Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a plurality of sensing elements against which a portion of the tip of a human digit may be placed. A controller coupled to each of the sensing elements senses an electrical property at each of the sensing elements. The controller is configured to generate pixel values representing the portion of the tip of the digit placed against the sensing elements based on the sensed electrical property at each of the sensing elements, and generate movement data based on a comparison of successively generated sets of the pixel values. The comparison includes comparing a first one of the sets with at least one pixel shifted version of a second one of the sets. The movement data is indicative of motion of the tip of the digit across the sensing elements.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical waveguide. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical waveguide. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical waveguide, and the optical receiver receives optical signals propagated by the optical waveguide. Methods, optical transceivers and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a touchpad including a touch-sensitive surface on which a pointing object may be placed. The touchpad is configured to generate position signals indicative of positions of the pointing object on the touch-sensitive surface. The apparatus includes a controller for generating a first set of movement data based on the position signals. The first set of movement data is indicative of motion of the pointing object across the touch-sensitive surface. The controller is configured to generate a second set of movement data when the pointing object is removed from the touch-sensitive surface, thereby leaving the touch-sensitive surface free from contact by a pointing object. The second set of movement data is indicative of motion of the pointing object across the touch-sensitive surface prior to removal of the pointing object.

Abstract: Array hybridization can be facilitated by agitating a reaction cell subject to centrifugal force greater than 1 G. A two-dimensional hybridization array is preferably oriented generally orthogonal to the centrifugal force. Agitation involves titling the array back and forth about an axis, preferably parallel to a centrifuge axis. The centrifugal force serves, in a sense, as supergravity helping to overcome non-specific binding forces (viscous forces and other forces at the liquidsolid boundary) that limit the rate of liquid flow. Thus, the agitation rate and the related replenishment rate can be increased. The agitation causes the sample liquid to wash back and forth across the array, which remains protected by a thin liquid film. The resulting “tidal” motion, results in thorough mixing of the sample liquid. In addition, since only a thin film is required over much of the array, typically costly sample volume can be reduced. Thus, faster hybridization with lower sample volumes can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions on a substrate surface in which the reactions take place in an enclosed chamber between components of a fluid and molecular moieties present on an interior surface of the chamber, wherein the improvement involves mixing the fluid during the reactions and maximizing contact between the fluid's components and the entirety of the reactive interior surface by (a) applying centrifugal force to the chamber and simultaneously (b) rotating the chamber about an axis thereof. The improved method is particularly advantageous in the context of a hybridization assay in which molecular components within a sample fluid hybridize to surface-bound molecular probes (e.g., as may be present in a spatially defined and physically addressable array) within a hybridization chamber, and wherein process and device parameters (e.g., sample volume, chamber volume, temperature, number of parts and materials, and the like) are critical.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. An optical motion sensor generates digital images from the reflected images at a first frame rate. The motion sensor is configured to generate movement data based on the digital images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the apparatus. The motion sensor is configured to modify the first frame rate to one of a plurality of alternate frame rates based on a current relative velocity between the imaging surface and the apparatus.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical bus. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical bus. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical bus, and the optical receiver detects optical signals differentially. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical waveguide. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical waveguide. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical waveguide, and the optical receiver receives optical signals propagated by the optical waveguide. Methods, optical transceivers and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse has an upright freestanding body that is designed to be gripped by a user's fingers in a writing position and manipulated like a writing implement. The mouse has a body shaped like a pen. The pen is coupled to a weighted base so the mouse remains freestanding and does not need to be picked up before each use. The mouse has a primary switch that is activated by the weight of the user's hand bearing down upon the pen. A secondary switch is located on the pen. Alternatively, the ergonomic mouse has a small body that can be gripped in the fingers much like a pen. The small-bodied mouse has switches on its base surface that are activated by the weight of the user's hand bearing down upon the mouse body.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse has a small body that can be gripped in the fingers much like a writing implement or an eraser. A primary switch is located on an angled facet on the top of the mouse. The primary switch is activated by the user's first finger. By locating the primary switch on the angled facet, a user can access the switch without completely pronating the hand. A secondary switch is located on a side of the mouse, and activated by the user's thumb in a pinching motion between the thumb and second finger. The small size of the mouse allows a user to control it with more ease and facility. Due to its small size, an optical sensor is preferably used as the motion sensing mechanism in the mouse. By radically repositioning the secondary switch, the awkward movements used to activate switches in a conventional mouse are eliminated.

Abstract: A pin-in-capillary apparatus for depositing droplets of fluid onto a surface is described. The apparatus has an off-axis channel for supplying fluid to the capillary. In the capillary the fluid wets the tip of the pin and is delivered to the surface when the pin is extended from the capillary. The capillaries and pins are flexible, allowing spatial reformatting for fluid delivery. Methods of delivering fluid to a surface are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. An optical motion sensor generates digital images from the reflected images at a first frame rate. The motion sensor is configured to generate movement data based on the digital images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the apparatus. The motion sensor is configured to modify the first frame rate to one of a plurality of alternate frame rates based on a current relative velocity between the imaging surface and the apparatus.

Abstract: The optical fiber tap establishes optical communication between a branch optical fiber and a main optical fiber and includes a housing, a serpentine main channel and a branch channel. The main channel is defined in the housing and is shaped to accommodate part of the main optical fiber. The main channel includes a coupling curve portion shaped to define a main coupling curve in the main optical fiber. The branch channel is also defined in the housing and is shaped to accommodate part of the branch optical fiber. The branch channel communicates with the main channel at the coupling curve portion of the main channel. Optical signals couple laterally between the main optical fiber located in the main channel and the branch optical fiber located in the branch channel. Optical communication between the optical fibers is therefore established.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. One such optical system includes a first waveguide and an optical coupler. The first waveguide propagates optical signals to a first location. The optical coupler incorporates a first component and a second component and selectively, optically communicates with the first waveguide by moving between an uncoupled position and a coupled position. In the coupled position, the optical coupler optically communicates with the first waveguide so that at least some of the optical signals from the first waveguide are redirected by the first component, then the second component, and then propagated to a second location different than the first location. Methods and other optical systems also are provided.

Abstract: An optical fingertip tracker, which may be a pseudo trackball, responds to the motion of the texture on one of the user's digits pressed against an image input aperture to produce motion signals processed within an appliance to be controlled. The appliance may have a minimal GUI, such as an LCD display having only a modest number of low resolution pixel locations and/or preestablished characters or icons. An appliance control parameter is set or adjusted in response to translation of the fingertip along a particular axis. E.g., to enter a parameter value (volume) a changing bar graph can be displayed. The display might even be omitted; to set the tone control of an audio appliance it can be sufficient to simply adjust the tone until the result is as desired. A numeric display of control parameter digits may be desirable, as when moving the fingertip tunes a receiver. There can be several particular axes along which fingertip movement changes an associated appliance control parameter.

Abstract: A pin-in-capillary apparatus for depositing droplets of fluid onto a surface is described. The apparatus has an off-axis channel for supplying fluid to the capillary. In the capillary the fluid wets the tip of the pin and is delivered to the surface when the pin is extended from the capillary. The capillaries and pins are flexible, allowing spatial reformatting for fluid delivery. Methods of delivering fluid to a surface are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or derivatives thereof in preventing and treating neoplasia. In particular, the invention describes the method of preventing and treating epithelial cell neoplasia in a subject, said method comprising treating the subject with a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

Abstract: A bioanalytic method replenishes depleted zones of a sample liquid in a shallow probe-array reaction cell under ultragravity centrifugal forces. The ultragravity overcomes viscous and surface-tension forces to permit replenishment despite a shallow reaction-cell depth of 25 microns. Thus, replenishment is achieved using {fraction (1/10)}th the sample volume normally used in probe-array systems that use mixing to facilitate binding reactions. For similar amounts of sample, the shallow cell takes advantage of a ten-times greater concentration to achieve much greater signal strengths in much shorter times. Thus, signal strengths that normally take 17 hours to achieve are achieved in about 60 minutes.

Abstract: The combined optical and electrical transmission line includes an optical fiber and an electrically-conductive sleeve that surrounds the optical fiber. The optical fiber transmits optical signals and the conductive sleeve conducts electrical signals or electrical power. The electrically-conductive sleeve may form part of an electrical transmission line having a characteristic impedance capable of transmitting a high-frequency electrical signal.