Abstract: A toasting device includes a housing, a plurality of heating spikes extending outwardly from an upper surface of the housing, and a controller electrically coupled to infrared heating sources in the plurality of heating spikes. The controller is configured to control electrical power to the plurality of heating spikes to thereby control temperature.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and maintaining fluid level in a swimming pool, spa, or other environment containing water is provided. The system includes a sensor assembly having a microprocessor and a proximity sensor encapsulated in a non-conductive material. A lower section of the sensor assembly has a flat profile and at least a portion of the proximity sensor is positioned in the lower section. The sensor assembly transmits a signal to a remote controller when the water level measured is above or below a predetermined target value. The remote controller in turn causes a remote water valve to turn on or off. In certain implementations, the sensor assembly incorporates a precision mounting system and algorithm, which work together to provide the end user with a means to mount the sensor easily and maintain precise operational level of the water.

Abstract: A toasting device includes a housing, a plurality of heating spikes extending outwardly from an upper surface of the housing, and a controller electrically coupled to infrared heating sources in the plurality of heating spikes. The controller is configured to control electrical power to the plurality of heating spikes to thereby control temperature.

Abstract: A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions.

Abstract: A wireless multi-range, mass velocity sensor assembly for remote monitoring with direct on-site visual validation of mass velocity is provided. In certain implementations, the sensor assembly comprises a channel body fixture, an obstruction mounted within an aperture formed in the inlet or outlet of the channel body fixture, and an arcuate indicator that protrudes above the fluid flow path and provides clear visual readout of the flow velocity. In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be easily adapted for existing back check valve and other back flow prevention devices.

Abstract: A wireless multi-range, mass velocity sensor assembly for remote monitoring with direct on-site visual validation of mass velocity is provided. In certain implementations, the sensor assembly comprises a channel body fixture, an obstruction mounted within an aperture formed in the inlet or outlet of the channel body fixture, and an arcuate indicator that protrudes above the fluid flow path and provides clear visual readout of the flow velocity. In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be easily adapted for existing back check valve and other back flow prevention devices.

Abstract: A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid by way of an opening below the surface of the liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid vessel. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure difference between a reference cell and a sample cell. The sample cell is open to the fluid vessel. The method and apparatus detects a leak in the fluid vessel when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and maintaining fluid level in a swimming pool, spa, or other environment containing water is provided. The system includes a sensor assembly having a microprocessor and a proximity sensor encapsulated in a non-conductive material. A lower section of the sensor assembly has a flat profile and at least a portion of the proximity sensor is positioned in the lower section. The sensor assembly transmits a signal to a remote controller when the water level measured is above or below a predetermined target value. The remote controller in turn causes a remote water valve to turn on or off. In certain implementations, the sensor assembly incorporates a precision mounting system and algorithm, which work together to provide the end user with a means to mount the sensor easily and maintain precise operational level of the water.

Abstract: A hyper-spectral imaging system comprises imaging foreoptics (1020) to focus on a scene or object of interest (1010) and transfer the image of said scene or object (1010) onto the focal plane of a spatial light modulator (1030), a spatial light modulator (1030) placed at a focal plane of said imaging foreoptics (1020), an imaging dispersion device (1040) disposed to receive an output image of the spatial light modulator (1030), and an image collecting device disposed to receive the output of the imaging dispersion device (1040).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multispectral imaging comprising an array of filters in a mosaic pattern, a sensor array and an acquisition and processing module. The sensor array being disposed to receive an image that has been filtered by the array of filters. The acquisition and processing module processes the output of the sensor array (or mosaic acquired data) to provide a processed image. The acquisition and processing module processes the mosaic acquired data by performing first interpolation on the mosaic acquired data by the sensor array to provide a first approximation and performing second interpolation on the values of the first approximation to provide a second approximation.

Abstract: An improved method and system for classifying tissue samples comprises determining a tissue type classification based on spectral data of training samples of known target classification. Denoised spectral data is generated from the spectral data based on the tissue type classification. A classifier is then trained using the denoised spectral data to classify the tissue samples.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for the measurement of fuel composition and the detection and measurement of phase separation in fuel storage tanks. An embodiment measures optical and/or electrical impedance spectral features of the fuel by a series of sensors placed at a series of heights within a fuel storage tank. Embodiments are disclosed to measure aspects of the water, ethanol and gasoline content as well as other constituents of a fuel mixture, as well as the onset of the two phase event and the completed extent of the water intrusion into the system in concert with the level at which the layers exist in a fuel container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid vessel. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure difference between a reference cell and a sample cell. The sample cell is open to the fluid vessel. The method and apparatus detects a leak in the fluid vessel when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Encoded spatio-spectral information processing is performed using a system having a radiation source, wavelength dispersion device and two-dimensional switching array, such as digital micro-mirror array (DMA). In one aspect, spectral components from a sample are dispersed in space and modulated separately by the switching array, each element of which may operate according to a predetermined encoding pattern. The encoded spectral components can then be detected and analyzed. In a different aspect, the switching array can be used to provide a controllable radiation source for illuminating a sample with radiation patterns that have predetermined characteristics and separately encoded components. Various applications are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multispectral imaging comprising an array of filters in a mosaic pattern, a sensor array and an acquisition and processing module. The sensor array being disposed to receive an image that has been filtered by the array of filters. The acquisition and processing module processes the output of the sensor array (or mosaic acquired data) to provide a processed image. The acquisition and processing module processes the mosaic acquired data by performing first interpolation on the mosaic acquired data by the sensor array to provide a first approximation and performing second interpolation on the values of the first approximation to provide a second approximation.

Abstract: A spectral measurement device comprising an entrance aperture for receiving an electromagnetic energy and a mask located at the entrance aperture in the form of a two-dimensional encodement pattern. An optical element conditions the electromagnetic energy received from the mask for presentation to the spectral dispersion element and the and a spectral dispersion element disperses the electromagnetic energy in one or more dimensions. Additionally, the optical element conditions the dispersed electromagnetic energy onto an array of detector elements.

Abstract: A hyper-spectral analysis method for characterizing or distinguishing diverse elements within hyper-spectral images. A plurality of patches of pixels from within the hyper-spectral images are extracted as being patches around pixels of the elements to be characterized or distinguished. The statistics of spectra for each patch of pixels are computed. A first classifier is computed from frequency-wise standard deviation of the spectra in each patch and a set of second classifiers are computed from principal components of the spectral in each patch. A combined classifier is computed based on the output of the first classifier and at least one of the second classifiers. The elements are characterized or distinguished based on the output of at least one of the classifiers, preferably the combined classifier.

Abstract: A spectral measurement device comprising an entrance aperture for receiving an electromagnetic energy and a mask located at the entrance aperture in the form of a two-dimensional encodement pattern. An optical element conditions the electromagnetic energy received from the mask for presentation to the spectral dispersion element and the and a spectral dispersion element disperses the electromagnetic energy in one or more dimensions. Additionally, the optical element conditions the dispersed electromagnetic energy onto an array of detector elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid vessel. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure difference between a reference cell and a sample cell. The sample cell is open to the fluid vessel. The method and apparatus detects a leak in the fluid vessel when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined threshold.