102results about How to "Increased signal noise" patented technology

The invention provides methods for sequencing a polynucleotide comprising stopping an extension cycle in a sequence by synthesis reaction before the reaction has run to near or full completion.

The invention provides methods for sequencing a polynucleotide comprising stopping an extension cycle in a sequence by synthesis reaction before the reaction has run to near or full completion.

An ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna array is provided. One embodiment of the present invention employs a multi-element antenna for UWB beam forming and also for time-of-arrival vector processing to resolve multi-path problems in an UWB communication system. Another embodiment of the present invention recovers the energy contained in the multi-path reflections to increase signal-to-noise ratios of received UWB pulses.

Methods and apparatus are described for capacitively signaling between different semiconductor chips and modules without the use of connectors, solder bumps, wire-bond interconnections or the like. Preferably, pairs of half-capacitor plates, one half located on each chip, module or substrate are used to capacitively couple signals from one chip, module or substrate to another. The use of plates relaxes the need for high precision alignment as well as reduces the area needed to effect signaling, and reduces or eliminates the requirements for exotic metallurgy.

An image sensor includes a sensor array including a two-dimensional array of pixel elements. The array of pixel elements includes a first group of photodetectors having a first sensitivity level and a second group of photodetectors having a second sensitivity level. The sensor array outputs digital signals as pixel data representing an image of a scene. In operation, the first group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a first exposure time and the second group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a second exposure time, where the first exposure time and the second exposure time are within a snapshot of the scene and the first exposure time is different than the second exposure time. When thus operated, the image sensor of the present invention provides improved color reproduction capability and improved signal to noise ratio, especially for the less sensitive photosensitive elements.

A positioning network comprises an array of signal sources that transmit signals with unique characteristics that are detectable in signals captured through a sensor on a mobile device, such as a microphone of a mobile phone handset. Through signal processing of the captured signal, the positioning system distinguishes these characteristics to identify distinct sources and their corresponding coordinates. A position calculator takes these coordinates together with other attributes derived from the received signals from distinct sources, such as time of arrival or signal strength, to calculate coordinates of the mobile device. A layered protocol is used to introduce distinguishing characteristics in the source signals. This approach enables the use of low cost components to integrate a positioning network on equipment used for other functions, such as audio playback equipment at shopping malls and other venues where location based services are desired.

A structure for magnetically shielded transmission lines for use with high speed integrated circuits having an improved signal to noise ratio, and a method for forming the same are disclosed. At least one magnetic shield structure contains electrically induced magnetic fields generated around a number of transmission lines. The shield material is made of alternating layers of magnetic material and insulating material.

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

The development of a high-throughput multi-antigen microfluidic fluorescence immunoassay system is illustrated in a 100-chamber PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) chip which performs up to 5 tests for each of 10 samples. Specificity of detection is demonstrated and calibration curves produced for C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), ferritin, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The measurements show sensitivity at and below levels that are significant in current clinical laboratory practice (with SIN>8 at as low as 10 pM antigen concentration). The chip uses 100 nL per sample for all four tests and provides an improved instrument for use in scientific research and “point-of-care” testing in medicine.

Pathogenic microorganisms are detected in a wide field of view and classified by Raman light scattered light from these organisms together with digital pattern recognition of their spectral patterns.

Coded integration of a self-capacitance array to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of self-capacitance measurements is disclosed. A composite measurement of the self-capacitance of a plurality of electrodes can be measured for a plurality of integration periods. The composite measurements can include weighted contributions of charge from the plurality of electrodes, the weighting corresponding to a code. In some examples, the weighted contribution can include positive contributions integrated by a first integrator circuit and negative contributions integrated by a second integrator circuit. The composite measurements of the self-capacitance for the plurality of integration periods can be decoded to extract the self-capacitance measurement for the electrodes. The SNR for the self-capacitance measurements can therefore be improved by increasing the number of samples during the total integration period without requiring dedicated sensing circuitry for the electrodes.

An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced having a characteristic first energy, and bremsstrahlung energy; a first x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam; and a second x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam to a second energy. The first x-ray optic may monochromate characteristic energy from the source spot, and the second x-ray optic may monochromate bremsstrahlung energy from the source spot. The x-ray optics may be curved diffracting optics, for receiving the diverging x-ray beam from the x-ray tube and focusing the beam at the sample spot. Detection is also provided to detect and measure various toxins in, e.g., manufactured products including toys and electronics.

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

A pattern projection system includes a coherent light source, a repositionable DOE disposed to receive coherent light from said coherent light source and disposed to output at least one pattern of projectable light onto a scene to be imaged by an (x,y) two-dimensional optical acquisition system. Coherent light speckle artifacts in the projected pattern are reduced by rapidly controllably repositioning the DOE or the entire pattern projection system. Different projectable patterns are selected from a set of M patterns that are related to each other by a translation and / or rotation operation in two-dimensional cosine space. A resultant (x,y,z) depth map has improved quality and robustness due to projection of the selected patterns. Three-dimensional (x,y,z) depth data obtained from two-dimensional imaged data including despeckling is higher quality data than if projected patterns without despeckling were used.

An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced having a characteristic first energy, and bremsstrahlung energy; a first x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam; and a second x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam to a second energy. The first x-ray optic may monochromate characteristic energy from the source spot, and the second x-ray optic may monochromate bremsstrahlung energy from the source spot. The x-ray optics may be curved diffracting optics, for receiving the diverging x-ray beam from the x-ray tube and focusing the beam at the sample spot. Detection is also provided to detect and measure various toxins in, e.g., manufactured products including toys and electronics.

Antennas with steerable antenna patterns and techniques for using such antennas are described. In accordance with the invention, antenna patterns with one or more NULLs are used. Through the use of digital control signals the antenna pattern is steered so that a source of signal interference, e.g., a multipath signal, will be located in a NULL. In this manner the received signal's S / N ratio can be maximized thereby facilitating demodulation. The techniques of the invention can be applied to television, computer devices, mobile devices and a wide range of other systems. Digital commands to control an antenna may include multiple information fields, e.g., a direction field, a channel field, a gain field and a polarity field. Antennas incapable of supporting the specified fields disregard information in fields which are not supported. Information in each supported field is decoded and used to adjust the corresponding antenna characteristic.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a matching layer assembly having at least one matching layer and a barrier layer. In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one matching layer includes first and second matching layers formed from a glass ceramic work piece and the barrier layer includes corrugated titanium. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. A method for fabricating an acoustic sensor is also provided.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) that includes a liquid crystal panel assembly including sensing data lines, variable capacitors having a capacitance changed by pressure and connected to the sensing data lines, and reference capacitors connected to the sensing data lines, and a plurality of sensing signal output parts formed separately from the liquid crystal panel assembly and respectively connected to the sensing data lines to generate an output signal based on a sensing data signal flowing through the sensing data lines. Each of the sensing signal output parts includes an output transistor connected to each of the sensing data lines, while the output transistor includes a metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) transistor that has better performance, smaller size, and lower power consumption than a thin film transistor (“TFT”).

An ultra-low magnetic field NMR system can non-invasively examine containers. Database matching techniques can then identify hazardous materials within the containers. Ultra-low field NMR systems are ideal for this purpose because they do not require large powerful magnets and because they can examine materials enclosed in conductive shells such as lead shells. The NMR examination technique can be combined with ultra-low field NMR imaging, where an NMR image is obtained and analyzed to identify target volumes. Spatial sensitivity encoding can also be used to identify target volumes. After the target volumes are identified the NMR measurement technique can be used to identify their contents.

A chip scale atomic clock is disclosed that provides a low power atomic time / frequency reference that employs direct RF-interrogation on an end-state transition. The atomic time / frequency reference includes an alkali vapor cell containing alkali atoms, preferably cesium atoms, flex circuits for physically supporting, heating, and thermally isolating the alkali vapor cell, a laser source for pumping alkali atoms within the alkali vapor cell into an end resonance state by applying an optical signal along a first axis, a photodetector for detecting a second optical signal emanating from the alkali vapor cell along the first axis, a pair of RF excitation coils for applying an RF-interrogation signal to the alkali atoms along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a pair of bias coils for applying a uniform DC magnetic field along the first axis, and a pair of Zeeman coils for applying a Zeeman interrogation signal to the alkali atoms and oriented and configured to apply a time-varying magnetic field along the second axis through the alkali vapor cell. Another flex circuit is used for physically supporting the laser source, for heating the laser source, and for providing thermal isolation of the laser source. The laser source can be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VSCEL). The bias coils can be Helmholtz coils.

A smart phone payment management system includes a synthetic barcode module and near field communication module. Each module is configured to wirelessly convey payment information to a point of sale, with the synthetic barcode module being available for use if the point of sale is not equipped with a compatible near field communication terminal.

Devices, methods, and systems for determining a systolic pulmonary artery pressure index (PAPi) corresponding to pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and / or right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) use lead-based electronic sensors detecting right heart valvular events. Suitable sensors include impedance sensors, accelerometers, cardiomechanical electric sensors, and sonomicrometers.

An apparatus for detecting incoming radiation, including: a housing for receiving the incoming radiation, a lens attached to the housing to transmit incoming radiation into a radiation shield unit within the housing; a bandpass filter within the radiation shield unit to filter the incoming radiation falling outside a predetermined spectral band; an uncooled infrared detector within the radiation shield unit for detecting infrared radiation; wherein the bandpass filter is located along an optical path between the lens and the infrared detector; and wherein the lens optically focuses the incoming radiation onto the infrared detector. The radiation shield unit, the bandpass filter and the infrared detector are cooled to a temperature slightly less than room temperature, resulting in an improved signal to noise ratio of the image obtained.

[The invention teaches the uses of a plurality of electric fields and of orthogonal spray configurations of vaporized analyte which combine so as to operate to enhance the efficiency of analyte detection and mass analysis with a mass spectrometer by reducing vapor in the vacuum system and concomitant noise. Several embodiments of the invention are described for purposes of illustration.] The invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving signal relative to noise without loss of ion collection efficiency in electrospray mass spectrometry, including liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry.

Wall thickness of a cavity is determined by inserting a catheter into contact with a wall of a cavity in a body of a subject. The distal segment of the catheter is provided with a contact force sensor and an ultrasound transducer. The transducer is actuated to acquire ultrasound reflection data from the wall of the cavity, and while the transducer is actuated, the catheter is reciprocated against the wall of the cavity and the contact force measured between the catheter and the wall of the cavity. The reflection data is correlated with the contact force. A set of the correlated reflection data having the highest correlation with the contact force is identified. The tissue thickness between the inner surface and the identified set of the reflection data is calculated according to the time-of-flight therebetween.

A sample having a patterned area and a method for use in controlling a pattern parameter is presented. The sample comprises at least one test structure having a patterned region similar to a pattern in the patterned area, the patterns in the patterned area and in the at least test structure being produced by the same patterning process. The at least one test structure comprises at least one pattern parameter of a predetermined value intentionally increased above a natural value of said certain parameter induced by a patterning process. By this, the natural value of the parameter induced by the patterning process can be determined.

An afterloading device for effectuating a brachytherapy treatment, comprising a first elongated flexible transport element, arranged to maneuver a radiation source between a storage position inside the afterloading device and a treatment position outside the afterloading device, the afterloading device further comprising a second elongated flexible transport element, having at least one transducer, the second transport element being arranged to move the at least one transducer between a first transducer position and a second transducer position.

Method and apparatus for quantitative and qualitative determination of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and central fluid volume. Phonocardiography based technique using multiple transducers and multi-sensor processing algorithms provides a non-invasive method of evaluating the output of the heart. This basic system coupled with additional sensor elements provides a wide range of potential capabilities. A system comprising these techniques in a wearable form provides a non-invasive method of determining hydration status and blood volume status. Phonocardiography augmented with multi-sensor signal processing techniques improves signal quality to analyze heart sounds and associated features (e.g. S1 and S2, amongst others). Noise compensation and cancellation techniques for phonocardiography further improve signal to noise ratio to reject external disturbances.

The present invention provides an apparatus for channel equalization and method thereof, by which a digital signal received via a plurality of antennas is equalized. The present invention includes receiving digital transmission signals using a plurality of antennas, respectively, initializing equalizer coefficients and equalizing the received signals respectively, adding the equalized signals together, predicting a noise amplified in the equalizing step, and generating a final output signal by removing the predicted noise from a value resulting from adding the equalized signals together. Therefore, the present invention performs equalization using a plurality of antennas, thereby enhancing the signal to noise ratio of the final output and facilitating the equalization of the severely distorted channel.

A diagnostic imaging arrangement comprises a magnetic resonance examination (1) system to acquire magnetic resonance signals and an emission tomography system (2) to acquire nuclear decay signals. An analysis module (4) is provided to derive motion correction(s) from the magnetic resonance signals. A reconstruction module (5) reconstructs a motion corrected emission tomographic image from the nuclear decay signals on the basis of the motion correction. Also a therapeutic arrangement is disclosed with a diagnostic imaging arrangement and a therapy module, with a system controller is further coupled to the therapy module and has the function to control the therapy module on the basis of image information generated by the diagnostic imaging system.