Abstract: A device determines the location of objects in an environment by receiving an optical image of an environment and converting the optical image of the environment into a live color digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the live color digital image to determine the location of the environment having one or more lost object by using color and shape characteristics of the one or more objects. The software uses a range of the visible portion of the color space uniquely identified for the type of object in that environment and identifies those pixels in the color digital image that may be possible targets. Intensity of background and object size are used to exclude pixels as possible target objects.

Abstract: A sensor and wireless communication technologies are implemented to make it possible to assemble a golf ball like device, which can be lofted into the air in order to monitor atmospheric conditions, such as wind strength, wind speed, temperature, elevation (height), altitude, barometric pressure and the like. These atmospheric parameters are displayed on the hand held device in graphic and tabular form. In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance to an object is provided in view of one or more parameters of atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A device detects the location of patterned objects in an environment by receiving an optical image and converting the optical image of the lost object into a color digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the color digital image to detect the location of the one or more patterned objects in the environment by using color characteristics of light reflected from a pattern on the one or more patterned objects. The software uses a range of the visible portion of the color space uniquely identified for the light reflected from the pattern on the object and identifies those pixels in the digital image that may be possible targets.

Abstract: A one dimensional (1D) line imaging system that operates at a scanning (clock) rate of between 10-40 MHz is used to monitor the characteristics of a golf swing. A line image is analyzed in real time by an associate computer imaging system removing the need for a trigger to operate. Optics of the imaging system are designed to relate ball image size to distance so that the number of 1 D pixels imaging the ball, in particular sensing a white object, have a relation to distance to the ball. Ball image size is related to distance by monitoring the rate of increase (rate of change) of the pixels imaging the ball with time so that the speed of the club head can be determined. The speed of a golf ball that has been struck is determined by monitoring the rate of decrease (rate of change) of the pixels imaging the ball.

Abstract: A golf ball is illuminated with diffused back lighting. CCD images of the golf ball are taken while the golf ball is being illuminated with the diffused back lighting. The edge or circumference of the golf ball is captured and sharply defined in the CCD images. The uniformity of the circumference may be determined by evaluating the radius of the object's circumference in an image, where an image is generated for n points around the circumference of the object, such as every 20° or 30°. By rotating the game ball, preferable with a battery operated stepper motor, the surface of the golf ball can be mapped.

Abstract: An object is applied to a golf ball after the golf ball is manufactured for the purpose of allowing the golf ball to be easily located if lost during play in a round of golf. The object is applied to the golf ball without adversely affecting the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball. The object can be applied using Pin Printing technology to at least one dimple of a golf ball. The object applied can be detected by a hand-held device operable to detect one or more properties of the object.

Abstract: Imaging circuitry integrated into a golf club head, such as a putter, obtains an image from as the golf club head strikes a golf ball as well as successive images after the golf ball is struck, such n<5. The images can be analyzed by integral computational software provided in the imaging device operable to (i) analyze whether the ball was struck in the middle of the golf club head, (ii) whether the golf club head was square to the target and (iii) based on comparison of n successive images, calculate the immediate path of the golf ball.

Abstract: A device determines the contour of a landscape by receiving an optical image having a grid pattern projected thereon and converting the optical image of the landscape and the grid pattern into a digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the color digital image to detect the grid pattern by using color characteristics of the mapping grid for processing the distortions of the grid pattern based on the Hausler and Heckel principles. An image is presented in real time to the viewer showing the depth pattern of the landscape in the image. This presentation may be by various colors, by outlines of constant depth and alike means commonly used in visual displays.

Abstract: The invention relates to analyte monitoring/drug (pharmaceutical agent) delivery device. The invention is suited for monitoring various blood constituents such as glucose. The device has a housing that at least partially encloses a plurality of microneedles disposed on a carrier and an electronics portion. Each microneedle is in fluid communication with a corresponding microchannel. Each microneedle is individually addressable. That is, each microneedle can be extended and retracted individually via an actuator. The electronics portion includes a processor and associated circuitry (e.g., memory, supporting electronics and the like), a motor or the like, a sensor, a power supply (e.g., battery) and optionally an interface. In general, the processor controls the operation of the device and is data communication with the actuator, motor, sensor and interface. The invention provides for autonomous operation, that is, without intervention of the user.

Abstract: A device detects the location of objects in an environment by receiving an optical image and converting the optical image of the lost object into a color digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the color digital image to detect the location of the one or more objects in the environment by using color and shape characteristics of the one or more objects. The software uses a range of the visible portion of the color space uniquely identified for the type of object in that environment and identifies those pixels in the color digital image that may be possible targets. Intensity of background and object size are used to exclude pixels as possible target objects.

Abstract: Arrangements for the detection of the presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid include diffuse transmission, diffuse reflection and edge or waveguide illumination arrangements. A vertical flow assay arrangement and/or technique is also disclosed, and includes a detection component that can be in the form of an array of optical detection elements. A number of assay pad constructions are described which may include at least one or more of the following components: a prefilter component, a reflective component, a membrane component, a reagent component, a mesh component, and a component to prevent lateral spreading.

Abstract: A cell suitable for use with an atomic clock and a method for making the same, the cell including: a silicon wafer having a recess formed therein; at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon sealing the recess; and, an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas contained in the recess. The method includes: providing a silicon wafer; forming a cavity through the silicon wafer; introducing an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas into the cavity; and, anodically bonding at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon to the wafer to close the cavity.

Abstract: A device operable to extract a sample of body fluid, the device including at least one skin-penetration member, an actuator, a controller, and a housing mounting the at least one skin-penetration member for extension from the device. Another device for extracting body fluid includes at least one skin-penetration member having an inner bore and an outer diameter, and at least one axially moveable hollow tubular member disposed in the inner bore. Yet another device includes at least one skin-penetration member, an actuator, a controller, a housing mounting the at least one skin-penetration member, and a skin sensor measuring electrical parameters transmitted through the at least one skin-penetration member. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising: an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing; a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; and an optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:

Abstract: Provided is a method using a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising: an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing; a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; and an optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing;a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; andan optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.