Abstract: An automated method of solving a cube puzzle using a user device, including: establishing, between the user device and the cube puzzle, a wireless communication link, where the user device includes at least one user interface (UI) element and the cube puzzle includes a controller and associated memory; receiving, at the user device, a current state of the cube puzzle, the cube puzzle including multiple faces, each face having multiple sub-elements, where the current state of the cube puzzle specifies a location of each sub-element; identifying, at the user device, based on the current state, a solution for the cube puzzle; and providing, via the UI element(s), an instruction from the solution including an indication of a sub-element of the sub-elements of a particular face of the cube puzzle and an indication of a direction of rotation of the particular sub-element.

Abstract: An optical fluid measurement element includes: an emitter that generates an optical output; an absorber that measures an optical input; and a fluid flow pathway, where the optical output of the emitter passes through the fluid flow pathway and is received as the optical input to the absorber after passing through the portion of the fluid flow pathway. An automated method of measuring fluid volume using an optical fluid measurement element includes: activating an emitter; capturing data from an optical sensor; detecting a leading edge of fluid travelling along a flow pathway; starting a counter when the leading edge is detected; and calculating a volume based on a value of the counter. An automated method of measuring fluid attributes along a flow pathway. The method includes: activating an optical emitter; receiving a signal from an optical sensor; and processing the received signal to determine at least one fluid attribute.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device comprising a conjugate pad for receiving a quantity of fluid; and a membrane comprising a test line for determining whether the fluid comprises a target analyte. In a first state of the lateral flow assay device, the lateral flow assay device is configured with a removable gap between the conjugate pad and the membrane which is substantially filled with air and prevents the fluid from flowing from the conjugate pad into the membrane. In a second state of the lateral flow assay device, the removable gap is removed from between the conjugate pad and the membrane causing the conjugate pad to come in contact with the membrane, allowing the fluid to flow from the conjugate pad into the membrane and the test line by capillary action.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device comprising a conjugate pad for receiving a quantity of fluid; and a membrane comprising a test line for determining whether the fluid comprises a target analyte. In a first state of the lateral flow assay device, the lateral flow assay device is configured with a removable gap between the conjugate pad and the membrane which is substantially filled with air and prevents the fluid from flowing from the conjugate pad into the membrane. In a second state of the lateral flow assay device, the removable gap is removed from between the conjugate pad and the membrane causing the conjugate pad to come in contact with the membrane, allowing the fluid to flow from the conjugate pad into the membrane and the test line by capillary action.

Abstract: A cube puzzle solver includes: a position sensing element; at least one user interface (UI) output; and a controller that receives position information from the position sensing element, determines a suggested move, and directs the at least one UI output to provide an indication associated with the suggested move. An automated method of determining a position of a cube puzzle solver includes: monitoring a set of sense pins; identifying rotation based on a change in state of at least one sense pin; identifying a face associated with the identified rotation; and updating a state of the cube puzzle solver based on the identified face and the identified rotation. A cube puzzle system includes: a cube puzzle device including: a wireless communication interface; and a user device communicatively coupled to the cube puzzle solver over the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A smart dosing device includes: a flow pathway comprising a cartridge receptacle that is able to house a cartridge; at least one sensor that captures identifying information related to the cartridge; a wireless communication module; and at least one security feature that restricts use of the smart dosing device. A method of providing a measured dose using a smart dosing device includes: enabling dosing; measuring a provided dose; and disabling dosing. A smart dosing system includes: a smart dosing device having a unique identifier, the smart dosing device including a cartridge housing a substance, the cartridge having a unique cartridge identifier; and a server including a central database that stores usage information related to the smart dosing device, the usage information comprising: the unique identifier and the unique cartridge identifier.

Abstract: A smart inhaler device includes: a flow pathway comprising a cartridge receptacle that is able to house a cartridge, flow meter, pump, and vaporizer; a wireless communication module; and at least one sensor that captures identifying information related to the cartridge. A method of providing a measured dose using a smart inhaler device includes: enabling dosing; measuring a provided dose; and disabling dosing. A smart inhaler system includes: a smart inhaler device; a user device; and a server.

Abstract: A sample collection and testing device for analyzing blood is provided that includes a controller, a fluid flow pathway, a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid pathway, and an optical fluid measurement element configured to measure a light intensity of the fluid in the fluid flow pathway. The controller is configured to: start the pump to move a blood sample in the fluid flow pathway, receive a signal from the optical fluid measurement element indicating a detection of a leading edge of the blood in the fluid flow pathway, stop the pump to stop the moving of the blood in the pathway, receive a plurality of light intensity measurements from the optical measurement element, each light intensity measurement measured at a corresponding point of time, and provide a mapping of the light intensity measurements into an indication of a coagulation of the blood sample over a time period.

Abstract: A test cartridge includes an adjustable lancet. The adjustable lancet is controlled by a controller. The adjustable lancet automatically detects a subject's finger, adjusts the lancet's height, pricks the finger to draw blood, moves a tube to collect the blood, moves the tube away from the finger, and empties the blood from the tube into a vial or receptacle. The adjustable lancet may include safety features to prevent the lancet to trigger when the subject's fingernail is facing the lancet, to control the amount that the lancet pierces the subject's finger, and/or to prevent the reuse of a test cartridge for multiple persons or multiple times by the same person. The adjustable lancet may include a massager wheel and/or a pressure bar to rub the subject's finger after the finger is pierced to facilitate drawing of the blood from the finger.

Abstract: An automated stopper and opener includes: a sleeve housing that is able to fit within a neck of a container; a mechanical feature that is able to vary a force applied to an internal surface of the sleeve such that a seal is able to be formed or released within the neck of the container; and an electronic controller that is able to manipulate the force applied to the internal surface of the sleeve by at least partly directing operations of the mechanical feature. An automated stopper includes: a cylindrical sleeve; a mechanical element that fits within the cylindrical sleeve and has a variable outer diameter; a communication interface that is able to receive commands from a user device; and a controller that is able to interpret the received commands and direct the mechanical element to control the variable outer diameter. A system includes automated stoppers and a user device.

Abstract: A cube puzzle solver includes: a position sensing element; at least one user interface (UI) output; and a controller that receives position information from the position sensing element, determines a suggested move, and directs the at least one UI output to provide an indication associated with the suggested move. An automated method of determining a position of a cube puzzle solver includes: monitoring a set of sense pins; identifying rotation based on a change in state of at least one sense pin; identifying a face associated with the identified rotation; and updating a state of the cube puzzle solver based on the identified face and the identified rotation. A cube puzzle system includes: a cube puzzle device including: a wireless communication interface; and a user device communicatively coupled to the cube puzzle solver over the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A surface mount includes a base plate, set of magnets, and magnet retaining plate. Magnetic coupling between the magnets and the metallic base plate that has an area larger than the magnet area allows for accurate positioning of the object after installation via adjustments in horizontal, vertical, and angular position of the object. Marking pegs allow for trouble-free and easy marking of the mounting surface for installing the magnet retaining plate. Optional spacers provide flexibility for use with various mounted objects. Lighting and lighting control allow for visual effects associated with the surface mount.

Abstract: A cube puzzle solver includes: a position sensing element; at least one user interface (UI) output; and a controller that receives position information from the position sensing element, determines a suggested move, and directs the at least one UI output to provide an indication associated with the suggested move. An automated method of determining a position of a cube puzzle solver includes: monitoring a set of sense pins; identifying rotation based on a change in state of at least one sense pin; identifying a face associated with the identified rotation; and updating a state of the cube puzzle solver based on the identified face and the identified rotation. A cube puzzle system includes: a cube puzzle device including: a wireless communication interface; and a user device communicatively coupled to the cube puzzle solver over the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: An automated method of evaluating a collected fluid sample includes: filling a sample cavity with the collected fluid sample; adding a buffer solution; separating the collected fluid sample into a first portion and a second portion; mixing the second portion with tagged antibodies; removing leftover tagged antibodies; and measuring a difference between the first portion and the second portion. A sample collection and testing device includes: a reference cavity comprising a reference fluid sample; a test cavity comprising a test fluid sample; a reference measurement element associated with the reference cavity; and a test measurement element associated with the test cavity. A method of evaluating a collected fluid sample including: separating the sample; pumping a first portion to a first measurement cavity; adding a solution to a second portion and pumping the mixture to a second measurement cavity; and measuring a charge difference between the first and second measurement cavities.

Abstract: A disposable lancet assembly includes: a spring aligned along a linear axis; a lancet aligned along the linear axis adjacent to the spring; a needle cup aligned along the linear axis adjacent to the lancet; and a housing including a channel that accepts an actuator interface such that the needle cup and lancet are able to be moved along the linear axis via the actuator interface. A medical test cartridge includes: a bottom plate; a microfluidic chip; and a top plate, wherein the top plate is coupled to the bottom plate such that the microfluidic chip is retained between the top plate and the bottom plate. A sample collection and testing device includes: a lancet assembly; a lancet actuator coupled to the lancet assembly; and a microfluidic test chip.

Abstract: An automated fluid sample collector includes: a collection receptacle; an actuator; and a piercing element coupled to the actuator. An automated sample collection device includes: a sample receptacle; a needle that is able to extend into the sample receptacle; an actuator coupled to the needle such that the actuator is able to extend and retract the needle; and a fluid chip coupled to the sample receptacle, the fluid chip able to accommodate an amount of collected fluid. An automated method of collecting a fluid sample includes: activating a pump associated with a finger retention element in order to add fluid to the finger retention element; extending an actuator associated with a piercing element; opening a pinch valve; activating a collection pump; deactivating the collection pump; closing the pinch valve; and releasing fluid from the finger retention element.

Abstract: An optical fluid measurement element includes: an emitter that generates an optical output; an absorber that measures an optical input; and a fluid flow pathway, where the optical output of the emitter passes through the fluid flow pathway and is received as the optical input to the absorber after passing through the portion of the fluid flow pathway. An automated method of measuring fluid volume using an optical fluid measurement element includes: activating an emitter; capturing data from an optical sensor; detecting a leading edge of fluid travelling along a flow pathway; starting a counter when the leading edge is detected; and calculating a volume based on a value of the counter. An automated method of measuring fluid attributes along a flow pathway. The method includes: activating an optical emitter; receiving a signal from an optical sensor; and processing the received signal to determine at least one fluid attribute.

Abstract: A smart grow device includes a set of sensors with at least one camera; a set of care resources; and a controller able to at least partly control the set of care resources based on evaluation of data received from the set of sensors. An automated method of providing plant care includes: retrieving a set of sensor measurements; retrieving model plant data including a set of evaluation criteria; comparing the set of sensor measurements to the set of evaluation criteria in order to determine at least one plant status; and updating active plant data based on the at least one plant status and the set of sensor measurements. An automated plant care system includes: a set of sensors; a set of resources; multiple planters; and at least one controller able to at least partly control the set of resources based on evaluation of data received from the set of sensors.

Abstract: A bottle stopper includes: a cylindrical guide having multiple slits that run parallel to a center axis along a portion of the guide; a cylindrical nut that is able to move along the center axis, the nut including multiple ridges, each ridge engaging a particular slit such that the nut is not able to rotate relative to the guide about the center axis; a knob coupled to a threaded bolt; and a set screw that secures the knob relative to the guide such that the guide and the knob move together as a rigid body along the center axis, where the threaded bolt is able to engage the nut such that the nut is moved along the center axis when the knob is rotated about the center axis. A method of sealing a container includes: inserting a plug and stopper; and rotating a knob to reach a specified sealing pressure.

Abstract: A surface mount includes a base plate, set of magnets, and magnet retaining plate. Magnetic coupling between the magnets and the metallic base plate that has an area larger than the magnet area allows for accurate positioning of the object after installation via adjustments in horizontal, vertical, and angular position of the object. Marking pegs allow for trouble-free and easy marking of the mounting surface for installing the magnet retaining plate. Optional spacers provide flexibility for use with various mounted objects. Lighting and lighting control allow for visual effects associated with the surface mount.