Abstract: A wireless remote control device for use with television receivers, satellite down converters and similar devices, uses biometric characteristics of a user to determine the functionality to be imbued to the remote control device. A biometric scanner, such as a capacitive fingerprint scanner, coupled to a processor, compares scanned characteristics to stored characteristics to determine the identity of the user. By using biometric characteristics to identify the user, passwords, PIN numbers, keys and other indicia used to establish authorization of a user enable the authorized user to access programming and subject matter unsuitable for or unintended for unauthorized users.

Abstract: A biometric water mixing valve uses a measured biometric characteristic to identify a user and to identify the user's preferred output water temperature and/or output water volume. Hot and cold water flow are mixed in amounts required to yield an output discharge temperature that the identified user prefers. By using a biometric characteristic, a preferred discharge water temperature and/or volume can be achieved merely by having the biometric characteristic scanned.

Abstract: Security on airplanes and other common carrier carriages is enhanced by establishing the identity of travelers and documenting their true identity as established by biometric characteristics that irrefutably identify an individual. A biometric characteristic is measured at the time of ticketing. The biometric characteristic is measured at the time of boarding to insure that the person who purchased passage and the person who boards are one and the same. Electronic copies of identifying data can be stored and shipped to external data bases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and printers wherein a printer that may also function as a printer for computer output may also be utilized to provide at least one print from a film.

Abstract: A personalized user environment on a computing system is provided. Upon detection of user-supplied storage media, a profile configuration program is run. The profile configuration program obtains profile information stored on the user-supplied storage media and temporarily installs the profile information on the computing system. The particular items are configured automatically based on information within the user-supplied storage media, or alternatively, may be tailored in response to particular instructions from a user indicating which items the user wants configured on the computing system. For additional protection, a password can be obtained from the user and verified before configuring the computing system.