Abstract: A method for imaging a fingerprint on an optical memory card having an upper transparent cover, a base and optical medium therebetween, wherein a cardholder imprints a fingerprint having a pattern of ridges and valleys on the upper cover of the card and a laser beam is scanned over the fingerprint. The laser beam is selectively transmitted by the fingerprint. The laser beam burns pits into optical medium areas corresponding to valleys of the fingerprint and is prevented from burning pits into optical medium areas corresponding to the ridges, thus producing a fingerprint image comprising light and dark areas in the optical medium corresponding to the pattern of ridges and valleys of the user's fingerprint.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring data between a read/write apparatus having a shuttle powered by a single motor supporting a hybrid data storage card and having optical and electrical data heads. The hybrid data storage card has an integrated circuit module and an optical memory unit both on a single side of the hybrid card. Electrical signal communication occurs when a gap between the shuttle and a support connected to the electrical head is closed such that the electrical head is able to align with the integrated circuit module. Optical signal communication occurs between the optical data head and optical memory unit when the gap is formed and maintained between the shuttle and the support connected to the electrical head such that the shuttle is able to move linearly without interference from the support.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory cards and labels in the form of miniature bar codes using laser recording of optical storage media to create multiple updatable, miniature 2-D bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, 2-D bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory stripes of smart/optical cards using laser recording of optical storage media to create updatable, high resolution, two-dimensional bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, two-dimensional bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels on the optical memory stripe can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for inhibiting the use of counterfeited optical memory cards and hybrid smart cards that use Drexon™ reflective laser recordable media for recording and storing data. Use of such counterfeit versions of Drexon™ optical memory cards can be inhibited by use of two or more LEDs, or semiconductor lasers, which would focus their light beams on the apparent Drexon™ optical memory stripe. Using photodetectors, the reflectivity of the Drexon™ stripe would be measured at two or more wavelengths including the visible and the infrared so as to identify the Drexon™ media, a silver particle-based material which has a unique reflectivity vs. wavelength characteristic. If the relative reflectivities match those predetermined characteristics of the Drexon™ media, the card would not be rejected; otherwise it would be rejected.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the counterfeiting of electronic cash smart cards that use microchips for monetary stored value or digital identity cards that use microchips to control the transfer of data. Such electronic cash cards have recently been counterfeited by the use of electronic techniques to break the security codes. Such counterfeiting can be inhibited by bonding an optical memory stripe to the smart card with pre-recorded or post-recorded validation data at one or multiple locations on the cards. This optical validation data would be read with a photodetector array and could be transmitted to the recipient during funds transfer and/or used locally to control dispensing of cash or data. Thus successful counterfeiting of the modified electronic cash or digital identity card would require meeting exacting electronic and optical requirements.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory cards and labels using laser recording of optical storage media to create updatable, high resolution, two-dimensional bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, two-dimensional bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: A base layer of an information storage card is coated with a first coating layer that will glow a first color under longwave ultraviolet light. A second coating is applied onto the first coating. This second coating will glow a second color under ultraviolet light. This second coating can then be printed on using standard printing techniques. An attempt to alter the card by removing the printing will damage the first and second coating in a nonuniform manner. This damage will be seen under longwave ultraviolet light, even if the card has been reprinted.

Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting the counterfeiting of electronic cash smart cards that use microchips for monetary stored value. Such cards have recently been counterfeited by the use of electronic techniques to break the security codes. Such counterfeiting can be inhibited by bonding an optical memory stripe to the smart card with pre-recorded or post-recorded validation data on the cards. This optical validation data would be read with a photodetector array and could be transmitted to the recipient during funds transfer and/or used locally to control dispensing of cash. Thus successful counterfeiting of the modified electronic cash card would require meeting exacting electronic and optical requirements.

Abstract: A method for providing convenient, secure access to numerous benefits with a single wallet sized card having a high capacity data storage area, preferably an optical stripe, and a lower capacity magnetic storage stripe. The high capacity area is indelibly written with data denoting a set of entitlements and records of the owner of the card. To obtain use of the entitlements, the owner takes the card to a data conversion terminal and selects a set of entitlements from a menu displayed at the terminal and, provided that the selected set is a subset of the entitlements indelibly recorded on the high capacity area of the card, data is written on the magnetic stripe of the card authorizing use of the selected entitlements. The data written on the magnetic stripe can be used to obtain benefits at numerous existing and foreseeable magnetic stripe readers.

Abstract: A system for deterring fraudulent use of wallet-size cards in local benefit dispensing terminals has a permanent data storage medium and a temporary data storage medium disposed on each card. A first card writing device has means for acquiring biometric information from a person and for writing a template of that information on the permanent storage medium. A verification terminal has similar means for acquiring biometric information from a possessor of the card, and also has a means for reading the biometric information from the permanent storage medium of the card. Upon inputting biometric information from both the card and the possessor of the card, the verification terminal compares the information, and, if they match, writes data allowing limited benefits on the temporary data storage medium of the card. This data can be read by a plurality of existing benefit dispensers at other locations, such as automated teller machines, which can then dispense benefits authorized by the data.

Abstract: An optical data identification card for an individual containing a photograph of the authorized user and a strip of optical contrast laser recording material with a laser-written macroscopic bi-level image of the authorized user to authenticate the photograph. The bi-level image is constructed by applying a dither matrix to a digital image file corresponding to the photograph. Each dark pixel consists of an array of high-density laser recorded spots or lines.

Abstract: A method for deterring fraudulent voting involving use of wallet-size cards having a permanent data storage medium and a temporary data storage medium disposed on each card. A first card writing device has means for acquiring biometric information from a person and for writing a template of that information on the permanent storage medium. A voter registration verification terminal has similar means for acquiring biometric information from a possessor of the card, and also has a means for reading the biometric information from the permanent storage medium of the card. Upon inputting biometric information from both the card and the possessor of the card, the verification terminal compares the information, and, if they match, writes data allowing limited use of the card for voting on the temporary data storage medium of the card. This data can be read by a plurality of voting terminals at other locations.

Abstract: An erasable optical, wallet-size data card utilizing an erasable recording strip in which laser written data is recorded. The data card also contains permanently stored prerecorded information in the form of surface contours or photographic marks. The prerecorded information is stored either atop of or directly below the erasable recording strip either in a transparent protective layer, a polymer underlayer or a plastic card base. Both sets of data, the laser written and the prerecorded, may be read and viewed simultaneously without interfering with each other. The erasable material used in the erasable recording strip may be magnetooptical material, amorphous-crystalline material or liquid crystal material or material showing a metal-insulator transition.

Abstract: A system and method of creating transmissive images in a developed photographic film is disclosed. A light-sensitive silver halide emulsion is developed to form an opaque surface layer of fine silver grains with a clear underlayer supported on a transparent substrate. Transmissive images are created in the opaque surface layer by selectively applying an oxidizing solution which oxidizes the silver grains to silver ions which are poor absorbers of light. The underlayer absorbs excess oxidizing solution with little or no swelling. The oxidizing solution may be dispersed by a modified ink-jet printer. The imaged film has high contrast and can be directly used without further processing in color printing plate making systems and other applications requiring a transmissive film or mask.

Abstract: A reader/writer device for flexible data cards is disclosed. The device includes a pair of pivotal arms which are adapted to receive a data card in a flat position and then to bend the card into a substantially cylindrical shape. A rotatable transducer is located so that its axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the cylindrically bent data card. The recording medium on the data card faces the transducer such that the transducer scans in lines which are parallel to the data tracks set forth on recording medium. High speed data reading and writing may be accomplished in this manner.

Abstract: A data storage medium having a pattern representing data bits arranged in a plurality of interlocked triangularly shaped tracks. The medium may be a prerecorded optical storage material having a set of optically contrasting marks arranged in the tracks. The track width increases from a start point to an end point at a constant rate that depends on the maximum allowable angle of skew. The medium, which can be prerecorded with the pattern using exposure to actinic radiation through a like-patterned master, can have either a card, tape or drum format.

Abstract: A method of inputting and outputting information files between a computer memory and a write-once medium in which a cache memory is established as an intermediary between an operating system's transfer address and the medium. The cache includes a system file allocation structure in a format corresponding to that for erasable media and a media directory file area. The directory in the write-once medium is read to the cache and the system file allocation structure is constructed from the directory information. When performing an operating system command, such as a read or write, access to the medium is made via the cache memory. For example, when reading a data file, sector locations indicated by the system file allocation structure are first mapped to corresponding sectors in the medium directory file area and the corresponding sectors are read from the medium.

Abstract: A transmissively read light beam sensitive recording medium is disclosed having a thin layer of irregularly shaped spheroidal silver grains which are capable of being modified by a light beam into smoothly rounded spherical silver grains. Portions of the thin layer which contain the irregularly shaped grains are highly absorptive of light, while portions of the layer which have been modified are transmissive. Also disclosed are methods for creating said medium.