Abstract: The instant invention is related to methods and means of queuing and managing queues. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention incorporate functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to methods and means for interacting with and controlling and/or regulating things—from appliances to environments, from potential mates to proprietors, and just about everything in between. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to methods and means for interacting with real and virtual environments and entities. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and means for performing pool and other water and liquid testing. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporate additional functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to methods and means for scheduling and implementing alerts comprising sensory stimuli. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to methods and means for calibrating and matching colors and light. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporate additional functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for detecting and communicating and/or signaling the occurrence of events, including but not limited to the satisfaction of one or more conditions. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and means for securing pants cuffs and otherwise raised or shortened pants legs. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporate additional functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for absorbing, attenuating, blocking, occluding, reflecting and/or otherwise filtering light, and/or for blocking transmission of a signal or disconnecting power. In some embodiments, methods and means of the invention are directed to absorbing, attenuating, blocking, occluding, reflecting and/or otherwise filtering light from reaching a sensing and/or transducing means, e.g., of a camera. In some embodiments, methods and means of the invention are directed to blocking the transmission of one or more signals and/or to disconnecting power from a sensing and/or transducing means or other component, e.g., of a camera.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for allocating, allotting, apportioning, dispensing, distributing, preparing, portioning, meting out and/or otherwise providing, controlling and/or regulating access to quantities of foods, beverages, and/or other substances. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for locating entities, places and/or things. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for opening, securing and/or operating vehicles, residences, locks, locked enclosures, and/or other machines and apparatuses, and for storing, processing, transmitting, receiving and displaying or otherwise outputting data or other information pertaining to vehicles, residences, locks, locked enclosures, and/or other machines and apparatuses, and/or pertaining to items, apparatuses, and/or entities which may be in such vehicles, residences, locked enclosures, and/or other machines and apparatuses. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods and means for measuring substances and for ascertaining and/or computing data pertaining to measured substances. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods and means for identifying and/or locating entities that meet certain criteria. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an image sensor that detects when the light intensity incident on the sensor rises significantly above and/or drops significantly below the ambient, background, or user-set light intensity.

Abstract: This invention pertains to compact synaptic circuits and networks comprising compact synaptic circuits that exhibit functional characteristics of biological synapses and networks of synapses including, but not limited to, spike timing dependent plasticity (“STDP”). Temporal coincidence of pre- and post-synaptic action potentials across the synapses of the present invention induces proportional Hebbian synaptic weight updates. Networks of the synapses of the present invention operated according to the methods of this invention are designed to implement biological learning functions, such as STDP.

Abstract: This invention pertains to adaptive programmable template matching systems. One or more templates are stored, either directly by a user, or by an unsupervised programming method, onto programmable memories, and in one mode of operation, the distance between a signal and the template is computed using a distance estimation circuit. The output of the distance estimator provides a metric for the proximity of the signal to the template, and an adaptive or user-defined threshold may be set for identifying matches. Various applications for this invention are disclosed, including implantable neural spike sorting chips, template matching image sensors, and template matching bio-sensors, for example DNA or antibody sensing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to densely integrated programmable electrode arrays for sensing and manipulating biological cells and substances. Using the programmable electrode arrays according to a method of the invention, it is possible to generate arbitrary, dynamically reconfigurable electric field patterns on and around the electrodes at magnitudes which have been shown to induce neurite outgrowth and enhance cellular regeneration of damaged tissue. It is also possible to use the programmable electrode arrays to sense signals coupled to or in close proximity with the electrodes of the array, and to program arbitrary gain, calibration and offsets onto the individual electrodes of the array and/or their associated circuit elements.