Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that are effective to produce reliable vapor measurements in the presence of drift. In certain instances the sensor module is mounted externally on a housing. In other instances, the sensor module contains a first sensor element incorporating a first array of sensors and a second sensor element incorporating a second array of sensors wherein both sensor elements are mounted externally on the housing. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to mapping an x-y surface for detection of an analyte, the method includes moving in tandem at least two sensor arrays separated by a distance “d” across an x-y surface to produce a plurality of responses and analyzing the responses to map the x-y surface for detection of an analyte. Moreover, the present invention provides a sensor module, such as in a handheld device, comprising at least two pneumatic vapor paths and at least two sensor arrays.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer program product or code in memory for detecting and transmitting sensory data from a portable field device 10 to a processor 12 via a computer network 10 for analytic purposes. The product includes a code directed to capturing analyte data pertaining to an unknown analyte using a field device 10. The product further includes a code directed to encoding the captured analyte data and transmitting the encoded analyte data via a computer network 18 to a processor 12 for analysis. The product also includes a code directed to performing an analysis of the captured analyte data at a remote location by the processor 12 using data of known analytes retrieved from an electronic library 14. This code and others can be used with the present invention to perform the functionality described herein as well as others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer program product or code in memory for detecting and transmitting sensory data from a portable field device 10 to a processor 12 via a computer network 10 for analytic purposes. The product includes a code directed to capturing analyte data pertaining to an unknown analyte using a field device 10. The product further includes a code directed to encoding the captured analyte data and transmitting the encoded analyte data via a computer network 18 to a processor 12 for analysis. The product also includes a code directed to performing an analysis of the captured analyte data at a remote location by the processor 12 using data of known analytes retrieved from an electronic library 14. This code and others can be used with the present invention to perform the functionality described herein as well as others.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed sensing system in a networked environment for identifying an analyte, including a first sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; a second sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus; and a computer comprising a resident algorithm. The algorithm indicates or selects the most relevant sensor in the network to identify the analyte. The sensors can be separated over large spatial areas, wherein the sensor arrays are networked. Suitable networks include a computer local area network, an intranet or the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor array for detecting an analyte in a fluid, comprising first and second sensors formed by chemically sensitive resitors, wherein the first sensor comprises a region of aligned conductive material; or where each of the sensors comprises alternating regions of nonconductive regions and aligned conductive regions with each resistor providing an electrical path through both the nonconductive region and the aligned conductive region, while each sensor manifests a different electrical resistance during contact with sample fluids having different analyte concentrations via the monitoring arrangement of having the sensors electrically connected to an electrical measuring apparatus. The aligned conductive particle material is aligned by exposure to either of an electric, magnetic, optical, photo-electric, electromagnetic or mechanical field, which serves to improve signal to noise ratio of vapor sensors allowing Lower Detection Limits for vapors being sensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for evaluating agriculture products, and more particularly, to assessing and monitoring the quality of food products using electronic noses. A quality control monitoring device (10) is provided having first sensor array (13) located in a first vessel (11) and a second sensor array (14) located in a second vessel (12). An analyzer (15) is set-up with a display (16).

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for fabricating a sensor on a substrate having a pair of electrodes. The methods are especially amenable to broad variations amongst individual sensor on a single substrate. The intra-sensor variation within the array can be achieved in various fashions. The method provide intra-sensor variation using quantitative and qualitative differences in each sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling an industrial process. The method includes outputting a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance. The method also uses each of the plurality of parameters in a computer aided process, which compares at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. A step of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters also is included. Additionally, the method includes outputting a result based upon the determining step.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors as resulting from gases released during either decomposition and spoilage of food stuffs, or as released into either the breath or body fluids of a sick patient being medically diagnosed. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each.

Abstract: A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors, located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor.