Methods and apparatus to count people are disclosed. Example people counting apparatus disclosed herein include a difference calculator to calculate a degree of similarity between a first characteristic dataset and a second characteristic dataset representative of face detections in images. Disclosed example people counting apparatus also include a limiter to store the first characteristic dataset and the second characteristic dataset in a plurality of characteristic datasets associated when the degree of similarity does not satisfy a threshold, and to store the first characteristic dataset in the plurality of characteristic datasets and discard the second characteristic dataset when the degree of similarity satisfies the threshold to limit a number of stored characteristic datasets. Disclosed example people counting apparatus further include a comparator to compare the plurality of characteristic datasets to each other to determine a number of unique faces in an environment during a first period of time.

A card reading transaction system includes a transaction control device, an intermediate server, a smart card server, an internet dongle, and a card reader. The transaction control device transmits a transaction message according to a transaction type and a transaction amount. The intermediate server generates a transaction request message according to the transaction message. The smart card server generates a transaction confirmation message according to the transaction request message. The intermediate server generates a first card reader operation message according to the transaction confirmation message, and converts a transmission format of the first card reader operation message to generate a second card reader operation message. The internet dongle converts a transmission format of the second card reader operation message received through the internet to generate a third card reader operation message for the card reader to debit or credit the transaction amount.

Various embodiments include, for example, a digital-card reader, a reader hub, and a method of determining a coefficient of friction for mounting the digital-card reader and the reader hub to a mounting surface. In one specific embodiment, the digital-card reader includes a card-reader frame having a circuit board including at least one memory-card reader to perform data transfer operations; a magnetic material coupled to at least one face of the card-reader frame; and a compliant-region mat coupled to the at least one face of the card-reader frame and positioned proximate to the magnetic material. The magnetic material compresses the compliant-region mat to increase friction against a mounting surface to at least partially overcome insertion forces associated with inserting the memory card into the digital-card reader to reduce or eliminate lateral movement of the digital-card reader with reference to the mounting surface. Other devices, apparatuses, and methods are described.

Various embodiments include, for example, a digital-card reader, a reader hub, and a method of determining a coefficient of friction for mounting the digital-card reader and the reader hub to a mounting surface. In one specific embodiment, the digital-card reader includes a card-reader frame having a circuit board including at least one memory-card reader to perform data transfer operations; a magnetic material coupled to at least one face of the card-reader frame; and a compliant-region mat coupled to the at least one face of the card-reader frame and positioned proximate to the magnetic material. The magnetic material compresses the compliant-region mat to increase friction against a mounting surface to at least partially overcome insertion forces associated with inserting the memory card into the digital-card reader to reduce or eliminate lateral movement of the digital-card reader with reference to the mounting surface. Other devices, apparatuses, and methods are described.

A card reader may include a card passage where a card passed; a contact block including IC contact springs; a card insertion detection mechanism; a lock member; a lock member drive mechanism that moves the lock member between a pulling-out prevention position and a pulling-out feasible position; a lock member detection mechanism; and a control unit structured to control the card reader. The lock member may include a pulling-out prevention part. A distance between the front end of the IC card and the pulling-out prevention part may be shorter than a length of the IC card in the moving direction of the IC card. The control unit detects that insertion of the IC card has been completed the IC card has been inserted to the contact position and the lock member is located at the pulling-out prevention position.

A data card enclosure method and system comprising data card connectors and host interface connectors on a data card housed in the data card enclosure. The data card enclosure method and system provided for connecting the data card connectors and host interface connectors to external communications ports.

Methods and apparatus to count people are disclosed. Example people counting apparatus disclosed herein include a difference calculator to calculate a degree of similarity between a first characteristic dataset and a second characteristic dataset representative of face detections in images. Disclosed example people counting apparatus also include a limiter to store the first characteristic dataset and the second characteristic dataset in a plurality of characteristic datasets associated when the degree of similarity does not satisfy a threshold, and to store the first characteristic dataset in the plurality of characteristic datasets and discard the second characteristic dataset when the degree of similarity satisfies the threshold to limit a number of stored characteristic datasets. Disclosed example people counting apparatus further include a comparator to compare the plurality of characteristic datasets to each other to determine a number of unique faces in an environment during a first period of time.

A method for interrogating an electronic identity card by a terminal with a claim covering an identity attribute of the holder of this card. The terminal obtains an identity token of the CNIe then selects in a HD wallet an issuer account associated to the identity attribute covered by the claim. Afterwards, it forms a transaction including as arguments the identity token and the path in the arborescence of the wallet leading to the issuer account, this transaction then being transmitted to a blockchain. Afterwards, it is verified by consensus that the terminal is habilitated to issue a claim covering an identity attribute, and that the issuing address of the transaction corresponds to the identity attribute on which the terminal is habilitated to issue a claim.

A contactless card reader comprises a contactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. A communications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensors is coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. The processor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizes the parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. The result of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader. The communications module is configured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration data from external sources.

A contactless card reader comprises a contactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. A communications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensors is coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. The processor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizes the parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. The result of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader. The communications module is configured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration data from external sources.