Abstract: The invention provides an input apparatus (110) for a computer comprising an outer case (114) having a front face (F), a top face (T) and opposing side walls. The apparatus (110) comprises at least one control located on the top face (T) of the apparatus (110). The apparatus (110) is shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's index fingers are positioned to operate the at least one control located on the top (T) of the apparatus (110). The at least one control comprising an actuator (101, 106), a first sensor (132), and a second sensor (130). The actuator (101, 106) comprises an actuator body (106B) and a detection target (134) mounted thereto. The actuator body (106B) extends through an opening in the outer case (114). The detection target (134) is detectable by the second sensor (130). The actuator (101, 106) comprises an actuator control mechanism (TC) having at least two configurations for controlling movement of the actuator (101, 106) relative to the outer case (114).

Abstract: The invention provides an improved controller (110) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (110) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller (1). The controller of the invention (110) may comprise a plurality of controls (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107A, 107B, 107C, 108, 109) on the front and top of the controller (110). The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises at least one additional control (120, 122) located on the side walls of the controller (110) in a position to be operated by the index fingers of a user (12).

Abstract: Methods for detection of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided according to aspects of the present disclosure which include: providing a reaction mixture comprising a LAMP assay primer set specific for the target nucleic acid, magnesium, dNTPs, a reaction buffer, a DNA polymerase, and a sample to be tested for presence of the target nucleic acid, wherein the LAMP assay primer set comprises a forward inner primer (FIP), a backward inner primer (BIP), a forward outer primer (F3) and a backward outer primer (B3), wherein the FIP and BIP are present in a non-equal ratio such that molar concentration of BIP is highly skewed relative to molar concentration of FIP. The reaction mixture is incubated under amplification reaction conditions to produce a reaction product comprising amplified target nucleic acids. The amplified target nucleic acids are then detected.

Abstract: A system for the automatic management of the wastewater and freshwater for recreational vehicles is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured for monitoring a first volume of blackwater within a blackwater holding tank, a second volume of greywater within a greywater holding tank, and whether an egress conduit is attached to a sewage system. The system further includes a processor configured for receiving a plurality of first signals from the plurality of sensors and sending a plurality of second signals to at least one of a plurality of values within the system. The processor is configured for determining if the first volume and second volume exceeds a first predetermined maximum threshold and a second predetermined maximum threshold respectively, then transmitting one of the plurality of second signals to prevent matter and wastewater from entering at least one of the blackwater holding tank and greywater holding tank.

Abstract: A cup turret carousel includes a gear drive track around a periphery thereof, to be driven by a planetary gear rather than being driven from the central axis and thereby reduce cost and achieve greater accuracy in aligning a cup turret with the cup funnel throat for cup delivery. The drive gear is maintained in a in a fixed position relative to a cup funnel throat through which cups pass when dropped, so that the same drive assembly may be employed with cup turret carousels of different diameters.

Abstract: A refillable vend module includes at least one canister configured to contain an ingredient for a beverage, and a connecting mechanism configured to slidably connect to any one of a plurality of modular vend spaces in a vending machine. In some embodiments, the at least one canister comprises a poka-yoke refill connection configured to couple an ingredient cartridge to the canister, where the poka-yoke refill connection matches a type of the canister to a type of the ingredient cartridge. A vending machine includes a plurality of modular vend spaces and a plurality of refillable vend modules.