Abstract: Techniques for facilitating event driven gas sensing and source attribution are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises generating, by a device operatively coupled to a processor, a gas sensor signal indicative of sensing a gas based on the sensing the gas by one or more sensors. Additionally, the computer-implemented method can comprise converting, by the device, the gas sensor signal from an analog signal to a digital signal to identify one or more peak events based on the digital signal being determined to have satisfied a condition.

Abstract: Principles of the invention provide methods and apparatus for providing corrosion management in buildings. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the step of receiving first data relating corrosion rate to a plurality of environmental conditions. This first data is subsequently utilized to determine a quantitative relationship between corrosion rate and the plurality of environmental conditions. In another step, second data indicative of one or more environmental conditions within a building is received. A corrosion rate in the building is then determined at least in part by applying the determined quantitative relationship to this second data.

Abstract: Corrosion sensor apparatus for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus includes: a set of corrosion sensor elements, wherein a width of a first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of a second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements wherein a width of a first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of a second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements.

Abstract: Corrosion sensor apparatus for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus includes: a set of corrosion sensor elements wherein a width of a first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of a second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements wherein a width of a first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of a second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements.

Abstract: Principles of the invention provide methods and apparatus for providing corrosion management in buildings. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the step of receiving first data relating corrosion rate to a plurality of environmental conditions. This first data is subsequently utilized to determine a quantitative relationship between corrosion rate and the plurality of environmental conditions. In another step, second data indicative of one or more environmental conditions within a building is received. A corrosion rate in the building is then determined at least in part by applying the determined quantitative relationship to this second data.

Abstract: Techniques for energy and environmental leak detection in an indoor environment using one or more mobile robots are provided. An energy leak detection system is provided. The energy leak detection system includes one or more mobile robots configured to move throughout at least a portion of a building and to take temperature and air flow measurements at a plurality of locations within the building. An environmental leak detection system is also provided. The environmental leak detection system includes one or more mobile robots configured to move throughout at least a portion of a building and to take airborne matter measurements at a plurality of locations within the building.

Abstract: Techniques for improving on data center best practices are provided. In one aspect, an exemplary methodology for analyzing energy efficiency of a data center having a raised-floor cooling system with at least one air conditioning unit is provided. The method comprises the following steps. An initial assessment is made of the energy efficiency of the data center based on one or more power consumption parameters of the data center. Physical parameter data obtained from one or more positions in the data center are compiled into one or more metrics, if the initial assessment indicates that the data center is energy inefficient. Recommendations are made to increase the energy efficiency of the data center based on one or more of the metrics.

Abstract: There is provided a hand held cursor controller system for use particularly with interactive television and computer presentation graphics. The system uses a hand held device with infrared light emitting diodes which transmits to a detector attached to a processor. The information from the processor is transmitted to a television or video cassette recorder. The system allows for the positioning of a cursor on a television screen with the only input of the user being the aiming of the controller. It includes push-button activation and provides for the transmission of the usual controller codes.

Abstract: A presence detector includes an optical emitter for emitting optical radiation, an optical detector for detecting a presence of an object based on receiving the optical radiation, and a microcontroller for controlling the optical emitter and processing the optical detector output, such that a range adjustment and range hysteresis based on the object are provided by software in the microcontroller.

Abstract: Assistive motion data processing and/or button data processing is performed in an adapter on user inputted variable data produced by a pointing device prior to communication to a computer. This processing may include one or more of processing to filter coordinate deviations from a desired path caused by unintended movements of the pointing device; removal of unintentional rapid button transitions of the pointing device; look-back processing to correct for unintentional pointer coordinate motion induced by operation of buttons on the pointing device; and detection of button double-clicks using relaxed requirements on motion and timing. The adapter's processing is transparent to the computer. Provision for user input of selected parameters is provided, as well as switching to allow for user deactivation of the adapter for conventional use of the pointing device.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a wireless stylus that incorporates, for example, an infrared emitter for communicating with a receiver associated with a computer. The stylus is provided with push-buttons near its tip that can be actuated by the user during the course of pointing the stylus at a touch screen location. Accordingly, by the combined actuation of the touch screen and a concurrent actuation of one or more of the push buttons, a mouse input to the computer is accomplished.

Abstract: A presence detector includes an optical emitter for emitting optical radiation, an optical detector for detecting a presence of an object based on receiving the optical radiation, and a microcontroller for controlling the optical emitter and processing the optical detector output, such that a range adjustment and range hysteresis based on the object are provided by software in the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a liquid crystal display device with a signal layer integrated onto a substrate. Circuitry derives touch position based upon response to signals applied to the signal layer. At least one resistor is integrated onto the substrate. The resistor is coupled between the signal layer and the circuitry. The resistor is formed in conjunction with the signal layer. Preferably, the resistor is part of a resistor network for linearizing resistance of the signal layer in a vertical direction and horizontal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for touch input functionality in a liquid crystal display having a plurality of cells each comprising a first substrate having a common electrode integrated thereon, a second substrate having a pixel electrode integrated thereon, and liquid crystal material disposed between the common electrode and pixel electrode. A first conductive layer (signal layer) and second conductive layer (guard plane layer) are integrated onto the first substrate and disposed between the first substrate and the common electrode. Contact position of a touch input device with the first substrate is determined by applying a first signal to the signal layer. A second signal is applied to the guard plane layer to thereby lower capacitive coupling between the signal layer and the common electrode. The second signal may be generated by scaling amplitude and/or phase shifting the first signal. Response to the first signal is measured to determine contact position of the touch input device.

Abstract: A computer-input stylus which provides visual color feedback when utilized in conjunction with a computer-implemented software-based drawing application. The input stylus includes a cylindrical body in a conical tip. A color display within the stylus is utilized to illuminate the conical tip with a color indicative of a currently selected color within the software-based drawing application, providing visual color feedback. The color display is implemented utilizing multiple light-emitting diodes or an active matrix liquid crystal display mounted within an optically transparent portion of the conical tip.

Abstract: A computer system and method determines the force and/or torque applied during the image acquisition stage of a biometric characteristic. Images with very high or very low pressure or high shear torque are rejected and user/operator is notified to re-acquire the image. Alternatively, the application of force and torque by the subject is restricted mechanically so that the images are acquired while the force and/or torque are within acceptable ranges.

Abstract: The present invention provides for touch input functionality in a liquid crystal display having a plurality of cells each comprising a first substrate having a common electrode integrated thereon, a second substrate having a pixel electrode integrated thereon, and liquid crystal material disposed between the common electrode and pixel electrode. A first conductive layer (signal layer) and second conductive layer (guard plane layer) are integrated onto the first substrate and disposed between the first substrate and the common electrode. Contact position of a touch input device with the first substrate is determined by applying a first signal to the signal layer. A second signal is applied to the guard plane layer to thereby lower capacitive coupling between the signal layer and the common electrode. Response to the first signal is measured to determine contact position of the touch input device.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical pointing device, such as those used to control devices such as televisions, VCRs, video games and computers, which have improved accuracy and lower sensitivity to detrimental effects, such as noise and user hand unsteadiness, than prior art devices. Such pointing devices emit light beams, such as infrared light, which when received by a receiver are used to position cursors or other symbolic shapes, such as sliding volume controls. An advantage of the pointing device of the invention is that light emitting diodes of conventional manufacture, known to have poor optical precision and hence variable angular emission profiles, may nevertheless be used in the pointing device of the invention.