Abstract: A light system and method includes a housing having an array of LEDs spaced to transmit light within a field of illumination. An EM sensor disposed within the housing is configured to detect EM radiation within the field of illumination. A processor is configured to generate an output in response to levels of EM radiation, such as visible light, infrared light, and/or radio frequency (RF) radiation detected by the EM sensor relative to a predetermined setpoint.

Abstract: A miniature readhead is provided for photometric color detection using ambient light. The readhead is hand-held, including a superposed plate and tray. The tray receives sample media configured to react and to change color according to an amount of analyte in a sample. The plate is optically transmissive, so that ambient light is transmissible therethrough to the sample media indexed within the tray. An array of light detectors is disposed along the plate, including sets of detectors configured to detect light of at least three mutually distinct wavelengths reflected from the test areas. Light shields superposed with each of the light detectors selectively permit ambient light to pass to the tray, while substantially preventing ambient light from reaching the light detectors prior to reflecting from the test areas. The readhead may be incorporated into a photometric diagnostic instrument configured to analyze the reflections and derive a diagnosis value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using an infrared reading to detect the misidentification of a diagnostic test strip disposed on a feed table comprising the steps of determining if the test strip possesses specified reagents, reading the infrared reflectances from the reagent positions, determining if the reflectances are within an acceptable predetermined range and aborting the test if the infrared reflectances are not within the acceptable predetermined range.

Abstract: A compliant mechanism is provided for accurate and precision alignment of mechanical component parts, surfaces or assemblies and the like, where low-cost, accurate, and repeatable alignment are desired. The compliant mechanism may be used in applications that require high precision alignment and where the relative location of coupled components must be variable or adjustable. The compliant mechanism includes a stage coupled to a plurality of hinges, at least one tab coupled to one of the hinges, and a support coupled to the tab. The relative position of the stage and the support may be adjusted by actuating (i.e., displacing) the tab(s) or other parts of the structure, to enable controlled movement in six degrees of freedom therebetween.

Abstract: A readhead for a photometric diagnostic instrument includes a housing adapted for incorporation within the photometric diagnostic instrument, and an elongated sample table operatively engaged with the housing. The sample table is configured to support elongated reagent sample media of the type having a plurality of test areas disposed in spaced relation thereon, each of the test areas being configured to react with a sample and to change color according to an amount of a constituent or property in the sample. A light source is provided to illuminate the sample table. An imager having an elongated field of view is coupled to the housing, the elongated field of view including at least a portion of the sample table. A scanning mechanism is configured to move the field of view relative to the sample table.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining the cardiac contractility of a cardiovascular system. The method includes utilizing values representing stroke volume, preload, and afterload to calculate the cardiac contractility. The calculation may include a mathematical relationship in which the cardiac contractility is represented by a first edge of a tetrahedron, the preload is represented by a second edge of the tetrahedron, the afterload is represented by a third edge of the tetrahedron, and the stroke volume is represented by the volume of the tetrahedron. A display apparatus is also provided. The display apparatus includes a schematic representation of a tetrahedron and indicia indicating that the cardiac contractility, the preload, the afterload, and the stroke volume are represented by mutually distinct parameters of the tetrahedron.

Abstract: A solid state optical interconnect system selectively interconnects a plurality of electromagnetic signals between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. The system includes a plurality of solid state, selectively actuatable 2×2 optical switching elements; and a plurality of all-optical signal paths extending through said 2×2 optical switching elements between the inputs and outputs. Each of said plurality of all-optical signal paths has substantially the same pathlength. This switch element is relatively robust and insensitive to environmental disturbances and has a reconfiguration time which is an order of magnitude faster than conventional opto-mechanical switches which generally require tens of milliseconds before reconfiguration. The switch element provides constant data pathlength for constant latency, loss, and unskewed data output.

Abstract: A support assembly and method is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the cord. Elevation of the object may be adjusted within a predetermined range of motion. The assembly exerts an upward force on the object that varies depending upon the elevation. This variable force is calibrated to provide the object with a uniformly weightless or virtually weightless “feel” nominally throughout the range of movement. The assembly is provided with low friction and low inertia, so that an object may be rapidly and easily moved between various elevations with little effort and little drag. The amount of force exerted on the object by the assembly may be adjusted.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for updating a historian with data captured by a process variable transmitter, in which the process variable transmitter incorporates the data into an electronic mail message and a historian host receives the electronic mail message, extracts the data and incorporates it into the historian. The system includes a process variable transmitter configured as an electronic mail client, and includes a remote historian.

Abstract: A liquid level measuring apparatus is provided, which includes an input circuit configured to receive electrical signals from level sensors configured to provide an electrical signal proportional to a liquid level in a tank portion. The input circuit provides a single output signal proportional to the combined liquid level in one or more liquid storage vessel portions. The apparatus may further include or be connected to a transmitter such as a wireless transmitting device.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter comprising an organic free radical compound, wherein the optical shutter is reversibly imageable to switch between a non-reflective and transparent state and a reflective state. This switching may be induced by the absorption of photons, the application of an electric current, or thermally. Preferably, the organic free radical compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Also provided are optical switch devices and optical buffers comprising such optical shutters, methods of switching an optical signal utilizing such optical shutters and switch devices, and methods of storing an optical signal utilizing such optical buffers.

Abstract: A crucible for growing III-nitride (e.g., aluminum nitride) single crystals is provided. The crucible includes an elongated wall structure defining an interior crystal growth cavity. The crucible includes a plurality of tungsten grains and a wall thickness of at least about 1.5 times the average tungsten grain size. In particular embodiments, the crucible includes first and second layers of tungsten grains the first layer including grains forming an inside surface thereof and the second layer being superposed with the first layer. The crucible may be machined from a bar, plate, or billet of powder metallurgy tungsten.

Abstract: An abrasive article including from about 40 to about 80 volume percent interconnected porosity, the article being useful as a segment for a segmented grinding wheel, and a method for fabricating the same. The method includes blending a mixture of abrasive grain, bond material and dispersoid particles, the mixture including from about 40 to about 80 volume percent dispersoid particles. In one embodiment the mixture includes from about 50 to about 80 volume percent dispersoid particles. In another embodiment the mixture includes an organic bond material and from about 40 to about 80 volume percent dispersoid particles. The powder mixture is then pressed into an abrasive laden composite and thermally processed. After cooling the composite is immersed into a solvent, which dissolves substantially all of the dispersoid particles, leaving a highly porous, bonded abrasive article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing for real time automated control of the position of a blade on a earth-moving machine. The method includes providing a geography altering machine, including a blade and a computer, the computer having stored therein a reference line and a three dimensional computer model of a desired topography, providing a user defined offset relative to the reference line, determining a blade position in local coordinates, converting the local coordinates to reference line coordinates, utilizing the reference line coordinates and the user defined offset to calculate blade movement commands, and moving the blade in a direction required by the blade movement commands.

Abstract: A touch sensor is provided which detects manual contact by a user to actuate a controlled device. The touch sensor includes a substrate, an RF signal transmitter including a plurality of first conductors, and an RF signal receiver including a plurality of second conductors. The first and second conductors are located in spaced, interdigitated alignment with one another on the substrate, to form a key having a geometry which affords substantial coverage thereof by a human appendage. The RF signal receiver includes an RF signal amplifier electrically coupled to the second conductors. A processor is electrically coupled to the RF signal receiver to detect variations in signal strength corresponding to coverage of the key by a human appendage to selectively actuate the controlled device.

Abstract: A structural material includes a plurality of discrete, interwoven wires disposed between and fastened to two solid face sheets. Each of the plurality of wires further includes at least two points of contact with each of the two face sheets. Methods for fabricating the aforementioned structural material include an automated methodology for fabricating a relatively inexpensive truss core sandwich panel.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal films using varying pitch helix structures aligned perpendicular to the surface of the film for broadband reflection and transmission of circularly polarized light distort the light at large viewing angles of incidence due to the elliptical cross section of the CLC helix with the light at large incident angles. By using compensating films of an infrared cholesteric liquid crystal to rotate the major axis of the elliptical light to ±45 degrees and a homeotropic film having elongated molecules with the long axis perpendicular to the surface of the film to convert the elliptically adjusted light from the IR CLC film to circularly polarized light, the distortions at large angles can be eliminated. The compensated light will be circularly polarized for large angles of incidence over a broad band.

Abstract: A hazard alarm and alarm system enables a plurality of hazard alarms of multiple types (e.g. smoke alarms, heat alarms, motion detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, gas alarms, and the like), to communicate with one another without generating conflicting alarm warning indicators. Electronic circuitry is also provided, that may be added to at least one of the hazard alarms, for transmitting and receiving digital information with other hazard alarms connected thereto.

Abstract: A reference junction for a reference half-cell, the reference junction including an ion-barrier membrane and being sized and shaped for removable receipt within a receptacle of a reference half-cell housing. The reference junction may be included in an electrochemical potential measurement sensor for use in making pH, other selective ion activity, oxidation-reduction potential, and other electrochemical potential measurements.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a non-linear optical (NLO) film and a NLO film structure produced thereby are provided. The methods include depositing an alignment layer material on at least one surface of a substrate, aligning the molecules of the alignment layer material in a substantially uniaxial direction, and depositing a NLO film on the alignment layer material. The methods may be advantageous in that they tend to produce NLO films having relatively strong NLO properties. The methods may be further advantageous in that they are relatively simple and may be applied to a wide range of organic NLO materials.