Abstract: An agent activated non-metal antenna for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna, and a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC), includes a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent. The antenna is further configured to transmit power to turn on the wireless data communication IC only when the non-metal antenna is active upon interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: According to various aspects, a new concept of Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is described where brain-computer communication occurs by capturing SSVEP induced by consciously imperceptible visual stimuli integrated into, for example, a virtual scene. These consciously imperceptible visual stimuli are able to convey subliminal information to a computer. In various embodiments, computer based operations can be mapped to visual elements with associated flickering stimuli, and induced SSVEP can be detected when the user focused upon them. In various embodiments, these visual elements can be introduced into existing display without any perceivable change to content being displayed.

Abstract: According to various aspects, a new concept of Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is described where brain-computer communication occurs by capturing SSVEP induced by consciously imperceptible visual stimuli integrated into, for example, a virtual scene. These consciously imperceptible visual stimuli are able to convey subliminal information to a computer. In various embodiments, computer based operations can be mapped to visual elements with associated flickering stimuli, and induced SSVEP can be detected when the user focused upon them. In various embodiments, these visual elements can be introduced into existing display without any perceivable change to content being displayed.

Abstract: An agent activated non-metal antenna for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna, and a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC), includes a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent. The antenna is further configured to transmit power to turn on the wireless data communication IC only when the non-metal antenna is active upon interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: An ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor includes an agent activated non-metal antenna formed of a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna includes a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC). The non-metal antenna is configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: A method for measuring one or more quantities characterizing a composition of a medium includes causing a first non-uniform spatially varying optical signal to impinge on a portion of the medium, processing a second optical signal emitted from the medium in response to the first optical signal including determining characteristics of a spatial variation of the second optical signal, and determining the one or more quantities characterizing the composition of the medium based on the characteristics of the spatial variation of the second optical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing data proxies. The systems and methods enable a proxy management system to store and manage data proxies that digitally represent real-world objects equipped with sensors. The data proxy of an object is made up of data sampled by the object's sensors and data estimated using the sampled data. The sampling rate at which the data is sampled can be optimized such that it conforms with target quality of data (QoD) requirements and/or target data acquisition costs. The QoD requirements can be based on requirements set by each of the applications associated with an object. The proxy management system can use the sampled data and estimated data to (1) ensure that incoming messages, if executed, would not have negative consequences; and (2) monitor objects to determine if and when they are expected to approach undesirable states, or if they have already reached such undesirable states.

Abstract: An ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor includes an agent activated non-metal antenna formed of a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna includes a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC). The non-metal antenna is configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: A method for measuring one or more quantities characterizing a composition of a medium includes causing a first non-uniform spatially varying optical signal to impinge on a portion of the medium, processing a second optical signal emitted from the medium in response to the first optical signal including determining characteristics of a spatial variation of the second optical signal, and determining the one or more quantities characterizing the composition of the medium based on the characteristics of the spatial variation of the second optical signal.

Abstract: According to various aspects, a new concept of Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is described where brain-computer communication occurs by capturing SSVEP induced by consciously imperceptible visual stimuli integrated into, for example, a virtual scene. These consciously imperceptible visual stimuli are able to convey subliminal information to a computer. In various embodiments, computer based operations can be mapped to visual elements with associated flickering stimuli, and induced SSVEP can be detected when the user focused upon them. In various embodiments, these visual elements can be introduced into existing display without any perceivable change to content being displayed.

Abstract: An RFID-based anemia detection sensor that integrates a paper-based diagnostic device with a passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID tag. Differences in red blood cell (RBC) count in a patient's blood manifests itself as a controlled time-dependent change in the tag's signal response. In one embodiment, the sensor is capable of reliably differentiating between blood having 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent RBC concentration by volume, which is indicative of anemic vs. healthy blood. In another embodiment, the sensor is read using standard RFID equipment allowing for large-scale automated screening of blood specimens.

Abstract: A system for analyzing fluid includes a housing having first and second opposing surfaces spaced to form a fluid chamber, a light source disposed to direct light at the first surface of the housing; and a digital imaging circuit disposed to detect light at the second surface of the housing. The digital imaging circuit includes a pixel array configured to capture one or more digital images of an illuminated fluid. The system also includes a processor configured to: capture multiple digital images of the fluid at different camera exposure levels, calculate a net radiant energy value at a plurality of different integration times within at least two images, calculate a slope of the net radiant energy value with respect to integration time in a selected image, and determine size distribution and volume fraction of particles within the fluid based on the calculated slope.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing data proxies. The systems and methods enable a proxy management system to store and manage data proxies that digitally represent real-world objects equipped with sensors. The data proxy of an object is made up of data sampled by the object's sensors and data estimated using the sampled data. The sampling rate at which the data is sampled can be optimized such that it conforms with target quality of data (QoD) requirements and/or target data acquisition costs. The QoD requirements can be based on requirements set by each of the applications associated with an object. The proxy management system can use the sampled data and estimated data to (1) ensure that incoming messages, if executed, would not have negative consequences; and (2) monitor objects to determine if and when they are expected to approach undesirable states, or if they have already reached such undesirable states.

Abstract: A system for analyzing fluid includes a housing having first and second opposing surfaces spaced to form a fluid chamber, a light source disposed to direct light at the first surface of the housing; and a digital imaging circuit disposed to detect light at the second surface of the housing. The digital imaging circuit includes a pixel array configured to capture one or more digital images of an illuminated fluid. The system also includes a processor configured to: capture multiple digital images of the fluid at different camera exposure levels, calculate a net radiant energy value at a plurality of different integration times within at least two images, calculate a slope of the net radiant energy value with respect to integration time in a selected image, and determine size distribution and volume fraction of particles within the fluid based on the calculated slope.

Abstract: The system includes structure for supporting at least one tube within a pipe. The tube has one end disposed close to, or in contact with, a wall of the pipe. A sensor is disposed within the at least one tube to detect a pressure gradient or fluid movement within the tube. Such pressure gradient or fluid movement indicates a leak in the pipe adjacent to the tube location. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a ring sized to fit within the pipe and the ring supports a plurality of tubes. In another aspect, the tube includes a restriction to prevent flow and pressure is measured on each side of the restriction.

Abstract: A communication device for providing road conditions and monitoring congestion, contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: extracting key current vehicle and/or traffic insight; determining if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight represents a departure from expected vehicle and/or traffic insight; if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight is a departure from expected vehicle and/or traffic insight, using the key current vehicle and/or traffic insight to create a smart message, wherein the smart message contains the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight; and if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight is a confirmation of expected vehicle and/or traffic insight, creating a confirmation message that does not contain the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight, yet confirms similarity between the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight and the expected vehicle and/or traffic ins

Abstract: Fluid level sensor. The sensor includes first and second RFID tag antennas disposed in spaced-apart relation on the outside of a container including fluid therein. An RFID reader transmits power to, and receives backscatter power from, the first and second RFID tag antennas. A difference in backscatter power from the first and second tag antennas indicates the presence of fluid behind the second RFID tag antenna. In another aspect, a single RFID tag antenna is disposed on the outside of a container including fluid therein. An RFID reader transmits power over a selected range of frequencies to the tag antenna and receives backscatter power from the tag antenna. The tag response across all frequencies in the selected range indicates no liquid in the container while tag response in only the higher frequencies of the selected range indicates presence of fluid in the container.

Abstract: The system includes structure for supporting at least one tube within a pipe. The tube has one end disposed close to, or in contact with, a wall of the pipe. A sensor is disposed within the at least one tube to detect a pressure gradient or fluid movement within the tube. Such pressure gradient or fluid movement indicates a leak in the pipe adjacent to the tube location. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a ring sized to fit within the pipe and the ring supports a plurality of tubes. In another aspect, the tube includes a restriction to prevent flow and pressure is measured on each side of the restriction.

Abstract: A portable communication device for providing road conditions and monitoring traffic congestion for a user contains a device for sensing orientation of the portable communication device, including acceleration and/or deceleration of a vehicle in which the communication device is located, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured by the memory to perform the step of calculating space time series data to determine traffic congestion characteristics, wherein the step of calculating space time series data includes at least one step selected from the group consisting of determining position of the portable communication device as a function of time, determining velocity of the portable communication device as a function of time, and determining acceleration of the portable communication device as a function of time.

Abstract: A communication device for providing road conditions and monitoring congestion, contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: extracting key current vehicle and/or traffic insight; determining if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight represents a departure from expected vehicle and/or traffic insight; if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight is a departure from expected vehicle and/or traffic insight, using the key current vehicle and/or traffic insight to create a smart message, wherein the smart message contains the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight; and if the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight is a confirmation of expected vehicle and/or traffic insight, creating a confirmation message that does not contain the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight, yet confirms similarity between the extracted key current vehicle and/or traffic insight and the expected vehicle and/or traffic ins