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: The present invention relates to a device for connecting one or more optical fibres to an optical converter. The device is preferably conceived for use in apartment buildings and office blocks, where connection points in fibre optic networks LAN and other types of fibre optic communications networks are required for connecting optical fibres to electronic equipment. In order to simplify optical fibre installation work, the optical fibre installation is terminated in a junction box, switch box, wall terminal box (1) or some corresponding element in which any optical fibre excess (5) and connectors (6) fitted to said optical fibre can be coiled and stored in the box When the optical fibre (2) is to be connected to an optical converter (3), the converter is connected directly to (he box and the contact devices (6) on the optical fibre are brought into contact with the contact devices of the converter.

Abstract: A highly-sensitive, rapid response fluorescent probe is based on the affinity of a polymer matrix for an analyte of interest. The probe includes a polymer matrix and a dye immobilized in the matrix. The polymer matrix has an affinity for an analyte of interest and the dye has little or no sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by an excitation source in a free state but has significant sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by the excitation source when immobilized in the matrix. Sensors incorporating the polymer/fluorophore probes of the present invention have the sensitivity and rapid response needed for detection of chemical agent and biological materials. Sensors using the probes provide sensitivity to Sarin at several hundred parts per trillion in one second or less. That is a notable advance over state-of-the-art detectors that require preconcentration steps, which in turn restrict response times to one minute or more.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluorescent probe for detecting chemicals, particularly chemical warfare agents. The probe has a novel selection of polymers and fluorophores that allow for laser excitation and photodiode detection of chemical warfare agents. A probe based on poly(epichlorohydrin) as the polymer and nile blue A perchlorate as the fluorophore is sensitive to concentrations of mustard of less than 30 ppb. Probes based on fluoropolyol as the polymer and oxazine 170 perchlorate as the fluorophore is sensitive to low concentrations of soman. Selecting a cationic fluorophore that has an affinity for the chemical agent of interest and immobilizing that fluorophore in a polymer matrix provides a fluorescent probe capable of detecting the presence of the desired chemical agent in trace quantities. A set of probes may be used so that in the presence of an analyte or a mix of analytes one or more of the probes may be responsive.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for aligning a waveguide connector to at least one optical device is set forth. The arrangement includes a waveguide connector and a substrate carrying at least one waveguide. The waveguide connector having both guide legs and aligning elements. The method includes the step of shaking the arrangement at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to cause opposing aligning elements disposed on the waveguide connector and on the substrate to engage each other.

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: An instrument for total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy having modular probe that inexpensively monitors vapors and liquid-phase analytes under field conditions is described. The system is particularly helpful in evaluating multiple analytes using the fluorescence of a material immobilized in a thin sorbent polymer coating. At the same time, the system is capable of monitoring trace quantities of analyte using a fluorescence-read immunological reaction. The device includes a diode laser source, a shaped optical element (which may be as simple as a microscope slide), and one or more amplified photodiode detectors. The shaped optical element propagates light from the diode laser in a series of internally reflective bounces.

Abstract: The present sensor allows the user of any diode laser structure to be employed to provide sensitive chemical and biological detector. A diode laser electrochemical sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,407 “Laser Diode Sensor”. The present invention surpasses the capabilities of those sensors by measuring changes in the output power, output spectral characteristics or output signal auto-correlation function to detect the presence of chemical or biological films within the sensitive region.

Abstract: To simplify handling of optofiber ribbons, there is provided a component for cross-connecting optofibers between different fiber ribbons, where the component pre se cross-connects optofibers between different fiber ribbons connected to the component. The component enables a fiber ribbon structure to be retained and undivided, even after cross-connecting or otherwise reorganizing the optofibers in one or more fiber ribbons. The cross-connecting components generally consist of a plastic casing (6,7) which surrounds optofibers (2) cross-connected or reorganized in a mixing zone or weave zone (5) and also the free optofiber-ends connected to the optofibers in the plastic casing on a component input side and a component output side respectively.

Abstract: An optical fiber fluorescence sensor system capable of compensating fiber bending loss is provided. The system uses a modulated light-emitting diode and digital-signal processing chips to enhance the measurement of fluorescence signals. A fiber-optic oxygen sensor system suitable for measuring oxygen levels in gas and in aqueous media is provided. The system alleviates fiber bending loss. Detection of the signal-to-noise ratio of the system which exceeds 30 dB is done by using inexpensive components.

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: Optical chemical probes have layers of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes and one or more dyes incorporated into these layers. The probes are placed into the medium and the dye or dyes react in the presence of the corresponding chemical. Color changes may be observed manually or by a photo detector. A light source may be employed to increase the optical signal received from the probe. Further, a waveguide may be used to trap multiple optical signals. The invention is used for chemical analysis.

Abstract: The vibration and electrical characterization of a piezoelectric tactor actuator is described. The actuator is a rectangular laminated flat plate with two opposite sides simply supported and two others free. Under an axial compression from the supports, the plate deforms into a stressed shallow shell. Electrical high frequency harmonic signals within relatively low-frequency bursts are applied to the piezoelectric layers. Depending on the axial compression and pre-deflection, frequency and magnitude of electrical input, the tunable actuator exhibits frequency/mode-controlled high-force over large area vibrations with intense displacement jumps. A single-degree-of-freedom model and simplified 1-D models are provided. The tactor provides efficient conversion of electrical energy into mechanical.

Abstract: A system and method match a search print with one or more file prints stored in a database, wherein each of said prints including minutiae. The system and method receive a minutiae match report which includes a list of file prints which are possible matches with the search print. The minutiae match report is based on at least a comparison of coordinate locations and angles of rotation of the minutiae in the file prints with the minutiae in the search prints. The system and method determine an offset between a first singularity in the search print and a corresponding first singularity in the file print. Additionally, the system and method determines a first angle between at least one singularity in the search print and at least one minutia of the search print. A second angle between a corresponding at least one singularity in the file print and a corresponding at least one minutia of the file print is determined.

Abstract: A-compact, diode laser-based sensor has applications in biological and chemical analysis. Unlike existing optical waveguide-based sensors, no external coupling to external optical fibers or waveguides is required to perform optical chemical, immunological or nucleic acid-based assay or to detect the presence of toxic or otherwise important chemicals. The sensor includes a surface-sensitive diode laser having a substrate layer, an n-contact layer positioned on a bottom surface of the substrate, an n-clad layer overlying the top surface of the substrate, a first guide layer overlying the n-clad layer, a quantum well layer overlying the first guide layer, a second guide layer overlying the first quantum well layer, a p-clad layer overlying the second guided layer and a p-doped cap layer overlying the p-clad layer. A pair of electrodes separated by a surface-sensitive region is positioned on the cap layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and its accompanying method measures fluorescence decay, fluorescence amplitude and fluorescence polarization. The instrument includes a light emitting diode or laser diode light source, an amplified photodiode detector, and electronics and software for calculating the phase of the fluorescence from the computed inner product of the scattering and fluorescence signals. The electronics for measuring fluorescence decay includes two signal synthesizers, two downconverters, a simultaneously sampling analog-to-digital converter and means for calculating the inner product of the downconverted waveforms. A signal source, preferably a direct digital synthesizer, is used in combination with a digital-to-analog converter to provide a controllable output signal. That signal drives a modulatable light source, which is a light emitting diode, a laser diode or a combination of the two. Excitation light from the light source excites the sample fluorophore which is immobilized in a solid material.

Abstract: Fluorescence measuring methods and apparatus use planar optical waveguides to excite fluorescence in the evanescent field of the waveguides and photodetectors to sense the fluorescence produced. Chemically sensitive fluorophores are bound to the evanescent regions of the planar optical waveguides. Substrates support the waveguides. Photodetectors, positioned in the substrates with fields of view normal to the waveguides, detect the fluorescence. Wavelength-selective material coating surfaces of the photodetectors allow fluorescence to be detected while restricting entry of light at the excitation wavelengths. The photodetectors have high aspect ratios for detection of fluorescence generated by the optical waveguides. Preferably, the photodetectors are closely coupled to the fluorescence generated in the evanescent field of the waveguide.