153 results about "Machine-readable data" patented technology

A tangible object (such as a microprocessor, wristwatch, pharmaceutical, compact disc, vehicle part, etc) is surface-textured to encode a plural-bit code thereon. In one arrangement, this encoding conveys date information. In use, the object can be imaged by a scanner apparatus, and the resulting scan data analyzed to discern the plural-bit code. The decoded date information can be used in a determination relating to the object. For example, at a port of entry, date information encoded on a Rolex wristwatch can be used to determine whether importation of the wristwatch should be permitted. The texture-encoded data can also convey other information, such as a vehicle identifier for an automotive part, a place of fabrication, a specification with which the part complies, etc.

The present invention includes methods for providing merchant's with verified information about a user during a remote electronic transaction; methods for carrying out a verified, remote electronic transaction over a network by providing verified user information to a merchant's server, which information is necessary to complete the verified transaction; and systems enabling a user to complete a verified, remote electronic transactions over a network with a merchant, wherein the verified transactions include providing the merchant's server with verified user information. Moreover, the present invention provides methods and systems for conducting verified, remote electronic transactions using a single access code. The system comprises one or more verifying servers that are maintained by the merchant or a third party; one or more servers that are maintained by a merchant, one or more digital, electronic devices that are maintained by the user or by a third party, and a machine-readable-data structure that interfaces with said digital, electronic device. The machine-readable data structure comprises at least one internal microprocessor that controls at least one internal semiconductor memory, having a secured first portion for storing verifiable user information and an unsecured second portion. Verifiable user information about the user, which is necessary to complete a verified, card present equivalent transaction, resides in the secured first portion of the semiconductor memory. A security algorithm and a previously registered security code reside on the unsecured second portion of the semiconductor memory. The verifiable user information is provided to the merchant server or, alternately, to the verifying server after the machine-readable data structure is read and a single access code that matches the previously registered security code is provided by the user.

A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, the method comprising: creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch; associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database; receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to an asset within the rail yard; comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and presenting a graphical representation of the location of the asset on the map along with the yard process steps associated with the track section occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is received within a time period to allow the graphical presentation to be used in a management decision corresponding to the asset.

A method and apparatus for transcribing composite images. In one embodiment, a method comprises projecting a first image onto a surface, wherein a first coordinate system defines positions within the first image and a second coordinate system defines positions on the surface. The method further comprises forming a second image on the surface by using a stylus, and recording the formation of the second image relative to the first image by periodically detecting the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system by receiving and processing signals transmitted from the stylus. The method also comprises translating the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system to a position relative to the first coordinate system, and storing the composite image comprising the first image and the second image as machine-readable data.

The present invention relates to machine-readable data structures and dynamic calculation of data structures to support interoperability. More particularly, it relates to aspects of data structures that enhance interoperability and dynamic generation of the data structures. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

An apparatus and method for providing a marketing program for a selected group of merchants which provides incentives to consumers to purchase goods and/or services from the selected group of merchants. The method comprises establishing one or more merchant selection rules, registering a consumer wishing to participate in the program, receiving merchant information, matching the received merchant information with available merchant selection rules and adding merchants to one or more selected group of merchants after determining that the respective merchants have the required characteristics. A machine readable database operable to store specified information representing earned credits for participating consumers is provided. The program is universal in the sense that the method of payment is unrestricted and participating consumers receive an identification and which can be used for purchases from a participating merchant, in a store, by phone or online.

Digital watermarking is adapted for the variable data printing. A reference signal serves as a proxy for optimizing the embedding a watermark in a host image to be printed. Using the reference signal, embedding parameters are generated, which are a function of constraints such as visual quality and robustness of the machine readable data. Adjustments needed to embed a unique payload in each printed piece are generated using the embedding parameters. These adjustments are stored in a manner that enables them to be efficiently obtained and applied within the RIP or press during operation of the press. Various other methods, system configurations and applications are also detailed.

Authorized access to a digital asset is obtained by associating an authentication tag with a physical object accessible to a user, by configuring the tag with a first dataset comprised of a random distribution of three-dimensional elements and with a second dataset comprised of machine-readable data elements, and by authorizing a mobile device to scan the elements. The first and second datasets together comprise an authentication key that uniquely identifies the object and, in turn, the user. The authentication key is scanned by a device in response to a prompt from the digital asset to obtain scanned key data. Predetermined key data and a device identifier indicative of the authorized device are stored in a database. Access to the digital asset is allowed when the scanned key data matches the stored predetermined key data, and when the device scanning the data is authorized.

The system subject of disclosure includes computer software inputted with machine readable data into a CPU that sequentially combines and integrates multiple activities and processes of a production or processing facility. The steps or functions performed by the software include but are not limited to performing control rationalization, process hazard analysis and layer of protection analysis. The software also evaluates safety requirement specifications, and safety, environmental and financial integrity levels. Finally, the software performs alarm rationalization, alarm management, process safety management and creating an integrated comprehensive machine readable facility database that can be used over the life of the facility.

An identification badge is provided for issuance to a transient person requiring temporary access to a facility for a defined period of time. The badge includes a picture of the transient person, an element that encodes machine readable data identifying the transient person, and a designation of a class of transient people, such as a visitor or temporary worker for example. A facility access system that employs the badge has devices for reading the element and using the data obtained thereby to unlock doors or record the arrival and departure of the person. An indicia on the badge visibly changes in appearance after the defined period of time to indicate expiration of the badge.

A system and method for reading an RFID data tag comprising a plurality of diffractive elements being indicative of machine-readable data carried by the tag are provided. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. Each diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of its neighboring elements. The system comprises a transmitting antenna configured for emitting an RF radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag; and a receiving antenna configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag in response to the RF radiation signal at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna and generating electromagnetic signals indicative of the data carried by the tag. The system also includes an interrogator unit configured for generating the transmitted RF radiation signal and processing the electromagnetic signals produced by the receiving antenna for determining the data carried by the tag.

System for reading a self-authenticating document having machine-readable data including critical document data, digital signature data and a public key certificate. At a point of purchase or financial institution, a personal identification unit receives a personal identification number (PIN) from a presenter of a self-authenticating document, and an image scanning and processing system reads the self-authenticating document, retrieves the machine-readable data, and assembles an authenticatable data string from the critical document data and the received PIN. A parsing system parses the machine-readable data to obtain the digital signature data and the public key certificate. A validating system certifies the public key certificate to obtain an authentic public key and applies the authentic public key to the digital signature data in order to for validate the authenticatable data string. The self-authenticating document is authenticated if the authenticatable data string is validated.

A method for making optical connections with optical waveguides includes mounting the optical waveguides or a device comprising the optical waveguides, on a component carrier. A partial region of the optical waveguides is embedded in a volume of resist material. Positions of the optical waveguides to be connected are detected with reference to a coordinate system using a measuring system. Favorable, three-dimensional geometries are determined for optical waveguide structures for connecting the optical waveguides to each other at predetermined connecting locations and the optical waveguide structure geometries are converted to a machine-readable dataset. The optical waveguide geometries in the volume of the resist material are three-dimensionally structured using a direct-writing lithography device operating on the basis of the machine-readable dataset. The structured resist material is treated using physical or chemical methods to form at least one optical waveguide structure having ends connected to predetermined connecting locations of the optical waveguides.

The invention pertains to a method for operating a navigation system. The navigation system includes a data base, in which a geographic region is described by means of machine-readable data, wherein the data base also contains signpost data sets that respectively describe the signpost information of signposts in the geographic region, a route calculating unit for calculating a route, a position finding unit that makes it possible to determine the current position, and at least one output device for outputting at least part of a signpost data set; in the form of an optical, anchor acoustical signpost message in dependence on the current position. The method includes the following steps:

a) determining at least two signpost data sets, wherein a first signpost data set describes the signpost information of a first signpost along the route, and wherein a second signpost data set describes die signpost information of a second signpost that lies behind the first signpost along the route,

b) comparing the determined signpost data sets,

c) deriving the signpost message, wherein the content of the signpost message is determined in dependence on the result of the comparison between the determined signpost data sets, and

d) optically and/or acoustically outputting the signpost message.

Driver's licenses and other security documents include one or more machine-readable features, each conveying plural bits of information. These features are used in a variety of ways to increase security, and/or to enhance functionality. In one embodiment, data encoded on a driver's license is used at airport check-in, to link to a state DMV database and obtain information by which the document, and its custodian, can be authenticated. In like fashion, a license can be used to authenticate a bearer and/or his/her age prior to the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. In other embodiments, different elements of a driver's license (e.g., the substrate, photo, text data, and machine-readable data) are logically bound together (e.g., interlinked through payloads conveyed by different machine-readable features) as a deterrent against counterfeiting. Driver's licenses can be similarly logically bound to personal checks and other documents. Many other arrangements are also disclosed.

The invention is concerned with data channel of the background containing symbolic data marks, which include aggregate, constant number of dark elements in the whole record where the core is the recording medium such as paper or other carrier of the symbolic data marks printed on this media arranged into a grid on positions with periodically repeating properties in both horizontal and vertical directions, textual or graphical print, printed in overlay with data symbolic marks, elements of modulation of the record by graphic pattern. The invention relates to the system of creation and method of preparation of the data channel of the background.

Disclosed herein are randomly marked plastic materials and articles, and methods for their fabrication. In one embodiment, a randomly marked article can comprise: a random distribution of markings within a substrate, and machine readable data and/or a data layer capable of comprising machine readable data. The substrate was formed a first plastic and a second plastic, wherein the first plastic and the second plastic comprise a sufficient difference in a property to cause the random distribution. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating an article, comprises: combining a taggant with a first plastic to form a tagged plastic; molding the article from the tagged plastic and a second plastic, wherein the article comprises a random distribution of the taggant; and mapping taggant in the article to form a map.

A radio frequency (RF) data carrier is presented. The RF data carrier comprises at least one diffraction element that has a dimension of the order of a wavelength of RF radiation and is responsive to RF irradiation, the response produced by the diffraction elements in the data carrier being indicative of machine-readable data carried by data carrier.

A system (10) includes a data collection device (12) for reading a machine readable data storage medium (38) and generating formatted data in accordance with data manipulation commands of a rules file (43). A protected rule file creation system: i) generates the rule file (43); ii) encrypts the rule file (43) to generate a protected rule file (39) which, when deciphered using a source key (31) yields the rule file (43); and iii) generates a license record (35). The license record (35) comprises the source key (31) and a source identifier (168). A trusted license file distribution system (17) encrypts the license record (35) using a private key (97) of a public/private key pair to generate a license file (41). The data collection device (12) comprises: i) a non-volatile memory storing a reader ID (93) and a public key (95); and ii) a processor (20) operating a decoder (72) and an interpreter (84). The interpreter (84) receives decoded data (134) from the decoder (72) and manipulates the decoded data (134) in accordance with the plurality of data manipulation commands defined in the rule file (43) to generate the formatted data (136). The interpreter module (84) obtains the rule file (43) by: i) receiving the protected rule file (39); ii) receiving the license file (41); iii) deciphering the license record (35) of the license file (41) using the public encryption key (95); and iv) if the identification of an authorized reader (37) matches the reader ID (93), deciphering the protected rule file (39) using the source license key (31) to recover the rule file (43).

A data collection device (10) reads a machine readable data storage medium (38) comprising data encoded in a machine readable format. The data collection device (10) comprising a code reading system (21), a processor (20), and a communication module (26). The code reading system detects the data encoded in the machine readable data storage medium (38) and generates digital data representative thereof. The processor (20) operates an embedded decoder system (76). The embedded decoder system (76) comprises a decoder module (72) and an interpreter module (84). The decoder module (76) receives the digital data and generates decoded data (134). The interpreter module (84) receives the decoded data (134) and manipulating the decoded data (134) in accordance with the plurality of data manipulation commands defined in a rules file (85) to generate formatted data (136). The communication module (26) transfers the formatted data to a remote system.

An optically variable device uses a data storage layer with a nano-optical bit system to store data. The optically variable device encodes the data using spectral signatures (such as colors) as variables. In some embodiments, the optically variable device uses angle multiplexing to store machine-readable data and an image. The optically variable device can be used as a secure data storage medium for a large volume of data. The storage capacity can be increased by increasing the number of color variables and by introducing additional variables such as intensity and polarization.