Disclosed is a smart device housing configured to fixably attach to a beverage vessel having a domed surface at a distal end, the domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device housing having an exterior configured as a transformable shape enabling a locking fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. Also disclosed is a system wherein a smart device has at least one proximity, image or distance sensor having a beam of detection with a path, the sensor located and directed such the beam of detection covers a location where a coupler can be attached to the beverage vessel, the smart device configured to determine whether the coupler is attached to the beverage vessel by measuring whether the path is obstructed by the coupler. Also disclosed is a method of determining the fill status of a beverage container.

The disclosed embodiments provide a payment card. The payment card may have a first face and a second face opposite the first. Additionally, the payment card may comprise a first smart chip, the first smart chip having contacts that are electronically accessible from the first face of the card. The payment card may further comprise a first antenna coupled to the first smart chip, the first antenna providing near-field contactless access to the first smart chip and a second smart chip, the second smart chip having contacts that are electronically accessible from the second face of thecard. Additionally, the payment card may comprise a second antenna coupled to the second smart chip, the second antenna providing near-field contactless access to the second smart chip and an RF block that electronically isolates the first antenna and the second antenna from each other.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide automated identification techniques that associate at least two unique identifiers of one segment of a segmental multimode wireless flexible product to seamlessly and accurately bridge different identification methodologies to enable advanced real-time tracking of shipment location and status, and other such useful and advanced product and service offerings.

A delivery management server, connected over a network to a user terminal used by a receiver who is a delivery destination of a delivery object or a carrier who delivers the delivery object, includes registration means for writing identification information of the delivery object and a first image in which a random pattern on a surface of the delivery object is captured, into a storage means in association with each other; matching means for performing matching between a second image in which a random pattern on a surface of the delivery object is captured, received from the user terminal, and the first image stored in the storage means; and confirmation recording means for, based on the matching result, recording, on the storage means, confirmation information that gives a confirmation that the user of the user terminal received the delivery object identified by the identification information associated with the first image.

A manufacturing method of a printed material that stores machine-readable information, includes forming, on a base material, a first layer including a first code symbol that is machine-readable and represents first information, using a first coloring material, and forming, on the first layer, a second layer including a second code symbol that is machine-readable and represents second information, using a second coloring material that is different from the first coloring material and decolorable at a particular temperature, such that the first code symbol is at least partly covered by the second coloring material.

A manufacturing method of a printed material that stores machine-readable information, includes forming, on a base material, a first layer including a first code symbol that is machine-readable and represents first information, using a first coloring material, and forming, on the first layer, a second layer including a second code symbol that is machine-readable and represents second information, using a second coloring material that is different from the first coloring material and decolorable at a particular temperature, such that the first code symbol is at least partly covered by the second coloring material.

A smart device for a beverage vessel having a domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device having a housing, and at least one expanding member, the at least one expanding member being one of integral to the housing, attached to the housing, or separate from the housing. The at least one expanding member may be configured to be manipulated by way of a force. The smart device housing and the expanding member being configured to fixably attach to the beverage vessel enabling a secure fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. The at least one expanding member may also be a lockable expanding member lockable into a deployed state. The at least one expanding member may also enable a dimension change from an initial vertical dimension to a greater locking fit dimension to provide a secure fit.

A smart device for a beverage vessel having a domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device having a housing, and at least one expanding member, the at least one expanding member being one of integral to the housing, attached to the housing, or separate from the housing. The at least one expanding member may be configured to be manipulated by way of a force. The smart device housing and the expanding member being configured to fixably attach to the beverage vessel enabling a secure fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. The at least one expanding member may also be a lockable expanding member lockable into a deployed state. The at least one expanding member may also enable a dimension change from an initial vertical dimension to a greater locking fit dimension to provide a secure fit.

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit, a printing unit, a reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit and the printing unit to perform first printing processing and second printing processing, wherein the control unit prints, in the first printing processing, a code group including a first code of a first size and a second code of a second size larger than the first size on a first medium that is the medium, acquires reading data that is a result of reading, by the reading unit, of the code group printed on the first medium, determines a code size to be adopted for the second printing processing based on the reading data, and, in the second printing processing, prints a third code of the code size on a medium of the same type as that of the first medium.

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit, a printing unit, a reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit and the printing unit to perform first printing processing and second printing processing, wherein the control unit prints, in the first printing processing, a code group including a first code of a first size and a second code of a second size larger than the first size on a first medium that is the medium, acquires reading data that is a result of reading, by the reading unit, of the code group printed on the first medium, determines a code size to be adopted for the second printing processing based on the reading data, and, in the second printing processing, prints a third code of the code size on a medium of the same type as that of the first medium.