Abstract: A sentient system combines detection, tracking, and immersive visualization of a cluttered and crowded environment, such as an office building, terminal, or other enclosed site using a network of stereo cameras. A guard monitors the site using a live 3D model, which is updated from different directions using the multiple video streams. As a person moves within the view of a camera, the system detects its motion and tracks the person's path, it hands off the track to the next camera when the person goes out of that camera's view. Multiple people can be tracked simultaneously both within and across cameras, with each track shown on a map display. The track system includes a track map browser that displays the tracks of all moving objects as well as a history of recent tracks and a video flashlight viewer that displays live immersive video of any person that is being tracked.

Abstract: A unified approach, a fusion technique, a space-time constraint, a methodology, and system architecture are provided. The unified approach is to fuse the outputs of monocular and stereo video trackers, RFID and localization systems and biometric identification systems. The fusion technique is provided that is based on the transformation of the sensory information from heterogeneous sources into a common coordinate system with rigorous uncertainties analysis to account for various sensor noises and ambiguities. The space-time constraint is used to fuse different sensor using the location and velocity information. Advantages include the ability to continuously track multiple humans with their identities in a large area. The methodology is general so that other sensors can be incorporated into the system. The system architecture is provided for the underlying real-time processing of the sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for the simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in biological samples from human subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes specific for organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and to their use in nucleic acid amplification methods for the detection and differentiation of such organisms in biological samples. The invention also relates to diagnostic kits for detecting and differentiating the various organisms comprising the MAC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus in biological samples from human subjects. Oligonucleotide reverse transcription primers for use in such methods and kits for detection of human immunodeficiency virus are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes specific for organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and to their use in nucleic acid amplification methods for the detection and differentiation of such organisms in biological samples. The invention also relates to diagnostic kits for detecting and differentiating the various organisms comprising the MAC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately measuring and dispensing dry material into a portable container. The apparatus includes a frame with a material hopper connected thereto. An arm member with a valve mounted thereto is rotatably connected to the frame and the valve communicates with an outlet in the hopper. A funneling member is positioned proximate to the valve and is also connected to the arm member. Rotation of the arm member opens and closes the valve and also produces substantially vertical movement of the funneling member therewith. The funneling member includes a chute depending downwardly therefrom that inserts into the container opening when a container being filled is placed in the apparatus. The container is placed on a scale which communicates with an attached controller. The controller communicates with an actuator which rotates the arm member and thereby controls movement of the valve and the funneling member.

Abstract: A hand-powered apparatus and method for measuring and dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid. A predetermined volume of liquid is selected using a control knob on the apparatus and a valve is moved to a fill position. The handle on an attached hand pump is then moved alternately up and down causing fluid to be drawn into a measuring vessel. Further upward movement of the handle is prevented upon the fluid level in the vessel reaching the selected volume. Thereupon, the valve is moved to a dispense position whereby continued pumping of the handle is again possible. The handle is alternately pumped up and down causing the fluid to exit the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drawing and measuring an amount of liquid agrichemical and dispensing the measured amount of agrichemical for mixture with water and eventual application onto a field. The agrichemical is drawn into a measuring vessel by suction pressure, created in one embodiment by an air compressor and valving system, and in another embodiment by a valve-pump in conjunction with a 3-way valve. The agrichemical is then dispensed from the measuring vessel either by positive pressure created by the same air compressor/valving system, or by suction pressure created by valve-pump/3-way valve. The valve-pump provides both a mixing chamber for the agrichemical and water prior to tank storage for eventual application, and controllable suction pressure for drawing the agrichemical out of the measuring vessel for mixing. The valve-pump is also self-cleaning thereby reducing the possibility of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drawing and measuring an amount of liquid agrichemical and dispensing the measured amount of agrichemical for mixture with water and eventual application onto a field. The agrichemical is drawn into a measuring vessel by suction pressure, created in one embodiment by an air compressor and valving system, and in another embodiment by a valve-pump in conjunction with a 3-way valve. The agrichemical is then dispensed from the measuring vessel either by positive pressure created by the same air compressor/valving system, or by suction pressure created by valve-pump/3-way valve. The valve-pump provides both a mixing chamber for the agrichemical and water prior to tank storage for eventual application, and controllable suction pressure for drawing the agrichemical out of the measuring vessel for mixing. The valve-pump is also self-cleaning thereby reducing the possibility of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A highly sensitive homogeneous assay allows for quantitative detection of amplified nucleic acids. This detection is achieved during or after amplification with a high affinity fluorescent dye which is from the class of unsymmetrical cyanine dyes having at least two positive charges and a binding constant (K.sub.b) within the range of from about 1.times.10.sup.4 to about 5.times.10.sup.5 (molar.sup.-1). The reagents used for the assay can be contained in a kit designed for amplification such as by polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drawing and measuring an amount of liquid agrichemical and dispensing the measured amount of agrichemical for mixture with water and eventual application onto a field. The agrichemical is drawn into a measuring vessel by suction pressure, created in one embodiment by an air compressor and valving system, and in another embodiment by a valve-pump in conjunction with a 3-way valve. The agrichemical is then dispensed from the measuring vessel either by positive pressure created by the same air compressor/valving system, or by suction pressure created by valve-pump/3-way valve. The valve-pump provides both a mixing chamber for the agrichemical and water prior to tank storage for eventual application, and controllable suction pressure for drawing the agrichemical out of the measuring vessel for mixing. The valve-pump is also self-cleaning thereby reducing the possibility of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A fiber-optic communication system for data bursts includes a plurality of nodes, each including a laser diode transmitter. In order to reduce the noise floor of the system, each laser diode receives bias current only when it is transmitting data. Due to the propagation delay between nodes, there is a dead time between data bursts received by each node during which no data signals are received. The bias current of the laser diode is adjusted following each data transmission, so that the light attributable to laser operation during the setting of bias is received during the dead time. The adjustment is accomplished by stepping an up-down counter by one clock pulse following transmission of each data burst.

Abstract: Within a power supply circuit for a semiconductor laser, output current is maintained constant at each temperature level over an operating range and the magnitude of that constant current is varied directly with temperature to maintain the light output of the laser substantially constant over the operating temperature range. In the preferred embodiment, the negative temperature coefficient characteristic of the base-emitter junction voltage for bipolar transistors is utilized to compensate for the negative temperature coefficient characteristic of the light output from the semiconductor laser.