Abstract: A splicing assembly comprising a splicing plate having a structure defining at least two cutting grooves. A positioning marker is disposed on the splicing plate, and at least one clamping assembly is coupled to the splicing plate. A method for installing a roll of labels on a labeler comprising removing from the labeler a first core which supports a sheet having labels. The sheet is positioned on a support surface. A second core, which supports a sheet having labels, is positioned on the labeler. The sheet from the second core is disposed on top of the sheet from the first core after the latter has been disposed on a support surface. The sheets are subsequently cut and spliced. A method for splicing comprising cutting a pair of superimposed pliable substrates to produce a pair of residual pliable substrates which are subsequently spliced.

Abstract: Online interactions using optical disc players are facilitated by extracting information from a user request that was initiated from an optical disc player, and then using the extracted information to identify pre-existing user-specific data. A short code, which is specific to the desired online interaction and associated with the extracted information and pre-existing information, is generated and transmitted back to the optical disc player. This short code is then provided back to the back-end server by the user from a secondary consumer electronic device, and used to retrieve associated information, such as the target website for consummating the desired interaction and the previously-identified pre-existing information. Retrieved information is used to populate data fields on the target website prior the user being re-directed to the target website.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the association of a non-guessable, unique ID with a user and the automatic or electronic referral of user ID to a medical service provider, without revealing private medical information. After the assignment of a unique ID to a User, the ID may then provide authentication by a certified health care source. In some embodiments, the delivery of a unique ID to a User can act as a token that can provide authentication for data entering a secure transmission system for medical referrals and tracking. In some embodiments, an electronic system compensates various parties by tracking activities associated with a unique user ID number without revealing any private medical information of a user also associated with the ID.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling or disabling an optical device, such as an optical disc, includes an optical blocking material bonded or otherwise integrated into the optical device. In a specific embodiment, the optical blocking material includes a dye, such as an energy-sensitive dye. The optical blocking material is initially applied to the optical device during production using a spin coating or other suitable technique. An area of the optical device that will prevent a function of the device is then masked, and sufficient energy is applied to the unmasked area to activate the optical blocking material of the unmasked area while leaving the masked area unactivated. In a specific embodiment, the masked area corresponds with a lead-in area of an optical disc. The optical blocking material of the masked area remains non-transparent to disable the optical device until a second application of energy at a retail location.

Abstract: A method for printing one or more desired features on a polymeric substrate. In an example embodiment, the method includes receiving an ink that includes a bio-reactive indicator material, and employing a piezoelectric printhead to deposit the ink on a polymeric substrate. The polymer substrate with the ink deposited thereon represents a diagnostic testing device for performing a test on a material sample. The method further includes employing UltraViolet (UV) light to cure the ink. The ink may include an electrically conductive material. A UV light source may be coupled to a piezoelectric printhead and actuated in response to a control signal from a controller to facilitate curing materials deposited on the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A method of making optical devices includes applying an energy sensitive protective material and an energy sensitive advanced optical material to a surface. The surface can be on the optical device or on a carrier, such as a thin sheet, to be applied to the optical device. Light energy is applied through a special production filter to cure the energy sensitive protective material on the surface while blocking light energy outside a selected wavelength spectrum from reaching the material. A portion of the optical device can then be masked, and light energy outside the spectrum filtered by the special production filter can be applied to activate the unmasked portion of the advanced optical material. The special production filter allows curing of the protective material using light energy in a limited (e.g., visible) spectrum so that the advanced optical material can be activated using light energy in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for manufacturing an optical devices and optical devices incorporating optical blocking material on the read-side surface of the optical disc. A protective layer and an optical blocking material are applied to the read-side surface of an optical disc. The protective layer, for example, may prevent corrosive solvents in the optical blocking material from damaging the read-side surface of the optical disc. Applying the optical blocking material to the read-side surface of the optical disc may prevents an optical disc player from reading the optical device until the optical blocking material deactivated. Once activated, the optical blocking material becomes sufficiently transparent to allow the optical disc player to read the optical disc.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling or disabling an optical device, such as an optical disc, includes an optical blocking material bonded or otherwise integrated into the optical device. In a specific embodiment, the optical blocking material includes a dye, such as an energy-sensitive dye. The optical blocking material is initially applied to the optical device during production using a spin coating or other suitable technique. An area of the optical device that will prevent a function of the device is then masked, and sufficient energy is applied to the unmasked area to activate the optical blocking material of the unmasked area while leaving the masked area unactivated. In a specific embodiment, the masked area corresponds with a lead-in area of an optical disc. The optical blocking material of the masked area remains non-transparent to disable the optical device until a second application of energy at a retail location.

Abstract: A system for selectively inhibiting unauthorized use of an optical device. In an illustrative embodiment, the system implements an optical-device play-prevention system and copy-prevention system. The system includes a first set of data that is encoded via pit structures of the optical disc. A read system, such as a disc drive, which includes a read laser, is adapted to read the first set of data. A first material, which is positioned on or within the disc, changes transparency to laser light from the read laser in response to a first predetermined energy, such as ultrasound. A second material that is positioned on or within the disc temporarily changes transparency to the laser light, in response to a second predetermined energy, such as energy from the read laser. Changes in transparency of the first material and the second material change accessibility of the first set of data to the read system.

Abstract: A splicing assembly comprising a splicing plate having a structure defining at least two cutting grooves. A positioning marker is disposed on the splicing plate, and at least one clamping assembly is coupled to the splicing plate. A method for installing a roll of labels on a labeler comprising removing from the labeler a first core which supports a sheet having labels. The sheet is positioned on a support surface. A second core, which supports a sheet having labels, is positioned on the labeler. The sheet from the second core is disposed on top of the sheet from the first core after the latter has been disposed on a support surface. The sheets are subsequently cut and spliced. A method for splicing comprising cutting a pair of superimposed pliable substrates to produce a pair of residual pliable substrates which are subsequently spliced.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling or disabling an optical device. In an illustrative embodiment, the system implements an optical-device theft-prevention system. The theft-prevention system includes a material that is selectively positioned on, in, or relative to the optical device so that the transparency of the material affects a desired operation of the optical device. An energy beam is selectively employed to enable or disable the optical device by affecting the transparency of the material. In a specific embodiment, the fist material includes a dye, such as an energy-sensitive dye. The optical device includes an optical disc, such as Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD). The energy-sensitive dye is disposed over an entire readable surface of the optical device.