Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: Cap arrangements for per-well fluidics and gas exchange for microplate, microtiter, and microarray technologies are presented for use with cell cultures or other applications. In example implementations, each individual well within in a conventional or specialized microplate can be fully or partially isolated with capping or other arrangements which can include conduits for controlled introduction, removal, and/or exchange of fluids and/or gases. Conduit networks can include small controllable valves that operate under software control, and micro-scale pumps can also be included. Conduit interconnections can include one or more of controllable-valve distribution buses, next-neighbor interconnections, and other active or passive interconnection topologies.

Abstract: A numerical sound synthesis method for representing data as audio for use in data sonification employing a Hilbert Space eigenfunction model of human auditory perception is described. The synthesis method comprises approximating an eigenfunction equation representing a model of human hearing, calculating the approximation to each of a plurality of eigenfunctions from at least one aspect of the eigenfunction equation, and storing the approximation to each of a plurality of eigenfunctions. The approximation to each of a plurality of eigenfunctions represents a perception-oriented basis functions for mathematically representing audio information in a Hilbert-space representation of an audio signal space. The model of human hearing can include a bandpass operation with a bandwidth having the frequency range of human hearing and a time-limiting operation approximating the time duration correlation window of human hearing.

Abstract: Optical tomography arrangements are disclosed for performing optical tomography on the transparent or translucent contents of individual microplate wells comprising a light emitting array having a plurality of light emitting elements, a sample module, and a light sensing array including a plurality of light sensing elements, wherein the light sensing array is configured to sense light emitted from the light emitting array which has passed through the sample module. The light emitting elements can comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic light emitting transistors (OLETs), and/or other optoelectronic devices. The light sensing array can comprise organic light sensing devices, photodiodes, phototransistors, CMOS photodetectors, or charge-coupled devices (CCDs). The light emitting array can be flat or curved, and the light sensing array can be flat or curved.

Abstract: A color optical tomography system with fluorescence capabilities includes a light emitting array having a plurality of light emitting elements, a sample module, and a light sensing array including a plurality of light sensing elements, wherein the light sensing array is configured to sense light emitted from the light emitting array which has passed through the sample module. Light emitting elements emitting in the visible and UV ranges can comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic light emitting transistors (OLETs), and/or other optoelectronic devices. The light sensing array can comprise for example organic light sensing devices, photodiodes, phototransistors, a CMOS photodetector, and/or charge-coupled devices (CCI)s). The light emitting array and the light sensing array can he flat or curved.

Abstract: Continuing a sequence of lensless light-field imaging camera patents beginning 1999, the present invention adds light-use efficiency, predictive-model design, distance-parameterized interpolation, computational efficiency, arbitrary shaped surface-of-focus, angular diversity/redundancy, distributed image sensing, plasmon surface propagation, and other fundamentally enabling features. Embodiments can be fabricated entirely by printing, transparent/semi-transparent, layered, of arbitrary size/curvature, flexible/bendable, emit light, focus and self-illuminate at zero-separation distance between (planar or curved) sensing and observed surfaces, robust against damage/occultation, implement color sensing without use of filters or diffraction, overlay on provided surfaces, provided color and enhanced multi-wavelength color sensing, wavelength-selective imaging of near-infrared/near-ultraviolet, and comprise many other fundamentally enabling features.

Abstract: Light-sensor array systems for capturing multiple-color images and light-fields using array of wavelength-selective optoelectronic elements (rather than wider-range photosensors prefaced with visible-band wavelength-selective optical elements such as color selective filters) as light-field or image sensors are presented. The light-sensor array can be one or more of transparent, bendable, and implemented on a curved surface. In some embodiments, the wavelength-selective light-sensing opto-electronic elements are arranged in a stacked array. In some embodiments, more than three wavelength-selective ranges can be employed in each light-sensing pixel. The invention can be used to implement one or more of a lensless imaging light-field camera, tactile gesture user interface, and/or proximate gesture user interface. In some embodiments, the light-sensor array system can be configured to emit light of one or more colors, and thus can additionally serve as an image display.

Abstract: Arrangements for small-sized, inexpensive, and innovative lensless and other micro-optic microscopy imaging and tomography are presented. An imaging region comprising flat or curved surfaces is provided with an illumination source proximate to the imaging region or arranged for collimated illumination. Light travels through the imaging region and produces a resulting light field affected by objects, materials, fluids, organisms, etc. in the light path and is presented to an image sensing surface proximate to the imaging region, responsively creating electrical image signals. The illumination surface can be light emitting elements such as LEDs, OLEDs, or OLET whose illumination can be sequenced in an image formation or tomography process. Light-emission and light detection elements can be printed, permitting extremely low-cost manufacturing and readily accommodating imaging regions having curved shapes.

Abstract: A hierarchical multiple-level control system approach comprising subsystems, each with their own control system, that can operate in isolation but—when interconnected or networked with additional subsystems associated with other hierarchical levels, assume their respective role in a hierarchy. Applications of the implementation include, for example, hierarchical cooling and energy harvesting systems for data centers and other applications wherein various elements in the hierarchy can be introduced and/or removed in arbitrary order. Additional applications of the implementation include networked high-reliability control systems, robotics systems, networked sensor systems, adaptive communications networks, high-reliability communications networks, and command-and-control applications.

Abstract: A general-purpose software-reconfigurable chemical process system useful in a wide range of applications is disclosed. Embodiments may include software control of internal processes, automated provisions for cleaning internal elements with solvents, provisions for clearing and drying gasses, and multitasking operation. In one family of embodiments, a flexible software-reconfigurable multipurpose reusable “Lab-on-a-Chip” or “embedded chemical processor” is realized that can facilitate a wide range of applications, instruments, and appliances. Through use of a general architecture, a single design can be economically manufactured in large scale and readily adapted to diverse specialized applications. Clearing and cleaning provisions may be used to facilitate reuse of the device, or may be used for decontamination prior to recycling or non-reclaimed disposal.

Abstract: A hand-rotatable motorized-aperture plug arrangement for use as a stopcock in articles of traditional and legacy laboratory glassware of arbitrary complexity. The hand-rotatable plug additionally comprises a longitudinally-movable gate whose gate position is changed by a stepper or D.C. electrical motor. As the gate position is changed, the amount of flow can be varied. Hand-rotation operation of the plug itself can be used to force flow turn-off. The gate position can be monitored by a sensor and can be computer-controlled for use with an article of laboratory glassware for controlling and/or directing the flow of chemical materials.

Abstract: Sensor arrangements and signal processing for touch-based user interfaces comprising multiple sensor types and other arrangements so as to create user interface output signals responsive to touch. Various types of sensors and other measurement arrangements can include capacitive tactile sensor arrays, optical tactile sensor arrays, proximity sensor arrays, pressure sensor arrays, and video cameras. In one approach, spatial information processing acts on initial image processing data acting separately on the data or measurements provided by each sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to signal space architectures for generalized gesture capture. Embodiments of the invention includes a gesture-primitive approach involving families of “gesteme” from which gestures can be constructed, recognized, and modulated via prosody operations. Gestemes can be associated with signals in a signal space. Prosody operations can include temporal execution modulation, shape modulation, and modulations of other aspects of gestures and gestemes. The approaches can be used for advanced touch user interfaces such as High-Dimensional Touch Pad (HDTP) in touchpad and touchscreen forms, video camera hand-gesture user interfaces, eye-tracking user interfaces, etc.

Abstract: A microfluidic transport system for transporting microdroplets in three spatial dimensions among layers of a layered microfluidic system. In an example arrangement, a first microfluidic layer for transporting microdroplets in two spatial dimensions responsive to electric fields created by electrical operation of electrodes is fluidically connected by one or more conduits to other microfluidic layers. Microdroplets can be transported through the one or more conduits so as to be moved among a plurality of layered microfluidic arrangements. The resulting layered system can be used for heat transfer, fluidic transfer, and other uses, and can be implemented using materials such as metal, glass, polymer, plastic, layered materials, fibrous materials, etc. In some applications the layered system can be implemented within a printed circuit board, integrated circuit housing.

Abstract: A purely electronic musical instrument controller (without audio-frequency vibrating elements) for generating music control signals, such as MIDI-format control signals, and comprising arrays of strumpads is disclosed. The electronic musical instrument controller can include one or more of a (push)-button, touchpad, pressure sensor, ribbon controller, impact sensor, slider control, knob control, expression wheel, joystick, chord button array, switch, multiple-position selector, and internal sound-synthesis elements for internal audio signal generation. The electronic musical instrument controller can transmit control signals to an external system and receive control signals from an external system. Control signals can be of MIDI format. The electronic musical instrument controller can be secured on a stand or arrangement for attaching a strap, the strap enabling the electronic musical instrument controller to be worn by a user.

Abstract: This invention provides novel statistical processing approaches on measurements from diverse or varied sensors to collectively implement high-accuracy testing for detections and/or discernments of pathogens, substances, and/or biomarkers. For example, a group of inexpensive sensors can approach, match, or exceed the performance of existing high-accuracy methods. In an implementation, measurements are obtained from disposable optical and/or bioFET sensors arrayed on a substrate using printing techniques. In an example application, the invention operates together with or within a platform technology comprising a rich ability to flexibly perform, create, deploy, maintain, and update a range of panels, assay, array, and/or test sequences for a wide range of substances and pathogens using a wide range and large number of collocated highly-selective sensors and supplemental sensors (such as temperature, pH, selective ions, etc.).