Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects possessing minute but significant details is described. At its core, the system includes a user interface, means for comparatively identifying the object and means for displaying results. Notably, because the system does not rely upon highly specialized or complex equipment, the invention is expected to have particular applicability in a wide variety of every-day situations. Moreover, the system is explicitly designed for user friendliness, so as to eliminate that need for extensive training for any prospective user of the system. The system should have particular applicability in key blank identification and key duplication processes.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for tracking, counting and inventorying keys throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing through retailing to the end user. In addition, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for improving the accuracy of duplicating keys. The apparatus and methods generally rely on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, where information is stored to and collected from RFID tags that are located proximate to keys. The apparatus and methods provided for in this invention improve efficiency and accuracy in the key supply chain.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for an up-converter resonant cavity light emitting diode device includes a semiconductor light source, an up-converter to form the light emitter with up-converting materials and an electrical source coupled with the semiconductor light source for providing electrical energy to the semiconductor light source to provide a desired wavelength emitted light. The semiconductor light source is a resonant cavity light emitting diode or laser that emits an approximately 975 nm wavelength to provide electrical and optical confinement to the semiconductor light source to form a resonant cavity up-converting light emitting diode (UC/RCLED). Rows and columns of electrodes provide active matrix addressing of plural sets of UC/RCLEDs for display devices.

Abstract: Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics.

Abstract: Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and devices for temperature independent or minimally temperature dependent narrow spectrum laser having an optimized output. The resonator includes at least one volume Bragg grating mirror that changes reflectance with temperature. The volume Bragg grating mirror in combination with a narrow spectrum laser optimizes the laser performance by being temperature tuned to the optimum reflectance. In an embodiment, the volume Bragg grating mirror has a temperature dependent reflectance that compensates for changes in the stimulated emission cross section of the gain medium and leads to a laser with output energy that is independent of temperature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for a waveguide pumping gain guided index antiguided fiber laser having a fiber selected for a refractive index crossover at a wavelength between a pump wavelength and a laser emission wavelength. A waveguide pumping system pumps a light having a pump wavelength into the fiber allowing a laser light to be captured by a gain guided process in the core while the pump light, propagating in the cladding is coupled to the core. The fiber selection includes selecting a fiber with a cladding material having a refractive index less than a core material refractive index for a pump wavelength and a core refractive index at the laser emission wavelength is less than the cladding refractive index at the same laser emission wavelength to allow the pump light to propagate through the cladding as a conventional wave guided fiber laser, white the laser emission is captured within the core as an index antiguided, gain guided wave.

Abstract: A key cutting machine having a vacuum port connected to the housing and capable of removeably connecting a vacuum tube thereto so that when the vacuum tube is connected to the vacuum port the vacuum tube is capable of collecting key shavings created during a key cutting operation and, when the vacuum tube is disconnected from vacuum port, the vacuum tube can be used to collect key shavings on or surrounding the key cutting machine. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described.

Abstract: An interactive retail identification system for identifying a retail object based upon known or identified features of master object is disclosed, wherein the system utilizes a graphical user interface having a computer display screen for displaying a plurality of input fields related to a retail object and an input device for selecting variables based upon a physical inspection of a known master object having known or identifiable features. The graphical user interface is electronically connected to a database which identifies a specific retail object equivalent to the master object through comparison of the retail object variables. The systems includes a plurality of compartments for holding retail objects based upon the retail object variables and an indicator for identifying the compartment having the retail object is provided.

Abstract: A key cutting machine having a vacuum port connected to the housing and capable of removeably connecting a vacuum tube thereto so that when the vacuum tube is connected to the vacuum port the vacuum tube is capable of collecting key shavings created during a key cutting operation and, when the vacuum tube is disconnected from vacuum port, the vacuum tube can be used to collect key shavings on or surrounding the key cutting machine. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor light emitting device formed in or on the substrate, and upconverting material disposed in or on the substrate. The upconverting material is disposed in a path of light processed or emitted by the semiconductor device. The upconverting material absorbs light emitted by the semiconductor device and emits upconverted light in response. Integrated pixelated displays include a plurality of pixels formed on a surface of the substrate, with each pixel including up-conversion material based red light source, a blue light source a green light source, and a structure for selectively controlling emission from the red, blue and green lights sources for each of the pixels.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and devices for providing a temperature independent laser by determining a temperature dependence of a lasing wavelength, selecting the lasing wavelength having minimal temperature dependence and constraining the lasing wavelength of the laser device to the selected lasing wavelength. In an embodiment, a volumetric Bragg grating in photo-thermal refractive glass is used as a laser cavity mirror for constraining the laser emission at the selected wavelength. The laser device may be a broad spectrum laser such as an Er3+ doped glass broad spectrum laser. In an embodiment, the lasers are operated where the temperature dependence of the stimulated emission cross section is used to compensate for temperature dependent changes of other laser components.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor light emitting device formed in or on the substrate, and upconverting material disposed in or on the substrate. The upconverting material is disposed in a path of light processed or emitted by the semiconductor device. The upconverting material absorbs light emitted by the semiconductor device and emits upconverted light in response. Integrated pixelated displays include a plurality of pixels formed on a surface of the substrate, with each pixel including up-conversion material based red light source, a blue light source a green light source, and a structure for selectively controlling emission from the red, blue and green lights sources for each of the pixels.

Abstract: A key cutting machine having a vacuum port connected to the housing and capable of removeably connecting a vacuum tube thereto so that when the vacuum tube is connected to the vacuum port the vacuum tube is capable of collecting key shavings created during a key cutting operation and, when the vacuum tube is disconnected from vacuum port, the vacuum tube can be used to collect key shavings on or surrounding the key cutting machine. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to build an application form (e.g., an online application form). The method may comprise providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user, the GUI including page layout zone and page and a page type zone include a plurality of reference page types. User placement of selected reference page types in the layout zone is monitored and the selected reference page types are automatically interconnecting based on their relative placement in the layout zone. Interconnection data may define a sequence in which the selected pages are to be presented in the application form. Page data may be created by various wizards or by a page editor. Rules that are associated with each page may be defined by a rules editor.

Abstract: A method and system to provide an application form via a network (e.g., the Internet) is described. The method may comprise accessing page flow data, page data and rules data stored in a storage media and generating a GUI that provides a first application page to capture data from an applicant. The first page is generated dynamically from the page data and provided to the applicant. Application data entered by the applicant is processed, stored, and validated based on the rules data. At least one subsequent application page is identified based on the application data and the page flow data and is provided to the applicant via the network. The subsequent application page is also generated dynamically and on-the-fly from the page data. Subsequent application pages are dynamically and repetitively generated and provided to the applicant based on the page flow data and the rules data.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.

Abstract: A two and three dimensional display medium having a novel transparent polymer composite containing particles of crystals doped with Yb3+ and other rare earth ions. The polymer composite creates homogeneously dispersed compositions without cracking or delamination of the film and can be used for various optical applications.