The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent No. 7,374,106 (Triggered Flickering Tag) to Nicholas S. Bromer of Marietta, Pa. Fourth in a family of patents, it broadly covers the use of rapidly flickering lamps to convey optical codes used to unlock garages or computers, to access bank accounts and data files, or to perform tasks by transmitting a security code. The device can be embedded in a key, a credit card, a passport or in other similar items.