Abstract: The present disclosure presents self-powered Bluetooth backscatter sensor systems and related methods. One such system comprises a wearable sensor device having communication circuitry, sensor circuitry, and at least one sweat-activated cell for powering the sensor circuitry; and a transmitter device having an interface for receiving power supplied from a power interface of an electronic communication device having a communication receiver. The transmitter device is configured to be powered by the electronic communication device via the power interface and transmit a continuous wave signal, such that the communication circuitry is configured to receive the continuous wave signal. The sensor circuitry is configured to acquire sensor data; and the communication circuitry is configured to modulate the sensor data onto the received continuous wave signal and transmit the modulated signal as a backscattered signal.

Abstract: A mandrel 1 for holding an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 during machining is disclosed. The mandrel 1 has a front surface 6 for receiving an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 to be machined. The front surface 6 comprises a planar surface region 10; a curved surface region 8; and a drainage channel 12 located between the curved surface region 8 and the planar surface region 10 such that wax applied to the curved surface region 8 flows into the drainage channel 12. A kit of parts comprising such a mandrel 1, a method of mounting an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 for machining, a method of machining an ophthalmic lens member blank 16, an ophthalmic lens produced using the apparatus and a batch of such lenses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mandrel 1 for holding an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 during machining is disclosed. The mandrel 1 comprises a front surface 6 for receiving an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 to be machined; a rear surface 8 opposite the front surface 6; and one or more through-holes 10 extending between the front and rear surfaces 6,8. In use, wax applied to the rear surface 8 contacts an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 received on the front surface 6 via said one or more through-holes 10. Methods of producing an ophthalmic lens using such a mandrel and lenses produced using such a mandrel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mandrel 1 for holding an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 during machining is disclosed. The mandrel 1 comprises a front surface 6 for receiving an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 to be machined; a rear surface 8 opposite the front surface 6; and one or more through-holes 10 extending between the front and rear surfaces 6,8. In use, wax applied to the rear surface 8 contacts an ophthalmic lens member blank 52 received on the front surface 6 via said one or more through-holes 10. Methods of producing an ophthalmic lens using such a mandrel and lenses produced using such a mandrel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing an ophthalmic lens member is disclosed. The method comprises mounting an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 on a mandrel 1 for machining. The mandrel 1 has a front surface 6 comprising a planar surface region 10, a curved surface region 8 and a tool trench 12 located between the curved surface region 8 and the planar surface region 10. The method comprises mounting the mandrel 1 on a machine tool; and then severing a portion of the ophthalmic lens member blank 16 by passing a cutting tool 70 through the ophthalmic lens member blank 16 until a portion of the cutting tool 70 is received in the tool trench 12. A mandrel 1 suitable for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents self-powered Bluetooth backscatter sensor systems and related methods. One such system comprises a wearable sensor device having communication circuitry, sensor circuitry, and at least one sweat-activated cell for powering the sensor circuitry; and a transmitter device having an interface for receiving power supplied from a power interface of an electronic communication device having a communication receiver. The transmitter device is configured to be powered by the electronic communication device via the power interface and transmit a continuous wave signal, such that the communication circuitry is configured to receive the continuous wave signal. The sensor circuitry is configured to acquire sensor data; and the communication circuitry is configured to modulate the sensor data onto the received continuous wave signal and transmit the modulated signal as a backscattered signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods, apparatuses and program products that provide position tracking using a simple, low frequency oscillator that is attached to an object to be tracked, and one or more receiving stations that are placed around the area in which the object moves. Embodiments of the invention enable position tracking of the object using light weight equipment which minimally impacts the object's natural state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods, apparatuses and program products that provide position tracking using a simple, low frequency oscillator that is attached to an object to be tracked, and one or more receiving stations that are placed around the area in which the object moves. Embodiments of the invention enable position tracking of the object using light weight equipment which minimally impacts the object's natural state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing stable self-starting and self-sustaining high-speed electrical nonlinear pulse (e.g., soliton, cnoidal wave, or quasi-soliton) oscillators. Chip-scale nonlinear pulse oscillator devices may be fabricated using III-V semiconductor materials (e.g., GaAs) to attain soliton pulse widths on the order of a few picoseconds or less (e.g., 1 to 2 picoseconds, corresponding to frequencies of approximately 300 GHz or greater). In one example, a nonlinear pulse oscillator is implemented as a closed loop structure that comprises a nonlinear transmission line and a distributed nonlinear amplifier arrangement configured to provide a self-adjusting gain as a function of an average voltage of the oscillator signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing stable self-starting and self-sustaining high-speed electrical nonlinear pulse (e.g., soliton, cnoidal wave, or quasi-soliton) oscillators. Chip-scale nonlinear pulse oscillator devices may be fabricated using III-V semiconductor materials (e.g., GaAs) to attain soliton pulse widths on the order of a few picoseconds or less (e.g., 1 to 2 picoseconds, corresponding to frequencies of approximately 300 GHz or greater). In one example, a nonlinear pulse oscillator is implemented as a closed loop structure that comprises a nonlinear transmission line and a distributed nonlinear amplifier arrangement configured to provide a self-adjusting gain as a function of an average voltage of the oscillator signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing stable self-starting and self-sustaining electrical nonlinear pulse (e.g., soliton, cnoidal wave, or quasi-soliton) oscillators. In one example, a nonlinear pulse oscillator is implemented as a closed loop structure that comprises a nonlinear transmission line, an improved high-pass filter, and a nonlinear amplifier configured to provide a self-adjusting gain as a function of an average voltage of the oscillator signal, to provide a pulse waveform having a desired target amplitude. In one implementation, the nonlinear amplifier and high pass filter functions are integrated in a two stage nonlinear amplifier/filter apparatus employing complimentary NMOS and PMOS amplification components and associated filtering and feedback circuitry configured to essentially implement an electric circuit analog of a saturable absorber via an adaptive bias control technique.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing stable self-starting and self-sustaining electrical nonlinear pulse (e.g., soliton, cnoidal wave, or quasi-soliton) oscillators. In one example, a nonlinear pulse oscillator is implemented as a closed loop structure that comprises a nonlinear transmission line, an improved high-pass filter, and a nonlinear amplifier configured to provide a self-adjusting gain as a function of an average voltage of the oscillator signal, to provide a pulse waveform having a desired target amplitude. In one implementation, the nonlinear amplifier and high pass filter functions are integrated in a two stage nonlinear amplifier/filter apparatus employing complimentary NMOS and PMOS amplification components and associated filtering and feedback circuitry configured to essentially implement an electric circuit analog of a saturable absorber via an adaptive bias control technique.