Abstract: An apparatus and method (4,5,6,7,2) for capacitive measurement of electrophysiological signals (1) suppresses or reduces motion artifacts by providing a feedback mechanism. An average voltage between a capacitive sensor electrode (1) and the body (3) is controlled so as to reduce or minimize motion-induced signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for air purification within an incubator using germicidal irradiation from an ultra-violet (UV) light source that is integrated in a path from ambient air into the cavity of an incubator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring skin color of a user. The system comprises a capturing unit, an obtaining unit, a deriving unit and a determining unit. The capturing unit captures at least one image of the user over a predetermined time period, and the obtaining unit obtains motion-related information of the user over the predetermined time period. The deriving unit derives visual information from the at least one image on the basis of the motion-related information, and the determining unit determines the skin color on the basis of the derived visual information. In this way, the skin color of the user can be effectively monitored without exposing the user to strong environmental light.

Abstract: A sensor device (340) for determining a flow characteristic of an object (341) being movable in an element (342) comprises a light emitting unit (344) configured for emitting light towards the element (342) and a light detecting unit (344) configured for detecting light scattered back from the element (342). The sensor device (340) comprises an optical unit (346) configured for spatially separating a light incidence element portion (348) of the element (342) and a light detection element portion (350) of the element (342) from one another, wherein the light incidence element portion (348) is associated with the emitted light inciding on the element (342) and the light detection element portion (350) is associated with the back-scattered light scattered back from the element (342) for detection.

Abstract: A sensor device and a method for the determination of the amount of target particles at a contact surface adjacent to a sample chamber include detecting, by a detector, the target particles in the sample chamber by a sensor element, and providing at least one corresponding sensor signal. An evaluation unit determines the amount of target particles in a first zone at the contracts surface and in a second zone a distance away from the contact surface based on this sensor signal. In an optical measurement approach, frustrated total internal reflection taking place under different operating conditions, such as wavelength and/or angle of incidence, may be used to extract information about the first and second zones. In a magnetic measurement approach, different magnetic excitation fields may be used to excite magnetic target particles differently in the first and second zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for air purification within an incubator using germicidal irradiation from an ultra-violet (UV) light source that is integrated in a path from ambient air into the cavity of an incubator.

Abstract: A sensor device (340) for determining a flow characteristic of an object (341) being movable in an element (342) comprises a light emitting unit (344) configured for emitting light towards the element (342) and a light detecting unit (344) configured for detecting light scattered back from the element (342). The sensor device (340) comprises an optical unit (346) configured for spatially separating a light incidence element portion (348) of the element (342) and a light detection element portion (350) of the element (342) from one another, wherein the light incidence element portion (348) is associated with the emitted light inciding on the element (342) and the light detection element portion (350) is associated with the back-scattered light scattered back from the element (342) for detection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring skin color of a user. The system comprises a capturing unit, an obtaining unit, a deriving unit and a determining unit. The capturing unit captures at least one image of the user over a predetermined time period, and the obtaining unit obtains motion-related information of the user over the predetermined time period. The deriving unit derives visual information from the at least one image on the basis of the motion-related information, and the determining unit determines the skin color on the basis of the derived visual information. In this way, the skin color of the user can be effectively monitored without exposing the user to strong environmental light.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an oxygen sensor comprises a giant magnetoresistance device (10), and a magnetic field generator (14, 14a, 14b) arranged to generate a magnetic field (12, 12a, 12b) overlapping the giant magnetoresistance device and an examination region (20). A component (Bx) of the magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance device is dependent upon an oxygen concentration in the examination region. In an embodiment, a chip (40) includes one or more electrically conductive traces (14a, 14b) disposed on or in the chip and a giant magnetoresistance device (10) disposed on or in the chip such that electrical current flowing in the trace or traces generates a magnetic field (12a, 12b) that overlaps the magnetic field sensor, said magnetic field being perturbed (Bx) by ambient oxygen (24) such that a signal output by the magnetic field sensor indicates ambient oxygen concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a vital parameter of a patient by measuring attenuation of light emitted onto tissue of the patient, comprising the following steps: modulating the light with a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code; emitting the modulated light onto the tissue of the patient; collecting light which is transmitted through the tissue or/and which is reflected from the tissue; demodulating the collected light; analyzing the demodulated collected light with regard to interference with ambient light; determining a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold; and setting the modulation frequency or/and the modulation code for modulating the light according to the determined modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Content information is multicast via a data network to a plurality of receivers, using data packets in a transport stream. The content information is encapsulated according to a container format standard that allows an optional field in a packet header. Each data packet forms a payload of a datagram in a connectionless communication protocol. The optional field in each data packet is used to carry an identifier for identifying the data packet in a pre-determined sequence of the data packets. The use of the optional field enables packet loss detection at the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method (4,5,6,7,2) for capacitive measurement of electrophysiological signals (1) wherein motion artifacts are suppressed or reduced by providing a feedback mechanism. An average voltage between a capacitive sensor electrode (1) and the body (3) is controlled so as to reduce or minimize motion-induced signals.

Abstract: A system for conditioning an organism by associating a conditioned response with a conditioned stimulus, the system comprising the following. Identifying means for identifying a signal pattern associated with a conditioned response (201). Measuring means for measuring a signal of the organism for obtaining a measured signal (202). A comparer for comparing the measured signal with the signal pattern (203). A stimulus renderer for rendering a conditioned stimulus (204) when the measured signal matches the signal pattern, for conditioning the organism such that it associates the conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response, and for further rendering the conditioned stimulus for evoking the conditioned response, at a time which depends on the measured signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a vital parameter of a patient by measuringattenuation of light emitted onto tissue of the patient, comprising the following steps: modulating the light with a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code; emitting the modulated light onto the tissue of the patient; collecting lightwhich is transmitted through the tissue or/and which is reflected from the tissue; demodulating the collected light; analyzing the demodulated collected light with regard to interference with ambient light; determining amodulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold; and setting the modulation frequency or/and the modulation code for modulating the light according to the determined modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an oxygen sensor comprises a giant magnetoresistance device (10), and a magnetic field generator (14, 14a, 14b) arranged to generate a magnetic field (12, 12a, 12b) overlapping the giant magnetoresistance device and an examination region (20). A component (Bx) of the magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance device is dependent upon an oxygen concentration in the examination region. In an embodiment, a chip (40) includes one or more electrically conductive traces (14a, 14b) disposed on or in the chip and a giant magnetoresistance device (10) disposed on or in the chip such that electrical current flowing in the trace or traces generates a magnetic field (12a, 12b) that overlaps the magnetic field sensor, said magnetic field being perturbed (Bx) by ambient oxygen (24) such that a signal output by the magnetic field sensor indicates ambient oxygen concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) and a method for the determination of the amount of target particles (1) at a contact surface (112) adjacent to a sample chamber (2). Target particles (1) in the sample chamber are detected by a sensor element (SE) and at least one corresponding sensor-signal (s, s?) is provided. An evaluation unit (EU) then determines the amount of target particles (1) in a first zone (Z1) immediately at the contracts surface (112) and a second zone (Z2) a distance (z) away from the contact surface based on this sensor-signal. In an optical measurement approach, frustrated total internal reflection taking place under different operating conditions (e.g. wavelength, angle of incidence) may be used to extract information about the first and second zones (Z1, Z2). In a magnetic measurement approach, different magnetic excitation fields may be used to excite magnetic target particles differently in the first and second zone (Z2).

Abstract: A detection system (100, 150) for qualitative or quantitative detection of a magnetic field property of a modulated magnetic field is described. The modulated magnetic field may e.g. stem from an adjacent electrical current (Iadj) or magnetic particles. The detection system (100, 150) comprises at least one magneto resistive sensor element (102), a current controller (104) for providing a sensing current (Isense) flowing through the magnetic sensor element (102) and a controlling means (108). The controlling means (108) is adapted for deriving at a first frequency f1 a temperature-related parameter of the at least one magneto resistive sensor. The controlling means (108) furthermore is adapted for deriving a qualitative or quantitative characteristic of the adjacent electrical current (Iadj) or magnetic particles, taking into account the derived temperature-related parameter. This second frequency (f1) is different from the first frequency (f1}). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic sensor device for manipulating a sample in an exchangeable carrier (111), for example for optically detecting target particles (1) in a sample liquid that is provided in a sample chamber (2) of the carrier (111). The microelectronic sensor device comprises a number of n>1 magnetic field generators (141-143), e.g. electromagnetic coils, with which magnetic fields can be generated in a target region (110). A control unit (150) is provided that can determine and evaluate the mutual coupling or the self-inductance of the magnetic field generators and/or signals from magnetic field sensors attached to the carrier with respect to the presence and/or state of a carrier (111) in the target region (110). In this way, the control unit (150) can for example detect if the carrier (111) is correctly positioned in the sensor device and/or where a magnetically interactive substance (1, 120) is located.

Abstract: Content information is multicast via a data network to a plurality of receivers, using data packets in a transport stream. The content information is encapsulated according to a container format standard that allows an optional field in a packet header. Each data packet forms a payload of a datagram in a connectionless communication protocol. The optional field in each data packet is used to carry an identifier for identifying the data packet in a pre-determined sequence of the data packets. The use of the optional field enables packet loss detection at the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic device (100) with means for the determination of the wetting grade of a sensitive surface (22) that lies adjacent to a sample chamber (1) with a sample fluid. In a particular embodiment, the device may be a magnetic sensor device comprising magnetic excitation wires (11, 13) for the generation of magnetic fields (B) in the sample chamber and a GMR sensor (12) for sensing reaction fields (B') generated by magnetized particles (2). A detector module (30) can optionally be adapted to measure the resistance of conductors (11, 12, 13) which depends, via the dissipation of heat generated by electrical currents, on the wetting grade of the sensitive surface (22). In another embodiment, the capacitance of conductors is measured, which is affected at the sensitive surface by the presence of gas bubbles (4).