155 results about "Machine-readable data" patented technology

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, andd) 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.

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 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.