332results about How to "Easy and efficient" patented technology

A system and method to interactively converse with a cognitively overloaded user of a device, includes maintaining a knowledge base of information regarding the device and a domain, organizing the information in at least one of a relational manner and an ontological manner, receiving speech from the user, converting the speech into a word sequence, recognizing a partial proper name in the word sequence, identifying meaning structures from the word sequence using a model of the domain information, adjusting a boundary of the partial proper names to enhance an accuracy of the meaning structures, interpreting the meaning structures in a context of the conversation with the cognitively overloaded user using the knowledge base, selecting a content for a response to the cognitively overloaded user, generating the response based on the selected content, the context of the conversation, and grammatical rules, and synthesizing speech wave forms for the response.

A system and method for distributing information (collectively the “system”) is disclosed. The system includes category-based, geography-based, and ratings-based attributes to better “focus” the information distributed by the system. In the processing of listing-based attributes (e.g. attributes limited to a particular listing), the system can also be influenced by relationship-based attributes (e.g. attributes between the administrator of the system and the advertisers, and even potentially users).

A hybrid cable comprising an optical fiber, an intermediate layer surrounding the optical fiber, and an electrically insulating jacket surrounding the intermediate layer. The intermediate layers include a collection of metallic strands. The hybrid cable may be used to establish simultaneous electrical and fiber-optic connection between two communication devices. Thus, the two communication devices may simultaneously transfer optical signals through the optical fiber and perform any of various electrical functions (power transfer, eye safety control) through the metallic strands. For example, an optical transceiver may couple to an optical antenna unit through the hybrid cable. Such an optical transceiver may serve as part of a point-to-point link, a point-to-multipoint link, and / or, a link between a primary transceiver unit and an optical router.

The vehicle power supply apparatus 100 has a power transmitting unit 110 including a power transmission side coil 111 for generating an alternating magnetic field, a positioning member 112 for positioning the power transmission side coil 111 in a vehicle 20, and a power transmission side circuit 114 supplying an electric current to the power transmission side coil 111; and a power receiving unit 120 including a power receipt side coil 121 disposed in a rear window member 30 which is a non-magnetic portion of the vehicle 20 and generating an induced current based on an alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission side coil 111 and a power receipt side circuit 122 supplying, to a power-supplied object, electric power based on the induced current generated by the power receipt side coil 121.

Systems and methods are provided for subscribing to podcast feeds from a single location. A server-based search engine is provided that identifies podcasts located throughout a network that are available to a user's rendering device and presents the user with a user interface from which the user can search for podcasts, subscribe to an identified podcast, listen to an identified podcast, or obtain additional information related to an identified podcast.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses (devices, systems, etc.) and methods for positioning them within a vessel and using them to remove a thrombus, e.g., clot, from within a vessel. In particular, described herein are methods of advancing an inverting tractor thrombectomy apparatus having a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts over itself as it rolls over a distal end opening of an elongate inversion support by extending the tractor region and / or a puller coupled to the tractor distally beyond the end of the catheter. Also described herein are power-driven mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses.

A computer controlled suspension system is provided for a bicycle, which can effectively absorb shock and provide stability on rough surfaces regardless of the speed of the vehicle. The suspension system has a control unit, a front suspension, a rear suspension, a front wheel terrain sensor, and a rear controller. The rear suspension is selectively adjustable by the control unit to change stiffness of the rear suspension. When the front suspension hits a bump or a depression in the surface of the ground, a signal is sent to the rear controller so that the rear suspension can react appropriately. In one embodiment, a pedaling torque sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of pedaling force, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the pedaling force via the control unit. In another embodiment, one or more gear position sensors are operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of gear position, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the gear position force via the control unit. A locking mechanism is provided to operatively coupled to selectively lock the rear suspension in a compressed condition. The front and rear suspension preferably uses at least cylinder with a coil spring and a compressible material located between individual turns of the coil spring.

Pushers for displaying merchandise forward on a shelf including shelf attachments including base extending perpendicularly and longitudinally along the end and parallel to shelf edge, a front attachment wall extending essentially vertically from the base disposed at a base front edge, the front attachment wall including base engagement teeth protruding essentially horizontally from the front attachment wall toward the shelf, and an upraised ridge region removed from the vertically extending front attachment wall in the second direction that is offset from the plane of the base, a divider portion including a divider block and an essentially planar divider extending outwardly from the divider block; pusher track having a top surface and two rails, and at least one track tooth disposed at a longitudinal end of the track, the at least one track tooth providing engagement from the track tooth and base engagement teeth; and a resilient pusher member.

An information card and method of use in connection with external devices and networks is provided. One method embodiment includes storing a variety of user information including a social security number, a driver license record, and a bank account record in a memory on the card. The method further includes selectably communicating the variety of user information in a manner detectable external to the card. And, the method includes selectably updating the variety of user information stored on the card based on user input.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and media capable of generating and implementing emergency flows. The emergency flow is highly customizable and can connect with various stakeholders (user, emergency contacts, corporate representatives, emergency service provider personnel, etc.). The systems, methods, and media can be triggered in various ways including user input (e.g. voice command) or by sensors (e.g. by using sound detection capabilities).

A tool for analyzing a sequence of data in an object-oriented environment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sequence of data may include time-indexed sequence of data (“time series data”). The tool may enable a user to generate a time series object for encapsulating the time series data in the object-oriented environment. The user may construct the time series object from data or mathematical expressions using a command line interface. The time series object may include a sequence of objects implementing APIs that supply an interface for analyzing the times series data in the time series object. The user may analyze the time series data encapsulated in the time series object using the APIs of the time series object.

A photoelectric converting film stack type solid-state image pickup device comprising: a semiconductor substrate in which a signal read circuit is formed; and at least one photoelectric converting film interposed between two electrode films, said at least one photoelectric converting film being stacked above the semiconductor substrate, wherein a signal corresponding to an intensity of incident light is read outside by the signal read circuit, the signal being generated by photoelectric conversion with the photoelectric converting film, wherein the photoelectric converting film comprises: a first layer comprising: an ultrafine particle including (i) a quantum dot contributing to the photoelectric conversion and (ii) a material having a band gap larger than that of the quantum dot, the quantum dot being coated with the material; and a hole transport layer stacked on the first layer.

A database of objects is distributed between a server computer and multiple client computers as an object oriented virtual world environment (VWE) with multimedia presentation features. A primary database is maintained on the server and includes at least one entry for each object disposed within the VWE. In one implementation a presentation virtual world environment has a multi-user virtual presentation room object (ShowRoom) in which presentation or information element objects (ShowItems) are presented from a server to multiple viewers at multiple client computers. The presentation room object and presentation element objects are global objects in that they are provided from server to client computers as part of a presentation VWE. The presentation element objects provide a model representing a presentation in the presentation VWE. Interface objects at the client computers provide a view of the presentation, with user interface and control elements, which view is separate from the model provided by the presentation element objects.

System and method for generating reactive animation, providing a generic link between tools for graphic animation, by operatively linking the representation of an event driven system in conjunction with an event driven engine to an animation engine to generate reactive animation.

A control system and method are provided for a station to dispense fuel to a vehicle, including an electric vehicle, without requiring dedicated access to a communications network, with the advantage that authorization for fleet vehicles or individuals can be obtained from an access management system, using a portable, wireless device, such as a smart phone or a dashboard appliance. The authorization is wirelessly relayed to the station by the wireless device, to enable the dispensing of fuel. Subsequently, a log comprising the transaction is provided to the access management system, through the same or a different wireless, mobile computing device. The log may also report status and other events, such as load shedding.

A method for assembling a torque-limiting driver, and the resulting drive. The method comprises the steps of providing a handle having a housing, drive assembly, and a testing assembly. The drive assembly is assembled, inserted into the testing assembly and calibrated. The drive assembly is then removed and inserted into the housing of the handle and secured to the handle.

A computer-implemented method, including receiving a request or claim for an employee benefit via, on, or over, the Internet and / or World Wide Web, processing the request or claim for an employee benefit with a first processing device or a second processing device accessed via, on, or over, or which operates on or over, the Internet and / or World Wide Web, determining with the first processing device or with the second processing device whether the employee benefit requested in the request or claim for an employee benefit is to be provided, generating a message in response to the request or claim for an employee benefit, and transmitting the message to a communication device associated with at least one of the employee, the benefit beneficiary, an employer, and a benefit administrator, via, on, or over, the Internet and / or World Wide Web.

The present invention describes a capsule 1 and a system of food or beverage production machine 10, wherein the capsule 1 has an integrated mixing unit 5, which can be moved and / or rotated in respect to a capsule body 2. By rotating the mixing unit 5, beverage or food product ingredients inside the capsule 1 are mixed with a liquid introduced into the capsule 1. The rotation of the mixing unit further generates a pressure, which pushes the produced beverage or food product through a capsule outlet 4. The rotation of the mixing unit can also move the mixing unit 5 between a first position and a second position, in order to selectively open or close the outlet 4 of the capsule 1.

An electric power device for a vehicle has a case that is divided into a first case and a second case. The first case and second case are coupled so as to be separable from each other by the shock of a crash. In the power device, furthermore, a part of the first case and the second case, or a coupling member coupling the first case to the second case, is laminated, and a shock breakage pin to be broken by a predetermined shock penetrates through a laminated portion to couple the first case to the second case.

Pushers for displaying merchandise forward on a shelf including shelf attachments including base extending perpendicularly and longitudinally along the end and parallel to shelf edge, a front attachment wall extending essentially vertically from the base disposed at a base front edge, the front attachment wall including base engagement teeth protruding essentially horizontally from the front attachment wall toward the shelf, and an upraised ridge region removed from the vertically extending front attachment wall in the second direction that is offset from the plane of the base, a divider portion including a divider block and an essentially planar divider extending outwardly from the divider block; pusher track having a top surface and two rails, and at least one track tooth disposed at a longitudinal end of the track, the at least one track tooth providing engagement from the track tooth and base engagement teeth; and a resilient pusher member.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses (devices, systems, etc.) and methods for positioning them within a vessel and using them to remove a thrombus, e.g., clot, from within a vessel. In particular, described herein are methods of advancing an inverting tractor thrombectomy apparatus having a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts over itself as it rolls over a distal end opening of an elongate inversion support by extending the tractor region and / or a puller coupled to the tractor distally beyond the end of the catheter. Also described herein are power-driven mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses.

A carpet cleaning apparatus and method of retrofitting a vacuum cleaner provides a vacuum cleaner with a sweeper housing carrying a rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet. A collection device is carried in the sweeper housing along with a fan assembly. A suction hose is connected in circuit with the fan assembly and the collection device. A pump driven vessel is carried externally to the sweeper housing for fluid communication with a spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is arranged externally to the housing to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the housing.

The present invention provides business process, method and computer based techniques for reward program operators to offer reward point advance to their members. Both multi-partner and proprietary reward applications can utilize the present invention to attract new customers, retain existing customers and increase sales volume. A preferred embodiment of the present invention involves a credit account established by a financial institution, especially a credit card issuer. A coalition reward program can take full advantage of the present invention by leveraging value propositions of financial institutions, retailers, merchants, service providers, manufacturers, etc. A credit card issuer owning a reward platform can be at the best position to implement the present invention with minimal incremental investments.

A method and an equipment for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions of a marine engine, wherein flue gases are scrubbed with a scrubbing solution in a scrubber. Fresh water with added sulphur removal reagent is used as the scrubbing solution.

The present invention relates to a receiver system in a communication system supporting packet-based communicatior (e.g., an IP-network), including a receiver, speech decoder (40) and a jitter buffer (20) for handling delay variations in the reception of a speech signal consisting of packets containing frames with encoded speech. A jitter buffer controller (50) is provided for keeping information about the functional size of the jitter buffer (20) and for providing the speech decoder (40) with control information, such that the speech decoder (40), based on that information. provides a dynamic adaptation of the size of the jitter buffer (20) using the received encoded, packetized speech signal. The invention also relates to a method of adapting the functional size of the jitter buffer of a receiver system.

An arrangement for determining positions of the teats of an animal is provided in a milking system comprising a robot arm for automatically attaching teat cups to the teats of an animal when being located in a position to be milked, and a control device for controlling the movement of the robot arm based on determined positions of the teats of the animal. The arrangement comprises a camera pair directed towards the teats of the animal for repeatedly recording pairs of images, and an image processing device for repeatedly detecting the teats of the animal and determining their positions by a stereoscopic calculation method based on the repeatedly recorded pairs of images, wherein the cameras of the camera pair are arranged vertically one above the other, and the image processing device is provided, for each teat and for each pair of images, to define the position of the lower tip of the teat in the pair of images as conjugate points, and to find the conjugate points along a substantially vertical epipolar line.

An image forming apparatus comprises an interface which can communicate with the information processing apparatus that serves as the source of updating firmware. The image forming apparatus further comprises a memory which stores a plurality of firmware programs and a controller which performs firmware updates by sequentially storing the updating firmware transferred from the information processing apparatus. When a plurality of firmware programs are transferred from the information processing apparatus, the controller performs a reboot operation to activate the updated firmware upon completing the storage and the rewriting of the updating firmware in the memory.