Abstract: A toilet assembly is provided having a bowl assembly, a fragmentation passage, a jet assembly, and a water system. The bowl assembly has a wastewater inlet and a waste water outlet. The fragmentation passage has a passage, an inlet, and an outlet. The fragmentation inlet and outlet are each in fluid communication with the passage. The passage has an upper portion, that is above a water line, and a lower portion, that is below a water line. The fragmentation inlet coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the bowl assembly waste outlet. The jet assembly has an inlet and an outlet. The jet assembly is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the passage lower portion. The water system is coupled to and in fluid communication with the bowl assembly and the jet assembly. The water system is structured to deliver a quantity of water to the bowl assembly and the jet assembly and to remove wastewater from the fragmentation passage.

Abstract: Optical devices, systems, and methods can produce and/or measure cylindrical (as well as spherical) lens shapes throughout a range of both powers and cylindrical axes. Fluid focus lenses employ electrical potentials to vary the shape of a fluid/fluid interface between two immiscible fluids having differing indices of refractions by controlling localized angles between the interface and a surrounding container wall. Spherical power, cylindrical power, and cylindrical access alignment may be varied with no moving parts (other than the fluids).

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring optical aberrations of an eye are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides transmitting light from the eye along an optical path to an aberration sensor. An adaptive optic is disposed along the optical path between a target optical system and the aberration sensor. Aberrations of the adaptive optic can be adjusted in response to a signal generated by the aberration sensor so as to provide a desired sensed aberration. The shape of the adjusted adaptive optic can be determined with the aberration sensor by transmitting an adaptive optic configuration measurement beam along the optical path.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a contact lens with secondary prism in which a button of contact lens material, having a posterior surface of suitable design for fitting the needs of the eye, is mounted on a lathe and the front surface of the lens formed by the steps of: 1. Cutting a front surface, forming a single vision or bifocal lens with an initial prism. 2. Cutting away a portion of the initial prism so as to form a secondary prism. This method requires fewer steps and is faster than methods used previously.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyze, diagnose, and/or treat a patient's eye using modified forms of the point spread function (“PSF”) tailored to the vision system. Factors that alter perception of visual aberrations can be included and/or volumetric point spread functions calculated, often using point spread function calculations throughout a range of optical distances to more fully indicate the variation in visual perception of optics at different distances. A variety of visual affects of the human optical system can be simulated, analyzed, and modeled, including: single versus multiple wavelength sources, chromatic aberrations, retinal resolution, wavelength-dependent visual response, Stiles-Crawford effects, and/or non-linearity of retinal response.

Abstract: A form assembly is suitable for mailing and includes a front sheet comprising a fold line that separates a first section and a second section of the front sheet. Each section defines a foldable flap along the fold line. Adhesive material is disposed on the back inner face of the front sheet. The form assembly also includes a back sheet comprising at least one die-cut. The die-cut substantially conforms to the second section and a receiving area of the front sheet. Adhesive release material is disposed on the front inner face of the back sheet. Once the die-cut is removed, one of the foldable flaps can be folded along the fold line and adhesively bound to a receiving area of the front sheet that is adjacent to the fold line, thereby resulting in a multi-ply form having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and test devices for aligning a diagnostic device with a laser refractive system. In one embodiment, the device comprises a body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion defines a radiused corneal surface and an iris, and the distal portion defines a retinal surface. The test devices of the present invention typically have visual and optical characteristics that are similar to a human eye.

Abstract: An autorefractor system in an ultra-compact package is described for rapidly and objectively measuring the refractive state of the eye. The autorefractor detector system, in conjunction with a secondary light source, uses one photodetector such as a charge coupled device (“CCD”) or one photodiode, to intercept a light beam at two distances from a secondary retinal light source created by one relay lens, one pupil emitter conjugate lens and one pupil detector conjugate lens, as well as a field lens. The signals produced by the photodetector are used to determine the full spherocylindrical refraction of the eye. A novel illumination and imaging system provides multiple capabilities to image the eye, control accommodation, and acquire and maintain optical alignment, while obtaining other measurements of the eye.

Abstract: A monocentric bifocal contact lens with upper and lower optical power zones is connected by a transition comprising a family of sigmoidal curves. The sigmoidal curve begins with a common tangent at the boundary of the near zone and, with a reversal of sign from the near zone curve, climbs with increasing positive slope to an inflection point, whereupon it continues to climb with decreasing positive slope until reaching the distance zone curve, with which it has a common tangent. There is no discontinuity in the first derivative of the curve throughout its length. A sigmoidal curve can be constructed from numerous mathematical functions, examples of which include polynomial, conic, transendental, or cumulative distribution curves.

Abstract: A sync-seeking system comprises a central server and a portable server that include control programs to maintain the equivalency of their stored data and to accumulate additional data from outside sources. The portable server establishes a wireless connection with at least one wireless network, e.g., a wireless wide area network (WWAN) or a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the central server and portable server establish a logical connection via the at least one wireless network. In order to maintain logical equivalency, the central server and portable server intermittently engage in peer-to-peer communication via the logical connection to exchange the additional data they have accumulated. The portable server can be interconnected, via wireless links, to display devices, such as laptop computers, PDAs, set-top boxes, and cell phones.

Abstract: Methods, systems and software for determine an optical surface model for an optical tissue system using Fourier transformation algorithms. A method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. The surface gradients from the transmitted image are measured across the optical tissues of the eye. A Fourier transform algorithm is applied to the surface gradients to reconstruct an optical surface model that corresponds to the optical tissues of the eye.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor enhances calibration of a laser ablation system, such as a laser eye surgery system, by measuring one or more characteristics of an ablated test surface. Typically, light is passed through the ablated test surface, and the light is analyzed to determine the test surface characteristics. In some embodiments, the ablated test surface is positioned along a treatment plane. In some embodiments, light is passed through a wavefront sensor, such as a Hartmann-Shack sensor, to convert the light into electrical signals. A processor then converts the electrical signals into data, such as surface maps showing high-order aberrations and/or artifacts on the test surface, refractive power measurements, shape measurements, and the like. Generated data may then be used to calibrate a laser surgery system.

Abstract: An evacuation lighting system comprising a plurality of lights, control circuitry and a power providing system. The lights comprise low voltage lights which are at least one of embedded in, and positioned proximate, a ground surface. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the plurality of lights. The power providing system is electrically coupled to at least one of the control circuitry and the plurality of lights. The power providing system further comprises a UPS power supply, a grid power supply and a source switching circuitry capable of selecting one of the UPS power supply and the grid power supply. The control circuitry is capable of selectively controlling each of the plurality of lights, to, in turn, direct an individual in an evacuation. A method for using the same is likewise provided.

Abstract: A user identification is input to a system. The system uses the user identification to select a set of default alarm severity levels. An indication of the selected set of default alarm severity levels is stored in memory. When a predetermined condition occurs in one of the system's function cards, the alarm that is generated is based on the selected default alarm severity level.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a closed loop system and method for assessing a performance of a refractive surgical system that is capable of correcting lower and higher order aberrations of the eye. In one embodiment, the refractor surgical system comprises a corneal re-shaping laser system and a refractor system that is capable of measuring low and higher order aberrations of the eye. A software application is capable of transforming the measurements of the refractor system to a treatment plan to control and guide the corneal re-shaping laser system. The systems and methods of the present invention may include a lens that is created by the corneal reshaping laser system and can be measured by the refractor system.

Abstract: The invention entails identifying the parties involved in a process of handling personally identifiable information; identifying the data involved in said process; classifying the data; expressing each relationship between each pair of said parties in terms of a privacy agreement; and representing the parties, data, and privacy agreements graphically in one or more privacy agreement relationship diagrams. The invention has the advantage of identifying opportunities to reduce privacy-related risks, including identifying unnecessary exchanges of data, for possible elimination, and identifying opportunities to transform data into a less sensitive form. Privacy agreements are based on a limited set of privacy-related actions: access, disclose, release, notify, utilize, update, withdrawConsent, giveConsent, delete, anonymize, depersonalize, and repersonalize. One aspect of the present invention is a method for improving the handling of personally identifiable information.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for handling personally identifiable information, using a rules model. The invention involves defining a limited number of privacy-related actions regarding personally identifiable information; constructing a rule for each circumstance in which one of said privacy-related actions may be taken or must be taken; allowing for the input of dynamic contextual information to precisely specify the condition for evaluation of a rule; creating a programming object containing at least one of said rules; associating the programming object with personally identifiable information; processing a request; and providing an output. The invention does not merely give a “yes-or-no answer. The invention has the advantage of being able to specify additional actions that must be taken. The invention may use a computer system and network. One aspect of the present invention is a method for handling personally identifiable information.

Abstract: An online coupon issuing and redemption system and method receives requests for coupons from consumers, presents advertisements and issues coupons to consumers electronically. The system presents advertisements before issuing the coupons, such that an issuer may be assured its targeted consumer are receiving its advertisements. The coupons are issued on a smart card, thereby eliminating a need for paper coupons. The coupons are digitally signed in order to prevent fraud. In order to prevent further fraudulent tampering of coupons, the redemption station includes a tamper-protected coprocessor for performing operations on the coupons. The system further includes capability for the redemption station to link to an issuing station for electronic reimbursements.

Abstract: The present invention involves providing in a computer a first set of object classes representing active entities in an information-handling process, wherein a limited number of privacy-related actions represent operations performed on data, and providing in the computer a second set of object classes representing data and rules in the information-handling process, wherein at least one object class has rules associated with data. The invention also involves using the above-mentioned objects in constructing a model of an information-handling process, and providing output that identifies at least one way in which the information-handling process could be improved. One aspect of the present invention is a method for handling personally identifiable information. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for executing the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture and computer product is presented for a vehicle customization, restriction, and data logging capability. The invention leverages the increasing electronic content in vehicles by interconnecting these electronic devices with a controller. It further uses a storage device in the vehicle, to store vehicle customizations and/or restrictions, and to provide capability for defining and logging significant vehicle events. Combining the electronic vehicle components with a storage device (sometimes in the form of a smart card or floppy disk, etc.) and a controller in a vehicle network enables providing operator specific settings for each of a set of vehicle operators. These customizations add to operator and passenger comfort and safety. It also enables application of setting restrictions to and logging the vehicles use parameters.