Abstract: An interactive electronic device having a master integrated circuit, an analog audio output device and a bus having a single-conductor digital data link and a single-conductor analog data link and a method for transmitting digital data and an associated analog signal are disclosed. The bus is configured to electrically simultaneously couple the master integrated circuit with any combination of a plurality of removable electronic cartridges arranged in any order in any of a plurality of removable cartridge connectors. The master integrated circuit transmits along the digital data link simultaneously to each of the removable cartridge connectors one identification code of a plurality of identification codes, the identification codes being different from any memory address in any of the removable cartridges. The analog data link simultaneously couples all of the removable cartridge connectors with the analog audio output device and transmits analog signal associated with the one identification code.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device having a master integrated circuit, an analog audio output device and a bus having a single-conductor digital data link and a single-conductor analog data link and a method for transmitting digital data and an associated analog signal are disclosed. The bus is configured to electrically simultaneously couple the master integrated circuit with any combination of a plurality of removable electronic cartridges arranged in any order in any of a plurality of removable cartridge connectors. The master integrated circuit transmits along the digital data link simultaneously to each of the removable cartridge connectors one identification code of a plurality of identification codes, the identification codes being different from any memory address in any of the removable cartridges. The analog data link simultaneously couples all of the removable cartridge connectors with the analog audio output device and transmits analog signal associated with the one identification code.

Abstract: A hand-held automatic refractometer comprises a linear scanned array having a plurality of photoelectric cells and an optical system for directing light onto the array, the particular photoelectric cells of the array which are illuminated by said light being determined by the index of refraction of a sample substance placed on a sample surface of a prism of the optical system. A reflective surface is arranged close to the array at an acute angle thereto for directing primary light from the sample-prism boundary to the array, and for redirecting stray reflected light from the array back onto the array. The disclosed refractometer has a compact design wherein the linear array extends in a direction substantially parallel to the prism sample surface. The prism is mounted in a housing and the sample surface faces upward to allow access through a sample well of the housing, while the array is mounted in the housing facing in a downward direction.

Abstract: A hand-held automatic refractometer comprises a completely fluid-sealed housing enclosing a wireless transmitter for transmitting digital measurement data to a remote computer having a corresponding receiver connected thereto. The refractometer housing protects the internal components, including the transmitter, from damage caused by test fluids and cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A hand-held automatic refractometer comprises a completely fluid-sealed housing enclosing a wireless transmitter for transmitting digital measurement data to a remote computer having a corresponding receiver connected thereto. The refractometer housing protects the internal components, including the transmitter, from damage caused by test fluids and cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A hand-held automatic refractometer comprises a linear scanned array having a plurality of photoelectric cells and an optical system for directing light onto the array, the particular photoelectric cells of the array which are illuminated by said light being determined by the index of refraction of a sample substance placed on a sample surface of a prism of the optical system. A reflective surface is arranged close to the array at an acute angle thereto for directing primary light from the sample-prism boundary to the array, and for redirecting stray reflected light from the array back onto the array. The disclosed refractometer has a compact design wherein the linear array extends in a direction substantially parallel to the prism sample surface. The prism is mounted in a housing and the sample surface faces upward to allow access through a sample well of the housing, while the array is mounted in the housing facing in a downward direction.

Abstract: A method for determining a cell crossing number of a shadowline between illuminated and dark regions of a linear scanned array of photosensitive cells, and an automatic refractometer using the method, are disclosed. The array is scanned to extract a response signal from each of the photosensitive cells, and the response signals are converted from are converted from analog form to digital pixels, thus yielding a set of data points that collectively represent an illumination distribution curve over the array. A range of cells within which the shadowline resides is established by analyzing the illumination curve data. The second derivative of the illumination distribution curve over the established range of cells is calculated and the greatest positive area bounded by the second derivative is identified. The centroid of the greatest positive area is found and its cell number coordinate is deemed the cell crossing number of the shadowline.

Abstract: A transmitted light refractometer comprises an optical system having a movable mirror for redirecting light transmitted through a light-refracting sample to a beam splitter for dividing the light between first and second detection paths. The first detection path leads to an eyepiece whereby an operator may view an illumination boundary shadowline brought into the field of view of the eyepiece by adjusting the position of the movable mirror. The second detection path leads to a light-sensitive detector, preferably a linear scanned array, for generating signal information indicative of the location of the shadowline on the detector. An optical position sensor associated with the movable mirror includes a position detector providing signal information indicative of the position of the movable mirror.