Abstract: A computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other projects and items. The device includes a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. There a plurality of buttons on the top surface of the housing that a user depresses when engaging in a drawing activity. Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller to engage in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.

Abstract: A computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other projects and items. The device includes a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. There a plurality of buttons on the top surface of the housing that a user depresses when engaging in a drawing activity. Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller to engage in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.

Abstract: An optical configuration for measuring a difference in refractive index between a first sample and a second sample comprises partitioned first and second optical interfaces symmetrically illuminated by an illumination beam to provide first and second partial beams defined by the refractive index of the first and second samples, respectively. A linear scanned array is aligned in a meridional plane of the optical configuration for detection purposes, and an optical multiplexor is provided upstream of the linear scanned array for receiving the first and second partial beams and defining first and second optical channels carrying optical signal information corresponding to the first and second partial beams. The optical multiplexor switches between optical channels, such that the linear scanned array detects either the first or second optical channel at a given time. Thus, differential measurements are possible using a single linear array.

Abstract: An optical configuration for measuring a difference in refractive index between a first sample and a second sample comprises partitioned first and second optical interfaces symmetrically illuminated by an illumination beam to provide first and second partial beams defined by the refractive index of the first and second samples, respectively. A linear scanned array is aligned in a meridional plane of the optical configuration for detection purposes, and an optical multiplexor is provided upstream of the linear scanned array for receiving the first and second partial beams and defining first and second optical channels carrying optical signal information corresponding to the first and second partial beams. The optical multiplexor switches between optical channels, such that the linear scanned array detects either the first or second optical channel at a given time. Thus, differential measurements are possible using a single linear array.