Abstract: A polymer comprising a conducting or semiconducting segment coupled to a polymer segment having an insulating polymer backbone, the polymer further comprising a RAFT functional group coupled to the polymer segment, wherein there is no RAFT functional group in between the conducting or semiconducting segment and the polymer segment.

Abstract: A sensing circuit and method is disclosed, which may comprise a plurality of transmitting or receiving elements each defining a pixel location defined by a gap between the respective one of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements and a single element of the opposing type to the respective transmitting or receiving element, and a controller configured to provide or receive a probing signal to or from a group of at least two of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements, at the same time, thereby increasing the effective area providing the transmitting of or the receiving of the probing signal for each pixel location imaged. The group of transmitting or receiving elements may form a symmetric pattern, which may be centered on the pixel location. The plurality of transmitting or receiving elements may form at least one linear pixel array with the respective single receiving or transmitting element.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a substrate comprising: a plurality of embossed grooves extending in a substantially parallel manner, there being a pitch for the spacing between the embossed grooves; a plurality of lines of deposited material provided in the vicinity of the embossed grooves, and extending in a substantially parallel manner, there being a pitch for the spacing between lines of deposited material, the deposited material having a different colour to the substrate; in a background region of the substrate to be presented to a viewer of the substrate, there being a fixed positional relationship between the substantially parallel embossed grooves and the substantially parallel lines of deposited material, such that the region presents a first background to a viewer of the substrate when viewed from a first angle, and such that the region presents a second background to a viewer of the substrate when viewed from a second angle, the first and second angles being defined as angles

Abstract: A game-based system and method are provided which employ a central system controller and a plurality of interactive display terminals geographically dispersed from the system controller. Players interact with the display terminals via respective, anonymous recognition codes (ARCs). The display terminals are configured to record a session data set on each player interaction session therewith via the players' respective ARCs. The session data set includes the player's ARC, a location-identifier of the display terminal, a reward selected by the player from multiple rewards of a displayed reward and advertisement data set and an advertisement selected by the player from multiple advertisements of the data set. Players access data of their session data set via a personal electronic compartment accessible through an internet-accessible web server of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Abstract: A lithography apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a radiation beam onto a substrate, a detector configured to inspect the substrate, and a substrate table configured to support the substrate and move the substrate relative to the projection system and the detector. The detector is arranged to inspect a portion of the substrate while the substrate is moved and before the portion is exposed to the radiation beam.

Abstract: A monomer for a polymerisable composition is described, the monomer having the formula (I) wherein: R1 is —H or alkyl; Z- is —O—, —NH— or —NR—, where -R is optionally substituted alkyl or C5-10 aryl; Ar1 and —Ar2 are each independently optionally substituted C5-10 aryl; R2 is —H, or optionally substituted alkyl or C5-10 aryl; and x and y are each independently 1 to 4. Also described are polymers formed from the composition, and ophthalmic lens products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.

Abstract: A translucent tear-off lens is provided sufficiently resilient to permit a stack of such lenses to form fit over curvilinear protective eye wear, including goggles, where the translucent lens comprises a thin sheet of biodegradable material and tear-resistant means.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing arc also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes recognizing the initiation of a vehicle journey. The method further includes periodically storing vehicle speed data, GPS coordinate data and time data. This method also includes providing at least one option for reporting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data. The method additionally includes outputting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data for at least one portion of the vehicle journey, responsive to input requesting the reporting.

Abstract: A game-based system and method are provided which employ a central system controller and a plurality of interactive display terminals geographically dispersed from the system controller. Players interact with the display terminals via respective, anonymous recognition codes (ARCs). The display terminals are configured to record a session data set on each player interaction session therewith via the players' respective ARCs. The session data set includes the player's ARC, a location-identifier of the display terminal, a reward selected by the player from multiple rewards of a displayed reward and advertisement data set and an advertisement selected by the player from multiple advertisements of the data set. Players access data of their session data set via a personal electronic compartment accessible through an internet-accessible web server of the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controllable polymeric surface coating including a macromolecule, which is covalently bound to the surface of a substrate, the macromolecule including a plurality of polymerisation initiators and a plurality of surface binding groups. Pendant polymers may be grafted from at least some of the polymerisation initiators.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for minimizing power consumption of a sensor unit that is capable of detecting an object. Main circuitry operates the sensor unit in a high power mode of operation when the sensor unit detects an object. Low power control circuitry operates the sensor unit in a low power mode of operation when the sensor unit does not detect an object within a pre-determined period of time. The low power control circuitry also comprises a counter to periodically determine when to restore the sensor unit to a high power mode of operation. One advantageous embodiment of the sensor unit is a fingerprint sensor unit for detecting a finger to obtain fingerprint information.