Abstract: Described is an apparatus to concurrently measure multiple input voltages at a high sampling data rate, such as at least two mega-samples per second. The apparatus may include a plurality of voltage data acquisition components that concurrently sample different input voltages and produce respective voltage data samples. Each of the plurality of voltage data acquisition components may be directly coupled to a field programmable gate array that receives the voltage data samples, packetizes those voltage data samples, and provide the packetized voltage data samples to a system on chip.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus that monitor potential voltage and/or radiated electromagnetic energy at a premises to determine device usage at the premises. The monitored potential voltage and/or radiated electromagnetic energy may be processed to generate voltage signature data and radiated electromagnetic energy signature data, a signature data pair, of an operational device and that signature data pair may be used to identify at least one of a device type, a device, a device element of the device, and/or an operational state of a device.

Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.

Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, a display screen in communication with the processor, a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface that is selectively movable in at least one direction to provide feedback to a user, and a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor determines a movement characteristic of the movable surface and the processor selectively adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the movement characteristic.

Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, a display screen in communication with the processor, a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface that is selectively movable in at least one direction to provide feedback to a user, and a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor determines a movement characteristic of the movable surface and the processor selectively adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the movement characteristic.

Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.

Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, a display screen in communication with the processor, a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface that is selectively movable in at least one direction to provide feedback to a user, and a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor determines a movement characteristic of the movable surface and the processor selectively adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the movement characteristic.

Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring battery life in a human input device powered by replaceable batteries includes repeatedly measuring battery charge by use of a measuring arrangement forming part of the input device. Battery charge is measured while the input device is in a relatively inactive condition and when it is in an active condition, and a time value is associated with each battery charge measurement. A usage model may be constructed based on the battery charge measurements, and calculation of an expected battery life may be based at least in part on the usage model.

Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present invention takes the form of a method for detecting the end of life of a battery for an electronic device. The method may include calculating the voltage of the battery in an unloaded state, holding the sampled unloaded battery voltage, measuring a loaded battery voltage, calculating the difference between the unloaded and loaded battery voltages and amplifying the calculated difference. Other implementations may take the form of a circuit to perform one or more of the operations of the above method. The circuit may include a sample and hold section and a differential amplifier to provide the amplified difference to a microcontroller for analysis. The microcontroller may also provide a warning or indication to the device or to a user of the device when the battery nears the end of life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring battery life in a human input device powered by replaceable batteries includes repeatedly measuring battery charge by use of a measuring arrangement forming part of the input device. Battery charge is measured while the input device is in a relatively inactive condition and when it is in an active condition, and a time value is associated with each battery charge measurement. A usage model may be constructed based on the battery charge measurements, and calculation of an expected battery life may be based at least in part on the usage model.

Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present invention takes the form of a method for detecting the end of life of a battery for an electronic device. The method may include calculating the voltage of the battery in an unloaded state, holding the sampled unloaded battery voltage, measuring a loaded battery voltage, calculating the difference between the unloaded and loaded battery voltages and amplifying the calculated difference. Other implementations may take the form of a circuit to perform one or more of the operations of the above method. The circuit may include a sample and hold section and a differential amplifier to provide the amplified difference to a microcontroller for analysis. The microcontroller may also provide a warning or indication to the device or to a user of the device when the battery nears the end of life.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating a pixel signal produced during scanning of a chemical array are provided. In general, the methods involve producing at least two analog signals for a pixel using a multi-gain signal detection system, integrating at least one of these signals, and outputting data representing the pixel. Also provided are systems and computer program products for performing the subject methods, and an array scanner containing these systems and program products.

Abstract: Methods for producing data for a partially saturated pixel produced during scanning of a chemical array are provided. In general, an analog signal for a partially saturated pixel is sampled to obtain a set of non-saturated digital signals and a set of saturated digital signals. The saturated digital signals are then processed to produce data for the pixel. Also provided are computer program products comprising programming for performing the subject methods, and a chemical array scanner containing this programming. The invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including both genomics and proteomics applications.

Abstract: Methods for identifying feature boundary pixels are provided. In general, the subject methods involve evaluating a pixel signal to identify any difference in amplitude between a first part of the signal and a second part of the signal. If the difference is significant, the pixel signal may be indicated as a pixel representing a feature boundary. Also provided are systems and programming for performing the subject methods, and an array scanner containing these systems and programming.

Abstract: A system for detecting ions is disclosed. The system includes a detector having a plurality of dynodes arranged in an electron cascading configuration, and a power supply circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of dynodes. The plurality of dynodes include a first dynode and a second dynode. The power supply circuit is arranged to selectively adjust a potential difference between the first and second dynodes between a detection mode and a blanking mode. A method of detecting ions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating a pixel signal produced during scanning of a chemical array are provided. In general, the subject methods involve identifying a set of conformant digital signals for a pixel, and integrating those signals. Also provided are systems and programming for performing the subject methods, and an array scanner containing these systems and programming.

Abstract: The testing of a multi-touch sensor panel for opens and shorts on its drive and sense lines is disclosed by placing a substantially ungrounded conductor diagonally over the touch sensor panel so that at least a portion of every drive line and every sense line is covered by the substantially ungrounded conductor. Pixels under the substantially ungrounded conductor can have strongly positive pixels, while pixels outside the substantially ungrounded conductor can have negative pixels. With the substantially ungrounded conductor in place, a backdrop of negative pixels is formed, and an image of touch can be obtained. By analyzing the image of touch, any opens and shorts on the drive and sense lines, any shorts between a drive and a sense line, or any open drive and sense lines can be quickly identified against the backdrop of negative pixels.

Abstract: The gain of the ion detector of a mass spectrometer is calibrated by using the ion detector to measure a ratio of the abundances of at least two ion species having a known abundance ratio. The gain of the ion detector is changed until the measured abundance ratio matches the known abundance ratio.

Abstract: A system for detecting ions is disclosed. The system includes a detector having a plurality of dynodes arranged in an electron cascading configuration, and a power supply circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of dynodes. The plurality of dynodes include a first dynode and a second dynode. The power supply circuit is arranged to selectively adjust a potential difference between the first and second dynodes between a detection mode and a blanking mode. A method of detecting ions is also disclosed.