Abstract: A method of authenticating the identity of an item bearing or associated with a printed security marker, the method comprising: a. printing the security marker with a pattern that encodes at least one of a unique product identifier, a batch identifier, and positional information about a portion of the marker; b. scanning and storing an image of the security marker as printed, said image being taken at sufficiently high resolution to capture artifacts of the printing process; and authentication steps comprising: c. imaging a portion of the marker at sufficiently high resolution to capture the artifacts, and d. querying a data store by providing the image of the portion of the marker or a compressed or parameterized version of the image and data derived from the pattern.

Abstract: A paper feed detector is disclosed for detecting when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region. The paper feed detector includes a light source and an image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and an image detector. An optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path. The image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for killing biological agents utilizing lime sulfur in liquid or powder form.

Abstract: A multiple resolution readable color array printed for labeling or displayed electronically achieves readable data at multiple optical resolutions. The array has a hierarchy of cells, where cells at a lower level of resolution include spatially adjacent smaller cells at a higher level of resolution. Colors are encoded in redundant cells within the hierarchy so that overall color assigned to a lower resolution cell depends on the colors encoded in the included data cells at a higher resolution.

Abstract: A method of determining a regular grid pattern from a surface coded pattern that comprises the regular grid pattern interleaved with a further data carrying pattern wherein the surface coded pattern is subject to perspective distortion, the method comprising: extracting a set of straight line hypotheses from the coded surface pattern; clustering the straight line hypotheses by orientation; for each cluster, extracting a set of line pencil hypotheses; generating a set of regular grid hypotheses from pairs of the line pencil hypotheses; and determining the best regular grid hypothesis.

Abstract: A multiple resolution readable color array printed for labeling or displayed electronically achieves readable data at multiple optical resolutions. The array has a hierarchy of cells, where cells at a lower level of resolution include spatially adjacent smaller cells at a higher level of resolution. Colors are encoded in redundant cells within the hierarchy so that overall color assigned to a lower resolution cell depends on the colors encoded in the included data cells at a higher resolution.

Abstract: A method of authenticating the identity of an item bearing or associated with a printed security marker, the method comprising: a. printing the security marker with a pattern that encodes at least one of a unique product identifier, a batch identifier, and positional information about a portion of the marker; b. scanning and storing an image of the security marker as printed, said image being taken at sufficiently high resolution to capture artefacts of the printing process; and authentication steps comprising: c. imaging a portion of the marker at sufficiently high resolution to capture the artefacts, and d. querying a data store by providing the image of the portion of the marker or a compressed or parameterised version of the image and data derived from the pattern.

Abstract: A shared calendaring system comprising a printed calendar for recording a desired calendar entry, and an electronic calendaring apparatus operable to process event data representing the desired entry, the system operable to provide feedback to a user of the system representing allowability of the entry in the system on the basis of the processed event data, and corresponding method.

Abstract: A method of recording data in a data storage medium affixed to a document, the document having a document ID printed thereon and the data storage medium having the document ID stored therein, the method comprising capturing data written onto the document by means of a digital pen, the digital pen having an imaging system, determining, by means of the imaging system of the digital pen, the document ID printed on the document; comparing the document ID determined by the digital pen with the document ID stored in the data storage medium and on if there is a match transferring the captured data from the digital pen to the data storage medium.

Abstract: A paper feed detector is disclosed for detecting when a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper occur in a transport path intended to transport paper to a first region. The paper feed detector includes a light source and an image forming arrangement adapted to form an image having a spatially varying intensity; and an image detector. An optical path from the light source to the image detector passes through the transport path. The image detector is adapted to assess degradation of the image to make an assessment of the number of sheets within the transport path.

Abstract: An inductively powered device comprises a memory tag (13) and an additional functional device (10) for powering by and communication with a reader device (11) emitting radio frequency signals. The inductively powered device is adapted such that when the memory tag (13) is powered by a reader device (11), the additional functional device (10) is also powered by the reader device (11) and carries out its function.

Abstract: An image capture device (2) comprising: an input means (16, 300) arranged to allow a user to make an input to the device (2); a display (12) arranged to indicate at least one parameter associated with the capture of an image; wherein the input means (12, 300) is arranged to allow a user to control at least one parameter associated with the capture of the image and also to cause the image capture device (2) to capture an image.

Abstract: A circuit for an indicator having a constant current temperature measuring circuit that can be balanced so as to provide a norm on an indicator so that any excursion thereof therefrom would provide indication of the need for emollients or astringents in proper care of the skin.

Abstract: Encircling with a magnetic field controllable by a variable frequency and amplitude to propel red blood cells radially while rotating about a vascular axis so as to loosen and clear away vascular accumulations tending to block the vascular system.

Abstract: A power supply circuit having a crystal controlled solid state oscillator induction coupled to a dual transistor circuit so as to eliminate second harmonics in a coil connected thereto and to a power supply in completing the circuit, and coil further having a resonance circuit therearound. Such power supply being suitable for driving a plasma gas envelope.

Abstract: An analgesic noise generator employs a transistor operated to provide a zener action that is broadcast as the active noise source in an integrated circuit amplifier packaged as a portable unit with means to control tone and volume and enhance life of the power source.

Abstract: A solid state voltage regulator for an alternator charging system having a zener diode controlled transistor operatively connected to a integrated Darlington chip.