110results about How to "Reduce disruption and disruption" patented technology

An apparatus comprises microphone receivers (101) which receive microphone signals from a plurality of microphones (103). A comparator (105) determines a speech similarity indication indicative of a similarity between the microphone signal and non-reverberant speech for each microphone signal. The determination is in response to a comparison of a property derived from the microphone signal to a reference property for non-reverberant speech. In some embodiments, the comparator (105) determines the similarity indication by comparing to reference properties for speech samples of a set of non-reverberant speech samples. A generator (107) generates a speech signal by combining the microphone signals in response to the similarity indications. In many embodiments, the apparatus may be distributed over a plurality of devices each containing a microphone, and the approach may determine the most suited microphone for generating the speech signal.

A system and method for managing vehicles on a road network can include a processor that performs operations including accessing a matrix of vehicle parameters of a plurality of communicating vehicles on the road network and representing the plurality of communicating vehicles in a graph with a plurality of nodes corresponding to the plurality of communicating vehicles and edges corresponding to the vehicle parameters. The system and method can include partitioning, with a processing device, the graph to reduce disruptions to the road network below a threshold level to support safe and efficient traffic flow and assigning one or more exclusion zones within the road network to each partition of the graph by associating the vehicle parameters for each vehicle.

Methods, systems and computer program products provide for recovery from a failure of a primary routing communication protocol stack which routes communications over connections to a virtual Internet Protocol address (VIPA) and at least one port associated with the VIPA to a plurality of other communication protocol stacks associated by the primary routing stack and with the VIPA and the at least one port. At least one backup routing communication protocol stack is identified. The backup routing stack stores an identification of stacks associated with the VIPA and the at least one port as candidate target stacks. Messages are received at the backup routing stack identifying stacks having application instances bound to the VIPA and listening on the at least one port as current actual target stacks. Connections to the VIPA and the at least one port for current actual target stacks are also identified and a routing table constructed from the received messages so as to provide routing path information to current actual target stacks associated with the connection. Messages on the connections to the VIPA and the at least one port are routed through the backup stack utilizing the constructed routing table.

A system and method of marketing an item is provided. Items are displayed during an entertainment program. Information corresponding to the source(s) for purchase of the displayed item(s) is presented to the viewer of the entertainment program by a video or audio overlay. In one embodiment of the inventive system, contact information for the source of purchasing the items is presented in the overlay. In another embodiment a pointer, such as a web address is presented via the overlay. The web address provides the viewer with the location of a website in which information can be obtained to purchase item(s) displayed during the entertainment program. The website can include a database list of items that are displayed in the entertainment program, which can be searched by program title, entertainer name and other similar criteria.

Apparatus and methods for acoustically isolating logging tool receiver and transmitter sections. One or more modular isolators is arranged between the receiver and transmitter sections. The modular isolators comprise a high tensile strength while also providing for a high wave attenuation level. The modular isolators are mechanical mass-spring systems capable of absorbing acoustic waves propagating along the logging tool. The mass is a swinging sleeve, and the spring includes a Belleville spring stack. The use of the strong modular isolators provides acoustic isolation between the transmitters and receivers for the complete sonic frequency band at multiple modes.

A patient care apparatus comprises a platform carrying a mattress configured to allow the care of and facilitate the transfer of a patient from one support platform to another support platform with minimal stimulation or disruption to the patient. The patient care apparatus further comprises of a base designed to allow the platform to be used on any stationary or mobile patient support platform including a mechanism for lifting the patient.

Apparatus and methods for pumping and oxygenating blood are provided that include a gas removal system. An integrated blood processing unit is provided in which a gas removal / blood filter, pump and blood oxygenation element are mounted within a common housing. The gas removal system includes a sensor mounted on the housing to sense the presence of gas, and a valve is operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the system when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas.

Asymmetric hardware support for a special class of threads is provided. Preferably, the special class threads are high-priority, I / O bound threads. In a first aspect, a multithreaded processor contains N sets of registers for supporting concurrent execution of N threads. At least one of the register sets is dedicated for use by a special class of threads, and can not be used by other threads even if idle. In a second aspect, the special class of threads can fill only the a limited portion of the cache memory, in order to reduce flushing of the cache which might otherwise occur.

A system and method for providing a substantially constant-time copy operation for file system objects managed by a network storage server begins by generating a new file based on metadata in a source file. The system then generates a snapshot of the source file or the logical volume in which the source file resides. The system then copies each of the indirect blocks of the source file to a corresponding location in the destination file. During the copy process, a modified set of file system operations can be executed on the destination metadata container. In response to a read request directed to a target block in the destination file, the system determines if target block has been copied. If the block has not been copied, the system provides a data segment from the corresponding data block in the snapshot. Write requests are processed by generating a new data block and adding a reference to the new data block to the target location in the destination metadata container. During the copy process, the system checks each block reference before copying to determine if the block reference has been modified by a write operation. If the block was modified, the system skips copying that particular block reference. The system provides additional operations to execute truncate and append operations during the copy process.

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit and to the laser manipulation system in response to user input.

A system and method for managing vehicles on a road network can include a processor that performs operations including accessing a matrix of vehicle parameters of a plurality of communicating vehicles on the road network and representing the plurality of communicating vehicles in a graph with a plurality of nodes corresponding to the plurality of communicating vehicles and edges corresponding to the vehicle parameters. The system and method can include partitioning, with a processing device, the graph to reduce disruptions to the road network below a threshold level to support safe and efficient traffic flow and assigning one or more exclusion zones within the road network to each partition of the graph by associating the vehicle parameters for each vehicle.

Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, a centrifugal pump is used. In an embodiment, inlet and outlet ports are connected into the aorta and blood flow is diverted through a lumen and a centrifugal pump between the inlet and outlet ports. The supports may create a pressure rise between about 40-80 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L / min. The support may be configured to be inserted in a collinear manner with the descending aorta. The support may be optimized to replicate naturally occurring vortex formation within the aorta. Diffusers of different dimensions and configurations, such as helical configuration, and / or the orientation of installation may be used to optimize vortex formation. The support may use an impeller which is electromagnetically suspended, stabilized, and rotated to pump blood.

Method and system for managing communication resources within a cellular network. The method comprising determining one or more groups of user equipment, UEs, engaged in a group call in a first mode of operation to be migrated to a second mode of operation based on information indicating the load of a base station. Sending a message indicating that the determined one or more groups of UEs are to migrate to the second mode of operation.

The present invention comprises a device that, based upon signals transmitted by devices within a wireless network, causes masking signals to be selectively transmitted. For example, the device may not cause masking signals to be transmitted if the signal does not include confidential data, for example it is an acknowledgement message. Additionally, the strength, coding rate and modulation format of the masking signals may be varied to provide increased data security.

Disclosed herein are imaging systems and methods for simultaneous near-infrared light and visible light imaging of a sample comprising: a detector to form a fluorescence image of the sample and a visible image of the sample; a light source configured to emit infrared light to induce fluorescence from the sample; and a plurality of optics arranged to direct the infrared light toward the sample and form the fluorescence image of the sample and the visible light image of the sample on the detector, wherein the infrared light is directed to the sample substantially coaxially with fluorescence light received from the sample in order to decrease shadows.

The present invention relates to a new method of preparing acellularized, biocompatible, implantation material starting from a biological material. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of preparing biological material for implantation comprising (a) fixation of the biological material with an aldehyde and (b) detoxification / anticalcification of the fixed biological material, wherein the detoxification / anticalcification step makes use of a novel class of substances of formula:NH2—(CH2)n—X   (I)whereinX is COOH, SO3H, PO3H2 andn is an integer from 2 to 6.

In the case where one set of EDCA access parameters is set, there are problems such as failure in performing QoS when a transmission rate is changed and a deterioration in transmission efficiency.A relay device is a wireless communication device which transmits received data according to a priority level of the data, including: a transmitting unit (11) which transmits received data; a rate measuring unit (12) which measures a rate at which the transmitting unit (11) transmits the data; and a transmission control unit (14) which adaptively controls a transmission waiting time for which the transmitting unit (11) waits until start of the transmission of the data, according to the transmission rate of the transmitting unit (11) which is measured by the rate measuring unit (12), wherein the transmitting unit (11) transmits the data according to transmission control by the transmission control unit (14).

A multi-band helix antenna including one or more first arms extending helically about an axis at a first distance from the axis; and one or more second arms extending helically about the axis at a second distance from the axis that is greater than the first distance, wherein each of the one or more second arms comprises at least one trap circuit configured to have a first impedance at a resonant frequency of the one or more first arms and a second impedance at a resonant frequency of the one or more second arms, and the first impedance is greater than the second impedance.

A process for preparing a thermosensitive polymer from a microemulsion is provided. The microemulsion comprises a monomer capable of forming a thermosensitive polymer and a polymerizable surfactant. Additional comonomers may be included in the microemulsion to vary the properties of the polymers produced. The resulting thermosensitive polymers may be nanoporous. The polymers according to the invention are suitable for use in medical applications, including use as a wound dressing and for delivery of cells to a graft site.

A method is provided for transitioning from an initial to a final transmission mode in an electrically variable transmission (EVT), and includes transitioning to an intermediate mode having an additional speed degree of freedom (DOF), changing a transmission ratio, and engaging a clutch to shift to the final mode. The modes include input and compound split, fixed gear ratio, and electric torque converter (ETC), with and without input from an engine. Output torque is maintained by adjusting a charge on an energy storage device. A brake grounds an input member of the EVT. The EVT has the input member, an output member, a stationary member, and first and second motor / generators. An algorithm transitions between modes by releasing at least one clutch to transition to a mode having an extra speed degree of freedom (DOF), and utilizing the extra speed DOF to change the ratio of the EVT.

An active lightning protection system and method is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the active lightning protection system includes a charge sensor that senses the build-up of charge associated with an imminent lightning strike in the proximity of a structure and a charge source to supply an opposite charge into the proximity to offset the build-up, thereby reducing the possibility of a strike to the structure.

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

An antenna for a Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) system is disclosed that comprises a pair of resonant cavities. The antenna is realized by folding the ends of a ribbon of conductive material, such as metal foil, over the middle part of the ribbon. The antenna generates a higher voltage than prior-art antennas used in RFID systems, and it makes possible RFID systems with an improved range. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna comprises a reflector that enables the RFID system to better tolerate the presence of nearby metal objects.

Server information handling system deployment and maintenance is enhanced with automated trouble ticket generation at a mobile telephone through an NFC transaction with a management controller. NFC transactions coordinate authorization for replacement component installation and server information handling system replacement. In one embodiment, a bezel includes an NFC device that interfaces with a management controller and stores configuration information to aid installation of replacement server information handling systems in the event of a system failure. A back-up battery provides power to an NFC support circuit that stores fault codes detected by the management controller so that fault codes are available during management controller failures. In one embodiment, contact information provided from a mobile telephone through an NFC transaction is used by the management controller to notify the mobile telephone of the state of management functions initiated by the mobile telephone with the NFC transaction.

Devices and methods are provided for positioning and / or rotating a substrate without solid contact, such as by floating the wafer on a thin layer of gas. Since there is no solid contact with components of a processing chamber, features on the wafer are used to determine wafer position and rotational speed. Closed loop control systems are provided with capacitive sensors to monitor the position of the edge of the wafer in a horizontal plane. Control systems may also monitor the position of a wafer feature as it rotates, such as a notch in the edge of the wafer. Because the presence of a notch can disrupt sensors facing the edge of the wafer, methods and devices to reduce or eliminate this disruption are also provided.