Abstract: The present disclosure provides new and improved methods for the detection of pathogens, for example viral pathogens, in samples. The methods, tests and assays permit the identification of an infection, for example a Coronavirus infection, in a sample, but can also be used as a means to identify the infectious status or “infectivity level” of a subject. Disclosed is a method for detecting an antigen in a sample, said method comprising: contacting the sample with an antigen binding agent, wherein the antigen binding agent is not an antibody.

Abstract: A carrier puck comprising a body having an interior chamber, into which a receptacle to be held by the carrier puck can be inserted, the carrier puck comprising a deformable element, disposed at least in part within the interior chamber; and the carrier puck comprising a pressurizing mechanism configured and arranged to facilitate fluid-filling and/or pressurization of a region within the interior chamber, and in dependence upon said pressurization, the deformable element is forced to move inwardly of the interior chamber and into contact with a receptacle for securing the receptacle within the interior chamber of the carrier puck. In this way the available space within the interior chamber for accommodating a receptacle can be reduced about the receptacle, thus securing the receptacle, accurately and quickly in its location within the carrier puck.

Abstract: A carrier puck comprising a body having an interior chamber, into which a receptacle to be held by the carrier puck can be inserted, the carrier puck comprising a deformable element, disposed at least in part within the interior chamber; and the carrier puck comprising a pressurizing mechanism configured and arranged to facilitate fluid-filling and/or pressurization of a region within the interior chamber, and in dependence upon said pressurization, the deformable element is forced to move inwardly of the interior chamber and into contact with a receptacle for securing the receptacle within the interior chamber of the carrier puck. In this way the available space within the interior chamber for accommodating a receptacle can be reduced about the receptacle, thus securing the receptacle, accurately and quickly in its location within the carrier puck.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: An electronic payment system provided by a mobile communication device, the system including a memory storing instructions for interacting with a EMV card reader to cause payment from an issuing bank associated with a cardholder to an acquiring bank of a merchant associated with the electronic payment processing system; and one or more processors in communication with the memory configured to: initiate a transaction by passing transaction information, including a transaction amount, to the EMV card reader; receive encrypted payment authorization from the EMV card reader to process a payment from the issuing bank to the acquiring bank, wherein the one or more processors are in communication with the EMV card reader ; pass the encrypted payment authorization to the acquiring bank over a data connection; and receive a confirmation of payment from the acquiring bank over the data connection.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: An electronic payment system provided by a mobile communication device, the system including a memory storing instructions for interacting with a EMV card reader to cause payment from an issuing bank associated with a cardholder to an acquiring bank of a merchant associated with the electronic payment processing system; and one or more processors in communication with the memory configured to: initiate a transaction by passing transaction information, including a transaction amount, to the EMV card reader; receive encrypted payment authorization from the EMV card reader to process a payment from the issuing bank to the acquiring bank, wherein the one or more processors are in communication with the EMV card reader; pass the encrypted payment authorization to the acquiring bank over a data connection; and receive a confirmation of payment from the acquiring bank over the data connection.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for making purchases with a mobile device at a physical location is described. A service provider receives information about an item available for purchase, and this information is projected on a surface. A user in the vicinity of the surface views the projected information and provides input through the user's mobile device. The projected information changes based on the input. The user selects an item for purchase and pays for the selected item through the mobile device.

Abstract: A marking device (10) comprises a housing (12) having a handle (16). A frame (20) is pivotally mounted in the housing aout a first axis (22). A marking head (40) mounted on the frame for translational movement in the frame by a first motor (84) in a first direction (x) parallel said first axis and spaced therefrom. A second motor (100) is arranged to pivot the frame with respect to the housing about said first axis in a second, substantially orthogonal direction (y). The pin moves in a third orthogonal direction (z). The motors (84, 100) are disposed within the confines of the frame (20) and move on fixed screws (84, 104).

Abstract: A bandpass filter makes use of at least one waveguide cavity that is thermally compensated to minimize drift of a resonant frequency of the cavity with thermal expansion of cavity components. The compensation relies on deformation of the shape of at least one cavity surface in response to thermally induced dimensional changes of the cavity. A control rod is used to limit the movement of a point on the deformed surface, while the rest of the surface moves with the thermal expansion. The control rod is made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is significantly different than that of other filter components. The rod may also be arranged to span more thermally expandable material than defines the filter such that, as the filter expands, the point of deflection is moved toward the interior of the filter beyond its original position.

Abstract: A marking device (10) comprises a housing (12) having a handle (16). A frame (20) is pivotally mounted in the housing about a first axis (22). A marking head (40) mounted on the frame for translational movement in the frame by a first motor (84) in a first direction (x) parallel said first axis and spaced therefrom. A second motor (100) is arranged to pivot the frame with respect to the housing about said first axis in a second, substantially orthogonal direction (y). The pin moves in a third orthogonal direction (z). The motors (84,100) are disposed within the confines of the frame (20) and move on fixed screws (84,104).

Abstract: A bandpass filter makes use of at least one waveguide cavity that is thermally compensated to minimize drift of a resonant frequency of the cavity with thermal expansion of cavity components. The compensation relies on deformation of the shape of at least one cavity surface in response to thermally-induced dimensional changes of the cavity. A control rod is used to limit the movement of a point on the deformed surface, while the rest of the surface moves with the thermal expansion. The control rod is made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is significantly different than that of other filter components. The rod may also be arranged to span more thermally expandable material than defines the filter such that, as the filter expands, the point of deflection is moved toward the interior of the filter beyond its original position.

Abstract: A bandpass filter makes use of at least one waveguide cavity that is thermally compensated to minimize drift of a resonant frequency of the cavity with thermal expansion of cavity components. The compensation relies on deformation of the shape of at least one cavity surface in response to thermally-induced dimensional changes of the cavity. A control rod is used to limit the movement of a point on the deformed surface, while the rest of the surface moves with the thermal expansion. The control rod is made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is significantly different than that of other filter components. The rod may also be arranged to span more thermally expandable material than defines the filter such that, as the filter expands, the point of deflection is moved toward the interior of the filter beyond its original position.