Abstract: A color image sensor device and fabrication method thereof. A passivation layer and a first planarization layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A plurality of color filter elements are disposed over the first planarization layer corresponding to the sensor pixel array. A second planarization layer and a third planarization layer are sequentially formed over the first planarization layer. The third planarization layer has an opening formed corresponding to a contact pad. A third opening in the first planarization layer and the passivation layer corresponds to the contact pad.

Abstract: A capacitive soil moisture sensor that is easy to install, does not require complex calibration, can sense moisture at a particular depth, can accommodate soils of different composition, does not alter soil densities, provides fast response to changes in moisture and provides stable long term use. The sensor comprising of a body (10) onto which is attached a plurality of first electrode (20) and a plurality of second electrode (30). A plurality of protective layer (50) of low dielectric constant material is applied over the electrodes and against the body (10) to provide a physical barrier to prevent a conduction path from the first electrode (20) to the second electrode (30) and to provide protection against physical damage. The first and second electrodes (20), (30), once inserted into the soil, forms a capacitor with the soil as the dielectric. A change in soil moisture causes the capacitance of the sensor to change.

Abstract: An activator circuit responsive to power line disturbances. In condition of false alarm, the user will toggle a local light switch causing electrical disturbances on the power line. The activator circuit detects these disturbances and activates an output, which is further connected to the silence function on the detector, silencing the false alarm. The activator circuit comprising a power line interface circuit, a signal conditioning circuit, a threshold detector circuit, a pulse train comparison circuit and an output circuit.

Abstract: Described is a standard physical interface with a standardized response protocol would enable a craft or technician employee accurately and quickly to verify network devices' various identities and configurations, including relatively fixed hardware configurations and relatively rapidly changing software configurations. The apparatus for gathering network device data includes a first non-volatile memory on the network device storing defined device-specific data and being writable via the network and also readable. The apparatus further includes a physical read port on the network device including a set of one or more signals defining a physical interface and a protocol for reading the data from the first memory.

Abstract: A Color image sensor device and fabrication method thereof. A passivation layer and a first planarization layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A plurality of color filter elements are disposed over the first planarization layer corresponding to the sensor pixel array. A second planarization layer and a third planarization layer are sequentially formed over the first planarization layer. The third planarization layer has an opening formed corresponding to a contact pad. A third opening in the first planarization layer and the passivation layer corresponds to the contact pad.

Abstract: This invention is an interactive reading system comprising a book or other similar printed material and a reading wand. The book can be of varied design and can be manufactured using existing printing methods. The reading wand comprising an electronic circuitry that will decode words on the book and provide audio playback of the associated word.

Abstract: A guided tour system. Tour data including a plurality of item of interest are stored in a memory array. A user interface allows a user to select a particular tour of interest. The system determines a current location by means of a GPS receiver and along with the selected tour data, a direction and distance to the item of interest is calculated. The direction and distance information is display to the user to aid in directing the user to the item of interest. Once the user arrives at the item of interest, information regarding the item of interest is displayed. A next item of interest is similarly processed until the tour is completed.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for determining the velocity of a projectile. A light curtain unit (20) creates two light curtains (46) (48) and two sensing planes (50) (52). The projectile causes light from the light curtain (46) (48) to be reflected into the detectors (22a) and (24a) of the sensing planes (50) (52). The time for a projectile to pass through one sensing plane to the other is measured and calculated for display by the Display Unit (10).