Abstract: Described are systems and methods that enable users to virtually experience an environment at a destination location from their own user device, control their experience and even interact with others that are physically located within the environment. Likewise, the user's experience may even be improved with the inclusion of enhancements that are presented to the user as the user experiences the environment. Users may interact with the enhancements to obtain additional enhancements, interact with others physically located within the environment, interact with and direct a guide that is physically located within the environment, and receive near real-time video and audio that is transmitted from a guide device located within the environment.

Abstract: A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

Abstract: A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods that enable users to virtually experience an environment at a destination location from their own user device, control their experience and even interact with others that are physically located within the environment. Likewise, the user's experience may even be improved with the inclusion of enhancements that are presented to the user as the user experiences the environment. Users may interact with the enhancements to obtain additional enhancements, interact with others physically located within the environment, interact with and direct a guide that is physically located within the environment, and receive near real-time video and audio that is transmitted from a guide device located within the environment.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods that enable users to virtually experience an environment at a destination location from their own user device, control their experience and even interact with others that are physically located within the environment. Likewise, the user's experience may even be improved with the inclusion of enhancements that are presented to the user as the user experiences the environment. User's may interact with the enhancements to obtain additional enhancements, interact with others physically located within the environment, interact with and direct a guide that is physically located within the environment, and receive near real-time video and audio that is transmitted from a guide device located within the environment.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods that enable users to virtually experience an environment at a destination location from their own user device, control their experience and even interact with others that are physically located within the environment. Likewise, the user's experience may even be improved with the inclusion of enhancements that are presented to the user as the user experiences the environment. User's may interact with the enhancements to obtain additional enhancements, interact with others physically located within the environment, interact with and direct a guide that is physically located within the environment, and receive near real-time video and audio that is transmitted from a guide device located within the environment.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods that enable users to virtually experience an environment at a destination location from their own user device, control their experience and even interact with others that are physically located within the environment. Likewise, the user's experience may even be improved with the inclusion of enhancements that are presented to the user as the user experiences the environment. User's may interact with the enhancements to obtain additional enhancements, interact with others physically located within the environment, interact with and direct a guide that is physically located within the environment, and receive near real-time video and audio that is transmitted from a guide device located within the environment.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for facilitating communication between a user and other users, services, and so forth. A wearable device, such as a pair of glasses, may be worn and used in conjunction with another user device, such as a smartphone, to support communications between the user and others. Inputs such as motion of the head, orientation of the head, verbal input, and so forth may be used to initiate particular functions on the wearable device, the user device, or with a service. For example, a user may turn their head to the left and speak to send a message to a particular person. A display light in the field of view of the user may illuminate to a particular color that has been previously associated with the particular person. This provides visual feedback to the user about the recipient of the message.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for replacing the corrugated containers and dunnage to facilitate packaging of items in foam containers, referred to as “polymer encapsulations,” that can be used to protect and contain the item during shipment. When one or more items are ordered for delivery to a destination, the item(s) is picked from inventory and a rapidly setting polymer foam is injected around the bagged item to encapsulate and protect the item. For example, at packing, rather than placing the item in a corrugated container, temporary walls may be positioned around the bagged item and a pre-polymer injected into the space between the walls that surround the item such that a polymer forms that encases the item. After the polymer sets, the walls are retracted and the item is protected by the formed polymer encapsulation and available for transport to the destination.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion of a surface of a microfluidic chamber; passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion of a surface of a microfluidic chamber; passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides fabrication methods using sacrificial materials comprising polymers. In some embodiments, the polymer may be treated to alter its solubility with respect to at least one solvent (e.g., aqueous solution) used in the fabrication process. The preparation of the sacrificial materials is rapid and simple, and dissolution of the sacrificial material can be carried out in mild environments. Sacrificial materials of the present invention may be useful for surface micromachining, bulk micromachining, and other microfabrication processes in which a sacrificial layer is employed for producing a selected and corresponding physical structure.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion of a surface of a microfluidic chamber; passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: A series of methods, compositions, and articles for patterning a surface with multiple, aligned layers of molecules, by exposing the molecules to electromagnetic radiation is provided. In certain embodiments, a single photomask acts as an area-selective filter for light at multiple wavelengths. A single set of exposures of multiple wavelengths through this photomask may make it possible to fabricate a pattern comprising discontinuous multiple regions, where the regions differ from each other in at least one chemical and/or physical property, without acts of alignment between the exposures. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be photocleaved upon exposure to a certain wavelength of radiation, thereby altering the chemical composition on at least a portion of the surface.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion (140) of a surface (130) of a microfluidic chamber (120,122,124); passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion (140) of a surface (130) of a microfluidic chamber (120,122,124); passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of methods, compositions, and articles for patterning a surface with multiple, aligned layers of molecules, by exposing the molecules to electromagnetic radiation. In certain embodiments, a single photomask acts as an area-selective filter for light at multiple wavelengths. A single set of exposures of multiple wavelengths through this photomask may make it possible to fabricate a pattern comprising discontinuous multiple regions, where the regions differ from each other in at least one chemical and/or physical property, without acts of alignment between the exposures. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be photocleaved upon exposure to a certain wavelength of radiation, thereby altering the chemical composition on at least a portion of the surface. In some embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include thiol moieties (e.g., as in alkanethiol), by which the molecule can become attached to the surface.