Abstract: The present invention provides a novel silicone copolymer surfactant, methods for making the surfactant, a polyurethane foam-forming composition and a process for preparing polyurethane foams.

Abstract: An impact resistant waveguide includes a clad surrounding a core. A reinforcing filler is incorporated in a curable silicone composition used to prepare the core, thereby imparting impact resistance to the core. A method of manufacture of the waveguide includes injecting the curable silicone composition into a clad made of silicone elastomeric tubing and thereafter curing the curable silicone composition.

Abstract: An impact resistant waveguide includes a clad surrounding a core. A reinforcing filler is incorporated in a curable silicone composition used to prepare the core, thereby imparting impact resistance to the core. A method of manufacture of the waveguide includes injecting the curable silicone composition into a clad made of silicone elastomeric tubing and thereafter curing the curable silicone composition.

Abstract: A method for comparing a search print to a plurality of file prints includes performing a gray scale-based matching process, wherein cross-section profile pairs are determined between minutiae and landmark points in a search print and corresponding respondent prints, and individual similarity measures are computed based on the cross-section profile pairs using an elastic correlation process. A composite similarity measure is computed from the individual similarity measures. Optimizations such as segment outlier optimization (to eliminate outlier segments/minutiae points from the composite similarity measure computation) and adjusting the landmark point location in the search or respondent print can be implemented to maximize the composite similarity measure for a given respondent print. This maximized composite similarity measure can be combined with a similarity measure from another print matcher such as another gray scale-based matcher.

Abstract: A system and method for automated print identification is described.

Abstract: A method for fingerprint record identification includes the steps of: assigning (200) a first number of fingers for a first matching stage and a second number of fingers for a second matching stage; performing (210) the first matching stage of comparing, based on the first number of assigned fingers, a search record to at least a portion of a plurality of file records and generating first matching results of a subset of the at least a portion of the plurality of file records; and performing (220) the second matching stage of comparing, based on the second number of assigned fingers, the search record to at least a portion of the subset and generating second matching results of one of: a strong hit; a weak hit; no hit; and a an ordered portion of the subset.

Abstract: A method for use in print matching apparatus that includes the steps of: enrolling (200) a print of a user; extracting (210) a set of matching features from the enrolled print; comparing (220) the extracted features of the enrolled print to extracted features of each print in a set of reference prints, wherein each reference print in the set is from a person other than the user, and determining a highest non-matching score; determining (230) at least two minimum and maximum threshold pairs based on characteristics of the print matching apparatus; and storing (240) the matching features of the enrolled print, the highest non-matching score, and the at least two maximum and minimum threshold pairs for use in verifying a subsequently captured print of the user.

Abstract: A method including the steps of:) receiving (202) a search record; generating (206) at least one hierarchical cluster, each having a different minimum quality level; for each cluster, generating (210) at least one corresponding search package having a first set of search prints; selecting the highest quality cluster (218), a search package (222) and corresponding file records for performing a search (226); determining (230) whether a hit was found between any file print in the corresponding file records and any search print in the selected search package; and proceeding with the search process through the remaining quality clusters in an order based on decreasing quality until a match is found or until there are no remaining file records against which to compare a search package.

Abstract: A polyisobutylene composition, comprising (A) a polyisobutylene polymer selected from (i) a glycidoxy-functional polyisobutylene polymer containing an average of at least two glycidoxy groups per molecule having the formula —O—CH2CH(O)CH2 and (ii) an alkenyl ether-functional polyisobutylene polymer containing an average of at least two alkenyl ether groups per molecule having the formula —SiR1a[OR2OC(R3)?CH(R3)]3-a, wherein each R1 is independently C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl, C1 to C10 halogen-substituted hydrocarbyl, or C1 to C8 alkoxy, R2 is C1 to C10 hydrocarbylene or C1 to C10 halogen-substituted hydrocarbylene, each R3 is independently C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl, C1 to C10 halogen-substituted hydrocarbyl, or —H, subscript a is an integer having a value of 0, 1, or 2, and at least 50 mol % of the repeat units in the polyisobutylene polymer are isobutylene units having the formula: —CH2C(CH3)2—; (B) an epoxy-functional organosiloxane containing from 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a media processor that may be used for controlling access to a location, such as a transit system or an amusement park. The media processor also may be used to encode information onto the token, sort a plurality of tokens, and issue tokens that have value. In one aspect of the disclosure, a media processor is disclosed for reading from, writing to, or sorting media, wherein the media processor includes an entry bezel for accepting media into the media processor, a transmitter and receiver for reading from, writing to, or sorting the media, at least one exit path for the media to exit the media processor, and a rotatable disk for moving the media from the entry bezel to the transmitter and receiver and to the at least one exit path.

Abstract: A method including the steps of:) receiving (202) a search record; generating (206) at least one hierarchical cluster, each having a different minimum quality level; for each cluster, generating (210) at least one corresponding search package having a first set of search prints; selecting the highest quality cluster (218), a search package (222) and corresponding file records for performing a search (226); determining (230) whether a hit was found between any file print in the corresponding file records and any search print in the selected search package; and proceeding with the search process through the remaining quality clusters in an order based on decreasing quality until a match is found or until there are no remaining file records against which to compare a search package.

Abstract: A method for enrolling biometric images including the steps of: a) capturing (310) a plurality of images for a user into a capture folder; b) selecting (318) one of the plurality of images in the capture folder and removing the selected image from the capture folder to an enroll folder; c) comparing (322) the selected image to each of the remaining images in the capture folder to generate a corresponding similarity score for each of the remaining images; d) determining (326) whether any of the corresponding similarity scores are at least equal to a predetermined score threshold, and removing each image having a corresponding similarity score at least equal to the predetermined score threshold from the capture folder to a delete folder (330); and e) determining (334) whether there is at least one image in the capture folder and if so repeating steps b) through d).

Abstract: A package for an illuminating writing implement is provided which protects the writing implement, yet gives a consumer limited and controlled access to the operating mechanism used to activate the illumination of the writing implement while it remains packaged. The present package is a blister-type package which envelops the writing implement and protects it from abrasive and impact damage as well as, theft. An upper end of the writing implement includes a power switch which is linearly displaceable between an off position, a momentary-on position, and a locked-on position. An opening within the package allows the power switch to extend outside the package so that a consumer may operate the power switch without removing the writing implement from the package. The opening is sized and shaped to restrict linear displacement of the power switch between the off position and the momentary-on position.

Abstract: A writing implement having a built-in illumination system includes a pen-top, a translucent pen-body, and a translucent pen-tip. A battery, an electrical switch and a lamp are housed within the pen-top so that light may be selectively generated by the lamp and directed generally along a central axis within the pen-body portion towards the pen-tip. A marking element is located within said pen-body, partially extending from said pen-tip. A lens is positioned between said lamp and said marking element so that light from the lamp is diverted away from the central axis to the pen-body which guides the received light to the pen-tip. Printed information located on the pen-body is illuminated, as well as a region located immediately adjacent to the pen-tip.

Abstract: A highly sensitive surface plasmon waveguide sensor monitors the refractive index and thickness of thin adsorbed films. The sensor includes an optical waveguide formed by ion-exchange in a glass substrate, by selective densification of substrate material or by the incorporation of high refractive index materials during deposition of a dielectric layer. Two dielectric thin films are deposited on top of the waveguide. The layer closest to the waveguide has a lower refractive index than the guiding layer to form a buffer layer. The second dielectric layer, or tuning layer, has a higher refractive index. The tuning and buffer layers allow optimization of the resonance wavelength, full-width half maximum of the resonance wavelength range and amplitude of the resonance. The tuning layer is coated with a thin metallic layer, to effect surface plasmon resonance, such as gold, silver, aluminum or one or more semiconducting materials.

Abstract: A chemical sensor uses a semiconductor diode laser having a surface active region. A laser structure, including an active layer, a cladding layer, a barrier layer and a grating layer, is constructed on a substrate. A contact layer is deposited on a surface of the laser structure. One or more electrodes are positioned on the contact layer. A segmented electrode has a first contact pad, a second contact pad, and a surface active region between the first and second pads. A surface active region is created between the two electrodes. The tail of the lasing signal interacts with surface features of the diode laser or with chemical materials or probes in contact with the surface of the diode laser or in contact with coatings on the surface of the diode laser. Chemical changes in the ambient environment induce changes in the laser signal. The modified laser signal output is detected by a detector region integral with or separated from the laser structure.

Abstract: A fluorescent sensor for chemical analysis has a light source, an optical waveguide, and a detector. Fluorophores are associated with the optical waveguide. When an impervious waveguide is used, a fluorophore-containing layer is applied to a surface of the waveguide. The fluorophores are excited by a laser, a light emitting diode, an electroluminescent source or a lamp source emitting light propagating at angles to the waveguide. The light source is modulated. A mirror can be used to direct the light beam. The angle of light incidence on the waveguide can be altered by moving the waveguide itself. The waveguide traps the laser-induced fluorescence and projects fluorescence signals through a suitable filter to a photodetector or otherwise wavelength-specific photodetector positioned near the waveguide structure. Remote operation of the sensor is achieved using optical fibers. Patterned waveguides allow multiple excitation sources to illuminate multiple fluorescent probe materials.