Abstract: The present invention generally relates to measuring and testing in the area of optics, and more specifically to a plurality of interacting coherent light beams to produce a cancellation or reinforcement of wave energy for measuring or testing. The present invention is directed to an improved interferometer system wherein a measurement is derived from phase measurements, wherein measurements include: distance, angular speed, as well as other physical or metrological properties. The present invention includes an interferometer that uses an illumination source comprised a plurality of simultaneously activated laser beams, each possessing a different wavelength contained in a coherent composite laser beam.

Abstract: An information bearing card having a plurality of data strips on a face of the card that are substantially parallel and adjacent to an edge of the card. A system for recording on the includes a plurality of heads, a recording processing system coupled to each of the heads, and a transportation system that moves the plurality of data strips on the card past the plurality of heads to record data on one or more of plurality of data strips. A system for reading data from one or more of a plurality of data strips on a face of a card includes a plurality of heads, a reading processing system coupled to each of the plurality of heads, and a transportation system that moves the plurality of data strips on the card past the plurality of heads to read the data on one or more of plurality of data strips.