A control system for tracking moving objects and controlling an action at a selected one of a plurality of geographic locations is described. The system comprises: a receiver for receiving location data from a plurality of mobile devices; a tracking module for recording the location data from each of the plurality of location devices in a tracking database; a cluster formation module for grouping a plurality moving mobile devices into a cluster using the recorded location data over time, each cluster comprising a plurality of moving mobile devices which have substantially no relative movement with respect to each other; a route extrapolator for determining a geographic location at which the cluster of mobile devices will be at a future point in time using the tracked history of the cluster and a predetermined network of pathways along which the cluster can travel; and an action module for sending out an instruction regarding an action to be carried out at the selected geographic location where the cluster is predicted to arrive at the future point in time.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
G08G 1/01 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
A method of validating the authenticity of a ticket including a unique ticket identifier generated at an issuing terminal in accordance with a confidential algorithm is provided. The method includes receiving one or more identification variable values expressed with respect to a first coordinate measurement domain, the one or more identification variable values enabling the location of ticket verification information within the unique ticket identifier to be determined, using a coordinate transform function configured to map coordinate values from the first coordinate measurement domain to a second coordinate measurement domain to calculate one or more values of the one or more received identification variable values with respect to the second coordinate measurement domain, extracting the verification information from the unique ticket identifier on the basis of the calculated identification variable values, and verifying the authenticity of the ticket on the basis of the extracted verification information.
G07B 15/00 - Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
G07F 7/10 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card together with a coded signal
H04K 1/10 - Secret communication by using two signals transmitted simultaneously or successively
H04B 1/10 - Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference
H04K 1/02 - Secret communication by adding a second signal to make the desired signal unintelligible
3.
Method of compensating for signal degradation in transmission systems
A method for compensating for transmission channel distortion effects for a data signal transmitted from a first computing device via the transmission channel to a second computing device is provided. The method includes combining the data signal with a reference marker, the reference marker including predetermined signal parameters, to create a composite data signal, transmitting the composite data signal from the first computing device to the second computing device, extracting the reference marker and the data signal from the received composite data signal received at the second computing device, analyzing the signal parameters of the extracted reference marker, comparing the analyzed signal parameters of the extracted reference marker with the predetermined signal parameters of the reference marker in order to determine transmission channel distortions, and adjusting the extracted data signal based on the determined transmission channel distortions in order to compensate for transmission channel distortion effects.
G07B 15/00 - Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
G07F 7/10 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card together with a coded signal
H04K 1/10 - Secret communication by using two signals transmitted simultaneously or successively
H04B 1/10 - Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference
H04K 1/02 - Secret communication by adding a second signal to make the desired signal unintelligible
4.
IMPROVEMENT REALTING TO TICKET VALIDATION TECHNIQUES
A distributed authentication system for authenticating a multi-function ticket having a unique ticket identifier and a multi-function identifier is described. The system comprises: a plurality of networked terminals for authenticating the multi-function ticket, each terminal including: a ticket reader for reading the unique ticket identifier and the multi-function identifier of the multi-function ticket;a processor configurable by a local authentication algorithm for creating a comparison identifier from the unique ticket identifier; a comparator for comparing the comparison identifier with the multi-function identifier;a result generator for generating an authentication signal if the comparator indicates that the comparison identifier matches the read multi-function ticket identifier; an updating module for receiving an updated authentication algorithm; and a central server for providing an updated authentication algorithm and being arranged to send the updated algorithm to each of the plurality of networked terminals;wherein the server is arranged to provide the authentication algorithm to each of the plurality of networked terminals and to communicate with the updating module of each networked terminal to regularly change the authentication algorithm of each networked terminal.
Methods and systems relating to encoding data steganographically within a document, and decoding such steganographically encoded data are disclosed. Data to be steganographically encoded is mapped to a set of document alteration instructions which, when carried out, alter geometrical features of the document. Data is decoded by analysing characteristics of such geometrical features. Computer programs and documents associated with these methods and systems are also disclosed.
Methods and systems for securely registering the association between a document and a user are described. Biometric sensors are used to determine biometric characteristics of the user, and from these characteristics, biometric parameters are derived. A user identity code uniquely referencing the set of biometric parameters is provided to the user in a user-portable format. A document generation request includes a specification specifying content of the document, and the specification is uniquely referenced by a document identity code, also provided to the user in a user-portable format. A registration transaction involves receiving from the user and pairing said codes together to define a link between the document and the biometric parameters of the user, and so the user.
A method of generating on-demand a document having a built-in authentication function is described. The method comprises: receiving a request from a ticketing terminal to issue the document on-demand, the request comprising event information associated with the event of issuance of the document; generating a unique identifier associated with the document; storing the event information and the associated unique identifier in a database record; creating a composite communications address comprising a base address portion and an identifier portion, the identifier portion comprising the unique identifier; linking the composite communications address to the stored event information; sending the unique identifier to the ticketing terminal; generating at the ticketing terminal the document having the composite communications address and at least some of the event information provided thereon, wherein use of the composite communications address provides the authentication function of the document.
A method of generating an anonymous user ticket with in-built redemption security is described. The method comprises: providing a visible communications address at a ticket generating terminal, the visible communications address being associated with the ticket generating terminal; receiving a communication regarding a message originating from a mobile device addressed to the visible communications address; the communication disclosing a unique device identifier of the mobile device; using the received unique device identifier to create a unique ticket identifier, wherein the unique device identifier is encoded within and derivable from the unique ticket identifier and provides the built-in redemption security for the anonymous user; and generating the anonymous user ticket having the unique ticket identifier provided in or on the ticket.
A pre-printed ticket for redeeming a value/prize is disclosed. The ticket comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of redemption areas, wherein one area has valid redemption information provided thereon; and a plurality of opaque layers each overlaying a different one of the redemption areas, wherein each opaque layer is removable to reveal information provided underneath including one opaque layer which is removable to reveal the valid redemption information, wherein each of the plurality of opaque layers has provided thereon selection information, the selection information differentiating between different non-removed opaque layers and facilitating the use of a security method which enables user-selection of the opaque layer overlying the valid redemption information for a validly authenticated ticket.
G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
G06Q 20/34 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
10.
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO ACTIVATING TRANSACTION CARDS
A method of activating a transaction card at an authentication server, the card comprising a unique identifier, a first user interaction zone comprising one or more user interaction symbols and a second user interaction zone comprising one or more user interaction regions, the method comprising: receiving a vendor request to provide an authentication code, the request comprising a unique identifier of a transaction card; generating an authentication code; storing the unique identifier and authentication code in a data store; sending the authentication code to the vendor; receiving an activation request, the request comprising the unique identifier of the transaction card, symbol data associated with one of the one or more user interaction symbols and the authentication code; checking that the unique identifier and vendor authentication code contained in the activation request correspond to a data record in the data store; and, in the event that the identifier and code correspond, activating the transaction card wherein activation comprises sending an activation message indicating which of the one or more user interaction regions is active.
A method of downloading a selected application program (app) to a mobile device via a wireless communications channel is described. The app comprises a plurality of components including an app mask and at least one content component and the app mask comprises instructions for controlling the download of the at least one content component. The method comprises :establishing a wireless communications channel between the mobile device and a terminal;receiving the app mask at the mobile device via the wireless channel;using the app mask to control downloading of the at least one content component until the entire app has been downloaded; and making the app available on the mobile device for use.
A method of identifying a product code that has been applied to a product, the method comprising;capturing an image of the product to create a captured image containing the product code and a predetermined reference identifier that is positioned at a predetermined location in relation to the product code;analysing the captured image to identify the reference identifier;using the reference identifier to determine the position of the product code; and analysing a portion of the captured image corresponding to the determined position of the product code to identify the product code.
There is described a portable telecommunications device for authenticating an information item such that the information item can be used in a subsequent process by the telecommunication device. The device comprises an image capture module for capturing an image of a composite information item which comprises an encoded pattern element representing data including a unique pattern element identifier, a label element having a verifiable relationship with label data encoded in the pattern element, and an encrypted extraction key element. The device also has a decoding module for obtaining the unique pattern element identifier from the captured image and sending the same to a keyholder server. The device also has a processing module arranged to receive a decryption key from the keyholder server associated with the unique pattern element identifier, to decrypt the extraction key element using the received key, and to use the decrypted extraction key element to extract the label data such that the label data can be compared with the label element to verify the relationship between them and thereby the information item can be authenticated.
A control system for tracking moving objects and controlling an action at a selected one of a plurality of geographic locations is described. The system comprises: a receiver for receiving location data from a plurality of mobile devices;a tracking module for recording the location data from each of the plurality of location devices in a tracking database; a cluster formation module for grouping a plurality moving mobile devices into a cluster using the recorded location data over time, each cluster comprising a plurality of moving mobile devices which have substantially no relative movement with respect to each other;a route extrapolator for determining a geographic location at which the cluster of mobile devices will be at a future point in time using the tracked history of the cluster and a predetermined network of pathways along which the cluster can travel; and an action module for sending out an instruction regarding an action to be carried out at the selected geographic location where the cluster is predicted to arrive at the future point in time.
An interactive electronic document presentation device for displaying an electronic document is described. The device comprises: a display for displaying a displayable content portion of the electronic document; at least one navigation control for controlling viewing of the displayable content portion; and a content assimilation module for eliciting user feedback regarding the displayable content portion, wherein the content assimilation module comprises: an active element detector for detecting user interaction with an active element within a currently displayed content portion, the active element having being previously embedded within the electronic document;a question presentation module for presenting a question to the user regarding the displayed content portion, the question requiring a data input response from the user; and a comparator for comparing a received data input response to the question with a predetermined correct answer; wherein the content assimilation module is arranged to disable the at least one navigation control on detection of user interaction with the active element; and the device further comprises an implementation module for releasing a further portion of content of the electronic document in response to receiving a correct answer in the data input response.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
16.
METHOD OF COMPENSATING FOR SIGNAL DEGRADATION IN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
A method for compensating for transmission channel distortion effects for a data signal transmitted from a first computing device via the transmission channel to a second computing device comprising:combining the data signal with a reference marker, the reference marker comprising predetermined signal parameters, to create a composite data signal;transmitting the composite data signal from the first computing device to the second computing device;extracting the reference marker and the data signal from the received composite data signalreceived at the second computing device;analysing the signal parameters of the extracted reference marker;comparing the analysed signal parameters of the extracted reference marker with the predetermined signal parameters of the reference marker in order to determine transmission channel distortions;adjusting the extracted data signal based on the determined transmission channel distortions in order to compensate for transmission channel distortion effects.
The present invention relates to a method of validating the authenticity of a ticket comprising a unique ticket identifier generated at an issuing terminal in accordance with a confidential algorithm. The unique ticket identifier comprises ticket verification information combined with extraneous information. The method comprises the steps of: receiving one or more identification variable values expressed with respect to a first coordinate measurement domain, the one or more identification variable values enabling the location of the ticket verification information within the unique ticket identifier to be determined; using a coordinate transform function configured to map coordinate values from the first coordinate measurement domain to a second coordinate measurement domain to calculate one or more values of the one or more received identification variable values with respect to the second coordinate measurement domain; extracting the verification information from the unique ticket identifier on the basis of the calculated identification variable values; and verifying the authenticity of the ticket on the basis of the extracted verification information. The invention also relates to a terminal for issuing a ticket comprising a unique ticket identifier and a terminal for verifying the authenticity of a ticket comprising a unique ticket identifier in accordance with the afore described method.
G07B 15/00 - Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
G07F 7/10 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card together with a coded signal
18.
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO MULTIFUNCTION COUPON PROCESSING SYSTEMS
A multi-function coupon processing system for issuing and processing a plurality of multifunction coupons is described. The system comprises: a plurality of multi-function coupon-issuing terminals provided at unregulated locations; a unique identifier generator for generating on demand a unique identifier which is to be provided with an issued multi-function coupon; and a central coupon processing server located remotely from but in data communication with the plurality of terminals; the central coupon server comprising: a master function processor for processing redemption of the multi-function coupon in relation to a first function of the coupon.
A high-security gaming system for implementing a real-time instant-win game is described. The system comprises:a game card arranged to facilitate game card player interaction to play the real-time instant-win game, the game card includes: a unique game card identifier;a two-dimensional scene which has a missing object; and location means for accurately specifying a player-selected location of the missing object within the scene; a terminal arranged to receive game card information relating to the unique game card identifier and the player-selected location specified by the location means; and an authentication server, operably coupled to the terminal by a communications network, for authenticating the game card and determining the result of the instant-win game;wherein the terminal is arranged to communicate the game card information to the authentication server via the telecommunications network and the authentication server is arranged to receive and use the game card information to:authenticate the validity of the game card by use of an authentication process on the received game card identifier;carry out a comparison of the player-selected location with a predetermined correct location of the missing object for that game card; and send a win message to the terminal to indicate an instant win if the player selected location is within a predetermined distance of the correct location of the missing object.
A security device for a portable telecommunications device for controlling each communication from the device to a particular telecommunications address, the security device comprising: a data store for storing a personal identifier of at least four alphanumeric characters initially input into the security device by the user during a set-up procedure; control means for controlling access to a communications module of the telecommunications device; presenting means for presenting, on the portable telecommunications device, a variable identifier identifying a predetermined variable associated with the personal identifier for input of a portion of the personal identifier; enabling means for enabling a user to input a portion of the personal identifier determined by the value of the predetermined variable; and comparing means for comparing the input portion with the corresponding portion of the stored personal identifier; wherein the control means is arranged to enable access to the communications module of the telecommunications device for sending a communication to the particular telecommunications address, if the comparing means show the input portion matches the corresponding portion of the stored personal identifier.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentialsReview and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
21.
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PERSONAL SECURITY DEVICES
A personal security device for use in signaling an alarm event is described which is arranged to be worn on or about the human body in an accessible manner. The device comprises: user-operable activation means for activating a response to an alarm event, the activation means being activatable by a physical change of state caused by user interaction with the activation means and being arranged to indicate activation to the user in a subtle, non- obvious manner, a transmitter responsive to the activation means for transmitting an alarm event signal indicating the occurrence of an alarm event; and an inactive power source integrated into the device, the inactive power source being coupled to the transmitter. The activation means is arranged to interact with the inactive power source to activate the same and thereby electrically power the transmitter and initiate the sending of the alarm event signal.
G08B 25/01 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
Securely transmitting communication information from a first terminal operating in a first coordinate measurement domain to a second remotely-located terminal operating in a second coordinate measurement domain includes: combining the communication information with extraneous information to create a data signal; determining a value of an identification variable expressed with respect to the first coordinate measurement domain, the identification variable value enabling the location of the communication information concealed within the data signal to be determined; transmitting the data signal and the identification variable value from the first terminal to the second terminal; using a coordinate transform function configured to map coordinate values from the first coordinate measurement domain to the second coordinate measurement domain to calculate a value of the received identification variable expressed with respect to the second coordinate measurement domain; and extracting the information from the received data signal using the calculated identification variable value.
A method of creating an optical security element in a value document using a low-cost printing device of a data processing terminal is described. The method comprises: providing a flexible substrate having a pre-printed ink portion; wherein the pre-printed ink portion is provided in an unexposed state which does not provide an optical security function of the security element; configuring a variable laser irradiation device to determine a part of the unexposed pre-printed ink portion to be exposed to laser radiation in a machine-controlled manner, and exposing the unexposed pre-printed ink portion to laser radiation in the machine-controlled manner to create from the pre-printed ink portion a predefined pattern, wherein the optical characteristics of the pattern provide the optical security element.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
24.
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO MULTIFUNCTION AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS
A method of generating a personal authenticated transaction ticket with a registered-user redemption functionality is described. The method is inplemented using a remote transaction information device and a central authentication server. The method comprises receiving data at the remote transaction information device from a user, the data including i. a symbol key comprising at least one symbol selected from a plurality of symbols, and ii. personal information identifying the user, the personal information including at least the user name, digitising and encrypting the symbol key and the personal information, transmitting the encrypted data to the central server, receiving a unique transaction number associated with the symbol key and personal information, and providing the unique transaction number to the user as part of the transaction ticket, the unique transaction number confirming the registration of the user and the authentication of the transaction ticket with the central server.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
25.
A SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF HANDLING A MULTIFUNCTION TRANSACTION
A System for processing a multifunctional ticket is described. The ticket represents an entry item in both a short-term multiple-entry event and a long- term event. The System comprises: receiving means for receiving a request for a user entry into the short-term multiple-entry event; authorising means for implementing an authorisation event authorising the request, the authorising means being arranged to generate a unique ticket identifier associated with the user entry; first storing means for storing the unique ticket identifier and a timestamp relating to the request authorisation event in a database record relating to a first function of the ticket; identification obtaining means for obtaining owner identifier information relating to an owner of the multifunction ticket independently of the authorisation event; and second storing means for storing the owner identifier information, the unique ticket identifier or an identifier uniquely associated with the ticket identifier and the timestamp or a date associated with the timestamp in a database record relating to a second function of the ticket, wherein the first and second functions are executed on différent timescales and the first function relates to the short-term event and the second function relates to the long-term event.
patents
