273results about How to "Improve ease" patented technology

A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

The disclosure describes an overall system / method for text-input using a multimodal interface with speech recognition. Specifically, pluralities of modes interact with the main speech mode to provide the speech-recognition system with partial knowledge of the text corresponding to the spoken utterance forming the input to the speech recognition system. The knowledge from other modes is used to dynamically change the ASR system's active vocabulary thereby significantly increasing recognition accuracy and significantly reducing processing requirements. Additionally, the speech recognition system is configured using three different system configurations (always listening, partially listening, and push-to-speak) and for each one of those three different user-interfaces are proposed (speak-and-type, type-and-speak, and speak-while-typing). Finally, the overall user-interface of the proposed system is designed such that it enhances existing standard text-input methods; thereby minimizing the behavior change for mobile users.

An intervertebral fusion cage that is adapted to contain an inserter within its inner volume during insertion of the cage.

The vehicle of a subscriber of mobile application services is provided with wireless telecommunication apparatus for communication over a wireless network and a public switched telephone network with a service center. When a subscriber calls the service center to locate a particular point of interest (POI), the service center advisor extracts data from a database and downloads it to the vehicle. The information includes a dialable telephone number and an identifying speaker independent voice model of the POI and may include POI identification and location data. The vehicle is equipped with apparatus which stores the downloaded data for automated dialing of the dialable telephone number initiated by the subscriber speaking data matching the identifying speaker independent voice model and may include apparatus to visually or audibly display the identifying, locating and / or descriptive data. The subscriber may call the service center from the vehicle or from a telephone outside the vehicle, with the download to the vehicle resulting from either call. The vehicle may be equipped to store multiple dialable telephone numbers and identifying speaker independent voice models, with identification data for each displayed so that the subscriber may cycle through them to pick one for automated dialing.

In a knee prosthesis, the condylar surfaces of a femoral component engage corresponding articular surfaces of a tibial component along prescribed tracks of predetermined curvature which enable relative rotation between the femoral component and the tibial component about a longitudinal axis during articulation of the knee prosthesis, and at least the condylar surfaces or the articular surfaces are flared in a direction away from corresponding articular surfaces or condylar surfaces along engaged posterior and anterior portions of the condylar surfaces and articular surfaces to provide an increased area of contact in deep flexion and in extended hyperextension for reducing contact stresses and concomitant wear while militating against unwanted distraction of the knee prosthesis. In addition, the radius of curvature of the condylar surfaces is reduced along posterior portions of the condylar surfaces to further avoid distraction of the knee prosthesis in deep flexion, thereby enabling deep flexion with greater ease and without excessive contact forces between the femoral component and the tibial component in deep flexion.

A radio link management system for a home or office substantially (i) an ad hoc network of agents wirelessly communicating among themselves, while (iii) clients wirelessly communicate with proximate agents. Control of the network may be centralized as network controller integrated with an agent, or may be distributed upon the network of agents. Some agent or agents, which may include an agent that is also the network controller, typically serves as a gateway device which connects to a worldwide communications network external to the home or office, normally by fiber or by wire.Each agent is most commonly a small radio transceiver plus logic and power supply that mounts upon a wall and plugs directly into an AC power socket. Agents wirelessly communicate among themselves and with the controller-which may be centralized or distributed-in a bandwidth-efficient mode since prime power is not an issue. Each client, which is most commonly a battery-powered user device, wirelessly radio communicates with one or more proximately-located agents. Consistent with overall demand for the radio resource, parameters for radio communication are allocated ad hoc in a manner which is (a) client-dependent, and which (b) uses the least power from the battery-powered client. The agents establish an ad-hoc network among themselves, with routing among and between the agents being both multi-hop and "minimum hop" to conserve bandwidth. Accordingly both power and bandwidth are conserved, each as and where required and desired.

A spike assembly for facilitating the supply of a fluid from a container to a hypodermic syringe, fluid conduit extending therethrough between first and second ends of a body, a piercing member located at the first end for piercing into the container to form a fluid sealing engagement therebetween, a fluid seal, and a vent having a plurality of preprinted indicia bands with protective removable covers disposed around the outside surface of the vent which corresponds to a user details of the container contents.

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for sending and receiving payments using an integrated payment and messaging system. In particular, the integrated payment and messaging system allows users to send and receive electronic payments as well as exchange messages. Additional implementations involve facilitating payment transaction by inferring payment events. Still further implementations involve facilitating payment transactions between groups of users. In addition to the foregoing, one or more implementations allow a user to initiate payment transactions without first providing a payment credential.

Methods and system to enable a user of an input action recognition text input system to edit any incorrectly recognized text without re-locating the text insertion position to the location of the text to be corrected. The System also automatically maintains correct spacing between textual objects when a textual object is replaced with an object for which automatic spacing is generated in a different manner. The System also enables the graphical presentation of menu choices in a manner that facilitates faster and easier selection of a desired choice by performing a selection gesture requiring less precision than directly contacting the sub-region of the menu associated with the desired choice.

An anti-backout stylus comprising a stylus and a locking stylus holder. The locking stylus holder engages the stylus at a series of discrete positions during insertion of the stylus into the holder. The locking stylus holder prevents inadvertent backing out of the stylus by preventing the stylus from being withdrawn to a previous one of the discrete positions. The locking stylus holder can preferably be selectively disengaged from the stylus to allow for selective withdrawal of the stylus. Each engagement of one of the discrete positions by the locking stylus holder preferably indicates a femoral size. The discrete positions are preferably defmed by detents formed on the stylus and a stop member on the locking stylus holder. The locking stylus holder can be provided on an anterior rough cut guide, with the anterior rough cut guide preferably mountable on an intramedullary rod.

Methods for facilitating financial transactions include facilitating or otherwise increasing the ease and speed of checkout processes. In particular, one or more implementations comprise an e-commerce payment facilitator that acts as an intermediary between a commerce application and a payment gateway. The e-commerce payment facilitator can provide stored payment information to a commerce application based on a few simple selections by a user. This allows a user to easily and securely complete commerce transactions, which simplifies the user's checkout experience and reduces barriers to purchase. Furthermore, the e-commerce payment facilitator can pass payment details to the commerce application's payment gateway. In addition to the foregoing, methods involve dynamically and intelligently providing a user the option of using payment information stored by the network application.

An integrated process for the production of ethanol from woody plant material is provided, the process comprising: contacting a continuous flow of the plant material with a counter-current continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure to provide plant material depleted of lignin; removing ethanol from the lignin-depleted plant material; contacting a continuous flow of the lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure to solubilize xylose within the plant material; and hydrolyzing cellulose present in the plant material to form glucose, which in turn is fermented to produce ethanol.

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for enabling peer to business payments using an integrated payment and messaging system. In particular, the integrated payment and messaging system allows users to send electronic payments as well as exchange messages with a merchant. The integrated payment and messaging system can improve security by allowing a user to make a purchase without having to provide sensitive financial information to the merchant. In addition, the integrated payment and messaging system can allow a user to make a payment for an order seamlessly during a conversation with the merchant.

A patient positioning system for use with a patient comprises an optical image sensor. The optical image sensor measures an optical image of a tissue structure of an eye of the patient. An image sensor support supports the image sensor. A patient support supports the patient. A linkage is coupled to the image sensor support with the patient support. A processor is coupled to the optical image sensor to determine a gradient of an illumination level of the optical tissue structure image. The processor is coupled to the linkage and configured to articulate the linkage so as to adjust a separation distance from the tissue structure to the image sensor in response to the gradient of the optical tissue structure image.

A structure for mounting an electric motor in a vehicle, comprises: a mounting frame detachably fixed to a body component of the vehicle by a bolt; an upward-projecting bracket, which is upwardly projected from the mounting frame, being attached to the body component of the vehicle; a bolt hole, in which the bolt is inserted, being formed on the upward-projecting bracket; and a downward-projecting bracket, which is downwardly projected from the mounting frame, being connected to the electric motor. Both the mounting frame and the downward-projecting bracket are set apart from an axis of the bolt hole.

A common gateway architecture designed to be generic across different types of network elements and different network protocols, permitting network elements to be added incrementally without recompilation of the entire network element manager, thus reducing overall software maintenance overhead.

Methods for facilitating financial transactions include facilitating or otherwise increasing the ease and speed of checkout processes. In particular, one or more implementations comprise an e-commerce payment facilitator that acts as an intermediary between a commerce application and a payment gateway. The e-commerce payment facilitator can provide stored payment information to a commerce application based on a few simple selections by a user. This allows a user to easily and securely complete commerce transactions, which simplifies the user's checkout experience and reduces barriers to purchase. Furthermore, the e-commerce payment facilitator can pass payment details to the commerce application's payment gateway. In addition to the foregoing, methods involve dynamically and intelligently providing a user the option of using payment information stored by the network application.

A rolling shutter and a slat for use in a rolling shutter are provided. The slat comprises an engaging track located at a first horizontal edge and a receptacle track located at a second horizontal edge. Illustratively, the engaging track has a hook-shaped profile and is disposed at an acute angle, and the receptacle track comprises a lip and a guard defining a space adapted to receive therein an engaging track of an adjacent slat.

A system for providing electrical energy and related components is provided. More specifically, a universal module that is adapted to fit within a junction box commonly found in building construction is provided. The wire cable associated with a dwelling, for example, is interconnected to the module, which provides a plurality of locations for receipt of corresponding electrical connectors of an outlet or switch. The modules quickly and safely receive an electrical component, which reduces time and associated costs related to electrical system installation, repair, or modification.

A metal core electrode used to form weld deposits having improved slag forming properties with respect to reduced accumulation of slag in toes of the weld bead. The metal cored electrode includes a metal rod and a fill composition. The electrode includes a slag-modifying additive that contains metallic indium and / or one or more indium compounds.

An information processing apparatus that is connected to a map recording part, a display and an input apparatus includes: a display controlling part that allows the display to display a map and a point mark; an information detailing part that generates a displaying form data of a plurality of point marks that are integrated by an integrated point mark, and calculating a scale and a displaying range, in the case where an operation by a user for demanding information detailing is detected; an information integrating part that generates displaying form data of the integrated point mark that integrates to represent point information of a plurality of points, and calculating a scale and a displaying range, in the case where an operation by the user for demanding information integration is detected. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can secure the visibility of the map, and can enhance the easiness of the operations of obtaining the point information such as facility information, traffic information and reputational information on the map.

Two batteries (B1, B2) may be attached to a cutting tool (1), so that the total of the voltages of the two batteries connected in series with each other may be supplied to an electric motor (11) of the cutting tool. The electric motor may have a rated voltage that may be the same as the total of the voltages of the two batteries.

A fluid reservoir assembly having a pan defining a drain opening and a plug disposed therein is disclosed. The pan includes a pair of ramps disposed on an inner surface thereof adjacent the drain opening. The plug includes a pair of wings in engagement with the ramps. The ramps increase in height relative to the inner surface of the pan along a first direction of rotation about the central axis. The plug is drawn into sealing engagement with an outer surface of the pan by rotating the plug in the first direction of rotation about the central axis thereby moving the wings up the ramps. The pan includes at least one stop to prevent over-rotation of the plug. The ramps define a recess to secure the wings in a closed position.

A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade component in form of a shear web is described. The method comprising the steps of: a) providing a pre-manufactured shear web body having a first side and a second side as well as a first end and a second end; b) providing a first pre-formed web foot flange comprising a fibre-reinforcement material; c) arranging a first fibre layer from the first pre-formed web foot flange and to a part of the first side of the shear web body; d) arranging a second fibre layer from the first pre-formed web foot flange and to a part of the second side of the shear web body; e) supplying a resin to said first fibre layer and second fibre layer simultaneous with or subsequent to steps c) and d); and f) allowing the resin to cure so as to form the shear web.

An audio recording system comprises an array of microphones and a processor module. The array is a logarithmic spiral array in which the minimum distance between each microphone and all others that lie closer to the centre is maximised. The processor module further comprises a beam direction control device and a beam width control device; whereby an audio target is isolated.

Catheters for intrafallopian contraceptive delivery generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. One or more coils disposed along the catheter near its distal end enhance the ability of the catheter through a tortuous lumen, such as a fallopian tube, without significant kinking or narrowing of the inner diameter of the catheter. A coil also helps maintain the inner diameter of the catheter when it elongates during removal, thus facilitating delivery of a contraceptive device from the catheter. A variable-flexibility distal portion in some embodiments further enhances maneuverability and pushability.

An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.