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This story is based on information provided by Pavilion-based Syntec Optics.

Syntec Optics is hard at work on a project that could revolutionize the way we interact with computers. It's the nation's largest independent manufacturer of custom plastic lenses whose motto is “Precision Plastic Optics for Tomorrow’s Technologies."

The Pavilion-based company is working on the Eye-Com EC7T™ eye-tracking system -- designed and developed by Eye-Com Corp. This advanced eye-tracking platform uses frame-mounted microcameras to not only record eyelid and pupil activity, but also to track head movement. The integrated, wearable system is a versatile device with all video, lighting, and electronic components encased within the uniquely designed, unobtrusive eye frames.

Even in a universe of lighting-quick technological changes, this stuff is mindboggling. (Perhaps a bit "Borg-like" -- but in a good way.)

Entertainment, transportation and disability-assistance industries are among those expected to be significantly impacted by advancements in eye-tracking and biometric technologies such as this.

In the rapidly emerging "augmented-reality" industry, people are presented with information about their surrounding environment through various visual displays, including computers, TV screens, smart phones, or even through a pair of eye-tracking glasses with a heads-up display.

In the foreseeable future, a user wearing an eye-tracking device could look at a building such as a movie theater and be presented with information like show times or even watch movie trailers.

Imagine driving a car that has eye tracking, augmented reality, biometrics and oculometrics all integrated -- where the system is able to determine if you are in a traffic jam or cruising down the highway -- and selectively allowing phone calls to go through based on your level of fatigue, stress or the amount of attention needed to be devoted to the road.

“In the near term, the EC7T will enable many disabled individuals greater use of computers with a device that can be used in place of a traditional mouse and allows them to use their eyes to select objects on the screen," says Eye-Com Founder William C. Torch, Ph.D.

Syntec Optics has been working with Eye-Com for more than a year and is currently manufacturing and assembling the set of plastic optics used in the EC7T.

Since the device is worn by the user, the optics need to be light in weight. Using plastic as opposed to glass made sense. Syntec was able to produce a set of prototype lens from Zeonex E48R™.

One of the challenges was the size of the lens, which is roughly 3 millimeters in diameter according to Syntec Optics’ VP and General Manager Rick Arndt.

“We have significant experience manufacturing and assembling small optics but as technology progresses, we see parts getting smaller and smaller,” Arndt said.

As for the technology itself, Eye-Com CEO Ky Good says “Eye-Com’s eye-tracking technology has established a new level of biometric performance with both advanced hardware and innovative software, which offers a platform for the future.”

The EC7T provides a mechanism and platform for enhancing applications that have yet to be imagined. Good believes that the device will eventually integrate optical, audio and neural sensors that will drive many applications in the next 10, 20 to 50 years.

“Our intention,” he explains, “is to leverage and collaborate with many companies, ideally bringing those pieces together to provide a cost effective, usable product for a multitude of end-users.”

("Make it so," said the captain.)

To find out more visit <http://www.eyecomworld.com> or <http://www.syntecoptics.com>.

A slew of vehicle accidents are reported back-to-back on Route 77, south of Indian Falls Road.

"I've got cars blowing through here, going into the ditches in front of me," says a frustrated fire chief.

There are numerous injuries. Multiple ambulances are called.

"We've got a mess here Batavia," says a responder.

Corfu Fire Department is called to shut down the Thruway interchange with Route 77. Alabama Fire Department is shutting down Akron Road at Route 77. Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are also responding.

The initial call was for a one-car rollover accident with minor injuries at 8155 Alleghany Road. The vehicle was on fire but that was quicky doused. The driver was said to have a minor injury.

Then, as if instantly, the pile-ups started.

"Like my brother says 'Welcome to the money store! Come on in and take what you want!'" says a responder.

State Troopers are on scene.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Two victims have neck injuries and a total of five people need to be transported. A fourth ambulance out of Akron is called. A separate accident scene, involving one vehicle, is called further south on Route 77 over the Thruway overpass. Five tow trucks are called to Route 77.

UPDATE 4:14 p.m.: Patients being transported out, tow trucks coming into the scene.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Corfu back in service.

UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls clearing. There is a report of another car off the road about a mile north of the scene.

A one-car rollover accident with four victims is reported at Route 19 and Court Road in the Town of Covington. Pavilion Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance and Mercy EMS are responding.

The accident occurred "at the curve" there. Pavilion-Warsaw and Court roads are being shut down to traffic.

One of the victims has back pain.

More cars have crashed at the same location as an earlier incident in Basom. It's in front of the Alabama Tee Off driving range, 6655 Alleghany Road.

Callers are not sure if this is a four-car accident or two accidents each involving two cars. Injuries appear to be minor. One person is said to have back pain.

Alabama Fire Department and Fire Police are called along with Mercy medics.

Traffic is being shut down at Judge Road and Route 77 and Ham Road and Route 77.

UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: The roads are reopened. The scene is clear. Alabama units are back in service.

A car is reportedly on fire at 6744 Mud City Road in Byron. It was inside a detached garage, but was moved outside, apparently before igniting the building.

Fire crews from Byron, South Byron are called in. Town of Batavia's Fast Team was cancelled.

The location is between Mill Pond and Cole roads.

A head-on motor vehicle-accident is reported at 6655 Alleghany Road in Basom. It involves two or three vehicles. There are minor injuries. Victims are walking around. One of the cars rolled over.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. It's in front of the Alabama Tee Off driving range.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: Fire police are shutting down traffic at Judge Road. They are also at Lewiston and Alleghany stopping southbound traffic on Alleghany, which is blocked. There are three victims, one of whom needs extrication.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: One person has suffered serious arm lacerations.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: A third ambulance is requested from Oakfield.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: The Oakfield assignment is cancelled.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: All traffic is shut down on Alleghany Road, between Judge and Ham roads. Two victims are being transported to Medina Hospital.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: The third victim was extricated and is en route to ECMC.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: All Alabama fire units back in service.

A snowplow has accidently struck a natural gas pipeline meter behind the Kmart store at 8363 Lewiston Road. It's leaking fuel.

The Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding and will access the scene through the Batavia Downs' parking lot at the rear of the property.

Kmart and Batavia Downs' management have been notified and so has National Fuel Co., which is sending in a crew but no ETA is given.

Winds are reportedly 5 mph from the southwest.

UPDATE 11:39 p.m.: A City of Batavia fire engine is called to respond as mutual aid.

UPDATE 11:49 a.m.: A responder reports that the natural gas leak has been stopped. Crews are asked to check the store's warehouse again to ensure no natural gas fumes are inside.

If all goes well, Genesee County could become a foreign-trade zone by year’s end.

That would be a boon for some local companies, including those looking to grow their business in international markets because it evens the playing field with foreign competitors, according to proponents.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board has approved a request to take the initial steps to establish a foreign-trade zone (FTZ) here.

Although this has been in the works for some time, new federal rules have made it easier to move forward, according to Chris Suozzi, vice president of business development at GCEDC.

The application process takes about eight months and it’s quite extensive. Applicants are screened by the Foreign Trade Zones Board of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"The whole county can be deemed a foreign-trade zone, instead of targeted areas of the past,” he said. “We would act as a public utility. There are fees associated with this for filings, attorney fees, application fees, etc. Those numbers aren't known yet. That will be part of the application process.

"Each (business) applicant has to be able to recoup those costs – realize at least $10,000 in savings – to justify participation.”

A business would have to do its own due diligence to determine if the math works in its favor, Suozzi said.

There are several economic advantages of a FTZ, including reduced customs, deferral or avoidance of duties and federal excise taxes, tariff inversions, weekly customs entry and reduced value on scrap, waste and obsolete products.

Participants are able therefore to reduce the costs of doing business in the United States – distribution, manufacturing as well as non-manufacturing activities – thereby reducing the attraction or need to do business at a foreign site. Companies also have an opportunity to grow sales through increased exports.

The GCEDC maintains that not only will existing companies stand to benefit from a FTZ, but it will serve as an incentive to attract other companies. GCEDC officials are exploring the possibility of expanding the trade area to the entrie GLOW region, which includes also includes Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

"A lot of U.S. companies can grow their sales internationally, instead of maintaining the status quo, they can grow both by retention and the attraction of new businesses,” Suozzi said.

Liberty Pumps is an example of one local manufacturer that is keen on establishing a FTZ. Suozzi said he would like to meet with any business interested in learning more about foreign-trade zones.

"We’ll set up a meeting and walk you through it,” Suozzi said. He can be reached at (585) 343-4866, ext. 11, or e-mail to csuozzi@gcedc.com.

A two-vehicle accident, with unknown injuries, is reported at West Buffalo Road at the railroad bridge by Sheraton Road.

Mercy Flight is called from Buffalo. Mercy EMS is called along with Bergen Fire Department.

Bergen is asked to establish a landing zone at its fire hall for Mercy Flight.

Churchville is asked to assist with traffic control and ambulance service.

Here's a news release from Genesee Community College.

Nearly 200 long-term relationships have been formed from students attending classes at Genesee Community College. These "Met My Mates" began their associations as soon as the college opened its doors in 1967, and continue today with new relationships, marriages and connections made every year since.

Without Genesee, many of these alumni would have never met their girlfriends, boyfriends and spouses, or formed the interesting lives they lead today.

One of the first couples to have met at GCC was Dave Easton and Pat (Sarnowski) Easton, members of the first class at Genesee in 1967. They attended classes in the converted commercial building ('Valu Tech') on West Main Street.

Pat was one of the first members of the staff of the GCC newspaper, the Genesee Oriel. Dave was a business student who often helped President Stuart Steiner set up for mixers. After graduating from GCC, Dave and Pat were engaged and then married as Pat graduated from SUNY Geneseo. They have been married for 40 years and have one son, Bryan. Currently they live in Saint Peters, Mo., where Dave is a regional vice president for Family Dollar Stores.

A decade after Dave and Pat Easton met, Sue (Quick) Resig and Chris Resig found each other after both running for student government positions in 1979. Sue was the newly elected secretary and Chris was treasurer, and their desks were near each other. It didn't take long, working side by side, for Chris and Sue to become good friends.

They soon became known around campus as "chrisandsue" because they were rarely found without each other. By graduation the couple skipped over dating and went straight to engagement. They graduated from Genesee in 1980 and Buffalo State College in 1982, and now live in Liverpool and have three sons.

John and Patti (Mancuso) Michalak met while attending a GCC class together in the fall of 1969. Patti swears, "Love at first sight does exist. I saw those blue eyes of his and I was hooked." Patti and John had a short courtship of six months and they were engaged.

They married in October of 1970 and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year, ironically on the weekend of GCC's first Homecoming celebration. John and Patti have three children, two grandchildren and reside in Batavia.

Beverly (Ludwick) Dorman and Craig Dorman met while taking an English class together in 1972. Beverly quickly caught sight of the towering, 6'6" GCC basketball player wearing cowboy boots! Within months she and Craig began their courtship, which is still strong 31 years later.

Bev, originally from Salamanca, settled in Batavia with Craig just minutes from GCC on the Dorman family farm. Today, Craig is the chief operating officer of Corporate Floors USA, a commercial flooring company in Rochester and Bev is the co-manager. Bev is also an administrative assistant in an orthopedic surgeon's office in Rochester. They have three children and one grandchild and still reside in Batavia.

These lasting relationships were not just formed back in the 1960s and 1970s. Class of 2004 graduates Kate (Starkweather) Edwards and Darren Edwards developed an interest and relationship while studying Communications and Digital Arts. Over their two-year enrollment at GCC, they spent virtually all of their time together. From Darren's Monday night radio show on WGCC to "hanging out" on the stage in the Forum between classes, they were always together.

The summer they graduated from GCC, they moved in together and Kate started her bachelor's degree at SUNY Brockport, while Darren began working for Wyoming County Bank (now Five Star Bank). Darren is still with Five Star Bank, and Kate joined him there in 2006. Darren is now a regional operations manager and Kate is an assistant branch manager for the Attica branch. On July 12, 2008, they were married at Terry Hills in Batavia. They have since bought a home, and live in the area.

"It's always exciting to find our married alum and hear their romantic stories," Alumni Coordinator Jackie Christen said. "Their connection to GCC will always be very special and unique to them. We hope that other GCC "Met My Mate" couples will share their stories for future e-newsletters and The Forum magazine."

In celebration of all the "Met My Mates" at Genesee, the Alumni office has sent out special Valentines to all Cougar couples who met at GCC. To be added to the list, please contact the Alumni office at 585-343-0055, ext. 6265 or email alumni@genesee.edu.

The Alumni office is always looking for new Cougar couples to highlight in the bi-annually printed alumni publication, The Forum.

For photos of all the above mentioned 'Met My Mate' couples visit the GCC Alumni Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeneseeAlumni and view the Met My Mate photo album.