Abstract: Apparatus comprising G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) for detecting ligands or substances in liquid or vapor media. The GPCR is based on in a cell or in a synthetic membrane or polymer system, and combined with means for obtaining a sample of a liquid or vapor medium, and with automatic optical detection system and monitoring system for detecting a ligand of interest. Methods are disclosed for detecting a ligand of interest using the GPCR apparatus.

Abstract: Preferably a sensor receives a print image from an authorized person to form a template, and from a candidate to form test data. Noise variance is estimated from the test data as a function of position in the image, and used to weight the importance of comparison with the template at each position. Test data are multilevel, and are bandpassed and normalized—and expressed as local sinusoids—for comparison. A ridge spacing and direction map of the template is stored as vector wavenumber fields, which are later used to refine comparison. Global dilation—and also differential distortions—of the test image are estimated, and taken into account in the comparison. Comparison yields a test statistic that is the ratio, or log of the ratio, of the likelihoods of obtaining the test image assuming that it respectively was, and was not, formed by an authorized user.

Abstract: Liquid conductivity and temperature are measured in respective sensitivity fields that are collocated—i. e., in volumes that nearly match by mathematical, geometrical, or functional criteria. Collocation is as distinct from mere adjacency or proximity; and is with respect to measurement volumes, not measuring hardware. Preferably pressure too is measured with sensitivity very generally collocated to the conductivity and temperature sensitivity. Preferably, respective temporal/spatial bandwidths of the two (or three) sensors are matched. Preferably the pressure sensor is a MEMS transducer, the conductivity sensor is a four-terminal device, the thermometer is a thermistor encapsulated in a silkscreened glass wall, and circuits (1) compensate for time lag between conductivity and temperature measurement, (2) remove artifacts due to detritus in or near either sensor, and (3) derive secondary parameters of the liquid.

Abstract: Liquid conductivity and temperature are measured in respective sensitivity fields that are collocated—i. e., in volumes that nearly match by mathematical, geometrical, or functional criteria. Collocation is as distinct from mere adjacency or proximity; and is with respect to measurement volumes, not measuring hardware. Preferably pressure too is measured with sensitivity very generally collocated to the conductivity and temperature sensitivity. Preferably, respective temporal/spatial bandwidths of the two (or three) sensors are matched. Preferably the pressure sensor is a MEMS transducer, the conductivity sensor is a four-terminal device, the thermometer is a thermistor encapsulated in a silkscreened glass wall, and circuits (1) compensate for time lag between conductivity and temperature measurement, (2) remove artifacts due to detritus in or near either sensor, and (3) derive secondary parameters of the liquid.

Abstract: Liquid conductivity and temperature are measured in respective sensitivity fields that are collocated—i. e., in volumes that nearly match by mathematical, geometrical, or functional criteria. Collocation is as distinct from mere adjacency or proximity; and is with respect to measurement volumes, not measuring hardware. Preferably pressure too is measured with sensitivity very generally collocated to the conductivity and temperature sensitivity. Preferably, respective temporal/spatial bandwidths of the two (or three) sensors are matched. Preferably the pressure sensor is a MEMS transducer, the conductivity sensor is a four-terminal device, the thermometer is a thermistor encapsulated in a silkscreened glass wall, and circuits (1) compensate for time lag between conductivity and temperature measurement, (2) remove artifacts due to detritus in or near either sensor, and (3) derive secondary parameters of the liquid.

Abstract: An imaging system for detecting the contents of a turbid medium which is at least partially transmissive of light. The system includes a light source for producing a series of discrete pulse beams which are substantially uniform in intensity to illuminate sections of the medium, a large aperture optical element for collecting and focusing the reflected portions of the pulse beam, a streak tube with a very large photocathode for collecting the maximum amount of light from weak returns, and a detector. A volume display of the medium is generated by translating the transmitted and received light beams normal to the longitudinal axis of the pulse beam to illuminate adjacent sections of the medium, and combining the sections to provide a volume display. The motion is used to provide the scan of the pulse beam.

Abstract: Preferably a sensor receives a print image from an authorized person to form a template, and from a candidate to form test data. Power spectral density (PSD) data for the template and candidate are compared, to read out rotation & dilation; these are used to adjust the template or candidate preparatory to a correlation to find translation. After applying the translation, and refinement of the rotation and dilation, normalized spatial correlation values (NSCVs) are used as a measure of quality of the match—and thresholded to make an early rejection or acceptance decision in very clear cases. Where the question is closer, isomorphic adjustment is applied to the entire template or candidate for a fairer comparison in their overlap area. Such comparison proceeds by the same type of PSD analysis—but for multiple subregions in the overlap area. Resulting NSCVs are averaged to obtain a measure of quality of the match, which again is thresholded for a final decision in the closer cases.

Abstract: Surface relief of a finger is read using an optical-fiber prism unit, with fiber terminations at one end to contact the surface, and at the other for light passages along fibers from the first. Light enters where NA<0.5 and fiber diameter is constant with longitudinal position. The device is in a 1.4-2 L case, with a battery or power unit, converter to form a corresponding data array for verifying, digital signal processor to do the verifying, and output to indicate or implement a decision. The optical fiber prism unit has a substantially circular cylindrical wall defining a longitudinal axis, fused optical fibers parallel to the longitudinal axis, a traverser face for output of a skin pattern image from the prism and a generally elliptical angled face for contacting such a skin pattern.

Abstract: Surface relief of a finger etc. is read using an optical-fiber prism unit, with fiber terminations at one end to contact the surface, and at the other for light passage along fibers from the first. Light enters where NA<0.5 and fiber diameter is constant with longitudinal position. The device is in a 1.4-2 L case, with a battery or power input, converter to form a corresponding data array for verifying, digital signal processor to do the verifying, and output to indicate or implement a decision. A video controller (with custom-programmed logic circuit) operates the sensors to develop the data array; an ADC digitizes the array; memory holds an authorized-user skin-pattern template, firmware for the processor, and data used in verifying; an output register holds the decision signal--all on a control, address, and data bus. High-power, radiative elements and a fast high-impedance data reader are on a common board in an isolating layout.

Abstract: At a first end of an optic-fiber prism assembly are fiber terminations to contact a relieved surface, e. g. finger (stabilized by a handgrip). In a region where fiber diameter is essentially constant with longitudinal position, light enters the prism, crosses the fibers and enters individual fibers through their sidewalls, lighting the terminations. To allow crosslighting of the assembly, the fiber-optic numerical aperture (NA) is small: preferably not exceeding one-half. Due to fingerprint etc. detail, fractions of light pass along the fibers; at the assembly second end a detector responds with an electrical-signal array based on the surface relief. The signals are processed to check finger etc. identity and applied to control access to a personal weapon, other equipment, facilities, data, or a money service. FTIR ("frustrated total internal reflection") bright- and dark-field versions have various benefits.

Abstract: Preferably a sensor receives a print image from an authorized person to form a template, and from a candidate to form test data. Noise variance is estimated from the test data as a function of position in the image, and used to weight the importance of comparison with the template at each position. Test data are multilevel, and are bandpassed and normalized--and expressed as local sinusoids--for comparison. A ridge spacing and direction map of the template is stored as vector wavenumber fields, which are later used to refine comparison. Global dilation--and also differential distortions--of the test image are estimated, and taken into account in the comparison. Comparison yields a test statistic that is the ratio, or log of the ratio, of the likelihoods of obtaining the test image assuming that it respectively was, and was not, formed by an authorized user.

Abstract: At a first end of an optic-fiber prism assembly are fiber terminations to contact a relieved surface, e.g. finger (stabilized by a handgrip). In a region where fiber diameter is essentially constant with longitudinal position, light enters the prism, crosses the fibers and enters individual fibers through their sidewalls, lighting the terminations. To allow crosslighting of the assembly, the fiber-optic numerical aperture (NA) is small: preferably not exceeding one-half. Due to fingerprint etc. detail, fractions of light pass along the fibers; at the assembly second end a detector responds with an electrical-signal array based on the surface relief. The signals are processed to check finger etc. identity and applied to control access to a personal weapon, other equipment, facilities, data, or a money service. FTIR ("frustrated total internal reflection") bright- and dark-field versions have various benefits.

Abstract: Local data about the ocean surface and what is above it are used to improve public radio and TV weather reporting; to improve small-craft ocean traffic safety in view of local precipitation, wind, icebergs, or cloudiness; or to improve performance of wind-sensitive sound-receiving apparatus. (As to weather reporting, one mechanism is in effect a calibration of simultaneous satellite-based data. As to acoustic receivers, the mechanism is orienting receivers to the wind, to minimize wind-noise pickup.) These functions are based on observing, from a distance below the surface, light intensities of many areas of the irregular water surface. From these intensities surface-slope magnitudes and orientations are estimated; analysis of this information enables a quantitative, dynamic representation of the water surface itself. From this model in turn, the conditions enumerated earlier are inferred.

Abstract: An imaging system for detecting the contents of a turbid medium, such as water or air, which is at least partially transmissive of light. The system includes a light source for producing a series of discrete fan-shaped pulse beams which are substantially uniform in intensity or have been peaked at the edges of the fan to illuminate sections of the medium, a streak tube with a large photocathode for collecting the maximum amount of light from weak returns, a field-limiting slit disposed in front of the photocathode for removing multiply scattered light, a large aperture optical element for collecting and focusing the reflected portions of the pulse beam on the field-limiting slit and the photocathode, and an array of detectors. A volume display of the medium is generated by translating the transmitter and receiver normal to the longitudinal axis of the pulse beam to illuminate adjacent sections of the medium, and combining the sections to provide a volume display.