Abstract:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for determining information about a sample are disclosed. The methods can include measuring spectral information for the sample and determining a quantity related to a signal-to-noise ratio for the spectral information, repeating the measuring and determining until a value of the quantity is beyond a threshold value, and comparing the spectral information to reference information to determine the information about the sample.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for determining information about a sample are disclosed. The methods can include measuring spectral information for the sample and determining a quantity related to a signal-to-noise ratio for the spectral information, repeating the measuring and determining until a value of the quantity is beyond a threshold value, and comparing the spectral information to reference information to determine the information about the sample.
Abstract:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.
Abstract:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.
Abstract:
We disclose an apparatus comprising: a hand-portable optical analysis unit including an optical interface; and a device configured to receive and releasably engage the hand-portable optical analysis unit. The device comprises: a housing; a sample unit in the housing; and a resilient member configured to bias the sample unit and the hand-portable analysis unit towards each other when the hand-portable optical analysis unit is received in the device to compress a sample disposed between the sample unit and the optical interface of the optical analysis unit. Methods of analyzing samples are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A support device is provided for leaning against by a generally upright person. The support device includes a seat portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of legs each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion. Each of the legs is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge. The legs are spaced from each other. The legs are each telescoping and selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions.
Abstract:
Apparatus for attachment to a refuse truck for moving a refuse container platform from a ground loading station to elevated, inverted dumping and/or washing stations above the truck bed includes a pair of elevating assemblies connected to the sides of the truck body and to the container platform that act substantially in unison to move the container platform relative to the truck bed. Each elevating assembly includes an arm assembly connected to the container platform and pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder. Each arm assembly has first and second arms pivotally connected to one another. In operation, the second arm is pivoted relative to the first arm into a vertical position to move the container platform from ground level to a position above the truck bed, then both arms pivot together to move the container platform horizontally forwardly over the truck bed but not substantially higher off the ground. As the latter movement continues, the second arm begins to reversely pivot relative to the first arm so that the arm assembly straightens as it approaches the forward end of the top of the truck bed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for obtaining a physiological measurement associated with a user using a portable device is disclosed herein. Information displayed on a touch-sensitive display of the portable device specifies the contact area(s) on the portable device for a user to touch. One or more areas on the portable device and/or a detachable device connected to the portable device comprise conductive areas for measuring the resistance or impedance of the user's body between those conductive areas.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a method that includes receiving infrared adsorption absorption information for a sample, processing the infrared adsorption absorption information for the sample to determine an identity of the sample, generating a reference signature for the identified sample, and distributing the reference signature for the identified sample to a plurality of handheld measurement devices via cellular connections with the handheld measurement devices.