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A diagnostic test kit is disclosed for assessing whether patient chest pain is cardiac in origin and for differentiating between unstable angina and myocardial infarction at early onset of patient chest pain. The test kit comprises a receptacle for receiving and retaining a sample of blood or serum of the patient and at least three monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies suspended on a carrier. Each antibody is complementary to a different protein released by the heart muscle during early stages of a myocardial infarction and has corresponding reagents which are independently responsive to each antibody reacting the complementary protein. The combined response of reagents indicates the diagnostic condition of the patient.
1. A diagnostic test kit for rapidly diagnosing the cause of chest pain of a patient in the early onset thereof, said kit comprising
a front panel comprising a sample window and a display window, the sample window to receive a sample of serum or plasma from said patient;
a back panel; and
a dry chemistry membrane affixed between the front and back panels positioned for display in at least the display window,
wherein, said membrane comprises:
a sample region and a control region, said sample region positioned to receive the sample from the sample window; and
at least three antibody pairs located at discrete locations along said membrane between the sample region and the control region, each of said antibody pairs comprising an antibody reagent member and an immobilized capture antibody member, each capture antibody member being located on said membrane closer to the control region than the corresponding antibody reagent member, each antibody pair having a measurable or observable moiety labelled or chemically bonded to the antibody reagent member of each said antibody pairs,
the antibody pairs being monoclonal or polyclonal and comprising:
a first antibody pair that specifically binds to myoglobin,
a second antibody pair that specifically bind to myosin light chains, and
a third antibody pair that specifically binds to at least one protein selected from the group consisting of CK-MB, troponin I, and troponin T,
such that upon adding sample to the sample window, analytes present in the sample and complementary to the antibody pairs will migrate toward the control region, binding to the antibody pair each of said analytes, producing a color change proportional to the each of analyte present from which a diagnosis of the cause of chest pain of a patient is made.
2. A method for rapidly diagnosing the cause of chest pain of a patient in the early onset thereof, said method comprising the steps of
drawing a sample of serum or plasma from a patient,
depositing the sample in a sample window of a diagnostic test kit, said test kit comprising
a front panel comprising a sample window and a display window;
a back panel; and
a dry chemistry membrane affixed between the front and back panels positioned for display in at least the display window, wherein said membrane comprises:
a sample region, and a control region, said sample region positioned to receive the sample from the sample window; and
at least three antibody pairs located at discrete locations along said membrane between the sample region and the control region, each of said antibody pairs comprising an antibody reagent member and an immobilized capture antibody member, each capture antibody member being located on said membrane closer to the control region than the corresponding antibody reagent member, each antibody pair having a measurable or observable moiety labelled or chemically bonded to the antibody reagent member of each said antibody pairs,
the antibody pairs being monoclonal or polyclonal and comprising:
a first antibody pair that specifically binds to myoglobin,
a second antibody pair that specifically binds to myosin light chains, and
a third antibody pair that specifically binds to one protein selected from the group consisting of CK-MB, troponin I, and troponin T,
such that upon adding sample to the sample window, analytes present in the sample and complementary to the antibody pairs will migrate toward the control region, binding to the antibody pair each of said analytes, producing a color change proportional to each concentration of analyte present,
visualizing or measuring the moiety and diagnosing the cause of chest pain of a patient.
This invention relates to a novel one-step diagnostic test in the form of a panel which is used as a method of providing an accurate, simple, rapid, and portable diagnosis for assessing whether patient chest pain is cardiac in origin and for differentiating between unstable angina and myocardial infarction ("MI") at early onset of patient chest pain. In particular, the panel test will simultaneously assess the serum or plasma levels of three different substances or markers found in serum or plasma during or after cardiac damage, utilizing an enzyme immunoassay sandwich dry chemistry format. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the three markers are creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, and myosin light chains (MLC).
Emergency diagnosis of myocardial infarction has depended on physician acuity, and an assessment of a patient's symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, possibly radiating down the arm and up the neck, fatigue, sense of impending doom, shortness of breath, pallor, cold clammy skin, peripheral cyanosis or rapid thready pulse.
Most North American patients experiencing chest pain will report to a doctor or emergency room within six (6) hours after the onset of the chest pain. It is therefore essential that a diagnostic test be effective in the early stages of an MI.
Several cardiac tests have been used to detect MI. These tests include: ECG, SGOT/AST, LDH, CK-MB Immunoassay and NA Latex Myoglobin Particle Enhanced Assay. However, there are no single enzyme cardiac test which enables the emergency department physician to identify the source of chest pain as cardiac or non-cardiac. Further, it is only after a myocardial infarction has been confirmed may thrombolytic therapy be initiated. The earlier such therapy is initiated, the greater likelihood of full recovery of the patient or at least minimization of cardiac damage. It is therefore essential for a physician to identify the pain as cardiac or non cardiac.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) may be used to detect an MI. However ECG is not diagnostic until after the heart has suffered severe damage. The diagnostic specificity of the ECG is only 51% in the initial phases of chest pain. Therefore, ECG is not suitable for early detection of MI.
Serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase/aspartate transferase (SGOT/AST) is a predominant enzyme found in high concentration in heart muscle. Serum tests to determine levels of SGOT are used in diagnosing myocardial infarction. However, SGOT only begins to rise about 8-10 hours following the onset of chest pain, peaks within 24-36 hours and returns to normal after 5-7 days. SGOT is not particularly helpful in diagnosing myocardial infarction in an emergency setting at an early stage of patient chest pain. Also, SGOT is not specific to cardiac muscle. It is found in many tissues including skeletal muscle, liver and kidney, being released as a result of intra muscular injections, shock, during liver disease, and hepatic congestion, and is therefore of little value in detecting specific cardiac tissue injury.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in high concentration in many tissues, including heart, skeletal muscle and liver. Tests to detect the presence of LDH in serum are used to diagnose myocardial infarction. There are five common isotypes of which the heart contains predominantly LDH1 and LDH2. LDH levels begin to rise 24-36 hours after the onset of chest pain, and peak after 48-72 hours, returning to normal after 4-8 days. LDH is therefore not useful as an indicia of MI at an early stage of patient chest pain. In addition, LDH is not specific to cardiac damage, and appears with pulmonary embolism, haemolysis, hepatic congestion, renal disease and skeletal muscle damage. This lack of specificity also decreases the utility of LDH as a diagnostic aid.
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in muscle tissue. CK catalyses the conversion of creatine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). One of several CK isoenzymes is CK-MB which is found in cardiac tissue. CK-MB is a sensitive marker for the detection of myocardial infarction, as it is released from damaged myocardium tissue. CK-MB thereafter is present in the serum of an affected individual. FIG. 1 illustrates the concentration of CK in the serum of a patient as a function of time. (ref. Lee T. H. et al. (1986) Ann. Intern. Med. 105, 221-233)
The CK-MB immunoassay is the standard diagnostic test for myocardial infarction. A method describing the use of CK-MB is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,662 entitled "CK-MM Myocardial Infarction Immunoassay".
Shah, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,662 discloses a method for determining the initial elevated concentration level of CK-MM-a, an isoform of CK-MM, and CK-MM-a and CK-MM-b concurrently in patient serum following a myocardial infarction. Use of the method provides an accurate estimation of the time of the infarction. The method involves determining the combined concentration of CK-MM-a and CK-MM-b and the concentration of CK-MM-a in serum, in order to determine the time of the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Reagents are disclosed and comprise novel polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for CK-MM-a which do not bind significantly with CK-MB, CK-MM-b or CK-MM-c, an anti-CK-MM-b antibody which does not bind significantly with CK-MB, CK-MM-a or CK-MM-c, an anti-CK-MM-a+b antibody which binds with CK-MM-a and CK-MM-b but does not bind significantly with CK-MB or CK-MM-c, labelled derivatives of these antibodies, insoluble supports to which these antibodies are adhered, and kits containing one or more of these reagents. Enzyme labelled and radiolabelled CK reagents are particularly useful.
There are difficulties with the use of CK-MB alone as a diagnostic marker. First, serum levels of CK-MB are not elevated until 6-8 hours after the onset of myocardial infarction, and do not peak until after 12 hours, making early emergency diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Secondly, the CK-MB test must be conducted in a laboratory by trained laboratory technicians. In non-urban locations, it may not be feasible to have the test conducted and the results interpreted expeditiously, resulting in increased delay in diagnosis and hence increased costs to the health care system in terms of hospitalization costs of a patient awaiting diagnosis.
Thirdly, CK-MB has been located in normal skeletal muscle tissue, consequently rendering the test less cardiac specific, and the diagnosis less certain.
Myoglobin is another protein located near the skeletal or myocardial cell membrane. It is expelled from the cell as soon as the cell membrane becomes abnormally permeable, for example, during myocardial ischemia, a reversible state. Myoglobin is detectable in the serum within 1.5 hours of the onset of chest pain. The medical research community believes that myoglobin is released by myocardial necrosis, and it is therefore a useful early marker of myocardial injury. FIG. 2 illustrates the concentration of myoglobin in the serum as a function of time. (ref. Grenadier E. et al. (1981) Am. Heart J. 105, 408-416; Seguin J. et al. (1988) J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 95, 294-297)
In determining the origin of chest pain, an acute myocardial infarction can be excluded if no elevation of serum myoglobin is detected within 2-3 hours after the onset of pain.
An NA Latex Myoglobin Particle Enhanced Assay is a commercially available assay kit for the detection of myoglobin. The assay is based on the reaction between antigen present in human body fluids and antimyoglobin antibodies covalently coupled to polystyrene particles. The sample, N Myoglobin Reagent, a solution for the elimination of nonspecific reactions and N Reaction Buffer are pipetted automatically into a cuvette. Light scattering is measured by a nephelometric procedure after 12 minutes of incubation time and the myoglobin concentration is calculated from a calibration curve.
Myoglobin may also be assayed using a radioimmunoassay but there is no enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format yet available.
There are difficulties with the use of myoglobin alone as a diagnostic marker. Myoglobin does not indicate a particular type of myocardial injury, such as myocardial infarction. Myoglobin can also be present during such diverse conditions as shock, renal disease, rhabdomyolysis, and myopathies. Additionally, myoglobin concentrations in serum and plasma generally depend on age and sex and vary over a wide range in normal healthy humans. Serum concentrations up to 90 ug/l are generally regarded as the upper limit of the reference range for healthy people. Therefore, what may be a normal level for one individual may be indicative of a serious problem in another individual, making diagnosis somewhat less accurate than would be desirable.
Myosin light chains (MLC) are integral parts of the myosin myofibril, but their functional role is still unclear. MLCs exist in slow, fast, atrial, and ventricular muscles. It is known that MLCs are highly sensitive for myocardial ischemia. MLCs appear in the serum rapidly, and their levels remain elevated for up to 10 days following myocardial necrosis. FIG. 3 illustrates the concentration of MLC in patient serum as a function of time. (ref. Wang J. et al. (1989) Clin. Chimica. Acta 181, 325-336; Jackowski G., Symmes J. C. et al. (1989) Circulation Suppl. 11 80, 355.) MLC also has prognostic value in determining the success of thrombolytic therapy. Higher levels of MLC, indicate a worse prognosis, and also corresponds to a larger infarction. Falling levels over several days indicate a tendency towards patient recovery, whereas spiking or stadico pattern indicate a tendency towards infarction and a need for intervention.
There are two principal types of MLC known as MLC1 and MLC2, which exist as a soluble pool in the myocardial cell cytoplasm and also integral with the myosin myofibril. In the ventricular muscle, MLC2, and perhaps MLC1, is identical with the isotype expressed in slow skeletal muscle. MLC1 is elevated in 80-85% of the patients with cardiac pain. MLC1 is a very sensitive indicator of unstable angina and coronary heart disease.
Other cardiac markers, low molecular weight cardiac proteins (LMWCP) may be used as cardiac markers. Examples of such cardiac markers include components of the contractile apparatus, namely, troponin, including troponin-T, troponin-I and troponin C, mitochondrial enzymes, such as triose P isomerase, low molecular weight polypeptides which are readily released from the heart, and sarcolemmal membrane proteins or protein fragments which may be released early after the onset of ischemia, in particular, a 15 kd sarcolemma protein and a 100 kd complex glycoprotein which are cardiac specific.
The cardiac isotype troponin-I inhibits the interaction between actin and myosin molecules during rest periods between contractions of the heart muscle. Troponin-I appears in serum of patient within 4-6 hours after MI and remains elevated for 7- 8 days. FIG. 4 illustrates the concentration of troponin-I as a function of time. (ref. Cummins B., Auckland M. L. and Cummins P. (1987) Am. Heart J. 113, 1333-1344.). It is cardiac specific and has a greater sensitivity than other markers in detecting cardiac versus skeletal muscle injury.
Troponin-T is part of the troponin-tropomyosin complex of the thin filament and serves as a link between the tropomyosin backbone and the troponin-I troponin C complex. Troponin-T is a basic protein and has isotypes in cardiac and fast and slow skeletal muscles. It appears in serum within 3 hours and remains elevated for at least 10 days following MI. FIG. 5 illustrates the concentration of troponin-T as a function of time. (ref. Katus H. A. et al. (1989) J. Mol. Cell Cardiol. 21, 1349-1353.). Troponin-T follows a biphasic release pattern. It is cardiac specific and very sensitive for MI.
Myosin heavy chains (MHC), and tropomyosin, are heavier molecular weight proteins which may also be used as cardiac markers. MHC is part of the major contractile protein of muscle. Fragments of MHC can be released from the ventricule into serum after myocardial cell necrosis and subsequent irreversible membrane injury. Although MHC fragments do not appear quickly in the serum following myocardial cell necrosis, MHCs remain elevated for at least 10 days following MI, and peak levels of MHC are observed 4 days after MI. FIG. 6 illustrates the concentration of MHC as a function of time. (ref. Leger J. O. C. et al. (1985) Eur. J. of Clin. Invet. 15, 422-429, Seguin J. R. et al. (1989) J Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 98, 397-401.). The area under the MHC release curve correlates very well with the extent of myocardial cell damage. However, MHC levels are of little clinical value during the acute phase of MI.
Tropomyosin is a dimer formed from two polypeptide which are part of the regulatory system in muscle contraction. Tropomyosin is detectable in serum approximately 7-8 hours after myocardial infarction, and like CK-MB, is very sensitive for myocardial infarction. FIG. 7 illustrates the concentration of tropomyosin as a function of time. (ref. Cummins P. et al. (1981) Clin. Sci. 60, 251-259). However, tropomyosin is not cardiac specific since it is elevated in conditions of skeletal muscle trauma.
There are limitations for each of the current standard diagnostic methods for myocardial infarction. None provide a highly sensitive, specific, rapid, and simple diagnostic test which may be conducted soon after the onset of chest pain, for example, in an ambulance or doctor's office.
The present invention combines and measures at least three different markers of cardiac damage present in the blood or serum of a patient in early onset of chest pain in order to provide an improved method of diagnosis of myocardial infarction for use in the early stages of unstable angina or MI.
The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a one-step, accurate, rapid, and portable panel diagnostic test to be used in emergency settings to detect the presence of at least three markers of cardiac damage in a patient's serum. The test results will determine whether the patient is suffering from unstable angina or whether a myocardial infarction has taken place. Early detection of MI enables thrombolytic therapy to be commenced at an early stage. Cardiac damage will therefore be minimized, and the patient's chance of survival will be increased. The results of the panel test will distinguish between unstable angina and myocardial infarction, even up to several days following the onset of pain. The panel test will utilize an enzyme immunoassay sandwich dry chemistry format. Serial temporal measurements with the panel will offer prognostic information to the physician as to the extent of muscle damage and the success of thrombolytic intervention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the three markers are creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, and myosin light chains (MLC).
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a diagnostic test kit for detecting a myocardial infarction at early onset of patient chest pain. The test kit comprises a receptacle for receiving and retaining a sample of blood or serum of the patient and a detection means for communicating with the sample. The detection means comprises at least three monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies suspended on a carrier, each antibody being complementary to a different protein released by the heart muscle during early stages of a myocardial infarction, and corresponding reagents which are independently responsive to each antibody reacting with the complementary protein. The combined responses of reagents indicates the diagnostic condition of the patient.
In drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the invention,
FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the level of CK in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the level of myoglobin in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the level of MLC in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the level of troponin-I in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the level of troponin-T in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the level of MHC in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 7 i s a graph illustrating the level of tropomyosin in serum as a function of time;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the membrane of the embodiment of FIG. 8; and
FIG. 11 is an oblique view of a second embodiment of the membrane.
The invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 8. In the preferred embodiment the invention is in a panel format identified as 1.
The panel format to be used is known and is commercially available. The panel format is similar to a format currently being used in association with pregnancy testing and is commercially available under the trade-mark BIOSIGN.
The panel consists of a polypropylene card having a front panel 10 and a back panel 12. Front panel 10 has a display window 14, one for each cardiac marker and a sample window 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Underneath front panel 10 is an exposed dry chemistry membrane 18 which is affixed to the back of front panel 10 by suitable means. Back panel 12 is provided with a lip 20 which extends around the perimeter of back panel 12 for receiving front panel 10 in a snap fit thereby sealing the membrane 18 between the front and back panel.
While the front and back panel have been described as being snapped together, there are numerous other suitable methods of joining the two together which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Front panel 10 may also be provided with an area 13 upon which the patient's name or identification may be written. Also space may be available to write the results of the test.
With reference to FIG. 10, membrane 18 is the carrier of the monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. In the preferred embodiment, the flow of blood or serum is from one end to the other end as shown by the arrow. End 22 is aligned with sample window 16. An immobilized captured antibody 26 is layered against or bonded to an antibody-enzyme conjugate 24 which is directed against a different epitope on the antigen than that which is recognized by the antibody 26. Antibody 26 is complementary to the myosin protein. Similarly, antibody 30 is layered with a corresponding reagent 28. Antibody 30 is complementary to CK-MB. Likewise, antibody 34 is layered with a reagent 32. Antibody 38 is complementary with the myosin light chain. Antibody 38 is one which is complementary to any protein found in normal serum or blood. Antibody 38 is layered with reagent 36.
The monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies can be prepared by using conventional procedures with any mammal used for polyclonal antibody production.
In the preferred embodiment, a labelled reagent is used. The antibody reagent is labelled or chemically bonded to a distinctive moiety which can be observed or measured to verify or quantify the presence of an analyte in the serum or blood or on the dry chemistry membrane. Ligands and groups which can be conjugated to the antibodies of this invention for use as a diagnostic tool include elements, compounds or biological materials which have physical or chemical characteristics which can be used to distinguish the antibodies to which they are bonded from other antibodies.
At least two antibodies of the type mono/poly or rabbit/poly, goat/poly per cardiac marker are required. The antibodies are affinity purified against their specific cardiac immunogen and then further purified by cross-adsorption against a non-related species to eliminate nonspecific specific immunoglobulins.
In use, the diagnostician, for example a physician, ambulance attendant or nurse, adds three drops or less than 100 μl of the patient's serum or blood to the sample window 16. The sample will migrate along the membrane 18 by capillary action and will successively come into contact with the antibody and reagent pairs 24 and 26, 28 and 30, 32 and 34 and 36 and 38.
The specific cardiac marker if present in the sample binds to the antibody immobilized on the membrane. The corresponding reagent will also react and is visualized by a change in colour. The colour change is proportional to the concentration of the marker in the sample. Therefore if the test kit is used in timed intervals the increase or decrease in marker concentration can also be determined and used as a diagnostic tool. The results of the test should be completed within 3-5 minutes.
In the preferred embodiment, a blue band will show for each cardiac marker which is present in the sample. The intensity of the band is quantifiable using a reflectometer, which relates the colour intensity to the concentration level of a particular marker. The reflectometer may contain a microprocessor, so that the quantified result for each cardiac marker being tested in the panel may be produced and printed out as a concentration of each marker along with the patient's name or identification.
The test preferably is sensitive to marker concentrations from 0.5 ng/ml to 25 ng/ml using 3 drops or less than 100 ul of serum or plasma with a within run and between run precision coefficient of variation of less than 15%.
The cardiac markers utilized in the test will depend on the properties of those markers. In the preferred embodiment, there will be a panel having myoglobin, MLC, and CK-MB, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
Myoglobin is released very early from the myocardial cell, is not cardiac specific, has a very high sensitivity for myocardial infarction and necrosis and is not released by anoxic injury in the absence of necrosis. MLC is cardiac specific, and permits differentiation of cardiac from non cardiac pain, and is released early but not as early as myoglobin. CK-MB differentiates angina from myocardial infarction, but is not detectable until approximately six hours after the onset of chest pain and therefore is not of use alone as an emergency diagnostic test.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and if the three cardiac markers to be used are CK-MB, myoglobin, and MLC, the following interpretation of the results would provide a diagnosis.
If the panel shows positive for MLC and negative for myoglobin and CK-MB, it would indicate that the patient's chest pain is cardiac and that the source is unstable angina.
If myoglobin and MLC are positive and CK-MB is negative it would indicate an early evolving myocardial infarction and intervention therapy could be initiated.
If all three are positive, it would indicate a myocardial infarction.
If MLC and CK-MB are positive and myoglobin is negative, it would indicate a myocardial infarction.
If myoglobin and CK-MB are positive and MLC is negative, the patient could have skeletal muscle trauma (a false positive) or be in the midst of a myocardial infarction.
The test could not distinguish between a false positive and a "small" myocardial infarction in this case, as the MLC release curve has slight dips at several intervals and the patient may have a small subendocardial infarction and be tested at the time of a "dip". When the infarct is small, the "dip" is down to almost normal levels, and therefore the patient would test negative for MLC. Positive diagnosis would rely on the presence of CK-MB.
In the event that the patient is having a large myocardial infarction, the "dip" in MLC levels will not be so large as to be the same as normal levels, and therefore, MLC will remain detectable.
In other embodiments, the test panel may utilize different combinations of antibodies in the same format, such that different cardiac markers are assessed. In order to ensure that the panel will detect cardiac tissue damage at an early stage of patient chest pain, it is necessary to utilize at least one antibody corresponding to a marker which is present in large quantities at an early stage of cardiac damage, such as CK, myosin light chains or myoglobin. Low molecular weight cardiac proteins having the characteristics and properties of CK, myosin light chains or myoglobin may also be used in the kit.
Suitable proteins and enzymes may be selected from the following: troponin, including troponin-I, troponin C, troponin-T and sarcolemmal membrane proteins, triose P isomerase or any heavy molecular weight cardiac proteins having the characteristics and properties of creatine kinase, myoglobin or myosin light chains.
Other proteins such as tropomyosin, and myosin heavy chains may also be added to the kit. The kit would then be able to detect MI if the patient arrives for diagnosis many hours after onset of chest pain where the patient is in the later stages of MI.
In a second embodiment, membrane 18 may have a layer of captured antibody 126 and a corresponding reagent 124. Similarly for each other marker to be detected, a corresponding pair of antibodies and reagents are provided, i.e. 128 and 130, 132 and 134 and control pair 136 and 138. In use, the sample is dropped onto each pair and the results are read in the same manner as described above.
The dry chemistry membrane 118 can be supported by absorbent material 120. Absorbent material 120 will enhance the draw of the serum through the membrane.
A further embodiment for the test kit is to use a blood sample tube which is commonly used to draw blood samples from patients. The inside wall of the tube could act as a carrier for the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and reagents. After the sample is drawn from the patient, the user simply shakes the tube so that the antibody reacts with the blood. Colour changes as described above will take place if the cardiac protein is present in the blood.
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is to be made to the appended claims.
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- Willamette
- Athletics
- News Archive
- 2007
- March
- Willamette vs. Whittier Rained Out
Men's Tennis | Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Willamette vs. Whittier Rained Out
(MEN'S TENNIS) SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Whiitier College were unable to play their men's tennis match scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 due to the weather. The Bearcats and the Poets have rescheduled the match for Thursday, March 29 in Whittier, Calif. Match time is set for 3 p.m. (PDT).
Willamette is 5-8 on the season. Whittier is currently 4-10 overall. The Bearcats, after completing their Spring Break road trip with the match at Whittier, will return to Salem, Ore., to host Pacific University on Sunday, April 1. The match will get underway at 1 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts.

subset: commoncrawl


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ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Phyllis E. Bashaw, 84, of Orange Park, Fla., formerly of Omar, departed this life Sunday, May 26, 2013, at Orange Park Medical Center.
Born February 2, 1929, in McDowell County, she was a daughter of the late John Cooper and Josie Gibson Riffe. Also preceding her in death was her husband, William Bashaw; one daughter, Mary M. Jackson, and two sisters, Beatrice Flannery and Arlene Riffe.
Phyllis was a retired manager and a member of the Walnut Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, Christopher (Nancy) Jackson of Simpsonville, S.C.; one daughter, Marcella (Craig) Lewis of Orange Park; one sister, Geneva Adkins of Chauncey, and three grandchildren, John Lewis, Joshua Jackson, and Christopher Lewis.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, at Collins Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Charles Blankenship and John Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be left at www.collinsfuneralhomewv.com/
Collins Funeral Home at Switzer is in charge of the arrangements.


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Erin TOPICS
- Height
- 5'11"
- Hometown
- Skokie, IL
- Astrological Sign
- Pisces (March 4)
- What did you eat for breakfast?
- An omelet
- Morning or Night person?
- Night!
- Righty or lefty?
- Righty
- Pink or red?
- Pink
- Chocolate or vanilla?
- Chocolate
- Boxers or briefs?
- Boxers
- If you were a spice, which would you be?
- Cinnamon
- What haven't you done yet that you wish you could?
- Learn to speak French fluently
- Favorite place in the world
- I haven't been everywhere yet! So far, St Barts.
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- Lip balm, my friends, my family, coconuts and laughter.
- The most glamorous part of your job?
- Having the opportunity to see the world!
- The least glamorous part of your job?
- Living out of my suitcase for months on end


text:
Kyiv Post [1]
by Terry E Hallman
May 22 2003
A 10 year-old girl with an infant in her arms rang my doorbell. She was barely alive, unlike the 9 year-old boy who died, frozen, on another American's doorstep in Kherson a few months ago. The little girl was blue in the face and starved. She asked only for a small amount of food, nothing else. My wife, Olga, raided the fridge and gave her everything we didn't need. I later found Olga in tears, not because of the little girl at our front door, but because we both knew that this pitiful girl is only one of many such children throughout Ukraine.
I find myself totally disgusted. Have Ukrainians no spine, no dignity or pride? If I offend Ukrainians, tough! Get a grip and listen up.
There is no good reason for children to be starving and suffering in Ukraine. The only reason it happens is that Ukrainians are all wimps who are utterly helpless to do anything other than accept their 'fate' likes sheep. Kids starving? Yes, that's just how it is, and nothing can be done about it. That seems to be the prevailing opinion.
In fact, something can be done about it, but Ukrainians – every single one of you – are unmotivated to do anything that does not immediately benefit yourself, your family and perhaps your friends. Sure, I know you feel bad about starving kids. You should feel bad. In fact, you should feel terrible.
I have just spent a year in Crimea at my own expense designing a program that I believe would relieve some of the country's poverty. The U.S. is interested in making the program a reality.
The program involves no freebies or handouts, and it would make it possible for anyone to earn a decent living. As an added benefit, it would pump funds into social programs for children like those who presented themselves on my doorstep.
The problem? Ukrainian government officials are reluctant to permit its implementation unless they see an opportunity for personal gain. I am totally opposed to graft, so we are at a stalemate. Neither Ukraine or the U.S. can implement the program without my assistance, and I have made stealing from the program extremely difficult.
My advisors say that Ukrainian officials will not budge until they are paid. In the meantime, messy details like starving children are held hostage. It seems that no matter how good your intentions, nothing happens until the dons of the Ukrainian political mafia are paid.
Because the public will not change this situation, the officials are killing the economy, people are starving or dying of neglect. At the end of the day, it seems that most Ukrainians just don't give a damn about each other. Surely, there are exceptions, but if those exceptions exist, they are all but invisible.
I see it every day, as people scurry around like rats without giving a second thought to hungry kids. Never mind what the U.S. may do – at some point, Ukrainians have to step up and take charge rather than roll over and play dead.
The U.S. is observing, at my insistence, how local officials behave regarding the prospect of getting a good-sized development project. As anticipated, the government officials immediately hold out their hands. They are relentless gatekeepers, unwilling to take action without payment. And the people merely concede that bribes must be paid. Change things? No, take the easy way out. That's the definition of Ukraine and all things Ukrainian.
Ukrainians are responsible for allowing the abomination that is your government to continue unchecked. Good projects come along, and citizens themselves concede that playing ball with the government status quo is the best way to go.
Children die due to widespread social neglect and the ineptitude of most Ukrainians to manage their own community – and this doesn't seem to bother many people. It may be a personal curse that bothers few: Me, my wife and too few others in this country.
It will be easy for those offended by this message to suggest I leave Ukraine if I don't like it. That's fair enough, but what would that accomplish? My departure would mean just one less voice raised in defense of starving children, one less voice challenging Ukrainians to realize the destiny that could be, as a strong, prosperous and vibrant country.
Do Ukrainians even know that they have that potential? I do, and I'm sure of it.
Terry E. Hallman is a specialist in economic development and poverty relief who has resided in Crimea for the past year.


text:
The present invention is a system and method of conducting refund transactions via electronic transaction records. System user transaction information entered into the system is stored in association with user biometric information. Transaction information is retrieved via user biometric recognition/verification for conducting refund transactions.
1. A method for enabling a receiptless refund transaction using an electronic transaction receipt, the method comprising:
a. receiving, at a transaction station, first biometric data from a user;
b. receiving, at the transaction station, transaction information for a transaction item;
c. storing said transaction information as an electronic transaction receipt, said storing being based on a match of said first biometric data and second biometric data previously registered in a database by said user;
d. receiving a request for a refund for said transaction item, said received request including third biometric data;
e. determining whether said third biometric data matches one of a plurality of authorizing biometric data in said database, wherein said plurality of authorizing biometric data represents registered biometric data for one or more users that are authorized to receive a refund for said transaction item; and
f. authorizing said refund request upon retrieval of said stored electronic transaction receipt, wherein said stored electronic transaction receipt is retrievable if said third biometric data matches one of said plurality of authorizing biometric data, said refund transaction being completed using said electronic transaction receipt in place of a paper receipt.
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a. sending a request for additional transaction information to a second database;
b. receiving, from the second database, said requested additional transaction information; and
c. storing said additional transaction information in association with a user record.
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25. A method in a transaction station for creating an electronic transaction receipt, the method comprising:
a. receiving first user biometric data from a user;
b. receiving a user personal identification code;
c. sending said user personal identification code to a database;
d. receiving from said database second biometric data registered by said user that is stored in association with a user record identified by said user personal identification code;
e. comparing said second biometric data with said first biometric data; and
f. if said comparison indicates a match, storing information related to a financial transaction as an electronic transaction receipt, wherein said electronic transaction receipt is retrievable in a subsequent refund transaction upon a determination that third biometric data presented by a user, matches one of a plurality of authorizing biometric data in said database, wherein said plurality of authorizing biometric data represents registered biometric data for one or more users that are authorized to receive a refund, wherein said electronic transaction receipt is used as proof of said financial transaction.
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29. A method for processing a refund transaction for one or more transaction items, wherein transaction information for the one or more transaction items is stored as an electronic transaction receipt in a database, the method comprising:
a. receiving a refund transaction request, said refund transaction request including at least a user biometric sample;
b. determining whether said user biometric sample matches biometric data in an identified set of authorizing biometric data in the database, wherein said identified set of authorizing biometric data represents registered biometric data for one or more users that are authorized to receive a refund for the one or more transaction items;
c. initiating a refund transaction based on the previously stored electronic transaction receipt if said user biometric sample matches biometric data in said identified set of authorizing biometric data; and
d. storing, in the database, refund transaction information reflecting completion of said refund transaction.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/251,305, filed Sep. 20, 2002, which claims domestic priority from provisional application No. 60/324,229, filed Sep. 21, 2001. Each above-identified application is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes.
This application relates generally to a system and method of conducting biometrically-initiated refund transactions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for allowing individuals to store and retrieve transaction information by means of biometric association.
Generally, an individual conducting a purchase transaction receives a paper record that displays information about the transaction, such as the date of the transaction, the location of the transaction, items/services purchased in the transaction, and how the individual paid for the purchase. Should the individual wish to return a purchased item/service from that transaction for money, the individual must typically present the paper record they received of the transaction for the purposes of providing proof of the transaction, and/or necessary return details of the transaction. Requiring a customer to keep track of these paper records and present them in a refund transaction poses a nuisance to the customer that might discourage the customer from seeking a refund if they cannot find the proper paperwork.
Since retail stores are not required by law to provide customers with refund services, they may set their own refund policies. Because fraudulent refund transactions can pose a large area of risk, merchants typically enforce refund policies that help minimize these loss risks but still enable customers to return unwanted and/or defective merchandise. For example, such policies typically include requiring customers to present physical receipts for full refunds and to return purchased items within a set timeframe. Additionally, merchants often require customers conducting refund transactions to provide personal information, such as their home address, telephone number, and email address. Although paper receipts provide customers the benefit of allowing them to conduct full refunds, keeping track of these receipts is cumbersome for customers, forcing them to keep a backlog of paperwork on their purchases and then forcing them to find a receipt in that backlog every time they want to return an item/service. In addition, requiring customers to provide personal information is not only an inconvenience to customers but also an invasion of privacy. What is needed are better systems and methods for providing customers and merchants with records of purchase transactions.
The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs by providing customers and merchants with a more accessible system and less cumbersome method of recording and accessing transaction information, wherein transaction information is stored in electronic transaction records that are accessed and updated via biometric recognition and/or verification. A process by which customer biometric information is associated with electronically captured transaction information allows customers and merchants to perform more secure, convenient, and efficient refund transactions. Additionally, a process by which customers verify their identity as purchaser or their affiliation with the purchaser of a refund transaction, offers merchants a more secure method of conducting refund transactions.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
As previously noted, the present invention encompasses a system and method for conducting refund transactions via biometrically-initiated access of electronic transaction records.
User transaction information is stored as one or more electronic records that are associated with a user's biometric sample. Transaction information may be stored as an electronic record during or after a transaction takes place. Additionally, transaction information may be converted from physical form, e.g. a paper receipt, to electronic form at a system device, or may be pulled from one or more storage locations to a system database. Regardless of how transaction information is entered into the system, it is stored in electronic form and in association with a user biometric sample. Depending on the embodiment of the system, stored transaction information may be organized according to varying forms. By way of illustration but without limitation, transaction information may be grouped by transaction, by an item/service identification code, by an item/service related department, by price, by merchant, by merchant location, and/or by item/service description.
Storing transaction information in electronic form and in association with a user biometric sample allows a user to conduct refund transactions based upon the stored transaction information simply by presenting a biometric. Because most merchants currently require individuals to present a physical transaction receipt in a cash-back refund transaction, the present invention will provide users with a more convenient method of presenting those transaction records, by presenting their electronic transaction records in lieu of traditional physical receipts. The current invention also provides customers with greater privacy, allowing them to conduct return transactions without necessarily having to share their personal information with merchants with which they conduct return transactions. Additionally, the invention will provide merchants with a more secure form of conducting refund transactions by associating customer biometric information with a transaction. Allowing users to present electronic transaction records in a refund transaction eliminates the need for users to keep track of and present traditional physical transaction records, such as paper receipts, at the time of a refund transaction.
A user conducts transactions in the system by presenting a biometric sample that is compared to one or more registered biometric samples stored at the system database. Matching a user biometric sample to a registered biometric sample enables a user to retrieve information stored in association with the registered biometric and/or approval of a transaction request depending on the action the user requests in the system. There are two main types of biometric comparison systems: biometric verification systems, wherein the system performs a "one-to-one" comparison of an individual's biometric to a record of his biometric, and biometric recognition systems, wherein the system performs a "one-to-more than one" biometric comparison of an individual's biometric to his biometric record and at least one other biometric record. A "one-to-one" biometric comparison verifies the individual presenting the biometric is who he says he is, and a "one-to-more than one" biometric comparison recognizes an individual's biometric from a group of two or more biometrics. For the purposes of this application, "biometric system" is intended to refer to both verification and recognition biometric systems. As would be appreciated, the invention methods and their related methods of biometric comparison disclosed herein should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should allow for varying combinations of methods and their related methods of biometric comparison.
Additionally, this invention is not limited to using one form of biometric. For example, the biometric samples referred to throughout this description might refer to an image of a biometric and/or a mathematical representation of the biometric sample, often referred to as a "template" in terms of biometric applications.
A system user record holds system user biometric information and other identity verifying information related to an individual seeking biometric recognition/verification so that the system user may identify himself and associate his transaction information with his system record. The information held in such a record may include, by way of illustration and without limitation, a system user's government identification number(s) and corresponding state(s) of issue, home address, a telephone number, and at least one biometric record. A system user may present any number of identity verifying documents or testaments to his identity depending on the embodiment of the biometric system. By way of illustration and not of limitation, examples of such documents or testaments include a financial token, a digital image, a video clip, family information, or a DNA sample. Depending on the particular implementation, a system user record can also hold financial account information and/or a system identification number (SID). A SID is a code used in conjunction with a system user biometric sample for biometric recognition/verification.
The system also comprises system operator records which hold information useful for authenticating an operator, such as a name or ID number, device ID numbers associated with the operator, an address, and a phone number. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the operator records also hold employer information if the operator is an employee of an employer who is also an operator. In another embodiment of the present invention, operator records hold an operator SID and/or an operator biometric sample.
The system may be configured so that at least one system database 112, 114 is connected to at least one network 102, such as but not limited to, the Internet. This network comprises connections to at least one device where transaction information is entered. These devices include but are not limited to a vending machine 152, a kiosk 156, a personal computer 132, a user service desk 160, a point of sale (POS) terminal 164, or a wireless device 144, 140, and 136, connected via wireless network 104, with respective biometric input devices (BIDs) 130, 134, 138, 142, 146, 154, 158, 162 and 166. BID devices are illustrated in
Networks used in additional embodiments include LANs (local area networks), WANs (wide area networks), and telephone networks. In such embodiments, system users communicate with at least one system database 112, 114 via telephone 128, with connected BID device 130.
Additional embodiments of the system also comprise connections to one or more third party sources, such as a third party database 106 and/or one or more financial institutions 108, in which system user-presented information is verified and/or from which system user information is pulled. Financial institution 108 may also allow users to conduct biometrically authorized financial transactions with the system should the system be so configured. For ease of integration of such methods, the method of conducting biometrically authorized financial transactions might be adapted so that it may be conducted concurrently with the method for biometrically initiated refund transactions and vice versa.
In one embodiment, the system is configured as an "open" system, meaning all information entered into the system is transmitted to and stored in a central system database 106. An open system allows system user transaction information to be stored and/or accessed via any device in the system because an open system shares system user information stored in the centralized system database 112 with all system devices. System user records in an open system may additionally be sub partitioned by system operator with which the user conducts transactions. This system embodiment allows user identity information to be shared across system operators freely but restricts access to operator-specific sub partitions within the user's record to the specific system operator and his associated system operators.
In an alternate embodiment, the system is configured as a "closed" system, meaning information entered into the system via a specific operator device is transmitted to and stored in a system database specific to that operator 114, and this information is not shared with devices other than those specific to the operator database 114 or other operator-specific databases. This is referred to as a "closed" system because system user information stored in one system operator's database 114 is unique to that user's interaction with that specific system operator and/or specific system operator device(s). System users must register their identifying information in the database of each additional system operator system wherein they would like to store electronic transaction information. Operator system databases 114 in closed systems may query other databases, such as a third party information database 106, for system user information verifications. However, all system user information that is enrolled into a particular operator system database 114 is stored in that database. In an alternate embodiment of the closed system, information pertaining to specific system operators is stored in a partitioned, central system database 112. System operator related information is stored in system, operator-specific partitions and is closed to all other system operators. Only the system operator and system operator employees may access that partition of the central system database 112. In yet an additional embodiment, system operator related information stored in an operator system database is additionally stored on the central system database 112 where their system users' records are stored. Such an embodiment is useful for information protection in the event database information is lost.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, system user information is "selectively shared" and stored in select system multiple-operator databases or select, system multiple-operator partitions within the central system database 112. In this embodiment, a group of system operators share data with each other and they choose whether or not to share system information with other system operators within the system. Such a system is referred to as a "selectively shared" system. This system allows a chain of system operators owned by the same entity or linked in some other manner to share system user information amongst them without sharing that information with all other non-designated system operators registered in the system. Information in such a system may be shared between one or more operator system databases 114 and the central system database 112 freely or sharing may be monitored by rules set in the operator system databases 114, the central system database 112, or both. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, one system operator might only want to share system user transaction information with one of five system operators in a multi-verifier system or all system operators might not want to send or store system user transaction information to the central system database 112. Such a system allows system operators greater control over information flow while still allowing various user conveniences, such as being able to return a product to any store in a selectively shared chain.
The configuration of the system as an "open" system, "closed" system, or "selectively shared" system illustrates various ways of implementing the principles of the present invention. System configuration might be determined by the system in which the electronic transaction information is used. For example, if the refund system is combined with a biometrically-authorized financial transaction system, a merchant who is an operator in the system and who allows customers to conduct biometrically-authorized financial transactions might have a system configured with his own operator system database 114 and one or two biometric authorization terminals, for example 164 and 160, connected to that database. In this system configuration, the merchant's database files only exist on his database 114 and are retrieved or accessed for biometric matching only by the one or two pre-determined stations 164 and 160 connected to the database 114; therefore, the system would be a "closed" system.
System users register for a biometrically-initiated refund transaction system by creating a user record with a system database. As would be appreciated, determining the data required to enable usage of the system would depend on the embodiment of the system. However, in a standard enrollment, a user presents at least one biometric sample. A user may additionally present other identity verifying information, such as his name, mailing address, phone number, driver's license number, and e-mail address. Depending on the system embodiment, the system may additionally require a user to register a system identification number (SID). In such an embodiment, a SID typically serves as a pointer that can be used with or without a user biometric sample to aid the system in locating the storage location of a user record. Depending on the embodiment of the system, a SID may also serve as a user group identifier that identifies a user as an affiliate of a specified group of users. In an additional embodiment, the system may perform a re-registration check on a user's information to ensure that the user is not already registered in the system.
Regardless of the information required for enrollment, users may enroll in the system in an enrollment transaction or may enroll in the system during another system transaction. For example, a user who wishes to enroll in the system presents his biometric information and any other requested identity information. That user's information is stored in a database, and the user is enrolled. The user may, alternatively, wish to enroll in the system during a purchase transaction. For example, a user purchasing a few items at an electronics store might decide that she would like to enroll in the system. If she chooses to enroll, she would then enter a biometric sample. She would additionally enter any other enrollment information that the system requests. The method of entering such information would be implementation dependent. For example, information could be hand-keyed, pulled from an electronic read of a token, and/or pulled from another information database, which may or may not be designated by the user. The current transaction information is then associated with the user biometric sample, both of which are stored in a system database as a user record. Thereafter, the user simply provides her biometric sample during a transaction and the transaction information is stored with the user's system record.
In an additional embodiment, the present invention is combined with a biometrically-authorized transaction system that requires a user to present his biometric during a transaction for identity verification, such as a biometrically-authorized financial transaction system, an age-restricted transaction system, or a rewards transaction system. The present invention used in combination with such a system would enable the transaction information to be stored in association with a user identity-verification record previously created for enrollment into the additional biometric system.
In yet another embodiment, a user wishing to convert pre-existing physical and/or electronic records of transaction information into the system may present these records at a system device. The system device would scan and/or read the records, retrieving them from transaction information to be stored in association with the user's system record. If a user is not enrolled in the system, he may still convert a pre-existing record of a transaction into the system in the process. He simply presents his biometric, the transaction information, and any other necessary enrollment information, and this information is sent to a system database for storage as a new user record.
At step 202, information related to a transaction is entered into a transaction station. Transaction information may include but is not limited to, the date of a transaction, the time of a transaction, the location of a transaction, one or more items/services exchanged in a transaction, the quantity of one or more items/services exchanged in a transaction, the price of one or more items/services exchanged in a transaction, the method of payment in a transaction, and one or more system operator associated with a transaction. In an additional embodiment, the method of creating an electronic transaction record is appended to a method for biometrically authorizing a transaction. In systems wherein such methods are combined, transaction information may additionally include a transaction approval request that is evaluated and approved or denied concurrently with the method of storing the electronic transaction record.
At step 204, the transaction information and a user biometric sample is sent to a system database. The user biometric sample may be scanned into the transaction station at any time during the transaction. Additionally, if the current invention is appended to a biometrically authorized system and method, the biometric sample captured for use in authenticating the user to that authorization system may be also used in the method of the current invention. In an additional embodiment, the system is configured for biometric verification and might request a user additionally enter a system identification code (SID) that is also sent to the database. In a biometric verification embodiment, a SID may serve various purposes. For example, it can be used as added insurance that the user is properly identified within the system database, or it can serve as an affiliation code by which a group of users affiliate their electronic transaction records with each other in an effort to create a chain of possible users authorized to conduct refund transactions for their purchase transactions. Regardless of the purpose of the SID, such an embodiment of the system would help simplify and increase reliability of the system by increasing the probability that the user's electronic transaction record is stored in the proper user record. It is also possible at this point that the user enters a transaction code that indicates user-defined categories of transactions. For example, if the user is making a business purchase, he enters a code that indicates that the transaction is business related, or if the user is making a leisure purchase, he enters a code that indicates that the transaction is leisure related. Such codes might enable users to better organize their transaction records.
At step 206, the user record is located by matching the biometric sample to a biometric sample stored at the database. If the user entered a SID, a user record might first be located by the SID and the biometric sample verified with a registered biometric sample associated with the SID. At step 208, if the user record is located, the transaction information is stored in association with the system record. Alternatively, if no user record is found in the system one is created and the transaction information is stored in association with the newly formed record. Additionally, users who wish to receive a paper record of the transaction might select to receive one.
Depending on the embodiment of the invention, electronic records stored in association with user records might additionally be divided into sub records associated with one or more system operators. For example, in a financial transaction merchant information included in the transaction information might designate a specific sub record with which to associate the transaction record. Such an embodiment might allow for faster transaction information location during later user record accesses. Additionally, such an embodiment would serve closed or selectively shared system organizations by requiring merchant information to be matched before allowing access to the user sub record associated with that merchant. As users may affiliate their user records with other users, so may system operators affiliate their records in selectively shared systems. In such a system, a system operator identifier would provide that system operator access to his designated group of affiliated system operators within the system.
In an additional embodiment of the system, users may utilize a personal biometric device to aid storing transaction information in the system. Such an embodiment is conceived for transactions in which a merchant does not have a biometric device but has a device that can communicate with a user personal device, such as a personal data assistant 144 with BID 146, a pager 140 with BID 142, and/or cellular phone 136 with BID 138. In such transactions, transaction information is electronically communicated to the user personal device 144, 140, 142, into which the user presents his biometric sample via connected/integrated BID 146, 142, 136. This information is sent to the system database, where it is stored in association with the user record. Methods of communicated transaction information from the transaction terminal to a user personal device might include but should not be limited to infrared transmission and other forms of wireless communication.
The system might also allow users to create electronic transaction records after a transaction has taken place by converting conventional transaction receipts into electronic form and/or storing that new electronic form in association with a user biometric. This method might be useful to new system users who have kept a backlog of transaction receipts that they would like entered into the system. Additionally, this method might also be a useful back-up method for the electronic system should a system operator device not be functioning properly during a transaction. A user converts traditional transaction receipts to electronic form via a system device equipped for record conversion. As would be appreciated, the method of record conversion depends on the format of the original transaction receipt. For example, a paper receipt might be digitally imaged into a system device and/or scanned for optical character recognition (OCR). Other forms of receipt conversion might be as simple as a user presenting a smart card whereon the transaction information is stored and that transaction information is electronically transferred and/or copied from the card to the system database and stored in association with the user record. A system device for performing receipt conversion might be a kiosk equipped with a digital scanner and a biometric scanner. In the case of a paper transaction receipt conversion, the user would present the paper transaction receipt into the kiosk's digital scanner for scanning and/or information retrieval. The user would also present his biometric at the kiosk biometric scanner. The kiosk would retrieve the transaction information from the paper transaction receipt and send the transaction information and user biometric sample to the system database, where the information is stored with the user system record. If the user is not registered with the system, the database forms a new user record with which the user biometric sample and transaction information is stored. Additionally, receipt information a user presents may also include a code which identifies another location where supplemental transaction, operator, or user information is stored. With this code, the system may pull any supplemental transaction information not identified on the material a user has presented. For example, a paper transaction receipt may include a code pointing to where purchaser credit card information is stored in a merchant database.
In an additional embodiment of creating an electronic record within the system, user biometric information is matched at the transaction station. In such a method, a user enters his SID, which is used to locate the user's registered biometric sample. The user's registered biometric sample is sent to the transaction station, where it is compared to the user biometric sample entered during the transaction. If the biometric samples match, the transaction proceeds. In such an embodiment, transaction information may be sent to the database with the user SID, and the bulk of the transaction may be pre-approved/pre-declined based upon system parameters, allowing the transaction to be completed with acknowledgement of matching biometric samples. Alternatively, the system may not send transaction information to the database with the user SID, and may only proceed with processing the transaction after the user biometric sample has been matched to a user registered sample.
Referring to
At step 304, the user biometric sample and refund transaction request are sent to a database. In an additional embodiment, the system is configured for biometric verification and might request a user also enters a SID. In a biometric verification embodiment, the SID may serve as a pointer for locating the user record within the database, may indicate that the user is affiliated with a group of users, and/or may also indicate that the user seeking a refund transaction is not the purchaser of the item/service being returned but is affiliated with the purchaser in the system. Such an embodiment allows users to conduct return transactions for items/services purchased by affiliated users, such as gifts received from affiliated users or items purchased by affiliated business associates. In such an embodiment, all user records associated with the group SID entered are scanned for information that might pertain to return transaction request information.
At step 306, a user record is located at the database. At step 308, user transaction information associated with the user record is located. Depending on the product/service information provided in the refund transaction request, transaction information may be located in a number of ways. For example, if a product UPC was entered in the refund transaction request, product UPCs of the items purchased by the user are scanned until a match for the presented UPC is found. Alternatively, if more generic purchase item information is included in the refund transaction request, the system locates all items purchased relating to that information. This information is then presented to the system operator and/or the user so that the desired return information may be selected. At step 310, the refund transaction is initiated.
In an additional embodiment, one or more refund transaction request parameters must be met before the refund is initiated. For example, the system might comprise a system operator supervising the transaction to evaluate the condition of a returned item to ensure that the item was not used/abused and then presented for return. The system might also request that the system operator record the condition of the item via hand-keyed description, digital imaging, or a similar method of capturing item condition. In yet an additional embodiment, the user record pertaining to the returned item is marked returned to indicate that the user has already received a refund for that item.
In an additional biometric verification embodiment, refund request information, a user biometric sample, and a user SID are entered into the transaction station. The user SID is sent to a system database, and the user record and associated registered biometric sample are located. The registered biometric sample is sent to the transaction station, where it is compared to the user biometric sample. In embodiments in which group SIDs are implemented, all registered biometric samples associated with the group SID are returned to the transaction station. If the user biometric sample matches a registered biometric sample returned to the transaction station, refund request information is sent to the database, where it is either evaluated and approved or where it is used to retrieve transaction information relating to the refund request that is sent back to the transaction station so the appropriate transaction information may be designated and/or verified. In yet an additional embodiment, refund request information might be sent to the database upon initial transmission, along with the user/group SID. In such an embodiment, the refund request might be pre-approved, pending biometric matching, or transaction information stored in association with the user record and relative to the refund request might be returned to the transaction station so the appropriate transaction information may be designated and/or verified.
In an alternate embodiment, the system biometric matching parameters may be relaxed in an effort to reduce the value threshold, meaning less biometric information is used for matching therefore more biometric matches may occur. Typically, reducing the value threshold in turn increases the number of false positives a biometric matching session will return. By default, if a system can increase its number of false positives it in turn decreases its number of false negatives. The value threshold is reduced in an effort to create a larger amount of potential matches. Such a system would help ensure a more reliable consistency in pulling the matching user record on the first database scan. In a similar embodiment where a user enters a SID, the user SID may be truncated in an effort to return multiple potential biometric and transaction matching possibilities.
In an additional embodiment, users who receive a gift they would like to return may do so via the system by identifying the gift purchaser by providing purchaser information, such as a phone number. This information can then be used to retrieve the transaction record for the item the presenting user wishes to return. Record of such a return transaction would then be stored in the purchaser's and the presenting user's system record.
System operators who conduct biometrically initiated refund transactions might also want a method for encouraging customers who are not system users but who are seeking a refund to enroll in the system. In order to do so, system operators might implement a method of conducting receiptless refunds in conjunction with enrollment methods. A receiptless refund is a refund transaction request in which a customer seeks a refund for a transaction for which they have no transaction record to present. Such a user may not be enrolled in the system or may not have used the system during the specific transaction involved in the refund request. Should the customer not be enrolled in the system, the merchant might require the customer to enroll in the system by presenting at least a biometric sample. Depending on the embodiment of the system, the customer might present additional information such as but not limited to his name, address, telephone number, driver's license number and state of issue, financial account information, a SID, and any other identity information typically entered in a receiptless refund transaction. These types of transactions might provide system operators with some security in providing receiptless refunds because they provide merchants with at least biometric information. System operators desiring additional security might also associate system parameters with such transactions. For example, a system operator might only allow a customer to perform two receiptless refunds at that merchant's store over a specified period of time. Additionally, a system operator might not wish to provide a customer seeking a receiptless refund with a complete refund for the item they are returning and might set a system parameter in which the customer only receives a percentage of the requested refund for the returned item. Additionally, some system operators might wish to only extend store credit to users requesting receiptless refunds. In such a transaction, the system might additionally be configured to refund a user's money by associating a stored value account with the user that the user may use via biometric authentication.
Users may additionally access their system records for maintenance and user services such as refund request pre-approvals. Users may access their records by presenting a biometric sample and/or a SID. Access may be provided at a number of devices, including user personal devices, such as a personal computer 132, a telephone 128, and a user wireless device 136, 140, 144. Users may access their system records to track their transactions, update their user information, customize their user record, and/or request a refund transaction pre-approval. An example of how a user might track his transactions would be his provision of transaction codes to label and organize his electronic transaction records within the system according to the purpose of the transaction. For example, if the user is making a business related purchase, he might mark the transaction with a business code, or if the user is making a leisure related purchase, he might mark the transaction with a leisure code. Such a system may allow users to sub-divide their transactions according to these user-set transaction codes. Additionally, a user may request a refund transaction pre-approval by accessing his transaction records, locating the record(s) pertaining to his desired return transaction, and marking the record(s) with a request for refund. Once the system has pre-approved the refund transaction, the user need only return to the store or a refund kiosk, where he deposits the item(s) and where his refund request is approved. Such a method allows users and system operators to save time in completing return transactions.
In an additional embodiment, information transferred between two points in the system is encrypted. For purposes of example and without limitation, information may be encrypted at one point and sent across a non-secure connection between the points or not encrypted at a point of communication and sent to the other point of communication across a secure connection. Various methods of encryption and decryption may be used, and the embodiment should not be limited to one type of encryption. For example, the system may incorporate one or more methods such as SSL encryption, methods used by companies such as Verisign, PIN encryption typically used in a Point of Sale debit transaction, and/or any other similar method of encryption. As an added level of security, one alternate embodiment encrypts information internal to a terminal and which is never transmitted in a communication. This prevents retrieval of sensitive information (e.g., data corresponding to a biometric scan) from a stolen terminal. In an additional embodiment, the system incorporates one or more anti-tampering methods by which to recognize authentic and non-authentic system requests.
It is also an alternate embodiment of the present invention to provide operators with system user and other operator profile reports in case of suspected fraudulent activity within the system. These reports may be customized to display selected information from a system user's or system operator's record.
In an additional embodiment, user system access may be revoked. If for example the user has displayed negative system behavior, a user's usage might be revoked by deleting the user's system record from the database, marking a user's system record as in bad standing with one or more system operators, or marking the user's record as in bad standing with the network and/or one or more system operators and designating a period of time for which the record will remain bad. This period of time might be relative to an action that must be performed by the user with the record marked in bad standing.
A system and method for conducting electronic refund transactions in a biometric identification/verification system has been illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the system and method of the present invention can be used to perform more convenient and more secure refund transactions than those offered by traditional methods of refund transactions. It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the present invention will be possible without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by a review of the preceding detailed description. Although a number of salient features of the present invention have been described above the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosed invention, and therefore the above description should not be considered to be exclusive of these other embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
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2012 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Macherelles, Domaine Jean Pillot(6x75cl)
The intricate nose offers lime, pineapple, creamy vanilla and touches of hazelnut. There is a stylish balance between power and elegance on the palate with steely acidity pinioning the ripe pineapple and juicey peach flavours. There are gracefull touches of oak to be found here too, with dried nuts and honey adding complexity and lending their weight through the dry, crisp, flinty finish.
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silent, cold toaster oven
Posted 01 May 2005 - 10:33 PM
It's a leetle tiny el cheapo Sanyo model, SK-PG1, 1000watts. One day it just stopped working! There are no on/off switches or knobs, just a wind-up timer on the front. It still makes the familiar, comforting clicking sound as it winds down, but neither of the long flourescent-lamp-type-thingies (on top and bottom inside oven) warm up. Yes, it's plugged in, thanks.
I had a repair-guy over to fix the door on my other, real oven, and he glanced at my lifeless Sanyo, muttered something about a 'blown fuse,' and snickered that it would be cheaper to buy a new oven than to have someone come out and fix it. "oh no, my dear lady, don't try to fix it yourself!" he warned, before donning his toolbelt and disappearing into the sunset.
Can you tell me what a blown fuse on a toaster oven is? Can I go out and buy a fuse? Or must I toss my beloved oven-toaster (well nigh 5 years old) and purchase a new one?
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!
Posted 02 May 2005 - 05:33 AM
Not sure if yours would have a fuse or not. But these are very simple devices, I'd open it up and use my meter to trace out the circuit until I found the dishonorable component.
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Posted 03 May 2005 - 03:02 PM
Since a meter would cost more than a new oven, and I don't know how to use a meter, and wouldn't know a dishonorable component unless he insulted me mum to me face, I'll probably cave and purchase a new el cheapo oven.
But I live in a home full of appliances threatening to die off! I'll be back!
shitsurei shimasu...
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Your Sometimes-Lucid Host:
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- Long battery life (up to 2000km when fully charged)
- Available for external or concealed mounting
- Electric wires (SM-EW50) available in a range lengths from 150mm to 1400mm
- 3 and 5 port junctions for cockpit area available. 5-port includes wireless unit
- Special PC interface (SM-PCE1) for system diagnostics and customising the system
The lithium-ion battery is now available in two versions, suitable for both external and concealed internal mounting. A single-wire E-tube connection and new junction units for a cleaner look and easier installation.


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Rathbun: Much ado about nothingWritten by Gary Rathbun | | firstname.lastname@example.com
I am getting very tired of hearing about the severity of the tax increases and spending cuts that are supposed to take effect, but ultimately won't, on Jan. 1.
Let's take a quick look at the term fiscal cliff. Once a person or an object goes over a cliff, it is pretty much an irreversible action. No matter how God-like Congress thinks it is, it cannot reverse time or repeal the law of gravity. So going off a cliff is not a proper analogy. Maybe pothole would be more appropriate, especially in Toledo.
Let's go with fiscal pothole, since it is less fatal but still something one wants to avoid if possible. Now that we have the proper analogy, let's look at the numbers that are being thrown around and see if they add up. The fiscal pothole consists of $100 billion in mandatory spending cuts and $400 billion in increased taxes.
The $100 billion in spending cuts is not a cut but merely a decrease in the rate of increase of government spending. Four years ago when President Barack Obama took office the highest annual deficit to date was $500 million under President Bush. Since then we have run annual deficits of more than $1 trillion for four years in a row. Will reducing that by $100 billion or 8 percent of the deficit or less than 4 percent of the annual budget, send us over an irreversible cliff? Doubtful.
Next, the $400 billion in tax increases. While I agree that this is bad for the economy and for growth overall, the negative effect will not be felt on Jan. 1 but it will probably take more than 18 months to fully collect the amount of taxes indicated. That is assuming, of course, that those with high incomes don't figure out how to avoid being assessed those taxes to begin with.
Every time that a government raises taxes on people they ultimately figure out how to avoid those taxes and consequently the government actually collects less in taxes than it did before the increase. Just ask England.
Furthermore, to illustrate the futility of this discussion of raising taxes on the rich, if President Obama gets his tax increases on the "rich" it will only take 500 years of that increase to pay off the 2011 budget deficit! Five-hundred years to pay off one year of deficit. "It's about math!"
The bottom line is that this is not about revenue, spending cuts or math; this is about power and ego. All of these politicians are only concerned about their own legacies and re-election prospects. They could not care less about the financial condition of the American people, jobs, the value of our money or America's place in the world.
The new taxes will affect the stock market in the sense that people will sell holdings before the end of the year and next year, if the law stays in place, dividends and capital gains will be penalized. Every dollar that is taken out of the system in taxes is one more dollar that is not available for capital reinvestment and therefore hurts the overall economy.
Jan. 1 may be an additional fiscal pothole for the taxpayers but we are not going off a cliff because of current tax laws and scheduled spending cuts. One could, however, make the case that we are already over the cliff with a $16.3 trillion anvil tied around our neck. But that's another topic for another day.
Gary L. Rathbun is the president and CEO of Private Wealth Consultants, LTD. He can be heard weekdays on 1370 WSPD at 4:06 p.m. on "After the Bell" and every Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. throughout Northern Ohio on "Eye on Your Money." He can be reached at (419) 842-0334 or email him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Tags: A View from the Gulch


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Idina Menzel is both an actress and singer. She was born on May 30,1971. Her first major role was in the Broadway musical Rent. She played the part of Maureen Johnson. It was in this early part that made American audiences fall in love with both her and her voice. Ms. Menzel won a Tony Award Nomination for this performance.
Other fans may have first noticed in the role of Shelby Corcoran in the Hit TV series Glee. Younger fans know her as the voice of Elsa in the Disney hit Frozen. Ms. Menzel has also appeared on the children shows, Wonder Pets, and Sesame Street. In 2004, she won the Best Actress in a Musical from the Tony Awards for her role of Elphaba in Wicked. Shortly after her breakthrough role in Rent she launched her debut album: Still I Can't Be Still. It was met with success gaining her new fans. Her awards are too numerous to list in this article, but she was also honored with the Breakthrough Artist award from the Billboard Women in Music Awards – Get concert tickets here
Her birthplace is variously listed as either in Queens or Syosset New York. What is known that she grew up in Syosset and attended Syosset high school. Her father Stuart was a pajama salesman; mother Helene worked as a therapist. She also has a younger sister, Cara. Her grandparents immigrated from Russia and changed their last name to Mentzel. Idinia changed it again to Menzel to better reflect it's pronunciation.
Ms. Menzel's parents divorced when she was only 15. At that time, she began to work as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer. While in high school, she began to explore other music genres such as R&B and Jazz. Idinia, however, trained as a classical music artist.
Critics and authors seem to disagree on her voice type. The critics believe she has a high soprano while those in the author's camp state that she a mezzo-soprano. Her public doesn't seem to care so much about labeling her voice type, the just love her.
She married husband Taye Diggs on January 1, 2003. They first met while working for the original Rent production where he played the role of the landlord. Their son Walker Nathaniel Diggs was born on Sept. 2, 2014. The marriage didn't last though as they divorced on Dec. 3, 2014.
As a Feminist
Ms. Menzel states that she is a feminist and that her favorite roles are those of strong women such as Shelby and Elsa. In 2010, she and her then-husband Taye founded the A Broaderway Foundation, a philanthropic organization to support and provide scholarships for young performers. She is also known to be a proponent of LGBT rights working on many benefits to further the cause.
On March 21, 1999 she held an honorary chair at the Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball. Other honorary chairs that year were held by Elton John, Patti Lu Pone, John Cameron Mitchell, and Robin Strasser. Just as her list of awards is too long for this article so are her many charity activities. She believes in giving back to society.