148results about How to "Big economy" patented technology

A system and method for connecting an insured to an insurer using a mobile device in order to provide insurance services. The mobile device, which is associated with the insured, includes a mobile insurance module that is in communication with a server insurance module of a server, which is associated with the insurer. Together, the mobile insurance module and the server insurance module establish a communication channel with the insurer over which insurance services (e.g., requesting a quote, buying a policy, filing a claim and reviewing account information) are provided. The communication channel leverages the technological capabilities of the mobile device, such as a smart phone, to deliver data in a fast, efficient and integrated manner having robust functionalities.

A unitized cast system for immobilizing and supporting a body part. The unitized casting system includes a first inner layer for padding and dissipating heat against the patient's skin. A second layer is formed from a thermoformable structural material such as perforated plastic. A protective third outer layer is provided to provide insulation for the second layer. These three layers are formed together to form a unitized cast system that is easily formed and applied to the patient.

A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizes an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage device, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator. The transmission employs three planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear arrangement utilizes first, second and third gear members. At least one of the gear members in the first or second planetary gear sets is connected to the first motor/generator. Another gear member in the second and third planetary gear arrangement is connected to the second motor/generator. One of the gear members of the first or second planetary gear sets is continuously connected to one of the gear members in the third planetary gear set. Another gear member of the first or second planetary gear set is operatively connected to the input member, and one gear member of the third planetary gear set is selectively connected to ground. A lock-up clutch selectively locks two of the planetary gear sets in a 1:1 ratio.

A collapsible container with angularly related multiple folding sections, each section extending at an angle to the vertical, and flexure zones between adjacent sections for flexibly moving the sections between a first open position in the expanded container and a second position folded upon itself in the collapsed container, the flexure zones resisting movement of the sections in both the fully expanded container and the collapsed container, as well as any intermediate position wherein only selected flexure zones are in an open position.

Facilitating the purchase and sale of private data between anonymous entities based on the use of encryption and a centralized on-line entity to exchange the private data in a secure environment. The seeker of private data, such as consumer information, transmits an encrypted query to the centralized exchange entity. The query submission includes legal representations stating the legally permissible purpose for seeking the information. The centralized exchange entity compares the encrypted query to an encrypted data index collected from at least one data provider, to determine if the query matches any private data held by a data provider. The comparison is conducted within a secure, search component to ensure the privacy of all data and all parties to the transaction. The exchange entity facilitates the anonymous exchange between the data purchaser and the data provider. A payment invoice can be generated and electronically presented by maintainer. The payment may be electronically debited from the designated account of a data purchaser and remitted to a data provider. In addition, a portion of such funds may be retained by the centralized exchange entity.

Tracking forms allow tracking of the completion status and implemented quality standards of a building construction project. A tracking form is prepared for one or more tasks requiring completion at the construction site. Each task is assigned two components on its tracking form: a quality control indicator form, which contains one or more quality control indicators indicating whether certain quality standards are met; and a completion indicator, which indicates the completion status of a task. The completion status may be a discrete binary value, or may instead be a continuous value. Preferably, the workers performing the tasks complete each task's quality control indicator form and completion indicator during design and construction as milestones relating to the task are completed, or at the end of some predetermined time period. The completion indicators relating to the tasks are logged so that the completion status of the project may be monitored, and the information recorded on the quality control indicator forms may be sampled and checked to verify that construction quality standards are being met.

A method of halogenating coal prior to combustion, wherein the coal is treated with a halogen prior to pulverization and the pulverized halogenated coal is delivered to a burner as fuel for a combustion process.

The invention relates to an aqueous dispersion containing a dispersant and a disperse phase containing a hydrophobic material, the dispersant comprising an anionic compound having a molecular weight less than 50,000 and being selected from the group consisting of carbon-containing compounds and silicon-containing compounds, and a cationic organic compound having a molecular weight less than 50,000. The invention further relates to the preparation and use of the dispersion in the production of paper. The invention also relates to a substantially water-free composition containing a hydrophobic material, an anionic compound having a molecular weight less than 50,000 and being selected from carbon-containing compounds and silicon-containing compounds, and a cationic organic compound having a molecular weight less than 50,000, as well as it use in the preparation of an aqueous dispersion.

The invention discloses a method of converting carbon dioxide to methanol and/or dimethyl ether using any methane source or natural gas consisting of a combination of steam and dry reforming, in a specific ratio to produce a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen and carbon monoxide with subsequent conversion of the CO and H₂ mixture exclusively to methanol and/or dimethyl ether. This method is termed the BI-REFORMING™ process. Dehydrating formed methanol allows producing dimethyl ether (DME) using any suitable catalytic method, including use of solid acid catalysts. When recycling formed water into the bi-reforming step the conversion of carbon dioxide with methane produces exclusively dimethyl ether without any by-product formation and complete utilization of hydrogen

A method, computer program and system for consuming reusable software assets, said assets being described with elements and attributes, said assets containing at least one variable element (VPs) themselves containing at least one variant. The user executes a program on a computer by first choosing the asset to be consumed. A decision tree corresponding to the asset is traversed, each decision point corresponding to a variable element. The decision point is processed by asking the user inputs to modify the variants of the corresponding variable elements. The modified variable elements are stored. The dependency of the decision point is indicated by a dependency attribute in the variable element.

The program can stop at the initiative of the user or when the decision tree is completely traversed. When the decision tree has been partially traversed, the program can be restart after the last decision point processed starting from the partially modified corresponding variable element.

A dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator includes a dielectric chamber. The chamber contains or incorporates a solid surface that is to be treated with non-thermal plasma. The dielectric chamber can be substantially sealed and confine an atmosphere therein. An atmosphere control system is provided for controlling the atmosphere within the chamber. At least one or two electrodes are located outside of the dielectric chamber. When actuated by an appropriate source of plasma generating electrical power the electrodes cause the generation of a solid surface modifying non-thermal plasma in a plasma zone within the dielectric chamber. A transport system is provided for moving the electrode and the dielectric chamber relative to one another. A plasma zone is confined within the dielectric chamber adjacent to the electrodes, and remains substantially stationary relative to the electrodes. The dielectric chamber carries the solid surface through the plasma zone. The solid surface remains substantially stationary relative to the dielectric chamber.

The present invention relates to a thin-film solar cell and a fabrication method thereof, the solar cell having a structure that a glass substrate, a transparent conductive oxide, a multi-junction solar cell layer and an electrode layer are stacked, wherein a first solar cell layer and a second solar cell layer, which are in a multi-junction, are electrically connected with each other in parallel, and one or more unit cells connected in parallel are grouped to be electrically connected with each other in series. According to the present invention, a thin-film solar cell having a unit cell in a structure that two solar cell layers having different characteristics are connected with each other in parallel, and having a structure that several unit cells are connected with each other in series, can achieve higher output and efficiency than a thin-film solar cell having a structure that several solar cell layers are connected in series.

An automatic transmission ratio shift and shift feel control system and method for a powertrain having an engine, multiple-ratio gearing controlled by friction elements actuated by hydraulic pressure, an output shaft torque sensor producing a signal representing the magnitude of current output torque, an electronic controller for controlling the target output torque based on the current output torque, increasing the torque capacity of the oncoming friction element and decreasing the torque capacity of the offgoing friction element after a gear ratio change is initiated. During the inertia phase of the ratio change, the controller controls the engine speed to follow a predetermined rate of change of input speed. The strategy employs an electronic throttle and closed loop engine torque control and closed loop engine speed control at various phases of the gear shift, to improve shift feel. Various engine parameters, including throttle position, ignition timing, engine air-fuel ratio, and engine airflow, control engine torque and speed, are used to control input torque or input speed, depending upon the shift phase.

A method implemented by computer for optimizing the cruising trajectory of an aircraft comprises the steps consisting in receiving the parameters of a reference trajectory, the trajectory comprising one or more plateaus and the transitions between these plateaus, the transitions being ascending or descending; and determining, in response to a request received in the course of the flight, at least one candidate alternative trajectory; and determining one or more indicators associated with the candidate alternative trajectory such as determined. Developments comprise the optional display of at least one indicator, indicators associated with the fuel consumption, with a difference in flight time or with the operational cost of the flight of the aircraft, the use of ratios of indicators, the inhibition of descending transitions, particular plateau length transitions as well as economical modes of transition. System aspects are described, comprising avionic or non-avionic means.

A buyer (110) wishes to use a payment instrument as part of an online commerce transaction with a seller (120) and it is desired to authenticate that the buyer (110) has authority to use the payment instrument. A separate authentication service (130) determines whether the buyer (110) has access to certain secret information without revealing the secret information to the seller (120). Access to the secret information would verify that the buyer (110) has authority to use the payment instrument. The authentication service (130) informs the seller (120) whether the buyer (110) is authorized to use the payment instrument.

A filter coalescer element for oil based industrial fuels includes a rigid, porous support tube, and a hydrophobic drainage layer covering the outer surface of the same. A single phase, dual function combination water coalescer and particle filter pleat block is positioned in the support tube, and is formed from a multilayer material having a first porous support layer, a synthetic microfiber layer, a synthetic fiber media layer and a second porous support layer. As the fluid passes through the pleat block, solid particles are physically filtered therefrom, and water is coalesced into droplets which pass from the pleats directly through the support tube and directly into the drainage layer, where the droplets grow into a size sufficient that they fall under gravity to the bottom of the element for collection.

Precast wall systems and methods for constructing a high-rise building using the precast wall system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of interconnected precast panels, each having a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of vertical bars disposed between the end plates and a cementitious material encasing the vertical bars and defining a plurality of sides of the respective panel. A first of the precast panels has a first column member half defining a right side of the first panel, a second of the precast panels has a second column member half defining a left side of the second panel such that, when the right side of the first precast panel and the left side of the second precast panel are disposed horizontally adjacent to each other, the first column member half and the second column member half collectively form a column member.