Abstract: A secure card such as a credit card having a magnetic strip thereon is disclosed. The magnetic strip is coated with a thin amorphous layer having electrical characteristics and a processor. In a first state, the amorphous layer acts to interfere with reading of information from the magnetic strip. Identification of a user of the card as an authorized user thereof results in a second state in which the information stored in the magnetic strip is accessible. For example, biometric identification or the use of a PIN entered either directly into the card or through an input terminal cause the processor to switch power from the amorphous strip thereby removing the interference and unmasking the information on the magnetic strip.

Abstract: Due to the frequency dependence of phasing mechanisms applied in planar printed reflectors, when using planar printed reflector antennas beam squint occurs as the frequency is scanned within the operating band. In order to reduce or eliminate beam squint, an incident signal incident upon a reflector is altered in such a way that the outgoing signal retains a same direction. In an embodiment, this is achieved by providing feed elements in different locations, each feed element for feeding a signal of a different frequency. In another embodiment, two reflector arrays are used wherein beam squint caused by the first reflector array is compensated for by the second reflector array.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seamless system for controlling the flow of fluids, such as liquids or compressed air, through a non-fragmented length of flexible tubing. It incorporates into a single system a number of functions currently performed with separate valves within conventional dental handpiece fluid flow control units. The invention can be fitted to an existing flexible fluid supply line, within a dental delivery system without destructive insertion or removal of any intermediary parts and without contact with the fluid medium itself. The invention is conceived to accommodate from the outside, three contiguous portions (a first, an intermediate and a second portion) of a non-fragmented length of flexible tubing.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing documents has files containing data and instructions. The data forms logical streams for provision to output means. According to the method, a plurality of referents referring to logical streams of data are provided. A plurality of different referent scopes with which referents are associated and used and outside of which referents within a scope are inaccessible are also provided. Referents are then inserted into the logical stream of data and within a referent scope from the plurality of referent scopes. The logical streams of data referred to by referents within a referent scope are then resolved but resolving of a referent scope does not necessarily result in a resolved logical stream of data absent referents. Once the referent scopes are resolved, the resulting logical data stream is provided to the output device as a constructed document. A system having parts for performing the steps of the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the past, user authorization based on biometric information was conducted by correlating a single instance of biometric information against a template. By using this method, a percentage of the population is difficult to authenticate. Further, due to skin damage and injuries, sometimes biometric information is not suited to identification. A sore throat affecting voice information and scraped finger tips affecting fingerprint information are two examples of common problems with authorization in dependence upon biometric information. A method of authenticating a user in dependence upon biometric input information is disclosed. The method allows a user to select biometric information sources and a number of repetitions for each source in order to customize the process of biometric user authentication.

Abstract: A detector for detecting detonatable devices such as land mines has a a search head with a probe having a tip for placing beneath the surface of the ground. The probe tip ultrasonically provides an indication of the presence of a metal or plastic material. A force sensor coupled to the probe time provides an indication of force at the tip as it is placed beneath the ground surface. Therefore, before too much force is applied to the tip, a user is warned and accidental detonation may be prevented.