The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone.

The sensor system of the preferred embodiment includes a sensor, a sensor configuration ROM adapted to store a sensor description including a root directory, a unit directory, a first dependent unit directory to configure the sensor as a first virtual sensor device, a second dependent unit directory to configure the sensor as a second virtual sensor device, and a software driver adapted to interface with the first virtual sensor device and the second virtual sensor device. The sensor system of the preferred embodiments extends the conventional IIDC camera software model to include the concept of multiple sensor/camera units that reside within a single node on an IEEE 1394 bus.

A game controlling apparatus designed for using a pedaling (or winding) motion to control a video game. The game controlling apparatus preferably includes a platform element adapted to secure a game controller and at least a first handle and a second handle, each handle being capable of rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the platform element. The game controlling apparatus additionally may include an attachment mechanism adapted to secure the game controller to the platform. The first and second handle are preferably positioned on opposite sides of the platform element and on opposite ends of the platform element so that a pedaling motion while gripping the first and second handle will produce rotation of the game controller preferably about a centrally located point on the game controller.

According to one of the preferred embodiments, the invention includes a machine vision system 110 for inspecting a moving object. The machine vision system 110 includes a camera subsystem 30 to capture the image of a moving object when the object moves into a viewing area, a lighting subsystem 12 to illuminate the moving object, and a controller 14 to control the camera subsystem and the lighting subsystem to effectively freeze and inspect the reflectance of the illumination by the moving object. The lighting subsystem includes light sources 16 arranged around the viewing area.

One of the embodiments of the invention includes an interface for communicating a vehicle command from a user to a vehicle. The interface preferably includes an engagement system to engage the torso and an appendage of a user, a sensor system to sense forces imparted by the user, a processor to interpret the vehicle “safety alert mode” command based on a forceful shift of the user, to confirm that the user wishes to invoke the vehicle “safety alert mode” command, and to communicate the vehicle “safety alert mode” command to the vehicle. The vehicle, armed with this vehicle “safety alert mode” command, may initiate a defensive action, such as tightening the suspension.

A method for optimizing routes for vehicle parking enforcement includes collecting input variable data, optimizing a parking enforcement route based on the input variable data, and communicating the optimized parking enforcement route to an enforcement agent.

The translation system of a preferred embodiment includes an input element that receives an input language as audio information, an output element that displays an output language as visual information, and a remote server coupled to the input element and the output element, the remote server including a database of sign language images; and a processor that receives the input language from the input element, translates the input language into the output language, and transmits the output language to the output element, wherein the output language is a series of the sign language images that correspond to the input language and that are coupled to one another with substantially seamless continuity, such that the ending position of a first image is blended into the starting position of a second image.

An energy converter for inducing membrane vibrations of a membrane when subject to a fluid flow, and converting the vibrations into another form of energy, such as electricity. The energy converter includes at least one flexible membrane, at least one electrical conductor and at least one magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the at least one electrical conductor. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The other one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator has a curved surface bending towards the membrane. When subject to a fluid flow, the membrane vibrates and creates a relative movement between the conductor and the magnetic field, which induces a current.

A system to facilitate engagement and communication between a company with an available position and at least one recruiter includes a server coupled to a computer network, a user interface for co-workers at the company coupled to the server over the computer network and a plurality of co-workers post information to the server about an available position of the company, including a bounty, receive information from the server about candidates for the available position of the company, and select a candidate on the server for the available position, and a user interface for recruiters coupled to the server over the computer network and a plurality of recruiters receive information from the server about an available position of the company and submit information to the server about a candidate for the position of the company.

In the preferred embodiment, the camera system for a hunting weapon includes a camera subsystem, a mounting mechanism adapted to mount to the hunting weapon, a bushing located between the camera subsystem and the mounting mechanism and adapted to reduce the propagation of undesirable motion and vibrations from the hunting weapon to the camera subsystem, and an end cap connected to the bushing and selectively fastenable to the proximal end of the camera subsystem. The camera subsystem preferably has a distal end and a proximal end and including an image sensor located at the distal end and a memory device connected to the image sensor and accessed from the proximal end. The end cap preferably facilitates a waterproof seal of the memory device when fastened to the camera subsystem and allows access to the memory device when not fastened to the camera subsystem.