Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein which has a single mode (SM) optical fiber launch/receive system that uses one or more SM optical fibers to interrogate a biosensor and does not use multimode (MM) optical fibers to interrogate the biosensor. The use of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system effectively reduces angular sensitivity, reduces unwanted system reflections, improves overall angular tolerance, and improves resonant peak reflectivity and resonant peak width. Two specific embodiments of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system are described herein which include: (1) a dual fiber collimator launch/receive system; and (2) a single fiber launch/receive system that interrogates the biosensor at a normal incidence.

Abstract: An evanescent-field sensor system and method of using the system to detect either liquid- or airborne biological pathogens, chemical agents, and other harmful or toxic species is provided. The sensor system involves 1) an evanescent-field sensor having a substrate surface with at least a partial bio- or chemo-responsive layer, which forms a part of a serially renewable sensing region; 2) an optical interrogation apparatus for monitoring the bio- or chemo-responsive layer; and 3) an air-fluid delivery system. The optical interrogation apparatus has a light source, an optical delivery system, and a detection instrument or device. The air-fluid delivery system includes either macro or micro-fluidic passages designed to convey biological or chemical analytes to a sensing region.

Abstract: A convection compatible closed cassette and method are described herein where the closed cassette is used to heat treat (compact) one or more glass sheets in a uniform manner and in a clean environment. In the preferred embodiment, the closed cassette includes multiple enclosed sections that are supported by a mounting structure in a manner where there is an open passageway between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported enclosed sections. And, each enclosed section is designed to hold and support multiple glass sheets in a manner where there is a space between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported glass sheets. In operation, the closed cassette is placed into an oven (e.g., lehr, batch kiln) so that hot/cold unfiltered air can flow across the major surfaces of each enclosed section and uniformly heat/cool the enclosed glass sheets.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a GCW sensor are described herein that are used to determine whether a biological substance (e.g., cell, molecule, protein, drug) is located in a sensing region of the GCW sensor. The optical interrogation system includes a light source, a polarization modulator and a detection system. The light source outputs a polarized light beam and the polarization modulator modulates the polarized light beam and outputs a polarization-modulated light beam. The GCW sensor receives and converts the polarization-modulated light beam into an amplitude modulated light beam that is directed towards the detection system. The detection system receives the amplitude modulated light beam and demodulates the received amplitude modulated light beam by responding to signals at a modulation frequency of the polarization-modulated light beam and ignoring noise affecting the signals outside the modulation frequency to detect a resonant condition (e.g., resonant angle, resonant wavelength).

Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein which has a single mode (SM) optical fiber launch/receive system that uses one or more SM optical fibers to interrogate a biosensor and does not use multimode (MM) optical fibers to interrogate the biosensor. The use of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system effectively reduces angular sensitivity, reduces unwanted system reflections, improves overall angular tolerance, and improves resonant peak reflectivity and resonant peak width. Two specific embodiments of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system are described herein which include: (1) a dual fiber collimator launch/receive system; and (2) a single fiber launch/receive system that interrogates the biosensor at a normal incidence.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and method are described herein that can interrogate a two-dimensional (2D) array of optical sensors (e.g., grating coupled waveguide sensors) located in a 2D specimen plate (e.g., microplate).

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for self-referencing a sensor that is used to detect a biomolecular binding event and/or kinetics which occur in a sample solution flowing along side a reference solution in a micron-sized deep flow channel.

Abstract: Optical interrogation systems and methods are described herein that are capable of measuring the angles (or changes in the angles) at which light reflects, transmits, scatters, or is emitted from an array of sensors or specimens that are distributed over a large area 2-dimensional array.

Abstract: A signaling transfer point (STP) (or Signaling Server Global (SSG)) is described herein which includes a processor and a mapping database that can depending on the direction of a message change the Origination Point Code (OPC) or the Destination Point Code (DPC) and the Circuit Identification Code (CIC) contained in the message. As such, the STP can receive a message from a foreign switch located in another telecommunications network and redirect the message that was originally destined for an old switch, which is in the process being removed or has been removed, to a new switch which now hosts the trunks previously connected to the old switch. The return traffic from the new switch is also processed by the STP so that when the foreign switch receives the message, it will appear like it originated from the old switch. As a result, the user of the STP can transparently consolidate switches without affecting the SS7 database contained in other carrier networks.

Abstract: A planar waveguide grating (PWG) sensor is described herein which exhibits a low signal drift and an enhanced sensitivity due to the use of a fully dense silicon-rich nitride surface layer. In the preferred embodiment, the silicon rich silicon nitride surface layer has a composition which includes Si and N, and optionally H, Ge and/or O, where a Si/N atomic ratio is greater than 0.75. In addition, the silicon rich nitride surface layer has a refractive index that is greater than 2.45 and less than 3.2 at a wavelength of operation. A method is also described herein for manufacturing the PWG sensor with acceptable costs and high yields by utilizing well known semiconductor processes and tools.

Abstract: Self-referencing optical sensors and methods are described herein that can be used to detect bio-chemical interactions (e.g., biological binding of antigen-antibody pairs) that occur in for example a microplate. In one embodiment, the self-referencing optical sensor includes a substrate, a lower (reference) waveguide grating structure, a buffer layer and an upper (sensing) waveguide grating structure. This self-referencing optical sensor enables an optical interrogation system to detect a bio-chemical interaction independent of the effect of temperature by measuring a reference signal associated with the lower (reference) waveguide grating structure and measuring a sensing signal associated with the upper (sensing) waveguide grating structure. These two signals are then subtracted from one another to determine a sensing measurement that represents whether or not the bio-chemical interaction occurred that is independent of the effect of temperature.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that includes a presence server which is capable of notifying a watcher about a location of a person using a rich presence element in accordance with security and privacy rules specified by the person. In the preferred embodiment, the system uses a read/write RFID tag and RFID reader as well as a presence server to collect, store and distribute location information as a presence element to the watcher. To accomplish this, the user data and program carrying capability of the read/write RFID tag is used to push to the presence server not only location information but also policies and rules established by the user to control the distribution of the location information as a presence element to watchers. The location policy rules can be made and controlled by the user and/or a third party.

Abstract: A danger proximity warning system and method are disclosed that utilize ultra wideband (UWB) technology to effectively warn a person when there is a potentially dangerous situation in their vicinity. In one embodiment, the danger proximity warning system includes a transmitting UWB radio coupled to a first object and a receiving impulse radio unit coupled to a second object. The transmitting impulse radio unit operates to transmit an UWB signal towards the second object when the first object is a predetermined distance away. Upon receiving the UWB signal, the receiving UWB radio makes sure a person associated with the second object is informed about the potentially dangerous situation. Several embodiments of the danger proximity warning system and method are disclosed all of which operate to warn a person when there is a potentially dangerous situation in their vicinity.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system and method are provided that can utilize impulse radio technology to detect when an intruder has entered a protection zone. In addition, the intrusion detection system and method can utilize impulse radio technology to determine a location of the intruder within the protection zone and also track the movement of the intruder within the protection zone. Moreover, the intrusion detection system and method can utilize impulse radio technology to create a specially shaped protection zone before trying to detect when and where the intruder has penetrated and moved within the protection zone.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated optic triplexer is described herein that can be mounted in one transistor outline (TO) can and can be used in a passive optical network. The monolithically integrated optic triplexer includes: an emitting laser; at least a first photodiode that is capable of receiving an optical signal; and a thin film filter that is located between the emitting laser and the first photodiode. In addition, the monolithically integrated optic triplexer may include a thin film filter that is located between the first photodiode and a second photodiode. Also described herein is a method for making the monolithically integrated optic triplexer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microplate for performing crystallography studies. In particular, the microplate has a frame that includes a plurality of wells formed therein. Each well includes a first well and a second well. The first well includes a relatively large reservoir capable of receiving a reagent solution. The second well includes a relatively small reservoir having a substantially concaved form capable of receiving a protein solution and a reagent solution. The second well is suspended above the first well such that space on the plate is conserved and to enable protein crystal growth utilizing a hanging drop vapor diffusion crystallization process.

Abstract: An optical route design system and method are described that can effectively calculate and display for a user how much margin there is in a design of an optical span. Basically, the optical route design system has a processor capable of determining whether a design of an optical span is an operable optical span and also capable of performing a margin analysis on the operable optical span to determine how much change the operable optical span can tolerate before the operable optical span becomes an inoperable optical span. The optical route design system also includes a display capable of presenting the results of the margin analysis to a user.

Abstract: A network, sensor and method are provided that utilize the capabilities of impulse radio technology to help monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In particular, the network includes a sensor attached to a first impulse radio unit that is capable of transmitting an impulse radio signal containing sensor related information to a second impulse radio unit. The second impulse radio unit is attached to a control station that uses the sensor related information (e.g., environmental related information, safety related information or surveillance related information) to monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In one aspect of the present invention, the control system can better control and monitor the environment within the building because the sensor may be moved around within the building and reference impulse radio units may interact with the first impulse radio unit to enable the determination of the current position of the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and method are described herein that are capable of generating light beams that have desired optical properties which are directed towards a specimen array. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system includes a light source, a diffractive element and a collimating optic (e.g., simple lens(es), f-? lens(es), segmented mirror, fiber array). The light source emits a light beam to the diffractive optic which receives the light beam and outputs an array of light beams to the collimating optic. The collimating optic receives and conditions the light beams emitted from the diffractive optic and then outputs the conditioned light beams which have desired optical properties towards a specimen array. Several other embodiments of the optical interrogation system are also described herein.