66results about How to "Increase effectiveness" patented technology

A method for customizing a voice in a multi-media message created by a sender for a recipient is disclosed. The multi-media message comprises a text message from the sender to be delivered by an animated entity. The method comprises presenting an option to the sender to insert voice emoticons into the text message associated with parameters of a voice used by the animated entity to deliver the text message. The message is then delivered wherein the voice of the animated entity is modified throughout the message according to the voice emoticons. The voice emoticons may relate to features such as voice stress, volume, pauses, emotion, yelling, or whispering. After the sender inserts various voice emoticons into the text of the message, the animated entity delivers the multi-media message giving effect to each voice emoticon in the text. A volume or intensity of the voice emoticons may be given effect by repeating the tags. In this case, delivering the multi-media message further comprises delivering the multi-media message at a variable level associated with the number of times a respective voice emoticon is repeated. In this manner, the sender may control the presentation of the message to increase the overall effectiveness of the multi-media message.

The present invention provides an occluder with a self centering system that keeps the occluder properly centered in a defect which allows the center of the occluder to remain properly positioned within the defect so that the left and right sides cover the entire defect which reduces the chance of blood shunting through the defect and increases the effectiveness of the occluder. The self centering system is comprised of a series of arms that provide tension to hold the right and left sides in place. The arms are shaped to provide a flexible intermediate zone comprising a left and a right conical shaped network, wherein each network extends from the right and left sides and narrows at the center section. The flexible intermediate zone centers the occluder and helps to hold it in place.

A membrane enclosed fluid diffusion system for insect attractants and repellents, auto thermostatic heaters, and chemical delivery using an additive and / or selectively permeable membrane that interacts with the enclosed fluid to maintain steady delivery rates over a range of temperature and humidity. Systems can be formed with permeable membranes, impermeable membranes, chemical hydrates, wicks, scent fluids, fuel fluids, catalytic heaters, energy conversion devices, visible images, infrared images, trapping systems, sound systems, electronics, and apparel. The device results in efficient and effective devices for mosquito control drug delivery, and portable heaters.

A method and apparatus for detecting breathing disorders and controlling a breathing ventilator using an artificial neural network working on signals indicative of a patient's physiological status. Preferably the artificial neural network works on a signal indicative of the pressure or flow of supplied breathing gas divided into two or more intervals (401, 402, 403, 404) indicative of patient (1) breathing cycle phases.

This relates to an optical device comprising at least one deformable membrane (2), a support (1.5), actuating means (50, 51) for loading the membrane (2) to deform it, the membrane (2) being provided with a zone (2.3) for anchoring to the support (1.5) and a substantially central zone (2.1) suitable for deforming reversibly surrounded by an anchoring zone (2.3), the support (1.5) and the membrane (2) contributing to imprison a constant volume located at least in the interior of the anchoring zone (2.3) of a fluid (4.1) called first fluid, in contact with one of the faces of the membrane (2). The actuating means (50, 51) of the membrane (2) comprise main actuating means (50) which load the membrane in a peripheral zone (2.2) lying between the central zone (2.1) and the anchoring zone (2.3) in order to move it in a direction and to move the first fluid (4.1) towards the central zone (2.1) and supplementary actuating means (51) anchored at least to the membrane which load the membrane (2) in the central zone (2.1) to move it in the reverse direction.

Methods and apparatus to enable spectrum auctioning, allowing a user to gain access to otherwise unavailable spectrum is disclosed. Spectrum providers may have the exclusive rights to the spectrum, but these providers can allow other users to access the spectrum in certain situations, for example, limited time use without restrictions, or use based on interference constraints. Software Defined Radio (SDR) may be employed to allow a wireless user to bid for spectrum usage when a wireless network is otherwise unavailable to them.

Methods and systems for treating a patient using a time varying magnetic field are described. The treatment methods combine various approaches for aesthetic treatment. The methods are focused on enhancing a visual appearance of the patient. An exemplary method includes charging an energy storage device and discharging the energy storage device to a magnetic field generating device to generate the time-varying magnetic field. The time-varying magnetic field is applied to the patient.

An improved control system for a range hood that is capable of automatically responding to various air quality parameters including heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, humidity, and others. The system contains a number of features that, combining aspects of open-loop and closed loop control, manage the system dynamics for smoother operation, respond to both level and rate signals and compensate for background conditions and sensor variability by using relative values.

The feed mixer of the present invention includes two upper horizontal augers having flighting thereon. Below and between the two upper augers is a rotor having helical paddle segments thereon. The two upper augers and the rotor all rotate in the same direction, but the two upper augers force material in one direction and the lower rotor forces material in the opposite direction. Knives on the outer edges of the upper augers and on the helical segments of the rotor act upon the hay to cut it and facilitate its mixing with other feed ingredients.

A method of controlling a system which includes the steps of obtaining at least one signal representative of information communicated by a user via an input device in an environment of the user, wherein a signal from a first source is available in a perceptible form in the environment; estimating at least a point in time when a transition between information flowing from the first source and information flowing from the user is expected to occur; and timing the performance of a function by the system in relation to the estimated time.

A method for determining a root cause of a problem in a multiple-element system includes correlating an incoming alarm signal with an element x in a multiple-element system and accessing an implication list comprising a list of all elements upstream of element x. At least one element on the implication list is weighted with data relating to the at least one element. Taking into account the weighting step, a probability is calculated that an element on the implication list comprises a most-probable root cause of the subsequent alarm signal. The identified most-probable root cause of the incoming alarm signal is output.

Methods and devices producing time varying magnetic field have therapeutic uses. The device contains a coil made of insulated wires, an energy storage device, an energy source and a switch. The coil is flexibly attached in a case. The device has at least one blower for cooling the coil. The methods and devices can be used in for example in physiotherapy, neuropsychiatric therapy, aesthetic therapy, urology or urogynecology.

Combined methods for treating a patient using time-varying magnetic field are described. The treatment methods combine various approaches for aesthetic treatment. The methods are focused on enhancing a visual appearance of the patient.

Smac mimetics that inhibit IAPs.

A vertical rescuing lifting system for a mine comprises a mine rescuing motor vehicle, an assembly type lifting derrick platform and a mine rescuing cabin. The mine rescuing motor vehicle is provided with a vehicle-mounted lifting device foundation platform and a rescuing lifting device of the vehicle-mounted lifting device foundation platform, a communication steel wire rope on the rescuing lifting device passes through a mine mouth to independently assemble the lifting derrick platform, a head sheave of the rescuing lifting device is vertically connected with the mine rescuing cabin, and a rescuing lifting device monitoring system rescues and monitors the mine rescuing cabin and people trapped in the mine rescuing cabin. When major and extra serious accidents happen under the mine, the mine rescuing motor vehicle is immediately driven to the accident site, life rescuing can be rapidly and effectively conducted, the overall rescuing implementing speed is greatly increased, and the rescuing efficiency of people encountering the mine disaster is greatly improved.

A digital data processing method for information retrieval and an information retrieval system thereof are provided. In an embodiment, the information retrieval system trains a personalized model according to a user's feedback perceptions of at least one information piece. With respect to information pieces and different users, the information retrieval system performs estimation, based on two different stages with a generalized model and the trained personalized model.

A process for forming amorphous atorvastatin comprising the steps of dissolving atorvastatin in a non-hydroxylic solvent and removing the solvent by freeze-drying, as well as processes of dissolving atorvastatin in a hydroxylic solvent with a solubilizing agent or an alkalizing agent or an antioxidant and removing the solvent by freeze-drying to afford amorphous atorvastatin.

A wound dressing includes one or more layers containing an antimicrobial agent and optionally at least one of: a chelating agent, a second antimicrobial agent, a zinc-containing agent, a cell-signaling agent, and an additional active ingredient or agent.

The invention relates to a method for thermal sterilization in particular of a container filled with medical material or product, the method comprising a sterilization method step in which a thermal sterilization in particular is carried out of a container filled with medical material or product in the presence of a sterilization atmosphere, containing steam, at temperatures of at least 100° C. and at increased pressure, wherein the sterilization method step comprises at least a first method stage and a second method stage, following the first method stage, with first and second method stages being carried out at different pressures with respect to one another, the pressure in the second method stage being increased relative to the pressure in the first method stage.

Therapeutic devices and methods suitable for stretching the Achilles tendon. Each device includes a base portion and at least one wedge portion. The wedge portion has heel and toe ends, inside-foot and outside-foot edges, and an upper surface. The upper surface has a nonuniform elevation relative to the base portion as a result of the wedge portion having a fore-aft taper in the fore-aft direction and a lateral taper in the lateral direction, wherein the inside-foot edge has an increasing elevation toward the toe end. The wedge portion further has a nonconstant lateral width as a result of the toe end being wider than the heel end. The fore-aft and lateral tapers are sufficient so that placement of a user's foot on the upper surface causes supination and locking of the foot and enables stretching of the Achilles complex.

This invention relates to the use of nitrogen and / or calcium containing fertilizers or salts to improve the performance of abscisic acid (ABA) analogs and ABA derivatives on tomato leaf transpiration inhibition. This invention also relates to the use of ABA analogs or derivates or their salts to reduce the phytotoxicity of foliar applied nitrogen and / or calcium-containing fertilizers or salts.

This invention provides a composition and a method of using a composition containing an imidazoline, optionally containing a paraffin inhibitor, for improving the pour point of liquid hydrocarbons, such as crude oil and petroleum fuel, and / or inhibiting or reducing the formation of paraffin deposits in such liquids.

An automated transaction machine can operate to carry out a financial transaction for a machine user responsive to communication with a financial transaction host computer. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of a user card. The machine sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses a user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation to be presented to a machine user corresponding to the user identifier. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the machine user. A marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to a machine user. Machine communication with the remote marketing message computer is independent of machine communication with the transaction host computer.

A safe, biodegradable, environmentally benign, non-toxic, water-soluble solution consisting of water, sugar, starch, sodium phosphate, and surfactant that can be applied to dust and sand particles to bind the particles and form a hardened crust. Also disclosed is the related method for abating dust and preventing erosion.

The invention relates to a method for producing a friction lining of a brake shoe, wherein a binder is added to an open-pore carrier material having a high specific surface area, and the carrier material and the binder are mixed until the carrier material is almost completely wetted with the binder, wherein a functional material is then added that is at least partially absorbed by the carrier material. The invention also relates to a corresponding brake lining.

Disclosed are compositions, processes and devices for use in HVAC systems to provide air freshening scent to air circulating in the system.

The present invention provides thermostabile UvrA polypeptides, thermostable UvrB polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode the UvrA and UvrB polypeptides. The invention also includes compositions and kits containing the UvrA and UvrB polypeptides of the present invention. Also provided by the present invention are methods of detecting DNA damage using the UvrA and UvrB polypeptides.