Hewlett-Packard Company

Kenneth R Nielsen

Steven Joseph Hand

John C Santon

Gene Pien

Paul Bonomo

Christen M Armbrust

Pankaj B Shah

Apparatus for producing data signals relating to light reflected by an illuminated object may include a fiber optic bundle having a plurality of optic fibers, each of the optic fibers having a light input end and a light output end. The light input ends of the optic fibers are substantially coplanar and are arranged adjacent one another in a generally linear configuration so that they define a line. The light output ends of the optic fibers are also substantially coplanar, but are arranged adjacent one another in a generally rectangular configuration so that they define a rectangle. Detector apparatus operatively connected to the light output ends of the optic fibers produces data signals that correspond to light received from the light output ends of the optic fibers.

Invention using fiber optics for light path from close proximity to an

A method of distributing a plurality of data files to a plurality of recipients including the steps of: placing encrypted copies of the data files to be distributed on a plurality of identical media and providing the recipients with media reading devices having data file decryption capability; logically arranging the data files into data file groups; in response to a recipient's request for access to selected file groups providing the recipient with a group access map indicative of the file groups to which access is requested; in further response to a recipient's request for access to selected file groups providing the recipient with a password to be used for access verification; completing an access verification operation using the group access map and the password and data indicative of the media being read and data indicative of the reading device being used; providing access to the data files in the file groups to which access is requested by use of the group access map; and decrypting the accessed data files.

Method of distributing computer data files

Growing community of inventors

Loveland, CO, United States of America

Kenneth R Nielsen