1070results about How to "Accurate distinction" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for performing microanalysis of particles using a microelectrical-mechanical system (MEMS) chip to electrically interrogate the particles. The MEMS chip is typically manufactured using known lithographic micromachining techniques, employed for example, in the semiconductor industry. A substrate carries a plurality of microelectrodes disposed in a detection zone and spaced apart along an axis of a microchannel. The microchannel is sized in cross-section to cause particles carried by a fluid to move past the electrodes in single file. Impedance is measured between one or more pairs of electrodes to determine the presence of a particle in the detection zone. In certain embodiments used in cell manipulation, an electroporation signal may be applied between one or more pairs of electrodes to enhance permeability of a cell membrane. A structural arrangement may be provided to introduce a treatment substance into the microchannel in the vicinity of a cell, which may be restrained for a period of time in a treatment zone.

A finger-mapped gesture system is a user interface method and apparatus for rapid data input on a touch-sensitive surface. The user gestures by holding the hand stationary relative to the surface and moving the fingers primarily by extension and flexion on the surface. Each finger gestures on a gesturing area instead of selecting among keys. Individual gestures are constructed from finger actions that each independently parameterize the gesture. In combination, the particular fingers gesturing and the parameters that the fingers gesture indicate the input that the user intends. On devices that do not directly identify fingers, fingers are identified via a finger map that, after calibration to a person's hand, associates each finger with a gesturing area. Gestures are otherwise independent of where they are performed, freeing users from having to look at their fingers to target visual elements. The system is optimized for rapid character data entry.

A system for observing a swimming activity of a person includes a waterproof housing (BET) having a motion sensor (MS), and is furnished with fixing means (BEL) for securely fastening the housing (BET) to a part of the body of a user. The system has analysis means (AN) for analyzing the signals transmitted by the motion sensor (MS) to at least one measurement axis and which are adapted for determining the type of swimming of the user as a function of time by using a hidden Markov model with N states corresponding respectively to N types of swimming.

The present invention is a method for operating a backlighted dot matrix type LCD for displayed outputs from a programmable environmental control device, such as a programmable thermostat. The LCD is operated so that viewer elements of a displayed data item are non-opaque when a room where the LCD is located is darkened and the surrounding display elements are partially or completely opaque. Selected elements can also change from opaque to non-opaque to display an active condition.

An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along one of its dimensions. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with a preselected dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations. A plurality of master characteristic patterns are generated and stored using original bills for each denomination of currency to be detected. The pattern generated by scanning a bill under test and processing the data samples is compared with each of the prestored master patterns to generate, for each comparison, a correlation number representing the extent of similarity between corresponding ones of the plurality of data samples for the compared patterns. Denomination identification is based on designating the scanned bill as belonging to the denomination corresponding to the stored master pattern for which the correlation number resulting from pattern comparison is determined to be the highest, subject to a bi-level threshold of correlation.

A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 84 to 86 and complementary or modified sequences thereof or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.

An apparatus and method for training the sensory perceptual system in a language learning impaired (LLI) subject is provided. The apparatus and method incorporates a number of different programs to be played by the subject. The programs artificially process selected portions of language elements, called phonemes, so they will be more easily distinguished by an LLI subject, and gradually improves the subject's neurological processing of the elements through repetitive stimulation. The programs continually monitor a subject's ability to distinguish the processed language elements, and adaptively configures the programs to challenge and reward the subject by altering the degree of processing. Through adaptive control and repetition of processed speech elements, and presentation of the speech elements in a creative fashion, a subject's temporal processing of acoustic events common to speech are significantly improved.

A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 87 to 89 and complementary or modified sequences thereof or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.

Ligase detection reaction is utilized to distinguish minority template in the presence of an excess of normal template with a thermostable ligase. This process can be carried out with a mutant ligase, thermostable ligase, or a modified oligonucleotide probe. This procedure is particularly useful for the detection of cancer-associated mutations. It has the advantage of providing a quantitative measure of the amount or ratio of minority template.

Methods and apparatus for processing features sampled and stored in a computing system are disclosed. Pattern recognition techniques are disclosed that facilitate decision making functions in computing systems, such as, for example, vehicle occupant safety systems and data mining applications. The disclosed correlation processing methods and apparatus improve the accuracy of data pattern recognition systems, including image processing systems.

A method and system for examining tissue in order to differentiate it from other tissue according to the dielectric properties of the examined tissue, by: applying a probe to the tissue to be examined, such that the probe generates an electrical fringe field in the zone of the examined tissue and produces a reflected pulse therefrom with negligible radiation penetrating into the tissue itself; detecting the reflected electrical pulse; and comparing electrical characteristics of the reflected electrical pulse with respect to the applied electrical pulse to provide an indication of the dielectric properties of the examined tissue.

Monitoring an optical signal comprises sampling the optical signal from two or more distinct tap points to retrieve a sample set. Multiple such sample sets are obtained over time. A joint probability distribution or phase portrait of the sample sets is assessed for indications of optical signal quality. The tap distinction can be polarisation, for example to determine OSNR, or frequency. The tap distinction can be a time delay, which can enable diagnostic differentiation between multiple impairments, such as OSNR, dispersion, PMD, jitter, Q, and the like. Machine learning algorithms are particularly suitable for such diagnosis, particularly when provided a two dimensional histogram of sample density in the phase portrait.

An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor provides a tissue temperature and at least one tissue dielectric property to the controller. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue temperature and the at least one tissue dielectric property to determine tissue status, and to activate and deactivate the generator in accordance therewith.

If a pedestrian head candidate extractor extracts a light as a pedestrian head candidate, then when an other vehicle candidate detector detects a horizontal high-luminance area which is greater in area than the light extracted as the pedestrian head candidate, within a prescribed range beneath the horizontal position of the light, an other vehicle determiner determines the light extracted as the pedestrian head candidate as part of another car.

An object detector detects an object with a camera and calculates position data showing its direction and distance. A laser radar obtains an front image and recognizes an identified image in the front image. Coordinates of this identified image are calculated and converted to data indicating direction to the object. The identified image is correlated with the object detected by the laser radar and the correlated object is identified as an identified object. Position data of this correlated object are outputted as data on the identified object.

The present invention discloses an audio-video vehicle trip recording apparatus that receives the action signals of vehicle and audio-video signals. After processing by the main processor, the diagrammatic symbol, character and number can be integrated into the image signals to store the trip status in the memory. When playing the file later, the image, voice and vehicle action signals can be read out together. Hence, the present invention provides an audio-video recording apparatus that can completely record the trip status to ensure driver's rights and interests.

A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.

An apparatus for assisting in finding an article such as a golf ball (2) includes a housing (3) containing a laser diode (4) for radiating an excitation beam (5) in the UV or IR bands. The apparatus has a receiving lens (9) for receiving a return beam (8) sent back from the golf ball (2) by the fluorescent coating on the ball. The return beam (8) falls on a photodiode receiver (10) after passing through two filters (11, 12) which filter out incident sunlight. Processing means (15) processes the signal received by the receiver and drives an indicator (18) in the form of a beeper or flashing light which indicates that the golf ball (2) has been sensed by the apparatus.

There is described an apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising a body portion and a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion. The detector element comprises a target surface, a sample acoustic sensor and a corrosion sensor. The sample acoustic sensor is acoustically coupled to the target surface and is arranged to provide a first signal, which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface. The corrosion sensor is arranged to provide a second signal, which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. A corresponding method of monitoring particles in a fluid stream is also described. The method and apparatus are suitable for monitoring sand in oil and gas production flow streams.

A geometric measurement system is adapted to precisely measure one or more surfaces of objects such as corneas, molds, contact lenses in molds, contact lenses, or other objects in a fixture. The geometric measurement system can employ one or more of three possible methods of measurement: Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing with wavefront stitching; phase diversity sensing; and white light interferometry.