Abstract: A method of reconstructing a packet that includes financial card information from a mobile device uses a card reader. The card reader has a read head, a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card and device electronics that includes a microcontroller with logic resources with code. The card reader has a unique identifier and associated cryptographic key. The same code is used to produce an encrypted and signed signal. The encrypted and signed signal, that includes the card reader identifier, is sent to the mobile device. The mobile device sends an encrypted and signed packet to a back end of a payment system. A cryptographic key is used to decrypt and verify the contents of the packet at the back end. Non-encrypted financial card information is sent to a payment gateway.

Abstract: A method of transmitting encrypted information to a mobile device and a payment service uses a card reader. The card reader has device electronics that include a microcontroller with logic resources with code and an output jack. A raw magnetic head signal is received from a reading of the card in the slot. The raw magnetic head signal is converted into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. The logic resources and the code create both an encryption and signed signal. An encrypted and signed output jack message is delivered to the mobile device through the output jack based on the contents of the signal, with at least a portion of the output jack signal being encrypted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the appearance of wrinkles on skin cosmetic comprising the steps of providing instructions to a user, said instructions directing said user to apply the composition to the periphery of a user's face and not directly to said wrinkles, wherein said composition comprises from about 20 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a tensor agent; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier; wherein said tensor agent is a polyester/polyurethane block copolymer, and wherein said tensor agent is capable of forming an anisotropic microstructure on skin.

Abstract: Composite particulates, topical composition containing composite particulates, methods for improving the appearance of skin depth, dimensionality or undertones; a method for improving the ashy, chalky or mask-like appearance of color cosmetic compositions on the skin; and a method for reducing the number of shades in a color cosmetic shade range by formulating the cosmetic with composite particulates.

Abstract: A method for making a composite particulate comprised of a colorant portion and a clear thermoplastic portion and cosmetic compositions containing the composite particulate.

Abstract: A method for improving the appearance of skin depth, dimensionality or undertones by topically applying a composition containing composite particulates made by (a) solvating a clear or translucent thermoplastic material with solvent in an amount sufficient to swell the material; (b) combining the solvated mixture of (a) with one or more colorants; (c) removing the solvent to form a composite particulate, (d) formulating the composite particulate into a topical cosmetic composition for application to skin.

Abstract: Skin diagnostic techniques employed in conjunction with image processing techniques. For example, a user information module captures a user skin image. A graphical user interface enables selection of a skin-related application from a plurality of skin-related applications. A processor determines user skin image data from the user skin image, and identifies one or more sets of skin image data in the skin image database that correspond to the user skin image data based on one or more parameters specified by the skin-related application. The processor applies at least one image processing filter that corresponds to the one or more identified sets of skin image data from the skin image database to the user skin image to generate a simulated user skin image. An output display displays the simulated user skin image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in skin, comprising a tensor agent and a dermatologically acceptable medium, the tensor agent being present from about 20% to about 80% of the composition, and wherein the tensor agent forms an anisotropic microstructure upon drying on the skin.

Abstract: Skin diagnostic techniques employed in conjunction with image processing techniques. For example, a method includes performing one or more diagnostic operations on at least one portion of a user skin image to generate user skin image data, wherein the diagnostic operations are associated with an identified skin-related application. The user skin image data is processed in accordance with the identified skin-related application. The processing includes identifying one or more sets of skin image data in a database that correspond to the user skin image data based on parameters specified by the skin-related application, and determining at least one image processing filter based on the sets of identified skin image data. The image processing filter is applied to the user skin image to generate a simulated user skin image.

Abstract: A method for making a composite particulate comprised of a colorant portion and a clear thermoplastic portion and cosmetic compositions containing the composite particulate.

Abstract: A method for improving the appearance of skin depth, dimensionality or undertones by topically applying a composition containing composite particulates made by (a) solvating a clear or translucent thermoplastic material with solvent in an amount sufficient to swell the material; (b) combining the solvated mixture of (a) with one or more colorants; (c) removing the solvent to form a composite particulate, (d) formulating the composite particulate into a topical cosmetic composition for application to skin.

Abstract: Skin diagnostic techniques employed in conjunction with image processing techniques. For example, a method includes performing one or more diagnostic operations on at least one portion of a user skin image to generate user skin image data, wherein the diagnostic operations are associated with an identified skin-related application. The user skin image data is processed in accordance with the identified skin-related application. The processing includes identifying one or more sets of skin image data in a database that correspond to the user skin image data based on parameters specified by the skin-related application, and determining at least one image processing filter based on the sets of identified skin image data. The image processing filter is applied to the user skin image to generate a simulated user skin image.

Abstract: Skin diagnostic techniques employed in conjunction with image processing techniques. For example, a user information module captures a user skin image. A graphical user interface enables selection of a skin-related application from a plurality of skin-related applications. A processor determines user skin image data from the user skin image, and identifies one or more sets of skin image data in the skin image database that correspond to the user skin image data based on one or more parameters specified by the skin-related application. The processor applies at least one image processing filter that corresponds to the one or more identified sets of skin image data from the skin image database to the user skin image to generate a simulated user skin image. An output display displays the simulated user skin image.

Abstract: A method for modifying or treating solid particles which includes the steps of: (a) forming a gelled mixture by mixing either simultaneously or sequentially in any order: (1) hollow microspheres each comprising a deformable polymeric shell having entrapped therein an expandable fluid, (2) a polar organic solvent capable of swelling but not dissolving the polymeric shells of the hollow microspheres, and (3) solid particles, wherein micro-channels are formed in the swelled polymer shells to allow entry of the solid particles into the hollow microspheres and exit of the expandable fluid therefrom, thereby forming microspheres that each comprises a collapsed polymeric shell in a gelled state and has one or more of said solid particles entrapped therein; (b) removing the expandable fluid and the polar organic solvent from the gelled mixture; and (c) coating the microspheres thus-produced with a film-forming material to form a liquid-impermeable membrane thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical compositions containing solid particles that are stabilized via entrapment by microspheres and methods for making the same. Each of the microspheres contains a collapsed polymeric shell that has entrapped therein one or more solid particles. The solid particles are preferably formed of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both, which can readily be used either alone or in combination with other sunscreen agents to form sunscreen compositions of broader UV protection spectrum and enhanced photostability.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracking and analyzing changing skin conditions and displaying such conditions in an RGB image format on a three dimensional virtual model to facilitate research and consumer communication. The system involves building a catalog, library or database of skin conditions in the form of datasets taken from spectral images that include the skin conditions of interest. For each spectral image dataset identifying a skin condition of interest a corresponding RGB dataset is calculated and compiled in a database. The database of calculated RGB datasets is used to diagnose skin conditions of subjects by analyzing RGB or spectral photographs of the subject. The spectral or RGB data sets can also be used to predict the effects of proposed treatments and the resulting altered skin condition can be displayed in RGB images that are readily comprehended.

Abstract: Composite particulates, topical composition containing composite particulates, methods for improving the appearance of skin depth, dimensionality or undertones; a method for improving the ashy, chalky or mask-like appearance of color cosmetic compositions on the skin; and a method for reducing the number of shades in a color cosmetic shade range by formulating the cosmetic with composite particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical compositions containing solid particles that are stabilized via entrapment by microspheres and methods for making the same. Each of the microspheres contains a collapsed polymeric shell that has entrapped therein one or more solid particles. The solid particles are preferably formed of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both, which can readily be used either alone or in combination with other sunscreen agents to form sunscreen compositions of broader UV protection spectrum and enhanced photostability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for modifying or treating solid particles which includes the steps of: (a) forming a gelled mixture by mixing either simultaneously or sequentially in any order: (1) hollow microspheres each comprising a deformable polymeric shell having entrapped therein an expandable fluid, (2) a polar organic solvent capable of swelling but not dissolving the polymeric shells of the hollow microspheres, and (3) solid particles, wherein micro-channels are formed in the swelled polymer shells to allow entry of the solid particles into the hollow microspheres and exit of the expandable fluid therefrom, thereby forming microspheres that each comprises a collapsed polymeric shell in a gelled state and has one or more of said solid particles entrapped therein; (b) removing the expandable fluid and the polar organic solvent from the gelled mixture; and (c) coating the microspheres thus-produced with a film-forming material to form a liquid-impermeable membrane thereon.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a packet that includes financial card information from a mobile device uses a card reader. The card reader has a read head, a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card and device electronics that includes a microcontroller with logic resources with code. The card reader has a unique identifier and associated cryptographic key. The same code is used to produce an encrypted and signed signal. The encrypted and signed signal, that includes the card reader identifier, is sent to the mobile device. The mobile device sends an encrypted and signed packet to a back end of a payment system. A cryptographic key is sued to decrypt and verify the contents of the packet at the back end. Non-encrypted financial card information is sent to a payment gateway.