Abstract: A system is provided for providing security with an optical card. According to one embodiment of the invention, immunization data can be disposed on an optical card and used in an optical card system to establish that a particular individual has been immunized for a particular disease. The immunization data can be stored in a variety of formats and encrypted for verification. Biometric data can be used with the immunization data to establish that the immunization data applies to that particular individual. The optical card memory allows sufficient biometric data to be stored so as to clearly verify the identity of the card holder.

Abstract: An irrigation gate system installed in a channel (such as a ditch or canal) for controlling the flow of water through the channel maintaining a desired level of water upstream from the irrigation gate system or for controlling water flow downstream from the irrigation gate system. The irrigation gate system includes a gate which is maintained in a closed position for preventing water flow past the gate or alternatively, in one of a plurality of open positions for allowing desired amounts of water in the channel to flow past the gate. The gate is vertically hingedly connected to a pipe shaft supported by a frame installed in the channel. A gate actuator moves the gate between its various positions upon receiving signals from an electronic programmable controller which in turn may receive signals from a variety of sources.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for identifying an individual and reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card is disclosed. The system includes an optical card drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a data processor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual. The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from the individual.

Abstract: In a door constructed of spaced apart skins mounted on a rectangular frame and reinforced with the core between the skins filled with a plastic foam, a window or door light frame system consists of a two part frame system with a window light permanently installed in one part of the system and the other part releasably adapted to register with the frame part with the window light installed during shipping and rotated when installed to bring the locking elements of the several parts into registry to permanently lock the frame system in an aperture formed in a door with stop means in the locking arrangements to prevent damage to the frame system or the door on which the frame system is installed from excessive compressive forces on the frame parts.

Abstract: Security of a distribution facility is maintained. Authorization information is read from a security optical card or other technology card presented by a person attempting to engage in a restricted activity within the distribution facility or gain access to the facility. An identity of the person is verified as corresponding to an identity of a cardholder to whom the security optical card was issued. It is confirmed that engaging in the restricted activity or gaining access by the cardholder is permitted in accordance with the authorization information. The person is then permitted to engage in the restricted activity or is given access.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reading data encoded on an optical card as a series of binary pits formed within optical-card tracks separated by an average optical-card track pitch. A translator and a compact-disc laser head are provided. The compact-disc laser head reads data from a compact disc having data encoded as a series of binary pits formed within compact-disc tracks separated by an average compact-disc track pitch. The translator moves the optical card linearly relative to the compact-disc laser head in a direction of motion. The compact-disc laser head is oriented relative to the direction of motion to accommodate a difference between the average optical-card track pitch and the average compact-disc track pitch.

Abstract: An optical motor-vehicle card is provided as a laminated card having a pattern of burn holes that encode information according to a set of fields. One field is an identification field having optically encoded information identifying an authorized holder of the optical motor-vehicle card. Another field is a driving-status field having optically encoded information summarizing an authorized driving status of the authorized holder.

Abstract: An optical card is authenticated. The optical card has data stored on tracks in an optical storage area At least some of the data are encrypted. A character string is read optically from one of the tracks without decrypting any of the encrypted data. The character string is stored as a sequence of etched and unetched states within the track. The character string read from the track is verified to be identical to a predefined authentication string.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reading optical cards. A housing has a slot for slidably receiving an optical card. The optical card has physical tracks with an arrangement of physical pits to define on optically encoded biometric. A light detector is fixed in position relative to the housing. An optical train is also fixed in position relative to the housing and is configured to provide optical paths between the light detector and the optical card as the optical card is slid along the slot. A biometric sensor is provided. A processor is coupled with the light detector and with the biometric sensor. The processor has programming instructions to compare a biometric measured by the biometric sensor with the optically encoded biometric read from the optical card with the light detector.

Abstract: A bit sequence is generated that produces a visible image on an optical card when written to the optical card as a series of etched and unetched states according to an optical-card writing protocol. For pixels distributed in two dimensions, an average intensity of the image in each pixel is determined. A bit arrangement is assigned to the pixel in accordance with the determined average intensity. For tracks distributed in one of the two dimensions across multiple of the pixels, bits defined by the pixel bit arrangements are mapped and distributed linearly within the track to a two-dimensional representation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for executing a banking transaction for a customer. Account information is read from an optical banking card for a banking account associated with the optical banking card. The account information includes a current balance for the banking account. A request is received from the customer to execute the banking transaction, which effects a change in the balance of the account. A movement of funds is coordinated in accordance with the request to execute the banking transaction. Updated account information is written to the optical banking card. The updated account information includes a new current balance for the banking account that accounts for the movement of funds.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for distributing drug interaction information for pharmacological compounds is disclosed. In one step, a request is received for a pharmacological compound for administration to a party. A list is received that includes a plurality of other pharmacological compounds associated with the party. A listing of possible drug interactions related to at least one of the pharmacological compound or the plurality of other pharmacological compounds is read from an optical card. It is determined if the pharmacological compound is contraindicated from the listing of possible drug interactions. A subset of the listing of possible drug interactions relevant to use of the pharmacological compound with the plurality of other pharmacological compounds is printed.

Abstract: A self-controlled modular bench press apparatus for progressive lift distance training including a pair of stands each with an upper translating assembly for vertical, incremental movement selectable by the user during exercise with no barbell attachments. The stands fit underneath the barbell and accommodate off-center loading of the barbell. Each stand includes a linear motion actuator to provide for the vertical movement and a quick connect/disconnect controller enables the user to provide input to each electrically controlled linear motion actuator to translate the upper translating assembly in an independent but parallel manner.

Abstract: An ambidextrous sectional pizza box lid that can be divided into sections, which are shaped in such a way so that the sections can be easily grasped with either the left or right hand without the use of tools. The pizza box having a bottom portion and a top portion which comprises a top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion. The top portion may have plurality plate portions that are removably formed in the top portion and are shaped for ambidextrously grasping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system enabling the control of a combustion environment thereby adjusting the affect of ambient temperatures on the combustion quality on all modes of operation. The system can be described as a system for controlling a combustion environment within a combustion chamber of a hydronic heating system comprising a boiler containing a heat transfer fluid (HTF), a burner within a combustion chamber, and a fluidic distribution network in fluidic contact with the boiler thereby enabling movement of HTF. The temperature control system comprises of a first heating unit for adjusting the temperature of the fuel fed to the burner, a second heating unit for adjusting combustion air temperature and a third heating unit associated with the boiler to heat the HTF in the boiler to operating temperature.

Abstract: A coin container for receiving coins or tokens therein, comprising a receptacle having a longitudinal wall along a longitudinal axis and end faces at opposed ends of the longitudinal wall. The longitudinal wall has an inner surface defining a cavity portion with the end faces. The cavity portion is adapted to partially receive therein a predetermined number of coins. Grooves protrude radially in the inner surface of the longitudinal wall. The grooves are adapted to receive partially therein at least one coin of the predetermined number of coins thereby separating other ones of the predetermined number of coins in groups of the predetermined number of coins, such that the coins in the grooves are offset radially from the groups. Means are provide for forming a tubular container with the cavity portion of the receptacle to hold the coins captive in the tubular container.

Abstract: A method is provided for writing a record to an optical card. A session key is generated randomly. The session key is encrypted using a private key of a public/private key pair associated with a particular cryptographic-key management device. The record is encrypted using the session key. A serial number for the particular cryptographic-key management device, the encrypted private key, and the encrypted record are optically written to the optical card.

Abstract: A cryptographic-key management device is provided. A secure cryptographic module is provided with a first memory storing a private cryptographic key of multiple public/private key pairs. The secure cryptographic module is adapted to zeroize the first memory in response to physical disruption of the module. A secure microcontroller is provided in communication with and adapted to control operation of the secure cryptographic module. The secure microcontroller has a second memory storing the public keys of the public/private key pains and a self-destruct pin whose activation disables the microcontroller. A package encapsulates the secure cryptographic module and the secure microcontroller, and is linked with the self-destruct pin to activate the self-destruct pin in response to a breach of the package.

Abstract: A hardware random-number generator is provided. Random shot noise is generated by first and second quantum random shot-noise generators. A differential amplifier is provided in electrical communication with the shot-noise generators to subtract signals produced by the shot-noise generators. An analog comparator is provided in electrical communication with the differential amplifier to quantize a difference signal produced by the differential amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a lenticular optical system is provided in which a composite image is viewable through a molded lens from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. The apparatus of the present invention provides for registration of the lenticular lenses with the printed image when the lenses are formed.