Abstract: An imaging system images a sample across one or more wavelengths. A light source illuminates a sample with one or more wavelengths of light, and an image sensor detects light from the illuminated sample. A linear variable long pass filter is positioned to filter light reflected from the sample to pass to the image sensor multiple different wavelength bands having different cut-off wavelengths. Wavelengths of light on one side of the cut-off wavelength are blocked and wavelengths of light on the other side of the cut-off wavelength are passed as multiple different long pass wavelength bands for detection by the image sensor. The image sensor detects light for each of the multiple different long pass wavelength bands from the sample. Data processing circuitry converts the detected light for the multiple different long pass wavelength bands for the sample into corresponding different long pass wavelength band data sets for the sample.

Abstract: An imaging system images a sample across one or more wavelengths. A light source illuminates a sample with one or more wave-lengths of light, and an image sensor detects light from the illuminated sample. A linear variable long pass filter is positioned to filter light reflected from the sample to pass to the image sensor multiple different wave-length bands having different cut-off wavelengths. Wavelengths of light on one side of the cut-off wavelength are blocked and wavelengths of light on the other side of the cut-off wavelength are passed as multiple different long pass wavelength bands for detection by the image sensor. The image sensor detects light for each of the multiple different long pass wavelength bands from the sample. Data processing circuitry converts the detected light for the multiple different long pass wavelength bands for the sample into corresponding different long pass wavelength band data sets for the sample.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for clinical diagnostics that include methods and apparatus for rapidly detecting and characterizing rare cell objects in a biological sample. The sample is processed, loaded onto a “capture zone” in the optical system, and subjected to a two-stage optical process for very rapid detection and detailed characterization of detected cells and cell fragments. Detected rare cells and rare cell fragments are characterized with regards to biomarker profiles using fluorescent tags or chromophores. A sample is scanned in a first time period to generate a first set of image data from which marked cell objects are detected. The marked cell objects are ranked, and respective area or volume values are determined for the ranked cell objects. The respective area or volume values for the ranked cell objects are combined to generate an equivalent cell count.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser source configured to output laser light at a target frequency, and a measurement unit configured to measure a deviation between an actual frequency outputted by the laser source at a current period of time and the target frequency of the laser source. The apparatus includes a feedback control unit configured to, based on the measured deviation between the actual and target frequencies, control the laser source to maintain a constant frequency of laser output from the laser source so that the frequency of laser light transmitted from the laser source is adjusted to the target frequency. The feedback control unit can control the laser source to maintain a linear rate of change in the frequency of its laser light output, and compensate for characteristics of the measurement unit utilized for frequency measurement. A method is provided for performing the feedback control of the laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser source configured to output laser light at a target frequency, and a measurement unit configured to measure a deviation between an actual frequency outputted by the laser source at a current period of time and the target frequency of the laser source. The apparatus includes a feedback control unit configured to, based on the measured deviation between the actual and target frequencies, control the laser source to maintain a constant frequency of laser output from the laser source so that the frequency of laser light transmitted from the laser source is adjusted to the target frequency. The feedback control unit can control the laser source to maintain a linear rate of change in the frequency of its laser light output, and compensate for characteristics of the measurement unit utilized for frequency measurement. A method is provided for performing the feedback control of the laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser source configured to output laser light at a target frequency, and a measurement unit configured to measure a deviation between an actual frequency outputted by the laser source at a current period of time and the target frequency of the laser source. The apparatus includes a feedback control unit configured to, based on the measured deviation between the actual and target frequencies, control the laser source to maintain a constant frequency of laser output from the laser source so that the frequency of laser light transmitted from the laser source is adjusted to the target frequency. The feedback control unit can control the laser source to maintain a linear rate of change in the frequency of its laser light output, and compensate for characteristics of the measurement unit utilized for frequency measurement. A method is provided for performing the feedback control of the laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser source configured to output laser light at a target frequency, and a measurement unit configured to measure a deviation between an actual frequency outputted by the laser source at a current period of time and the target frequency of the laser source. The apparatus includes a feedback control unit configured to, based on the measured deviation between the actual and target frequencies, control the laser source to maintain a constant frequency of laser output from the laser source so that the frequency of laser light transmitted from the laser source is adjusted to the target frequency. The feedback control unit can control the laser source to maintain a linear rate of change in the frequency of its laser light output, and compensate for characteristics of the measurement unit utilized for frequency measurement. A method is provided for performing the feedback control of the laser source.

Abstract: The telephone handset for the infirm includes a housing, wherein the housing has the appearance of an old-style telephone handset, internal electronics including a microphone, a speaker, wireless communication circuitry, and signal processing circuitry for processing signals received by the wireless communications circuitry to drive the speaker and for processing signals received from the microphone to transmit a signal representative of the received microphone signal wireless to one or more remote audio communication devices. The telephone handset also includes a simplified user interface which includes a predetermined number of keys less than ten, where the keys are programmed to cause the internal electronics to initiate contact with at least one specific remote audio communication device upon actuation. The telephone handset also has a multifunction user interface with at least a full numeric keypad and other keys sufficient to program the keys of the simplified user interface.

Abstract: A pump monitoring system includes a monitoring device configured for attachment to a cable harness of a pump, a strain gauge configured to measure dynamic loading of at least one cable of the cable harness as the pump operates, a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the dynamic loading measurement, and an external device configured to receive the transmitted dynamic loading measurement.

Abstract: A method of communicating among wireless devices includes providing a frequency hopping schedule to a target device. The frequency hopping schedule includes a sequence of frequencies. The method also includes, at the target device, alternately sleeping and listening on a frequency in the sequence of frequencies according to the frequency hopping schedule, exchanging time base information between the target device and the transmitting device, at the transmitting device, using the time base information to determine a current frequency of the target device, from the transmitting device, and transmitting a packet of information uniquely addressed to the target device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system and method for determining a fluid level. The system comprises a sensing rod assembly comprised of releasably connectable rod segments. Each rod segment carries a processor and a plurality of inductors. Each inductor generates a position signal responsive to a float signal. A float assembly comprises a housing containing a circuit having an integrally formed coil periodically energizable by a processor to emit the float signal. A control assembly receives the generated position signals and determines the fluid level. The method comprises providing releasably connectable rod segments with inductors that generate a position signal responsive to a float signal, determining a sensing rod assembly length, forming the sensing rod assembly, disposing it within a container, providing a float assembly periodically actuated to generate a float signal, generating position signals responsive to the float signal and analyzing those signals to determine the fluid level.

Abstract: A self-powered apparatus includes a solar power cell, a battery, and a load. The load may include one or more load functions performed using power provided by one or both of the solar power cell and the battery. The inclusion of a battery permits the solar power cell to be sized much smaller than if the solar power cell was the only supply of power. A programmable controller selectively regulates power provided to one or more load functions and also selectively regulates whether one or both of the power cell and battery supplies the power. Switching circuitry, controlled by the programmable controller, selectively couples one or both of the battery and the solar cell to supply energy for powering the load. In a preferred example embodiment, the controller couples the battery and/or solar cell to charge a super capacitor, which then is selectively controlled to power the load.

Abstract: A self-powered apparatus includes a solar power cell, a battery, and a load. The load may include one or more load functions performed using power provided by one or both of the solar power cell and the battery. The inclusion of a battery permits the solar power cell to be sized much smaller than if the solar power cell was the only supply of power. A programmable controller selectively regulates power provided to one or more load functions and also selectively regulates whether one or both of the power cell and battery supplies the power. Switching circuitry, controlled by the programmable controller, selectively couples one or both of the battery and the solar cell to supply energy for powering the load. In a preferred example embodiment, the controller couples the battery and/or solar cell to charge a super capacitor, which then is selectively controlled to power the load.

Abstract: A rotary optical fiber switch including first and second bodies positioned in virtually abutting relation and each having a bore adapted to receive a plurality of optical fibers dimensioned to fit in contiguous relation with each other and the inner wall of the bore for precise positioning wherein the bore, the ends of the optical fibers being in substantially coplanar relation with the abutting ends of the first and second bodies, the first body being fixed and the second body being selectively rotatable between predetermined angular positions for positioning the fibers in optical-transmission alignment.

Abstract: A fiber optic direct current coupled data transmission link having a response extending to dc by using a dc coupled receiver and a modified frequency response to avoid data width distortion which allows the dc coupled receiver to work over a wide range of input signal levels.

Abstract: The data eye monitor includes a pair of comparators which compare the data input signal with a fixed reference voltage and a variable reference voltage with the resultant output of these two comparators being clocked into a digital comparator providing negative pulses representing the difference between the outputs of the two comparators. The negative pulses are coupled to an integrator to which a positive current source is coupled with the integrator providing the variable reference voltage for one of the comparators and also the output voltage of the monitor since the variable reference voltage is proportional to the opening of the data eye.

Abstract: An improved high speed optical receiver provides an output that accurately corresponds to the optical input signal without the distorted signals caused by ac or dc coupled receivers when exposed to signals having varying amplitudes. Delaying and dividing circuits permit the creation of threshold signals which eliminate the drawbacks previously encountered.

Abstract: The position of a pulse, relative to a reference time, defines a digital data state. The position alternates about the reference time such that by monitoring the mean pulse position the reference time may be regenerated in the receiver. The reference time is then used to decode the transmitted signal.