A fastening element 30 is fed from a feed track 64 through a feed chamber, formed by interfacing closed channels 132 and 160, to a junction point located in a feed passage 84, formed by two communicating feed openings 86 and 88. In more particular examples, the method may include determining a percentage of the background that is detectable; and adjusting the calibration area based on the percentage. In preferred embodiments, the gradient is applied by identifying, for each point in the selected region, a color interpolation vector extending from the starting position through the point to the ending position and intersecting the outline at one or more intersection points, and assigning a color for the point based on its position along the color interpolation vector. The connector has a first portion mounted in the via. The vehicle operator’s identifier may be compared to the stored identifiers to verify whether the vehicle operator has current automobile insurance coverage.