A microfluidic device that reads a colloidal mixture and separates the colloids based upon size and shape. and in the case of polymer colloids such as DNA, it reads patterns of markers attached to DNA. The combination of different separated fractions and DNA markers (it mapping) constitutes the physical code.

A microfluidic device that reads a colloidal mixture and separates the colloids based upon size and shape. and in the case of polymer colloids such as DNA, it reads patterns of markers attached to DNA. The combination of different separated fractions and DNA markers (it mapping) constitutes the physical code.

A counter to monitor an amount of tool use that includes a fluid passage (23) with an inlet (21) and an outlet (22). A piston (30) and sensor target (50) (e.g., magnet) are positioned along the passage and are biased towards a first position by a biasing member (40). When the tool is not in operation, the piston and sensor target are located at a first position due to the biasing force. When the tool is in operation, fluid moves along the fluid passage. A force applied by the moving fluid on the piston and sensor target overcomes the force applied by the biasing member and moves the piston and sensor target along the fluid passage to a second position. A sensor is configured to sense the sensor target at the second position. A processing circuit (62) determines the tool usage based on the detection of the sensor target at the second position by the sensor.

A counter to monitor an amount of tool use that includes a fluid passage (23) with an inlet (21) and an outlet (22). A piston (30) and sensor target (50) (e.g., magnet) are positioned along the passage and are biased towards a first position by a biasing member (40). When the tool is not in operation, the piston and sensor target are located at a first position due to the biasing force. When the tool is in operation, fluid moves along the fluid passage. A force applied by the moving fluid on the piston and sensor target overcomes the force applied by the biasing member and moves the piston and sensor target along the fluid passage to a second position. A sensor is configured to sense the sensor target at the second position. A processing circuit (62) determines the tool usage based on the detection of the sensor target at the second position by the sensor.

Ultrasonic tracking of a worker's hands may be used to monitor performance of assigned tasks. An inventory system includes inventory bins configured to store inventory items, an ultrasonic unit, ultrasonic transducers, and a management module. The ultrasonic unit is configured to be worn by a user in proximity to the user's hand and to periodically emit ultrasonic sound pulses. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged relative to the inventory bins and configured to receive the emitted pulses. The management module is operatively coupled with the ultrasonic transducers and configured to process signals generated by the ultrasonic transducers to identify an inventory bin based on proximity of the ultrasonic unit relative to the identified inventory bin. The management module monitors performance of an assigned task based on the identified inventory bin.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of additive manufacturing of an object using object material is provided. The method includes forming the object by processing some of the object material, and forming an object identifier by forming a pattern having at least one coded volume within an internal volume of the object, each of the at least one coded volume enclosing unprocessed object material. According to further embodiments of the present invention, an object manufactured using the method of additive manufacturing and a method of scanning an object identifier formed using the method of additive manufacturing are is also provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of additive manufacturing of an object using object material is provided. The method includes forming the object by processing some of the object material, and forming an object identifier by forming a pattern having at least one coded volume within an internal volume of the object, each of the at least one coded volume enclosing unprocessed object material. According to further embodiments of the present invention, an object manufactured using the method of additive manufacturing and a method of scanning an object identifier formed using the method of additive manufacturing are is also provided.

A physiological sensing device for reading an elongated test strip having an insertion end, a test strip width and a test strip length is provided. The physiological sensing device includes a housing, a test strip slot and a first protruding portion. The housing has a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and a lateral surface. The test strip slot is disposed on the lateral surface, and having a first slot wall adjacent to the front surface; a second slot wall adjacent to the rear surface, and disposed opposite to the first slot wall; and a slot opening having a slot width, formed between the first slot wall and the second slot wall for accommodating the elongated test strip, and allowing the insertion end to enter the housing through the slot opening. The first protruding portion extends from the second slot wall to have a protruding width being several times of a width of the slot opening, wherein the test strip length is several times of the test strip width, and the slot width is slightly larger than the test strip width.

A physiological sensing device for reading an elongated test strip having an insertion end, a test strip width and a test strip length is provided. The physiological sensing device includes a housing, a test strip slot and a first protruding portion. The housing has a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and a lateral surface. The test strip slot is disposed on the lateral surface, and having a first slot wall adjacent to the front surface; a second slot wall adjacent to the rear surface, and disposed opposite to the first slot wall; and a slot opening having a slot width, formed between the first slot wall and the second slot wall for accommodating the elongated test strip, and allowing the insertion end to enter the housing through the slot opening. The first protruding portion extends from the second slot wall to have a protruding width being several times of a width of the slot opening, wherein the test strip length is several times of the test strip width, and the slot width is slightly larger than the test strip width.

A microfluidic device that reads a colloidal mixture and separates the colloids based upon size and shape. and in the case of polymer colloids such as DNA, it reads patterns of markers attached to DNA. The combination of different separated fractions and DNA markers (it mapping) constitutes the physical code.