Abstract: The present invention provides a wide-area sample-based reader design which serves as a diagnostic detection device for bio-particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wide-area sample-based reader design which serves as a diagnostic detection device for bio-particles.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a cartridge comprising: a substrate; a sample well integrated into the substrate, defining an upper opening and a lower opening, and configured to receive a test solution comprising a user sample and an amount of a fluorescent probe configured to bind with a target bioparticle to form a target complex; a filter membrane extending across the lower opening and defining a network of pores configured to convey fluid from the sample well and prevent passage of the target complex through the filter membrane. The system further includes a reader comprising: a housing; a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; an excitation source configured to illuminate a detection region within the housing; and a detector defining a field of view intersecting the detection region and configured to detect a signal generated by fluid in the sample well and representing presence of the target bioparticle.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a cartridge comprising: a substrate; a sample well integrated into the substrate, defining an upper opening and a lower opening, and configured to receive a test solution comprising a user sample and an amount of a fluorescent probe configured to bind with a target bioparticle to form a target complex; a filter membrane extending across the lower opening and defining a network of pores configured to convey fluid from the sample well and prevent passage of the target complex through the filter membrane. The system further includes a reader comprising: a housing; a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; an excitation source configured to illuminate a detection region within the housing; and a detector defining a field of view intersecting the detection region and configured to detect a signal generated by fluid in the sample well and representing presence of the target bioparticle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wide-area sample-based reader design which serves as a diagnostic detection device for bio-particles.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process of differential filtration spectroscopic detection of bacteria, viruses and biomolecules. The invention also provides a novel cartridge for diagnostic detection of biomolecules/bioparticles.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method is described for detection of very small quantities (a few hundred molecules) of bioparticles in nanoliter/picoliter quantities of a sample. The apparatus involves a very small and low cost apparatus that contains a fluorometer. The detection process uses the fluorescence of nanoparticles. Dielectrophoresis is used to concentrate, mix and position the target particles with regard to the light sensor such that maximum detection efficiency is achieved. This allows low cost implementation of low cost point of care tests for disease (animal and plant), infection, food-borne bacteria detection, nucleotide sequencing and pathogen detection (bioterrorism) in real world applications.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method is described for detection of very small quantities (a few hundred molecules) of bioparticles in nanoliter/picoliter quantities of a sample. The apparatus involves a very small and low cost apparatus that contains a fluorometer. The detection process uses the fluorescence of nanoparticles. Dielectrophoresis is used to concentrate, mix and position the target particles with regard to the light sensor such that maximum detection efficiency is achieved. This allows low cost implementation of low cost point of care tests for disease (animal and plant), infection, food-borne bacteria detection, nucleotide sequencing and pathogen detection (bioterrorism) in real world applications.

Abstract: A crosspoint switch architecture implements high-speed packet switches and incorporates a power-saving bias control circuit with each switch cell. Each switch cell is equipped with two memory cells and a bias control circuit. Power savings are obtained by controlling the bias current of the switch cell as a function of the switch state. Although the additional circuitry accompanying each switch cell adds complexity and a minimal additional power consumption, the power saving realized in the switch cell results in a crosspoint switch with much lower power consumption as compared to existing architectures. The presence of two bits of memory for each switch core allows for fast reconfiguration. The result is an overall power savings and lower cost design.

Abstract: A method of biasing an MOS IC includes the steps of providing the IC with two MOS transistors having substantially similar characteristics and maintaining these two transistors at different temperatures. During operation of the IC, an output voltage is generated from each of the two transistors, and a bias voltage is generated as a function of the difference between the two output voltages. This bias voltage is then fed back to the gate terminals of the two MOS transistors to set the bias voltage to a steady-state level at which the circuit will operate at a zero temperature coefficient point. This bias voltage is also coupled to the gate electrodes of other transistors within the IC, to operate these transistors at the zero temperature coefficient point. An IC operated in accordance with biasing method will exhibit superior stability with variations in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for installing a wireless network, which includes the steps of physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building, connecting the nodes to a power supply and powering up the nodes, using a wireless installation device to program a respective address into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to program one or more default settings into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to verify operation of the nodes, and, using the wireless installation device to dump at least information regarding the physical location and associated address of the nodes to a building computer. In a presently preferred embodiment, the wireless installation device is preferably an RF portable computer which has an RF transmitter which has a variable power setting, and an RF receiver which also has a variable power setting.

Abstract: Packets of data are transmitted over a distributed communications network formed by a number of transceivers. To minimize interference by other signals, the carrier frequency of each transmission is varied compared with the last transmission by that transceiver, for example by using a linearly sliding carrier frequency which varies continuously during periods of inactivity and while transmitting. The receivers scan the band at a rate sufficient to detect a preamble carrier burst preceding each data packet. The transceivers operate asynchronously with low data rate FSK signals, using carrier frequencies between 900 and 950 MHz.

Abstract: Building lights are master controlled to reduce power consumption under building master control, or in response to electric utility commands to the building computer. Each lighting wall control unit includes a transceiver which can communicate to at least one neighbor transceiver, thereby forming a distributed communication network extending back to the building computer. The transceivers operate asynchronously with low data rate FSK signals, using carrier frequencies between 900 and 950 MHz. Different communications protocols control packet forwarding and acknowledgement so that messages reach their destination but are not forwarded in endless circles, and so that collisions are minimized.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically improving the picture quality of television or other video based images, based upon picture content, using improved rule based picture analysis and compensation techniques. The distribution of facial and non-facial tones in a television picture are determined and used to control of picture color quality using neural network techniques. A preferred embodiment of the invention adjusts the brightness, contrast and color saturation of a displayed picture based upon selected portions of the received picture signal. These controls are adjusted every 1/60th of a second (i.e. at the end of each field) to provide an improved visual display. Analysis of the video signal in one field of a frame provides the information for adjusting the picture quality of the subsequent field of that frame.