sufficient to recover geometric characteristics of at least one repeating code portion so as to generate an analyzable image when captured via a camera-equipped mobile device (26). The user-selected spatial arrangement of the glyphs (36, 36?, 36?, 36??) includes the at least one repeating code portion (34) to be visible on a surface from at least two different areas of the surface.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing interoperability between flat and interactive digital forms using machine-readable codes including accessing an interactive form document, extracting page dimensions for at least one page of the interactive form document, extracting a plurality of form field properties for at least one form field of the interactive form document, and generating a machine-readable code, wherein the machine-readable code comprises the extracted page dimensions and the plurality of form field properties. The method then embeds the machine-readable code into the interactive form document.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for information exchange using color space encoded images. A color space encoded image can be displayed, for example on media such as posters, billboards, or paper, or on a display of a first device such as smartphone displays, palmtop displays, camera displays, tablet displays, or e-reader displays. A second device can acquire the displayed encoded image, for example by photographing the image. The second device can decode the color space encoded image or transfer the color space encoded image to a device that decodes the image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for using color space encoded images to perform image-based information broadcasting. In certain aspects, the information broadcasting can include using the encoded images to broadcast information to multiple devices within view of the encoded images. Embodiments can also include broadcasting information independent of network availability. In certain aspects, a public display having a camera can register or capture a color space encoded image from a remote device, where the encoded image encodes a request for information from a user. The public display can send the encoded image to be decoded, and receive the decoded request for information. The public display can encode an encoded image representing a response, and display the encoded image representing a response for decoding by the user.

Abstract: A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of product unit specific indicators, each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedence of at least one threshold by at least one product quality determining parameter, an indicator reader operative to read the product unit specific indicators and to provide output indications and a product type specific indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product unit specific, product quality status outputs.

Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a method of generating a security feature that encodes data. The method comprises obtaining an n-bit code of data to encode, generating an arrangement of dots, designating a first portion of the dots as reference dots and a second portion of the dots as encoding dots, and moving a group of the designated encoding dots by a predetermined direction in a predetermined amount to encode the n-bit code of data.

Abstract: A method for marking an item including a shape memory polymer (SMP) having a visual readable and/or machine readable graphic element on the surface of the item. The method includes pretreating the surface of the item; colouring the surface of the item with a dye solution containing an organic dye and an organic solvent; cleaning and drying the surface of the item; and engraving by at least partially ablating the surface of the item. The dyeing process is suitable for colouring the surface of a shape memory polymer (SMP), wherein the information is engraved in a form of a code or other label on the coloured surface. The colouring causes an increased contrast and thus facilitates machine readability of marking and coding without affecting the other properties of the SMP.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for generating and verifying a color barcode are provided. The method for verifying the color barcode is adapted to an electronic apparatus to execute verification with use of a color barcode certificate. In the method, direction information of a plurality of boundaries among a plurality of serially connected symbolic elements in the color barcode certificate is read to retrieve first authentication information of a first party. Each of the symbolic elements is one of at least two polygons, and colors of adjacent symbolic elements are different. Color information of the symbolic elements is then read to retrieve second authentication information of a second party. An identity of a holder of the color barcode certificate is verified according to the first authentication information and the second authentication information.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner obtains a digital signature from an article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. The authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image is displayed with the matched digital signature to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: An RFIC element includes a capacitance therein. By this capacitance and an inductance of a loop-shaped conductor, an LC resonant circuit is provided. When UHF-band high-frequency power is supplied to the loop-shaped conductor from the RFIC element, the loop-shaped conductor is coupled to a flat conductor in an electromagnetic field by a current flowing through the loop-shaped conductor, and induced currents flow through the flat conductor. By propagation of the induced currents through the flat conductor, the flat conductor acts as a radiation element. It is preferred that the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the flat conductor be a half wavelength of the used frequency band. Accordingly, the flat conductor acts as a half-wave radiation element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating a two dimensional code comprises providing a two dimensional code comprising a cell, providing a picture comprising a patch corresponding to the cell of the two dimensional code, providing a plurality of cell patterns different from each other, wherein each cell pattern comprises a plurality of sub-cells, and determining one of the plurality of cell patterns for the cell of the two dimensional code according to the patch of the picture.

Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.

Abstract: A system employs combinations of marking media, each with respective distinguishing spectral characteristics to encode human comprehensible information in, and read human comprehensible information from, machine-readable indicia or symbols. Machine-readable indicia may be a single dot encoding information only in the combinations. Machine-readable symbols may be linear or two dimensional, spatially encoding information in the combinations, as well as spatially. A symbology may map at least the combinations to human-readable symbols or characters. A printer may form indicia or symbols with combinations of marking media. A reader may read indicia or symbols and decode information from at least the combinations of marking media. Different combinations may be visually homogenous, for example gray.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for displaying an animated digital watermark including the display of a mobile payment card on a mobile display screen, wherein the mobile payment card is linked to a payment system, and the display of an animated digital watermark on the mobile display screen to ensure authenticity of the displayed mobile payment card.

Abstract: In the field of information processing, the invention is related to an information embedded code, a method for generating an information embedded code, a method for embedding the code, and a method for reading the same. The invention is characterized by enabling distinguishing of product authenticity under natural light and using a standard mobile phone, and solves the problem of unifying authenticity identification for a general consumer and authenticity identification of an expert. An information embedded code is configured from a dot pattern enabling multi bits information to be written on the basis of the geometric placement or physical placement of an information dot relative to a specified reference dot. By adapting a new type of vertically-horizontally integrated virtual reference line the information embedded code according to this invention is capable of increasing the efficiency of code information recording.

Abstract: A powered card may include a plurality of types of sensors used to detect a read-head of a card reader. Detection of a read-head may include comparing characteristics of a detection event to characteristics of an expected detection event and/or a sequence of expected detection events. An inductive read-head sensor may include a coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communication device.

Abstract: A system of monitoring movable articles, e.g. for detecting counterfeits, is described. It comprises applying to the article (30) a label thereon, coded data in the form of a visually perceptible marking (34) conveniently at the time and place of manufacture and using a digitally controlled printer. Details of the marking are stored in a high capacity memory store. When it is desired to monitor the article, a pictorial image of the marking is sent from the location of the article to a remote computer (37) via a wide area communications network, such as a mobile telephone network (50). Details concerning the location of the article are also transmitted to the remote computer, which is programmed, to extract the coded data from the transmitted image file, and evaluate whether the coded data matches coded data stored in the high capacity memory store. If there is a match, the item is genuine and the remote computer can return a message to that effect.

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: A security document is disclosed which includes an electrical circuit embedded in a document substrate, where the electrical circuit includes a power source with at least one electroactive polymer power generator, and an optical display including at least one electroluminescent display element and at least one nanohole array which forms a layer of the electroluminescent display element. Security features comprising nanohole arrays are also provided. A method of authenticating a security document is disclosed, including illuminating an encoded nanohole array in the security document with a focused light beam or laser light source emitting at least one defined wavelength of incident light, detecting a transmitted portion of the incident light transmitted through the nanohole array with an optoelectronic sensor, analyzing at least one wavelength of the transmitted portion of light to produce a detected signal, and comparing the detected signal with an authentication signal to authenticate the security document.

Abstract: The Erasable Barcode prevents the sale of products by invalidating the barcode. The invalidation can be based on shelf life, or improper temperature maintenance. The invalidation is also visible to humans so that the consumer knows if the exposure occurs after purchase. Activation brings liquid from the first reservoir in contact with the migration medium. The liquid progressively produces a change in color over time in the migration medium. When the liquid has crossed the migration medium, it will come in contact with the absorptive medium. The absorptive medium will then rapidly change color. The absorptive layer is the substrate for a machine readable barcode such that the color change renders the barcode unreadable.

Abstract: In order to increase safety, a computer-implemented method is proposed for determining the position of a lift cabin in a lift shaft with the aid of a coding device, in which method a section of a code band and/or of the bearing device is/are recorded with an optical detection device as a pixel image consisting of pixels, a reference marking analysis is carried out, the pixel image is processed, in particular is assigned to a detection grid, pixels of the pixel image are preferably combined with the aid of their color and/or position in order to be able to read out the barcode and/or 2D code of the marking, the barcode and/or 2D code is converted to a binary code, the binary code is decoded by means of an algorithm and is converted into a position indication and/or into information as to whether a bearing device has been detected.

Abstract: An encoding method is provided. The encoding method comprises: encoding a first portion of target data to generate a first two dimensional code; encoding a second portion of the target data by the encoding unit generate a second two dimensional code; generating a three dimensional model according to the first two dimensional code, wherein the three dimensional model includes a plurality of three dimensional modules, the three dimensional modules are arranged along a first direction and a second direction, and a height in a third direction of the three dimensional modules is determined according to the first codes; coloring the three dimensional modules according to the second two dimensional code, respectively, to generate a colored three dimensional model, wherein a color of the three dimensional modules of the colored three dimensional model is determined according to the second codes.

Abstract: The present invention provides products, systems, and methods for the unique identification of individual drug dosage form units. The invention includes: random integrated optical identification marking of an individual drug unit; a lack of direct surface-to-surface contact between a marking instrument and the drug unit, i.e., deposition of a mark; drug unit image data based on the identification mark; a secondary product identifier associated with the individual drug unit; and comparing the marked drug unit to drug unit image data.

Abstract: A method of transmitting authorisation data, said authorisation data for authorising a process. The method comprises securely providing an encryption key to an encrypter and a decrypter; encrypting at the encrypter input authorisation data with the encryption key; converting the encrypted data into an optical code pattern; displaying the optical code pattern on a display device; reading the optical code pattern with an optical reader; converting the optical code pattern into received encrypted data corresponding the encrypted data; decrypting the received encrypted data at the decrypter to generate decrypted data corresponding to the input authorisation data, and authorising the process with the data corresponding to the input authorisation data.

Abstract: Information is arranged within a predetermined shape. The predetermined shape is captured in an image taken by a tangible image-capturing element of a device which captures images at the direction of a user. The device includes a tangible processor that analyzes the image captured by the image-capturing element to determine whether a predetermined shape is present in the image. The tangible processor determines an alignment of the predetermined shape when the predetermined shape is present in the image, and reads data within the predetermined shape in accordance with the determined alignment. The device automatically forwards a request for content over a communications network in accordance with the data read within the predetermined shape. The device receives the content over the network and displays the content.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for establishing connections among electronic devices. Embodiments of the invention can use a context code, such as, for example, a QR code to facilitate electronic device networking. The connection process between electronic devices is automated. For example, upon snapping a picture, a communication application establishes connection between devices and also serves as a port between the connected devices. Networking code can be greatly simplified, permitting application developers to devote more resources to developing application code.

Abstract: A product authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, an item serial number (ISN) of a product and an item-specific key (ISK) for the product; receiving, from a second source, a product-package serial number (PPSN) associated with the product and information about the second source; storing the received PSN with an authorized indication based on the information about the second source indicating an authorized source; receiving, from the product, the PSN and the ISN; determining whether the PSN is the same as the receive PSN with the authorized indication; and if the PSN is the same as the receive PSN, transmitting the ISK to the product, the ISK enables activation of one or more features of the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for accessing personal information including the personal and/or medical record of one or more individuals in the event of an emergency. An identification (ID) device of the individual and a code wherein the code is a Quick Response code specific to each individual to enable the retrieval of information. The code may either be applied to the device or embedded in the device. Alternatively, the code may be applied to a label which may be affixed to one or more devices.

Abstract: A product authentication label includes a carrier layer made of a transparent or translucent material, a plurality of first reflection pattern forming bodies disposed in the carrier layer and configured to reflect a substantially identical reflection pattern regardless of the direction of irradiated light, and a plurality of second reflection pattern forming bodies randomly disposed in the carrier layer and configured to reflect a reflection pattern which varies depending on the direction of irradiated light.

Abstract: The invention uses three-dimensional printing techniques to lay down a three-dimensional black and white grid (or “4-dimensional” grid, if color is used). To read and decode a three-dimensional bar-code, a light-field camera is used to capture the whole three-dimensional structure and the focus levels are then determined for a predetermined number of vertical levels. Adding color adds another degree of freedom (dimension) in the number and difficulty of encoding and decoding the three-dimensional bar-codes. These bar-codes cannot be simply made or copied, providing a level of security thereby.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for decoding transformed machine readable images is disclosed. A reader device can acquire a machine readable image that is transformed. A configuration module can reconfigure the transformed image to a form that renders the data in the image accessible by the reader device. A read module can decode the reconfigured machine readable image to retrieve the data contained in the image.

Abstract: A code pattern having cross-shaped positioning patterns is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of marks, which at least include a central positioning mark, a first positioning mark, a second positioning mark, a third positioning mark, and a fourth positioning mark; the central and the first to fourth positioning marks are distributed in a region along with other marks. The first to fourth positioning marks are four neighboring marks that are closest to the central positioning mark in distance. In addition, The central and the first to fourth positioning marks are disposed in the shape of a cross within the region, and corresponding to a coordinate obtained by adding together four coordinates from the first to fourth positioning marks then dividing a resulted sum thereof by four, is equivalent to a coordinate corresponding to the central positioning mark.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security tag made unique by randomly distributing a mixture of large numbers of multicolored small objects, such as two colored glass balls, into a regular geometric array or pattern onto a substrate and encapsulating those objects. The objects in the regular array on the substrate will create a unique, non-reproducible pattern. The data, saved to a secure database, can be processed and calculated quantities can be derived from the field of binary data, which can be affixed to the document or manufactured part that the stamp is affixed to. The regular array can be read out by scanner, quantities calculated, and compared to the values printed on the part or document. Additionally, the regular array can be read out by optical scanner and parts or all of the data compared to the data stored in the secure database.

Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) detecting light from a target object to capture multiple images of the target object while substantially maintaining the distance between the target object and the imaging lens arrangement that is configured to have a focus position thereof changed with a lens-driving-parameter; (2) processing the at least one of the multiple images to determine a feature-size in an aiming pattern; (3) processing at least two of the multiple images to find an optimal lens-driving-parameter that results in the maximum image sharpness; and (4) storing both the feature-size and the optimal lens-driving-parameter into a memory.

Abstract: Controlling rights associated with a product is described, including receiving, from a source, a first code of a media product, the first code is unique to the media product; authorizing the media product based on the first code and information about the source; receiving, from another source, the first code and a second code of media the product, the second code is unique to the media product; determining whether the first code is authorized; if the first code is authorized, identifying an encryption key for the media product based on the second code, and transmitting the encryption key to the second source, the encryption key enables access to content of the media product.

Abstract: A composite image is generated from a decorative image, a bar code, and one or more filter patterns. The composite image visually approximates the decorative image, yet the composite image is machine-readable by a scanner capable of reading the bar code, and the composite image encodes the same data as the bar code. Filter patterns provide a flexible way to generate the composite image by selectively updating the decorative image. Updates may be applied in only the locations where necessary, and only by the amount necessary, in order for the composite image to be recognized as a bar code. Also, updates may be applied in arbitrary color spaces, including color spaces where brightness can be altered with less impact on human color perception.

Abstract: A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprint identifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorized reproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifier after receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiable instruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to the customer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, the identifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality of negotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of the negotiable instruments when needed.

Abstract: A method for encoding and decoding color barcodes to increase their data capacity. The encoding steps include determining a shape, a foreground color and a background color for each data cell, wherein a combination of the shape, foreground and background colors for the data cell is chosen from a plurality of such combinations in accordance with a value of the digital data to be encoded; and coloring some pixels in the data cell with a foreground color and other pixels with a background color, in accordance with the shape, foreground and background colors for the data cell determined above. The decoding steps include segmenting the data cells, recognizing a shape, a foreground color of the shape and a background color of the data cell, and obtaining digital data from a combination of the shape and foreground and background colors in each data cell.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying, tracking, and/or authenticating objects that is simple to apply and to use by an intended user, but is extremely difficult to counterfeit or compromise by an unintended user. Also disclosed is a multi-color, co-planar indicium made of a combination of printed patterns of multiple inks. The printed patterns may be modified by software-generated masks to ensure that the patterns are co-planar. The indicium is undecipherable unless irradiated with specified wavelengths of light radiation, filtered through specified spectral filters, and read and decoded by an electronic image reader. The indicium may be visible or covert. The indicium encodes unique true information about the object and may encode nonsensical or intentionally incorrect information as a further deterrent to unauthorized use. The method permits the indicia to be applied to objects at high processing speeds possible with inkjet printing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for information exchange using color space encoded images. A color space encoded image can be displayed, for example on media such as posters, billboards, or paper, or on a display of a first device such as smartphone displays, palmtop displays, camera displays, tablet displays, or e-reader displays. A second device can acquire the displayed encoded image, for example by photographing the image. The second device can decode the color space encoded image or transfer the color space encoded image to a device that decodes the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: A system (10) for generating an incrementally completed security mark (20??) includes a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program. The computer program includes computer readable code for selecting a carrier object (20, 20?, 20?, 20??); computer readable code for selecting a number of steps in a workflow associated with the carrier object (20, 20?, 20?, 20??) and a security level for each step in the workflow; computer readable code for determining available carrier object candidate areas (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) to which to write information at each step in the workflow; and computer readable code for determining a number of bits to be input at each step in the workflow based upon the respective security levels and the available candidate areas (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5). The system further includes memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and to the computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for producing a marketable package including an outer packaging for receiving a portable data carrier, and a portable data carrier. The data carrier possesses a viewing side and an underside and bears a secret code internally as well as identification information on the outer side. The identification information is applied to the underside of the data carrier in the form of a two-dimensional bar code, and the outer packaging is configured to be transparent on the underside so that the identification information can be read out through the outer packaging after the data carrier has been inserted into the outer packaging.