384results about How to "Facilitate the process" patented technology

A method for communicating binary data and a digital communication system are presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes encoding a message word by multiplying the message word with a generator matrix, wherein the generator matrix multiplied by the transpose of a parity check matrix for a low density parity check code yields a null set, and wherein the parity check matrix has a column weight of two. Additionally disclosed is an encoding scheme based on a three-tier Tanner graph having a girth of twelve.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, apparatuses, computer readable media and systems for processing transactions using conversion or filtering of restricted information. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving, at a server computer located outside a restricted zone, a transaction request message including an unrestricted account alias, wherein the unrestricted account alias was previously converted from a restricted account identifier into the unrestricted account alias by a server computer located in a restricted zone. The server computer located outside the restricted zone may determine an account associated with the unrestricted account alias and process the transaction request message. Similar methods may be applied to settlement files including an unrestricted account alias that is converted to a restricted account identifier. Other embodiments are directed to filtering restricted information from service requests or other transactions.

This invention relates to methods and a system for developing software applications using software components. In one embodiment, a method for developing an application includes facilitating online software programming contests, some of which result in the development of software components. A specification describing the software components to be used in the development of the application and the design of the software application is provided to developers and, in response to the communicated specification, assembled applications comprised of one or more of the software components are received. A review process for scoring each of the received applications is facilitated, and based on the review process, one of the received applications application is selected.

A lightweight application server for use on portable or embedded devices includes an application manager and services containers. Each of these is managed by an admin server allowing for remote and rapid deployment and maintenance of applications, objects and features associated with the server-enabled portable or embedded devices. This permits portable devices like PDAs to provide server functionality to each other, in a fully portable network if desired. A system including such server-enabled portable or embedded devices may include, among other things, a decision flow server for facilitating distributed decision flow processing.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for facilitating loyalty and reward functionality in mobile commerce. In one embodiment, a method for providing a loyalty / reward program can include receiving an indication that a consumer has entered a predefined merchant location; transmitting a notification to a mobile device associated with the consumer; providing one or more payment tools on a mobile device for the consumer to facilitate a purchase from a merchant associated with the predefined merchant location; generating a loyalty / reward credit for an account associated with the consumer; and receiving an instruction from the consumer to redeem loyalty / reward credit for goods and / or service from the merchant.

A comprehensive, web-enabled computer system and method is provided for facilitating and managing all aspects of project work, while synchronizing communications, data and transaction processing across multiple user platforms. To implement the computer system and method, a bid item list is utilized to create configurable and scalable customized bid templates premised on the specific type of project work required. Bid requests are generated from the customized bid templates for solicitation of vendor bid responses to the selected bid items provided by the bid template. One or more bid items within the vendor bid responses can be selected for vendor grading purposes, and comparison of the vendor bid responses can be conducted using the graded bid item responses. In addition, project tracking parameters can be entered into the computer system for tracking the performance of the project.

The subject invention relates to systems and methods that automatically learn data relevance from past search activities and apply such learning to facilitate future search activities. In one aspect, an automated information retrieval system is provided. The system includes a learning component that analyzes stored information retrieval data to determine relevance patterns from past user information search activities. A search component employs the learning component to determine a subset of current search results based at least in part on the relevance patterns, wherein numerous variables can be processed in accordance with the learning component to efficiently generate focused, prioritized, and relevant search results.

The invention is a system and method, with implementing computer program code, that automatically and dynamically formats an electronic mail (e-mail) message by extracting selected text and graphical components of a web page and “wrapping” the extracted computer data about the e-mail message. Thus the extracted data forms a border about the e-mail message. The invention provides for the use of company designs and trademarks in e-mail messages without the addition of local software components resident on the user's computer, and without compromising the functionality of standard e-mail software programs. The invention wraps the e-mail received through a gateway server and sends out the wrapped e-mail to the destination (recipient) designated by the sender in the original, unwrapped message.

The design, internal data representation and query model of the invention, a hierarchical distributed caching system for semi-structured documents based on LDAP technology is presented that brings both, the semi-structured data model and the LDAP data model together into a system that provides the ideal characteristics for the efficient processing of XPath queries over XML documents. Transformation algorithms and experimental results have also been shown that prove the feasibility of the invention as a distributed caching system especially tailored for semi-structured data.

A system and method for identifying incoming ACH transactions involving subscriber accounts at a financial institution, comparing the ACH transaction details with preset notification criteria, suspending any ACH transaction that satisfy the preset criteria so that the transaction does not post to the account, notifying the subscriber of the incoming ACH transaction, providing the subscriber with the option to either authorize or dispute the ACH transaction, and facilitating the dispute process according to applicable banking rules by requesting further information from the subscriber and forwarding the dispute information to the ACH operator.

A port independent data transaction interface for multi-port devices is provided. The port independent data transaction interface includes a command channel that receives command data and a source id. The source id indicates a source device that transmitted the command data. In addition, a data-in channel is included that receives write data and a write source id. Similar to the source id, the write source id indicates a source device that transmitted the write data. The port independent data transaction interface further includes a data-out channel that provides read data and a read id. The read id indicates a source device that transmitted a read command corresponding to the read data. The port independent data transaction interface utilizes the source id to associate command data with corresponding write data and read data.

A port independent data transaction interface for multi-port devices is provided. The port independent data transaction interface includes a command channel that receives command data and a source id. The source id indicates a source device that transmitted the command data. In addition, a data-in channel is included that receives write data and a write source id. Similar to the source id, the write source id indicates a source device that transmitted the write data. The port independent data transaction interface further includes a data-out channel that provides read data and a read id. The read id indicates a source device that transmitted a read command corresponding to the read data. The port independent data transaction interface utilizes the source id to associate command data with corresponding write data and read data.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of radio transmission of real-time IP packets using header compression technique. In the present invention, the size of a compressed header of an RTP packet can be adapted to length types required by the system by adding a radio link adaptation unit to the existing PDCP entity. The method comprises header-compressing the RTP packets, to obtain header-compressed RTP packets having a plurality of different header compression lengths; pre-configuring header compression lengths and length types required by the system; and PDU-size adapting the plurality of different header compression lengths of the header-compressed RTP packets, so as to comply with said lengths and length types required by the system.

A method according to embodiments of the present invention comprises providing a magnetic stack comprising a magnetic layer sub-stack comprising magnetic layers and a bottom conductive electrode and a top conductive electrode electrically connecting the magnetic layer sub-stack at opposite sides thereof; providing a sacrificial pillar on top of the magnetic stack, the sacrificial pillar having an undercut with respect to an overlying second sacrificial material and a sloped foot with increasing cross-sectional dimension towards the magnetic stack, using the sacrificial pillar for patterning the magnetic stack, depositing an insulating layer around the sacrificial pillar, selectively removing the sacrificial pillar, thus creating a contact hole towards the patterned magnetic stack, and filling the contact hole with electrically conductive material.

A system and method for providing controlled broadband access bandwidth allocation adjustment service are disclosed. A broadband bandwidth allocation service manager is established which is accessible via the broadband network. When a broadband bandwidth allocation adjustment request is received from a requestor, a broadband bandwidth allocation adjustment will be made if the requested bandwidth is available and the requester is willing to accept the pricing associated with the adjustment.

An improved method for facilitating the peer review process in scholarly publications is presented. This improved method streamlines and compresses the review process, eliminating unnecessary delays and costs inherent in the traditional process. The present invention implements a computer based manuscript tracking process the uses the World Wide Web to allow ubiquitous access to the manuscript under review. This ubiquitous access works in conjunction with automatic generation of potential reviewers and instant notification to authors, editors, and reviewers of significant milestones in the peer review process. Authors are allowed to communicate with anonymous reviewers to reduce the number of revisions leading to approval. Additionally, multiple authors are allowed to collaborate during the manuscript creation process as well as the manuscript review process. This allows several geographically disperse authors to conveniently co-author a manuscript. It additionally allows the author or several authors to respond to comments from the reviewer prior to an editor reading the review.

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for promoting plant growth that combine beam angle control with spectral control. In one embodiment, an optical device can be configured to emit multiple colors of light at particular wavelengths. The optical device may also be configured to generate an emission spectrum with multiple peaks. The spectrum can be selected based on stimulating biological processes of a plant.

A method and apparatus for clustering data, particularly regarding an image, that constructs a graph in which each node of the graph represents a pixel of the image, and every two nodes represent neighboring pixels associated by a coupling factor. Block pixels are selected with unselected neighboring pixels coupled with a selected block to form aggregates. The graph is coarsened recursively by performing iterated weighted aggregation to form larger blocks (aggregates) and obtain hierarchical decomposition of the image while forming a pyramid structure over the image. Saliency of segments is detected in the pyramid, and by computing recursively, a degree of attachment of every pixel to each of the blocks in the pyramid. The pyramid is scanned from coarse to fine starting at the level a segment is detected, to lower levels and rebuilding the pyramid before continuing to the next higher level. Relaxation sweeps sharpen the boundaries of a segment.

Two (or more), -component, body-implantable, absorbable, biocompatible, putty, and non-putty hemostatic tamponades for use in surgery. Component 1 is a finely powdered bulking material, preferably less than 50 microns, e.g. the calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or barium salts of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids containing about 6 to 22 carbon atoms, hydroxyapatite, DBM, polyglycolide, polylactide, poldioxinones, polycaprolactones, absorbable glasses, gelatin, collagens, mono, and polysaccharides starches. Component 2, a dispersing vehicle, may be esters of C8-C18 monohydric alcohols with C2-C6 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids; C2-C18 monohydric alcohols with polycarboxylic acids; C8-C30 monohydric alcohols; tocopherol and esters thereof with C2-C10 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids or polycarboxylic acids; absorbable 10-14C hydrocarbons; free carboxylic acids such as oleic, capric, and lauric; dialkyl ethers and ketones; alkyl aryl ethers and ketones, polyhydroxy compounds and esters and ethers thereof; (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymers), oils e.g. olive oil, castor oil and triglycerides.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for performing validation and clearance at a transaction item level for transaction received in a batch format. Each transaction of the batch is stored separately in a storage system, such as a logical database. Typically, image data and electronic data for a transaction are stored separately in the storage system and may be linked to each other. Each transaction is separately accessible and / or updateable. Each transaction stored in the storage system is separately analyzed to validate that the transaction is at least balanced. Transactions that determined to be balanced are cleared irrespective of a balance status associated with other transactions associated with the batch of transactions, such that transactions are individually cleared as opposed to being cleared in a batch format.

Two (or more), -component, body-implantable, absorbable, biocompatible, putty, and non-putty hemostatic tamponades for use in surgery. Component 1 is a finely powdered bulking material, preferably less than 50 microns, e.g. the calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or barium salts of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids containing about 6 to 22 carbon atoms, hydroxyapatite, DBM, polyglycolide, polylactide, poldioxinones, polycaprolactones, absorbable glasses, gelatin, collagens, mono, and polysaccharides starches. Component 2, a dispersing vehicle, may be esters unsubstituted and N-substituted pyrrolidones of C8-C18 monohydric alcohols with C2-C6 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids; C2-C18 monohydric alcohols with polycarboxylic acids; C8-C30 monohydric alcohols; tocopherol and esters thereof with C2-C10 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids or polycarboxylic acids; absorbable 10-14C hydrocarbons; free carboxylic acids such as oleic, capric, and lauric; dialkyl ethers and ketones; alkyl aryl ethers and ketones, polyhydroxy compounds and esters and ethers thereof; (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymers), oils e.g. olive oil, castor oil and triglycerides.

A method and system are provided which enables automotive dealers to use a standard PC and Internet-type browser software package to enter credit / loan application data over the Internet. Such data can then be automatically distributed via the Internet to designated financial institutes or loan service providers for processing. The system also receives responses back from the service providers and displays these responses to the requesting dealer. To accommodate financial institutions which have not been provided with prearranged access, the system provides automatic enablement of facsimile transmission to dealer-chosen banks and credit unions. In addition, other information which facilitates the automotive credit process, such as completion of standard department of motor vehicles forms, insurance forms, etc., may also may be collected and transmitted electronically to the institution / company either directly or through a credit application service provider, with electronic responses provided back to the requesting dealer.

The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising: an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween; an anode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying a fuel gas to the anode; and a cathode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode. A conductive separator plate made of carbon has poor wettability with water. This has posed the disadvantage that variations in performance are induced by nonuniform gas distribution among cells due to the accumulation of product water or humidifying water in the gas flow channel on the surface of the separator plate. The present invention employs a conductive separator plate comprising a conductive carbon having a hydrophilic functional group, at least in a portion of the gas flow channels, thereby preventing water from accumulating in the gas flow channels.

A rules runtime engine for scheduling and concurrently processing of rules. The engine efficiently runs a large number of rules in a parallel fashion. This is accomplished by authoring rules in a rule definition language, passing these rules through the translator for communication to the runtime engine and, scheduling and concurrently processing the translated instructions using the runtime engine. The engine also receives configuration data that instantiates the instructions thus, giving form to a living set of rules.

A vertical electrode structure of GaN-based light emitting diode discloses an oxide window layer constructing the GaN-based light emitting diode of vertical electrode structure, which effectively decreases the Fresnel reflection loss and total reflection, and further advances the luminous efficiency. Moreover, the further included metal reflecting layer causes the reflection without the selective angle of incidence, thus increasing the coverage of the reflecting angles and further reflecting the light emitted from a light emitting layer effectively. In addition, the invented structure can also advance the function of heat elimination and the electrostatic discharge (ESD) so as to the increase the operating life of the component and to be applicable to the using under the high current driving. Moreover, the vertical electrode structure of the present invention is able to lower down the manufacturing square of the chip and facilitate the post stage of the conventional wire bonding process.

An implant for performing interbody fusion within a human spine, inserters for such an implant, and associated methodology. The implant is preferably formed in situ from at least two separate but lockable members (a base member and a closure member). The base member may be implanted into an interbody space first, after which the end plates may be finally prepared and the base member packed with fusion promoting substances before engaging and locking the closure member. The closure member provides structural support for the adjacent vertebral bodies (along with the base member) and may be selected after implantation of the base member having a specific length, width, height, taper, etc. . . . to ensure an optimal sizing of the implant for desired restoration of disc height, coronal taper, sagittal taper, etc. . . . .

A system and method for forming a novel C4 solder bump for BLM (Ball Limiting Metallurgy) includes a novel damascene technique is implemented to eliminate the Cu undercut problem and improve the C4 pitch. In the process, a barrier layer metal stack is deposited above a metal pad layer. A top layer of the barrier layer metals (e.g., Cu) is patterned by CMP. Only bottom layers of the barrier metal stack are patterned by a wet etching. The wet etch time for the Cu-based metals is greatly reduced resulting in a reduced undercut. This allows the pitch of the C4 solder bumps to be reduced. An alternate method includes use of multiple vias at the solder bump terminal.