Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer assisted surgical navigation method for determining the patient-specific pressure that must be applied on one or both sides of a joint during the ligament balancing steps of an arthroplasty procedure, said method comprising: inserting a tensor (22) inside the joint between a first bone (8) and a second bone (2) when the joint is in a given angular orientation; controlling the pressure applied by the tensor (22) to the joint so as to make it increase from a minimum value to a maximum value; measuring the evolution of the distance between the first and the second bones during said pressure increase; determining the relationship between said distance and said pressure; processing said relationship to determine said patient-specific pressure to apply to the joint.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is described a reader capable of processing image data representing a substrate. The reader can include a multiple pixel image sensor and a lens focusing image onto the multiple pixel image sensor. In one embodiment the image data representing a substrate processed by a reader can include a representation of a bar code symbol.

Abstract: The present invention related to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporated in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporation in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: In one method according to the invention, a security document of an undetermined size within a range of sizes is processed by capturing images corresponding to a topside and bottomside thereof sufficient to encompass the largest possible sized document and then searching through the captured image data to locate an identification code which may have been formed on any location of the document. If a symbol is found that satisfies a predetermined criteria for being an identification code, then the symbol is decoded, and the identification code for the document is utilized to control further processing of the document. Further processing subroutines of the document may include subroutines which utilize one or multiple imaging systems to verify that the document is authentic, subroutines for validating the document, and subroutines for voiding the document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporation in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporation in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: A document, preferably in the form of a lottery ticket has a security system in which a substrate has thereon an encoded game data portion including a base layer printed with an ink having a first reflectance value as measured by the reflectance of a given wavelength of light and a second layer of ink having a second reflectance value together having an encoded pattern of symbols. The encoded game data portion is covered with a scratch-off layer in which improper removal of the scratch-off layer can be detected through either the change in the reflectance pattern of the encoded game data portion or by an alteration in the encoded pattern of symbols.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for voiding a security document. The system voids a security document by supplying heat to a localized area of a specially configured security document. According to the invention, conductive material is formed on a document so that at least one relatively higher resistance section is formed on the document. When a voltage is supplied to the document, a relatively high amount of heat is supplied to the document about the area of the relatively higher resistance section. Heat-sensitive material may be formed about the location of the relatively higher resistance section such that the heat sensitive material becomes visible or changes color when a voltage is supplied to the document.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery game including a substrate having at least one area having printed indicia thereon, the printed indicia being covered by at least one clear, transparent layer which can be removed by scratching, and at least one layer on said clear transparent layer which is colored, transparent and made of a non-scratch-off material, the colored transparent layer being affixed to the clear transparent layer in a manner in which removing the clear transparent layer by scratching results in removal of the colored transparent layer.