Abstract: A method for distributing a prescription pharmaceutical product includes recording a unique identifier in a database that identifies a medium and a prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. The database is provisioned with criteria that establish different potential values for the medium. Thus, the medium has a variable value that varies according to the criteria provisioned in the database. A holder of the medium then presents the medium to a provider of the prescription pharmaceutical product. Upon receipt the medium, the provider communicates the unique identifier associated with the medium. Based on the unique identifier of the medium and the variable value criteria provisioned in the database, the value of the medium is determined and communicated to the provider. The holder then utilizes the determined value to purchase the prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium.

Abstract: A method for distributing a prescription pharmaceutical product includes recording a unique identifier in a database that identifies a medium and a prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. The database is provisioned with criteria that establish different potential values for the medium. Thus, the medium has a variable value that varies according to the criteria provisioned in the database. A holder of the medium then presents the medium to a provider of the prescription pharmaceutical product. Upon receipt the medium, the provider communicates the unique identifier associated with the medium. Based on the unique identifier of the medium and the variable value criteria provisioned in the database, the value of the medium is determined and communicated to the provider. The holder then utilizes the determined value to purchase the prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium.

Abstract: A method of delivering goods or services via an encoded medium to a holder includes generating data in a database associated with a central computing station in response to an assignee of the medium and a provider of goods or services separately communicatively linking the medium to a central computing station. The data generated in the database includes the identity of the assignee, the identity of the goods or services associated with the medium, and the identity of the goods or services provided by the provider. A value of the medium is established, wherein the medium assumes different values based on various conditions. After the provider of goods or services provides the goods or services to the holder, the value of the medium is updated and recorded in the database.

Abstract: A method of providing goods and services to individuals or entities via media entails assigning at least one good or service to a medium and assigning a unique identifier to the medium. Recording information in a database relative to the medium and linking the one or more goods or services assigned to the medium with the identifier of the medium. Thereafter, the medium is distributed to an individual or entity and the individual or entity presents the medium to a provider of goods or services assigned to the medium. Upon presentment the provider delivers one or more of the assigned goods to the individual or entity making presentment. At an appropriate point in the process, a communication is directed to the database recording the results of the transaction between the provider and the individual or entity presenting the medium.

Abstract: A prescription pharmaceutical promotional carrier is provided that is effective to promote a series of prescription drugs. The carrier includes first and second portions with the second portion being referred to as a payment vehicle and the first portion being utilized to identify the series of prescription drugs being promoted. In use, a preferred embodiment provides a series of stickers secured to the first portion of the carrier. Each sticker identifies or represents a prescription pharmaceutical product. A doctor may possess one or more of the carriers and may prescribe a prescription drug being promoted by the carrier. If so, the doctor can transfer a sticker identifying the prescription drug to the payment vehicle and separate the payment vehicle from the carrier.

Abstract: A method of providing goods and services to individuals or entities via media entails assigning at least one good or service to a medium and assigning a unique identifier to the medium. Recording information in a database relative to the medium and linking the one or more goods or services assigned to the medium with the identifier of the medium. Thereafter, the medium is distributed to an individual or entity and the individual or entity presents the medium to a provider of goods or services assigned to the medium. Upon presentment the provider delivers one or more of the assigned goods to the individual or entity making presentment. At an appropriate point in the process, a communication is directed to the database recording the results of the transaction between the provider and the individual or entity presenting the medium.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp and incandescent lighting system are disclosed, for projecting a beam of light with substantially improved energy efficiency. The incandescent lamp includes a pair of reflective ceramic filament supports for supporting one or more filaments in prescribed position(s) within an envelope while reflecting back substantially all visible and infrared light for incorporation into the projected beam or for absorption by the filament(s). The incandescent lighting system includes a special infrared-reflective shroud concentrically encircling the incandescent lamp, for reflecting infrared light back toward the lamp filament(s) while transmitting visible light to a concave reflector for incorporation into the projected beam. The infrared-reflective coating is deposited onto the shroud's inner surface, and it includes a dielectric coating and an underlying transparent conductive coating.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp and incandescent lighting system are disclosed, for projecting a beam of light with substantially improved energy efficiency. The incandescent lamp includes a pair of reflective ceramic filament supports for supporting one or more filaments in prescribed position(s) within an envelope while reflecting back substantially all visible and infrared light for incorporation into the projected beam or for absorption by the filament(s).

Abstract: A new and improved method of dispensing, tracking and managing pharmaceutical product samples by communicatively linking prescribers and pharmacies to a central computing station. The present invention entails utilizing product trial media that is exchanged for actual pharmaceutical product. The media is encoded with information that identifies a particular pharmaceutical trial product, such as by magnetic encoding similar to that used with credit cards. The media is distributed to participating medical doctors or prescribers who then activate the media via the central computing station. The prescriber then transfers the activated media to patients who then present the media to participating pharmacies. Before filling the pharmaceutical trial product identified by the media, the pharmacy validates the media via a link with the central computing station. Then, the pharmacy dispenses the prescribed pharmaceutical trial product.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to a high-index film deposited on a substrate, the film comprising a layer of a prescribed seed material and an overlaying layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The seed material has a prescribed, uniform inter-atomic spacing adapted to cause the overlaying TiO2 to have a high-index phase. The present invention also pertains generally to a method for forming a high-index film, comprising the steps of first forming a layer of a seed material having the prescribed, uniform inter-atomic spacing, and then forming a layer of TiO2 atop the seed material, such that the TiO2 has the high-index phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lamp, and lighting fixture incorporating such a lamp, wherein the lamp's envelope includes a special optical coating system configured to more effectively reflect infrared light back toward the lamp filament, thereby enhancing the lamp's luminous efficacy. Multiple embodiments are disclosed, including coating systems deposited on one or both surfaces of the lamp envelope and including coating systems incorporating either a dielectric coating alone or specific combinations of a dielectric coating and a transparent conductive coating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a lighting fixture of a kind having individually colored light sources, e.g., LEDs, that emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum that varies in its initial spectral composition, that varies with temperature, and that degrades over time. The method controls such fixture so that it projects light having a predetermined desired flux spectrum despite variations in initial spectral characteristics, despite variations in temperature, and despite flux degradations over time.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a lighting fixture of a kind having individually colored light sources, e.g., LEDs, that emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum that varies in its initial spectral composition, that varies with temperature, and that degrades over time. The method controls such fixture so that it projects light having a predetermined desired flux spectrum despite variations in initial spectral characteristics, despite variations in temperature, and despite flux degradations over time.

Abstract: A new method of dispensing, tracking and managing pharmaceutical product samples by communicatively linking prescribers and pharmacies to a central computing station. The present invention entails utilizing product trial media that is exchanged for actual pharmaceutical product. The media is encoded with information that identifies a particular pharmaceutical trial product, such as by magnetic encoding similar to that used with credit cards. The media is distributed to participating medical doctors or prescribers who then activate the media via the central computing station. The prescriber then transfers the activated media to patients who then present the media to participating pharmacies. Before filling the pharmaceutical trial product identified by the media, the pharmacy validates the media via a link with the central computing station.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a lighting fixture of a kind having individually colored light sources, e.g., LEDs, that emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum that varies in its initial spectral composition, that varies with temperature, and that degrades over time. The method controls such fixture so that it projects light having a predetermined desired flux spectrum despite variations in initial spectral characteristics, despite variations in temperature, and despite flux degradations over time.

Abstract: An improved lighting apparatus, suitable for use as part of a lighting fixture, is disclosed, having a plurality of groups of distinct light-emitting devices, e.g., light-emitting diodes, that can be controlled to produce a beam of light having a wide variety of complex luminous flux spectra, including, but not limited, to spectra that closely emulate that of any one of a number of conventional light sources, with or without a conventional chemical dye filter. Each group of light-emitting devices is configured to emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum. A controller supplies selected amounts of electrical power to two or more groups of the plurality of groups of light-emitting devices, such that the groups cooperate to produce a composite beam of light having a selected luminous flux spectrum. The spectrum can be controlled to have a normalized mean deviation across the visible spectrum, relative to that of a beam of light to be emulated, of less than about 30%.

Abstract: An improved lighting fixture is disclosed, having a plurality of groups of distinct light-emitting devices, e.g., light-emitting diodes, that can be controlled to produce a beam of light having a wide variety of complex luminous flux spectra, including but not limited to spectra that closely emulate that of any one of a number of conventional light sources, with or without a conventional chemical dye filter. Each group of light-emitting devices is configured to emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum. A controller supplies selected amounts of electrical power to two or more groups of the plurality of groups of light-emitting devices, such that the groups cooperate to produce a composite beam of light having a selected luminous flux spectrum. The spectrum can be controlled to have a normalized mean deviation across the visible spectrum, relative to that of a beam of light to be emulated, of less than about 30%.

Abstract: A new and improved method of dispensing, tracking and managing pharmaceutical product samples by communicatively linking prescribers and pharmacies to a central computing station. The method entails utilizing product trial media that is exchanged for actual pharmaceutical product. The media is encoded with information that identifies a particular pharmaceutical trial product, such as by magnetic encoding similar to that used with credit cards. The media is distributed to participating medical doctors or prescribers who then activate the media via the central computing station. The prescriber then transfers the activated media to patients who then present the media to participating pharmacies. Before filling the pharmaceutical trial product identified by the media, the pharmacy validates the media via a link with the central computing station. Then, the pharmacy dispenses the prescribed pharmaceutical trial product.

Abstract: An improved plug-in power module for providing a controlled amount of electrical power to one or more remote lighting fixtures or other load is disclosed, the module being configured to sense a ground fault or other current imbalance at the load and, in response, both to trigger the module's circuit breaker to open and to report the occurrence of such a ground fault to a central location. The power module achieves these important functions without adding unduly to the module's complexity or size.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp is disclosed that is specially adapted for use in combination with a concave reflector in providing a high-intensity beam of light. The lamp includes a plurality of linear, helically-wound filaments arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel with each other and spaced substantially uniformly around the lamp's central longitudinal axis. Orienting such a lamp with its longitudinal axis aligned with the reflector's longitudinal axis, and with the filaments near the reflector's general focal point, ensures that a high proportion of the emitted light is collected by the reflector to project the high-intensity beam.