43results about How to "More opportunity" patented technology

The present invention relates to a wound dressing and in particular a wound dressing for application to the sacrum of a patient. The wound dressing is an absorbent pad having one or more lines about which the dressing can fold.

A wagering game is comprised of a basic game and a progressive award. The progressive award increases based on wager inputs received from players playing at one or more gaming terminals. The actual value of a progressive award is determined by follow-up game play by a player at the gaming terminal. The follow-up game play can include one or more free plays of the basic game. The follow-up game play can also include the opportunity to play a progressive game where a player selects options in the progressive game that are associated with a monetary award. The options are different for different progressive awards that are achieved, such that a higher progressive award yields a higher expected value, which is effected by more favorable player-selectable options in the progressive game.

A method and system that enables a mediator server to provide opportunities for individuals to sell and buy services between them. Mediator server acts as an intermediary agent to support the service transactions occurring between service providers and service purchasers. Mediator server is connected to a service provider terminal and to a service purchaser terminal over a network. The mediator server contains a database for a list of service providers, and the mediator server presents the list of service providers to the service purchaser for display on the service purchaser terminal, from which the service purchaser selects the service provider expected to offer the service desired. Responsive to selection of the service provider by the service purchaser, the mediator server transfers a service purchase request to the appropriate service provider for display on the service provider terminal, to allow the service provider to decide on whether to accept or decline the request, based on the information in the request. This decision is communicated to the mediator server, which transfers it to the service purchaser.

Cars of a car rental system are made operable by having a renter present a digital key issued from the car rental system. The digital key specifies the starting date and time of a given rental transaction, and the identification of the car the key is for. The digital key is further signed by the car rental system for authenticity. A prospective renter makes online reservation over the Web and downloads into a portable storage device a digital key which can be used to operate the reserved car on the day the reservation is made for. On the pickup day, the renter goes to the car and inserts the portable storage device into a slot on the car. Upon successful verification of the digital key, the car is enabled and the renter can keep the car until he or she wants to return the car. The return process starts by having the renter obtain a invalidated digital key from the car. Once the rental car invalidates the digital key provided by the renter, the renter can no longer operate the rental car. Since the in-car controller is able to decipher the given authorization information, there is no need to re-program the in-car controller for each renter. The renter will be held liable for the rental car until he or she presents the invalidated digital key to the central station of the car rental system. To prevent a lost digital key from being used by unauthorized parties, a digital key can contain information such as a personal identification number (PIN) or a hash of the PIN of the authorized renter. For extra protection, the renter can opt to include his or her PIN in the digital key when the key is created by the car rental system. The parking lot of the car rental system can be operated without security personnel checking for proper authorization.

A dual polarized three-sector base station antenna with variable beam tilt in each sector. The invention advantageously provides a variable phase shifter with very small lateral dimensions which significantly reduces the diameter of a three-sector antenna. The feed network is located on both sides of the antenna ground plane, and the combination of the cable, microstrip and airstrip lines further reduces the lateral size of the antenna. Metal rings on the radome and double-bended ground plane are providing antenna with better cross-polarization and port-to-port isolation.

An example relates to survey analysis, survey panel members analysis, accuracy metrics, reliability analysis, and statistical analysis, to come up with confidence levels, and get an overall reliability of survey panel members, based on a score and percentile, and give incentives to the panel members, based on their reliability scores, to encourage them to be more reliable and truthful in the surveys, including their background and their demographics, increasing the values of the survey results drastically. In addition, this covers many separate embodiments: methods for improving and “incentivizing” truthful behavior in consumer panels; using Trustscore to measure and reward consistency and truthfulness; tag surveys to segment panels; and Doublecheck'd as a tool, to utilize the best responses through asking panel members twice (or more) with the same survey, and only including results from the members who answer the same both (or more) times.

In a gaming system according to the present invention, a server monitors jackpot values and the availability of a plurality of jackpot systems, and thereby produces list outputs of the jackpot values and the available gaming machines. The gaming system provides players with the lists displayed in a screen, and allows each player to select one of the available gaming machines in accordance with the jackpot values. When the jackpot systems are separated from each other and the server, the server reserves the gaming machine selected by a player by using the lists. The selected gaming machine is locked unless the server verifies customer ID data entered into the selected gaming machine. When the server virtually constructs all the jackpot systems, the server will link a virtual gaming machine, which a player has selected by using the lists, to a gaming terminal that the player actually operates.

Various components of the present invention are collectively designated as Analysis of Variables Through Analog Representation (AVATAR). It is a method, processes, and apparatus for measurement and analysis of variables of different type and origin. AVATAR offers an analog solution to those problems of the analysis of variables which are normally handled by digital means. The invention allows (a) the improved perception of the measurements through geometrical analogies, (b) effective solutions of the existing computational problems of the order statistic methods, and (c) extended applicability of these methods to analysis of variables. The invention employs transformation of discrete or continuous variables into normalized continuous scalar fields, that is, into objects with mathematical properties of density and / or cumulative distribution functions. In addition to dependence on the displacement coordinates (thresholds), these objects can also depend on other parameters, including spatial coordinates (e.g., if the incoming variables are themselves scalar or vector fields), and / or time (if the variables depend on time). Moreover, this transformation of the measured variables may be implemented with respect to any reference variable. Thus, the values of the reference variable provide a common unit, or standard, for measuring and comparison of variables of different natures, for assessment of mutual dependence of these variables, and for evaluation of changes in the variables and their dependence with time. The invention enables, on a consistent general basis, a variety of new techniques for analysis of variables, which can be implemented through various physical means in continuous action machines as well as through digital means or computer calculations. Several of the elements of these new techniques do have digital counterparts, such as some rank order techniques in digital signal and image processing. However, this invention significantly extends the scope and applicability of these techniques and enables their analog implementation. The invention also introduces a wide range of signal analysis tools which do not exist, and cannot be defined, in the digital domain. In addition, by the present invention, all existing techniques for statistical processing of data, and for studying probability fluxes, are made applicable to analysis of any variable.

A game of chance involves use of a pair of dice or other randomizing device to obtain a first number set, wherein a first wager immediately wins when the first number set from the dice / device adds up to one of the numbers in a selected Numbers Group or Wagering Zone. A winning wager, or portion of the winning wager, may be parlayed to a second tier wager to determine whether the next roll of the dice / device will produce a second number set that is the same as the first number set. The Wagering Zones may be incorporated / combined with traditional casino game layouts, for example, Craps, slot-machine, Blackjack, or Roulette types of layout. In many board or table embodiments, wagers, based on speculation of what will be the first number set and subsequent number sets, are placed directly on the playing surface, with second tier wagering zones provided to prevent confusion with others' “fresh” wagers on the subsequent rolls. In computer or electronic slot-machine embodiments, the programming / memory may serve to differentiate, monitor, and display first vs. second tier wagers. The ability to bet on both grouped numbers (in a first tier wager), and on individual numbers in a Target Set, in any gaming layout or platform, will increase player enthusiasm and observer excitement. The knowledge that a player may be paid for successfully wagering on a winning Numbers Group after only one roll of the dice, helps move the game along and also adds to the excitement of the game.

Various components of the present invention are collectively designated as Analysis of Variables Through Analog Representation (AVATAR). It is a method, processes, and apparatus for measurement and analysis of variables of different type and origin. AVATAR offers an analog solution to those problems of the analysis of variables which are normally handled by digital means. The invention allows (a) the improved perception of the measurements through geometrical analogies, (b) effective solutions of the existing computational problems of the order statistic methods, and (c) extended applicability of these methods to analysis of variables. The invention employs transformation of discrete or continuous variables into normalized continuous scalar fields, that is, into objects with mathematical properties of density and / or cumulative distribution functions. In addition to dependence on the displacement coordinates (thresholds), these objects can also depend on other parameters, including spatial coordinates (e.g., if the incoming variables are themselves scalar or vector fields), and / or time (if the variables depend on time). Moreover, this transformation of the measured variables may be implemented with respect to any reference variable. Thus, the values of the reference variable provide a common unit, or standard, for measuring and comparison of variables of different natures, for assessment of mutual dependence of these variables, and for evaluation of changes in the variables and their dependence with time. The invention enables, on a consistent general basis, a variety of new techniques for analysis of variables, which can be implemented through various physical means in continuous action machines as well as through digital means or computer calculations. Several of the elements of these new techniques do have digital counterparts, such as some rank order techniques in digital signal and image processing. However, this invention significantly extends the scope and applicability of these techniques and enables their analog implementation. The invention also introduces a wide range of signal analysis tools which do not exist, and cannot be defined, in the digital domain. In addition, by the present invention, all existing techniques for statistical processing of data, and for studying probability fluxes, are made applicable to analysis of any variable.

A submersible electrical connector intended for use in a power distribution network permits a metal to stripped metal conductor connection to be visually inspected and verified by the installer while eliminating many opportunities for human error present with existing connectors. The connector in one embodiment includes a generally cup or dome-shaped enclosure which is preferably transparent. An open end of the enclosure mates with a seal body and a connector plate has a number of apertures adapted to receive the bare metal ends of conductors or wires inserted through the seal body. Each aperture in the connector has an associated set screw for securing the conductor thereto. A molded seal member is adapted to mate with the seal body and to provide a water-tight connection when mated with the enclosure. The seal member has a number of seal ducts each aligned with one of the apertures in the connector. The seal ducts provide a water-tight seal around the plastic sheath of the conductor when installed in the assembly. Each seal duct initially includes a missel-shaped wire way guide plug inserted therein. Each wire way guide plug is open at the bottom to receive the exposed end of the conductor therein. The wire way guide plugs remain installed in the seal ducts to seal them until a conductor is inserted through the associated seal duct.

The invention relates to compositions and methods to enhance the absorption of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and to methods of treating various disorders or diseases using non-parenteral SAMe formulations with enhanced-absorption and improved bioavailability. The enhanced bioavailability formulations may be used to treat a variety of diseases or disorders, such as for example, psychiatric disorders including, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, depressive disorders (e.g. major clinical depression) and dysthymia; as well as treating liver disorders, cancer, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, joint disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease.

There are disclosed systems and methods which provide for an inter-action between unrelated databases such that information provided to a first database by a first provider can be pushed from the first database to a user based, at least in part, on data provided by that user to a second database unrelated to the first database. This then allows a user to have information pushed to him / her based upon information previously obtained from that user or about that user. In one embodiment, the user enters his / her information into one or more databases and the entered information forms the basis for information to be pushed to that user from any database even if the pushed information resides in a non-related database. In another embodiment, the data required from a provider is determined based upon data gathered from other providers for similar items. In some situations certain data is gathered without active participation from the provider.

Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for facilitating a bilateral bidding process between buyers and sellers of items (services, products, bundles, etc.) to allow buyers to obtain lower prices on the items through crowd bidding while simultaneously allowing sellers to essentially offset such lower prices on the items through increased sales volume of the items. Specifically, the disclosed utilities may make use of a network-based ecommerce system or platform that provides sellers of items access to real-time buyer demand and the optimum price that a plurality of buyers (e.g., customers) are willing to pay that yields increased profits. The disclosed platform also benefits buyers in cases when multiple sellers compete for the then current plurality of buyer demand resulting in a reduced price for the item based on the then real-time demand.

A submersible electrical connector intended for use in a power distribution network permits a metal to stripped metal conductor connection to be visually inspected and verified by the installer while eliminating many opportunities for human error present with existing connectors. The connector in one embodiment includes a generally cup or dome-shaped enclosure which is preferably transparent. An open end of the enclosure mates with an upper seal body and a connector plate has a number of apertures adapted to receive the bare metal ends of conductors or wires inserted through the upper seal body. Each aperture in the connector has an associated set screw for securing the conductor thereto. A molded seal member is adapted to mate with the upper seal body and to provide a water-tight connection when mated with the enclosure. The seal member has a number of seal ducts each aligned with one of the apertures in the connector. The seal ducts provide a water-tight seal around the plastic sheath of the conductor when installed in the assembly. Each seal duct initially includes a missile-shaped wire way guide plug inserted therein. Each wire way guide plug can be opened at the bottom to receive the exposed end of the conductor therein. The wire way guide plugs remain installed in the seal ducts to seal them until a conductor is inserted through the associated seal duct.

The present invention includes methods and systems of monetizing appreciation and improving fungibility of real property assets. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for establishing real estate units (RU) representative of the value of real property assets. The system includes a central server accessible via a network having a processor, software, random memory, and data storage hardware. The data storage hardware stores a database having data pertaining to a plurality of real estate assets and transforms the data to unitize real estate units reflective of the value by classifying the real estate assets into asset classes. Transformed data includes a saleable area of each property and an initial price for the real estate units based on the asset classes and saleable area. Accordingly, the server enables trading of the real estate units via the network.

Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help.

A power converter for converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), comprising a first supply potential and a second supply potential established by the input voltage, and at least one primary winding having two terminals, a center tap arranged between the two terminals and connected to the first supply potential, and at least one secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding for providing at least one output voltage (Vout) and a first controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and one terminal of the primary winding and a second controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding and a third controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the one terminal of the primary winding and a fourth controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding, and a control unit for controlling the switches such that the first, second, third, and fourth switches are turned on sequentially wherein at any time maximum one switch is turned on.

A vehicle operates an internal combustion engine according to an automatic start-stop function to reduce fuel consumption. A first DC bus is adapted to connect to a plurality of DC loads. A primary battery is coupled between the first DC bus and a ground. A first alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the first DC bus. A second DC bus is connected to a positive terminal of an auxiliary battery. A negative terminal of the auxiliary battery is connected to the first DC bus. A second alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the second bus at a voltage corresponding to a sum of voltages of the primary and auxiliary batteries. An inverter receives electrical power from the second DC bus to generate an AC output adapted to connect to accessory AC loads.

A power converter for converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), comprising a first supply potential and a second supply potential established by the input voltage, and at least one primary winding having two terminals, a center tap arranged between the two terminals and connected to the first supply potential, and at least one secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding for providing at least one output voltage (Vout) and a first controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and one terminal of the primary winding and a second controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding and a third controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the one terminal of the primary winding and a fourth controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding, and a control unit for controlling the switches such that the first, second, third, and fourth switches are turned on sequentially wherein at any time maximum one switch is turned on.

Disclosed is a gaming machine. The gaming machine comprises a RT game-number counter for storing the information of the number (200 times, 100 times, 50 times, etc.) of unit games provided to correspond to each of the plural symbol combinations, on condition that all of RT1, RT2 and RT3 corresponding to each of “Bell-Bell-Red 7,”“Bell-Bell-Blue 7” and “Bell-Bell-BAR” are determined, on condition of the detection of one start operation carried out by the start switch 6S, by the main control circuit 71 and one of the symbol combinations is displayed by the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, 21R.

The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate having a gate structure formed thereon and forming a source / drain extension region in the substrate adjacent to the gate structure. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate structure and a source / drain region is formed in the substrate adjacent to the spacer but away from the gate structure. A bevel carbon implantation process is performed to implant a plurality carbon atoms into the substrate and a metal silicide layer is formed on the gate structure and the source / drain region.

An apparatus for a beacon-enabled wireless network, a transmission time determination method, and a tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The apparatus is located within the coverage area of the first equipment. The second equipment is located within the coverage area of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a receive / transmission module and a decision module. The receive / transmission module is configured to receive the beacon of the first equipment. The decision module is configured to decide information of an upload time slot and a download time slot of the apparatus according to the beacon so that the receive / transmission module can perform data transmission with the first equipment by the upload time slot and perform data transmission with the second equipment by the download time slot. According to the aforementioned allocations, transmission collisions can be avoided and delay of transmission times is decreased.

A system and method for tracking baggage on cruise liners are provided. A baggage tag is created which includes a unique baggage identifier and a unique passenger identifier that has been allocated by a reservation system. The identifiers are associated and stored in a baggage message. The baggage tag is affixed to an item of baggage and as the passenger checks in the item the tag is scanned and the bag validated and the status of the item in the baggage message is updated. When the passenger boards the ship, they scan a touch point with a mobile communications device which indicates that the item of baggage can now be delivered to their cabin. Shortly before arrival at port, the bags are loaded into a baggage container for unloading at the port and each bag tag is scan and associated with a scanned container identifier. The container is notified to the passenger through a message sent to their mobile communications device. When the container is unloaded the bag tag and the container are both scanned to ensure that the item of baggage has been loaded into the correct container and an error is flagged if the container associated with the bag tag does not match the scanned container.

Bidding on a plurality of items with contingencies. Input may be received from a buyer over a wide area network. The input may specify a plurality of offers for purchase of a respective plurality of items and the offers may be included in a collection of offers. One or more contingencies may be associated with the collection of offers, e.g., in response to user input. The one or more contingencies may specify cancellation of one or more of the plurality of offers within the collection of offers. Input may be received from a seller over the wide area network, specifying an acceptance of a first offer of the plurality of offers in the collection of offers. At least one of the plurality of offers within the collection of offers may be automatically canceled based on the one or more contingencies and possibly the acceptance of the first offer.