522results about How to "Limit its operation" patented technology

A surgical tool assembly and a method of operating same according to which a surgical tool is connected to a handpiece having an electrically operated motor; and a portable source of electrical energy is provided in a pedal assembly for controlling the tool. The source is electrically connected to the motor; and the pedal can be engaged for controlling the flow of the electrical energy from the source to the motor.

A system and method capable of performing multiple types of non-invasive tomographic techniques. The system is capable, via electronic control, of detecting and imaging materials within a volume using electrical capacitance, displacement phase current, magnetic inductance, and magnetic pressure sensing. The system is also able to control the amplitude, phase, and frequency of individual electrode excitation to increase imaging resolution and phase detection. This allows many dimensions of non-invasive data to be captured without the need for multiple instruments or moving parts, at a high data capture rate.

The invention relates to an arm exoskeleton comprising a moving system of joints placed in parallel with the joints of the human arm, the exoskeleton comprising a shoulder exoskeleton, an elbow exoskeleton, and a wrist exoskeleton. In all, the exoskeleton has sixteen joints providing sixteen degrees of freedom. A support worn on the torso of a human operator comprises a rigid front plate and a rigid back plate. The shoulder exoskeleton has its proximal end fixed to the front plate, whereby the front plate provides a fixed reference for all movements of the exoskeleton, and the wrist exoskeleton is fixed to a rigid glove worn on the hand of the operator. Active joints are controlled by flexible cable tendons bridging the exoskeleton, said tendons themselves being actuated by control units disposed on the rigid back plate. Inflatable cushions prevent the wrist exoskeleton and the shoulder exoskeleton from moving relative to the arm of the operator. The invention is applicable in particular to remotely controlling a robot in space.

A communication system that facilitates transmissions in accordance with a single-carrier (SC) multiplexing scheme, a multi carrier (MC) multiplexing scheme or a combination thereof is disclosed. Based on various factors such as attributes associated with a UE (user equipment) or availability of resources, a base station can signal to the UE an appropriate multiplexing scheme to be adopted for particular transmissions. The UE can be scheduled for transmission in a semi-static mode wherein the UE employs the transmission scheme for a particular time interval or it may change the mode dynamically for different transmissions. For transmissions from the UE comprising a plurality of data streams with dissimilar attributes, the base station implements a MIMO (multiple input multiple output) system for the UE. This facilitates a UE to dynamically switch between or simultaneously adopt the various multiplexing schemes for communications and thereby fully utilize advantages associated with the different schemes.

An intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring system includes an adaptive threshold detection circuit adapted for use in monitoring with a plurality of electrodes placed in muscles which are enervated by a selected nerve and muscles not enervated by the nerve. Nerve monitoring controller algorithms permit the rapid and reliable discrimination between non-repetitive electromyographic (EMG) events repetitive EMG events, thus allowing the surgeon to evaluate whether nerve fatigue is rendering the monitoring results less reliable and whether anesthesia is wearing off. The intraoperative monitoring system is designed as a “surgeon's monitor,” and does not require a neurophysiologist or technician to be in attendance during surgery. The advanced features of the intraoperative monitoring system will greatly assist neurophysiological research toward the general advancement of the field intraoperative EMG monitoring through post-surgical analysis. The intraoperative monitoring system is preferably modular, in order to allow for differential system pricing and upgrading as well as to allow for advances in computer technology; modularity can also aid in execution of the design.

A multi-tier data storage system includes a first data storage unit for storing recently loaded data files; a second data storage unit coupled to the first data storage unit for archiving data files residing on the first data storage unit for more than a predetermined period of time; and, a third data storage unit coupled to the second data storage unit, the third data storage unit caching files archived in the second data storage unit if the data file is unavailable on the first data storage unit.

A game process is performed by obtaining control data from a game controller. Distance data associated with the distance between the game controller and a predetermined measured reference provided in a real space is calculated by using the control data obtained from the game controller. Then, a predetermined game process is performed on a virtual game world through an operation based on the value of the distance data. Then, the virtual game world after the game process is displayed on a display device.

A memory device, and method of making and operating the same, including a substrate of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, first and second spaced apart regions in the substrate of a second conductivity type with a channel region therebetween, an electrically conductive floating gate having a first portion disposed over and insulated from the channel region and a second portion disposed over and insulated from the first region and including a sharpened edge, an electrically conductive P / E gate having a first portion disposed over and insulated from the first region and a second portion extending up and over the floating gate second portion and insulated therefrom by a first layer of insulation material, and an electrically conductive select gate having a first portion disposed laterally adjacent to the floating gate and disposed over and insulated from the channel region.

A pump controller and pump controlling method for dispensing a precise amount of low viscosity fluid are provided in which the problems of double dispenses and stuttered dispenses are avoided. In particular, the timing of the valves and motors in the pumping apparatus are adjusted to avoid these problems.

A development platform for developing a skill for a persistent companion device (PCD) includes an asset development library having an application programming interface (API) configured to enable a developer to at least one of find, create, edit and access one or more content assets utilizable for creating a skill, an expression tool suite having one or more APIs via which are received one or more expressions associated with the skill as specified by the developer wherein the skill is executable by the PCD in response to at least one defined input, a behavior editor for specifying one or more behavioral sequences of the PCD for the skill and a skill deployment facility having an API for deploying the skill to an execution engine of the PCD.

An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for performing a sequence of verification tests to perform hardware and software co-verification on a system under verification. The apparatus comprises a plurality of signal interface controllers operable to be coupled to the system under verification, with each signal interface controller being operable to perform one or more test actions transferring at least one of one or more stimulus signals and one or more response signals between a corresponding portion of the system under verification and the signal interface controller during performance of the sequence of verification tests. A debugger is also provided which is operable to control operation of a processing unit associated with the system under verification, the processing unit being operable to execute software routines. A debugger signal interface controller is arranged to interface with the debugger and to perform one or more test actions transferring at least one of one or more stimulus signals and one or more response signals between the debugger and the debugger signal interface controller during performance of the sequence of verification tests. A test manager coupled to the plurality of signal interface controllers and the debugger signal interface controller is operable to transfer test controlling messages to these interface controllers identifying the test actions to be performed. By this approach, the test manager is operable to control the operation of the processing unit via the debugger signal interface controller and the debugger in order to co-ordinate the execution of the software routines with a sequence of verification tests. This has been found to be a particularly efficient technique for performing hardware and software co-verification.

A system for selectively restricting or enabling the use of a cellular telephone module in a zone is described, comprising: a control signal transmitter for generating a control signal at an entrance to the zone or alternatively generating control signals throughout the zone; the cellular telephone including a module; a receiver module within the cellular telephone responsive to the control signal for generating a module enable / restrict upon receipt of the control signal; and a switch within the cellular telephone responsive to the module enable / restrict for selectively enabling or inhibiting the operation of the module for a predetermined period of time after receipt of the control signal. Additionally, this system's cellular telephone can dial a telephone, send a message to it, receive a text message from it, and send digits to it, to handle emergencies or conduct business. Finally, the system can remind owners to recharge their cellular telephone batteries.

Systems for use with a medical device for reducing medication errors are provided. In one aspect, a system includes a medical device that is configurable with operating limit parameters for providing medication to a patient, and a limiting system. The limiting system includes a memory that includes patient-specific information for the patient and a database includes acceptable operating parameters for providing the medication to the patient using the medical device, and a processor. The processor is configured to compare the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information, and provide a modification of the operating limit parameters for providing the medication to the patient based on the comparison of the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided.

Methods and systems for monitoring vehicle occupants using infrared and other sensors are disclosed. The systems may use infrared sensor data to identify each vehicle occupant using biometric signatures (such as heartbeat or facial recognition). Vehicle occupant characteristics may be determined that include skeletal characteristics of the occupants. Further monitoring of the occupants using sensor data may occur until an abnormal situation is detected. Abnormal situations may include medical emergencies, driver impairment, security threats, or similar situations requiring correcting action. The system may then determine and implement an appropriate response to the abnormal situation. Such responses may include generating alerts, adjusting vehicle environmental controls, taking control of operation of the vehicle (such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), or initiating wireless communication with an outside party, such as an emergency service.

A powered toothbrush is disclosed wherein portion of the toothbrush head is movable about a hinge. The movable portion of the head reciprocates about that hinge through the interaction of a flexible extension of that portion containing a slot. Movable within the slot is an offset end of a rotating drive shaft connected to the power source in the toothbrush. Translation of rotation movement of the drive shaft to reciprocating movement of the hinged head is achievable in a manner that the power source is not stalled or burned out if movement of the toothbrush head is prevented or limited.

To provide a wireless power receiving device, and a wireless power transmission device capable of improving the reliability of a protection circuit while preventing breakage of a circuit element upon occurrence of any abnormality, such as overvoltage or overcurrent. A wireless power receiving device includes a power receiving coil; a rectifier unit that performs full-wave rectification of the power received by the power receiving coil and supplies the power to a load; power-receiving-side detecting unit that detects an output voltage value or an output current value from the rectifier unit; and switching unit that short-circuits one of two current paths through the rectifier unit if the value detected by the power-receiving-side detecting unit exceeds a predetermined reference value.

A safety device for regulating electrical power to a cooking appliance, comprising a control module having a power routing means, a power supply means, a load current sensing means for detecting a load current to the cooking appliance and a power relay means for controlling the electrical current to the cooking appliance, and a sensor module located adjacent to the cooking appliance for observation by an appliance operator and connected to the control module. The sensor module governs the production of the electrical current to the cooking appliance, and has a monitoring means, a distance sensing means, a timer means for showing elapsed cooking time, and a light emitting means. The monitoring means is responsive to outputs of the distance sensing means and includes a timer assembly programmed to a predetermined period of time for responding to the distance sensing means detecting the presence of the appliance operator.

User's operations for a player can be easily restricted. A restriction mode that restricts user's operations that control the player that reproduces contents are preset. A value that represents a restriction mode for each play list is recorded as attribute information on a disc. When the player reproduces contents from the disc, the player creates a table corresponding to a restriction mode for each play list. The player references the table and filters control commands corresponding to user's operations that control the reproduction of contents using a command filter. Restriction modes includes a mode causing the player to reproduce a play list from beginning at predetermined speed for example 1× speed and a mode prohibiting the player from jumping while it is reproducing a play list. The load of the content creator side that verifies restrictions against user's operations decreases. The load of the player side that verifies operations decreases.

An apparatus and process including a heat sink exchanger (26) to cool and condense liquid out of a drying gas with a heat transfer surface arranged to exchange heat with a first sub-stream of the drying gas and a heat source heat exchanger (27) arranged to exchange heat with a second sub-stream of a drying gas and arranged in a functionally parallel configuration with said heat sink heat exchanger (26) so that each of said drying gas sub-streams exchanges heat with one of the two said heat transfer surface per cycle through the heat exchange system and a gas movement device (35) for propelling the drying gas through the heat exchanger system in either a forward or reverse flow path direction. The apparatus and process can also include controlling the amount of heat rejected from apparatus (26) based on maintaining the wet bulb of the drying gas nominally constant and controlling the amount of refrigerant in the heat exchanger circuit based on maintaining the dry bulb temperature of the drying gas within certain limits.

The present invention is directed to provide a relay method in a wireless access system, including comprising the following steps: in downlink direction, receiving downlink data from a base station, wherein the downlink data include control information for relay operation; constructing downlink data to be retransmitted; retransmitting the constructed downlink data to wireless communication terminals according to a profile specified by the control information; and, in uplink direction, receiving uplink data from the wireless communication terminals according to a profile specified by the control information; recovering the uplink data of the wireless communication terminals; and retransmitting the uplink data to the base station according to the profile specified by the control information. The present invention further provides the corresponding base station device, relay device and wireless relay system. Through the present invention, the base station is able to perform centralized control of the entire mobile multi-hop relay system, which effectively reduces the complexity of the relay device and can realize a transparent transportation with respect to wireless communication terminals.

The inventive method assesses the stability of an electric power transmission network, where said network comprises a plurality of substations, buses and lines, and a system protection center (8). It comprises the steps of 1. measuring phasor data (9) for voltages and currents at a plurality of locations of the network, 2. transmitting said phasor data (9) to said system protection center (8), 3. transmitting information (5) regarding the state of switches of at least one substation to the system protection center (8), and 4. the system protection center (8) determining at least one stability margin value of the transmission network. In this way, detailed real-time information about the state of the network is collected at a system level of the network, allowing a corresponding global analysis of the information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system protection center determines one or more control commands (6), based on the phasor data (9) and on the state of switches. The control commands (5) are transmitted to at least one substation and executed there.

An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

A drive actuator for a measurement instrument having a probe, the drive actuator including a heating element in a thermally conductive relationship with the probe such that application of electric current to the heating element modifies a characteristic of the probe. The probe device includes a probe including a cantilever having a lever made of a material having a selected thermal expansivity and a drive actuator in operable cooperation with the cantilever lever made of a material having a thermal expansivity different than the thermal expansivity of the material of which the cantilever lever is made.

A cover and trigger assembly is provided that includes having a valve that can be actuated for dispensing the contents of the can through an outlet of the valve. The assembly includes an annular component having a helical surface is secured to the can, and a cover coupled to the annular component. The cover has an opening through which a trigger extends, and the cover is rotatable relative to the helical surface on the annular component for rotatably raising or lowering the cover relative to the annular component. The raising or lowering of the cover respectively prohibits or permits movement of the trigger member to actuate the valve, thereby controlling dispensing operation of the valve.