942results about How to "Save lives" patented technology

This invention relates to motor vehicles, and, more particularly, to a rear viewing system for tractor-trailer vehicles. An automated, universal trailer rear viewing system that is integrated in its entirety on the head or pulling portion of a pivotally connected articulated vehicle. The system includes: (a) at least one image capturing device mounted on the tractor designed to tilt, pan and focus on a target object or an area around the trailer; (b) a computer located inside the tractor coupled to the image capturing device; (c) an image capturing and comparative software program loaded into the memory of the computer capable of processing the image file of the target object transmitted from the image capturing device, and capable of generating control commands to the image capturing device so that an image of the target object is maintained as the system is activated; (d) at least one adjustable viewing camera also coupled to the computer that automatically adjusts the viewing camera tilting, panning and focusing according to the movement of the image capturing device; and, (e) at least one display monitor located near the driver that is coupled to the viewing camera so that the image seen thereby may be seen by the driver.

A modular stent graft assembly (10) for repairing a ruptured abdominal aorta aneurysm (90) and having an aortic section tubular graft (12) and an iliac section tubular graft (14). The aortic section graft has a proximal attachment stent (32) thereon for suprarenal attachment of the assembly (10) to the aorta. A proximal end portion (50) of the iliac section graft (14) underlies the distal end portion (28) of the aortic graft (12) and presses outwardly thereagainst forming a a friction fit, at a telescoping region (64). The assembly (10) can be selected from an inventory (300) containing a set of delivery systems (100) of four size aortic section grafts (12) and a set of delivery systems (200) of four size iliac section grafts (14), that together accommodate a large majority of aneurysm sizes, and delivery systems (250) containing four standard sizes of occluders (80).

Whether or not the CW radar is utilized for through-the-wall detection, additional one or more sensors are used with the CW radar to confirm the motion detection result or to in fact turn on the CW radar once motion or the physical presence of an individual has been sensed, thereby to provide confirmation of a less-reliable sensor with the use of the more reliable CW radar. Thus, the addition of other sensors provides lower power consumption, lower false alarm rates and better discrimination and classification of moving objects.

A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensors to detect other vehicles, and computing environments programmed to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment devices are provided to enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.

Systems and methods of detecting an impending cardiac decompensation of a patient measure an electrocardiogram signal of the patient. An incidence of cardiac arrhythmias is determined from the electrocardiogram signal. A risk of impending decompensation is determined in response to the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. In many embodiments, the impending decompensation can be detected early enough to avoid, or at least delay, the impending decompensation, such that patient trauma and / or expensive ICU care can be avoided. Although embodiments make specific reference to monitoring electrocardiogram and other physiological signals with an adherent patch, the system methods and devices are applicable to many applications in which physiological monitoring is used, for example wireless physiological monitoring with implanted sensors for extended periods.

An integrated parking meter system automates the issuance of parking citations. Each parking meter will be equipped with a sonar range finder, mercury type switch and a two way radio that communicates via N-PCS to a host computer back at the control center. When a meter runs out of money it checks to see if a vehicle is present in the parking space. If it is, the meter notifies the host computer that there is a car illegally parked in the space. The host computer correlates the information to identify the exact location of the violator. The host computer then sends this information via wireless network to the parking meter attendants' personal communicator. The parking attendant proceeds to the violator and issues the citation. Included within this technology is the capability to remotely change the rate structure of any or all electronic parking meters. A meter diagnostic feature alerts repair personnel to specific malfunctioning meters. The meter may also set the time remaining on the meter to zero whenever a car leaves the adjacent space.

Autonomous data machines and systems may be provided, which may be deployed in an environment. The machines may roam within the environment and collect data with aid of one or more sensors. The data may be sent to a control center, which may optionally receive information from additional data sources, such as other on-site sensors, existing static data, or real-time social data. The control center may send instructions to the machines to perform one or more reaction based on the received information. The autonomous data machines may be capable of reacting autonomously to one or more detected condition. In some instances, the autonomous data machines may be employed for security or surveillance.

Apparatus and methods are provided for automatically interrogating a tagged object using radio frequency identification (RFID) when the object is moved. In one embodiment, a worker is outfitted with a wearable RFID system including an RF antenna, an RFID reader, and a holder to hold the antenna and reader during operation. The system is worn by the worker while the worker moves objects from one place to another. When the worker moves an object with an attached RFID tag, the antenna automatically begins scanning for signals from the object's RFID tag. When a RF signal is received by the antenna, the RFID reader collects the signal and transmits it to a host system which processes the signal to obtain information related to the object to which the RFID tag is attached.

A technical procedure and information enhancement system comprising a multi-function colored display; a computing device having memory and processors; a touch-free gesture-responsive computer input device; computer-readable media containing computer instructions for displaying a plurality of electronic pages selected from the group consisting of a pre-procedural page, a procedure preparation page, an intra-procedural page and a post-procedural page; connection to the internet; a backup memory; a microphone; one or more video cameras situated to record the medical procedure, speakers, and an electronic signature pad.

A lead stimulation / recording system is provided, which is a combination of a permanent DBS stimulating lead and a recording microelectrode. The DBS lead has a lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end of the lead, the lumen having an opening on each end of the lead. The microelectrode is configured and dimensioned to be insertable into the DBS lead from either the distal or proximal opening of the DBS lead, thereby permitting the microelectrode to be placed before, concurrently with, or after placement of the DBS lead. In addition, the system may be used with known microelectrode recording systems and methods of inserting the electrodes, such as the five-at-a-time method, the dual-microdrive method, or the single microdrive method.

Methods and systems are provided for power management and security for wireless modules in “Machine-to-Machine” communications. A wireless module operating in a wireless network and with access to the Internet can efficiently and securely communicate with a server. The wireless network can be a public land mobile network (PLMN) or a wireless local area network (LAN). The wireless module may include a sensor and may be installed next to a monitored unit. The wireless module may utilize active states for collecting and sending data, and sleep states at other times to conserve a battery and / or energy usage. The wireless module minimize the time spent in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state. Messages between the wireless module and server can be transmitted according to a user datagram protocol (UDP). The wireless module and server can utilize public key infrastructure (PKI) for encryption and digital signatures.

A locomotion platform device enables a user to perform a simulation of various motions including walking and running. The device comprises a locomotion platform having a concave upward facing surface. The platform and / or the user's footwear incorporate a mechanism to reduce friction between the user and the surface of the platform in order to allow the user's feet to move freely.

A method and apparatus for preventing texting on cellular telephones while driving. A cellular telephone moving faster than a predetermined speed (for example 15 MPH) automatically locks out the texting function. Dialing of full telephone numbers under these conditions can also be locked out. If the phone becomes stationary for a predetermined period (say 3 minutes), the lockout can be removed. A passenger can enter an override code to prevent the lockout. In some embodiments the override code can only be entered when the phone is moving faster than the predetermined speed and / or when several buttons are depressed simultaneously requiring operation with two hands.

A hearing aid that is capable of automatically switching between a full-function mode and a sleep mode depending on the location of the hearing aid. The hearing aid comprises a hearing aid module for processing an input signal and generating a compensated output signal and, a location sensor module for providing a location information signal to indicate one of an in-the-ear case and an out-of-the-ear case. The hearing aid module automatically switches to the full-function mode when the location information signal indicates the in-the-ear case and the hearing aid module automatically switches to the sleep mode when the location information signal indicates the out-of-the-ear case.

An illuminator adapted for use on a hand-operated tool such as a power tool (1000) comprises a low-profile, flexible, adherent laminated housing (900), including one or more lamps (906, 907) capable of illuminating a work surface beneath the power tool. This permits a user to work with the tool in conditions of poor visibility. The housing includes connectors. A battery pack (1002) may be attached to a surface of the tool or concealed within an attachable or accessory handle (1002A). Versions including lamp control are also described.

The present invention describes a method for predicting a health-state indicative of the presence of prostate cancer. The method measures the intensities of specific small biochemicals, called metabolites, in a blood sample from a patient with an undetermined health-state, and compares these intensities to the intensities observed in a population of healthy individuals and / or to the intensities previously observed in a population of confirmed prostate cancer-positive individuals. The method enables a practitioner to determine the probability that a screened patient is positive for prostate cancer.

Although self-driving vehicles excel under “normal” driving conditions, they sometimes struggle with new situations that often would not be overly difficult for a person. Several embodiments described herein enable a hybrid approach that leverages the exceptional abilities of self-driving vehicles while soliciting human interaction in select situations. The resulting combination of machine intelligence and human intelligence significantly enlarges the potential of self-driving vehicles in a manner that will enable self-driving vehicles to become widespread much faster than would otherwise be the case.

Disclosed are methods and systems for determining a route for a vehicle where the probability for locating a vacant parking place is greatest. In response to a user's request for a vacant parking place, the system of the invention generates a route map and / or a heat map of the route with the highest probability of locating a vacant parking place.

An electronic tire maintenance system is provided for measuring a parameter of a device at a first location. The system includes a sensor for measuring the device parameter and generating a data signal representing the measured parameter. The system also includes a microprocessor coupled to the sensor for activating the sensor on a first periodic basis to measure the device parameter. The microprocessor includes a memory for storing the generated data signal representing the measured parameter. A transmitter and a receiver are coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor periodically partially awakens to determine, on a second periodic basis, if a received transmission is a valid interrogation signal and, if so, fully awakens and responds to the valid interrogation signal, via the transmitter, by at least transmitting the last stored measured parameter. In one embodiment, the device is a tire tag mounted inside a tire that measures tire data and transmits that data to a remote source in response to an interrogation request, an alert condition, or automatically on a periodic basis.

A distributed processing network system (10), an integrated response system (50) comprising multiple distributed processing network systems and related methods providing situational awareness information for emergency responses. In one embodiment there is disclosed a response system (50) comprising first and second server based systems (10, 11) each providing real time awareness of personnel (18, 19) for different organizations, the first system receiving information for a first organization and the second system receiving information for a second organization, the first system coupled to the second system to communicate information generated in the first system to personnel in the second organization via the second system to facilitate timely and appropriate response by personnel in the second organization to an emergency situation in the first organization.

A process for extracting hemopoietic stem cells from the placenta of healthy puerperant to create hemopoistic stem cell bank features that the mechanical, enzyme digestive and monoclonal antibody-magnetic bead method is used to extract blood stem cells from placenta, and concentrate and purify them. Its advantages are high activity and high concentration.

A two- (or multi) stage power amplifier receives a variable RF input signal, and outputs an optimized. RF output signal from, for example, a mobile handset. The output power level from the handset is predetermined, as known in the art, by the received control signal from a base station. The first power amplifier stage amplifies the variable RF input signal and outputs an RF signal, Vin, to a power detector circuit and an RF signal to the second or next amplifier stage. The power detect circuit amplifies the Vin signal and rectifies that signal with a linearly biased diode and provides a detect signal to a DC to DC converter. The converter responds by providing an optimum voltage bias, which is linearly related to the DC voltage detect signal from the power detector, to the output stage, and, if desired, to the first and / or other stages of the power amplifier that optimizes the output power level while meeting the required linearity specification. The battery current consumption is optimized through this automatic, dynamically control of the supply voltage for the power amplifier at each output power level through the DC to DC converter.

A voice and image e-mail transmitter device with an external camera attachment that is designed for the emergency and surveillance purposes is disclosed. The device converts voice signals and photo images into digital format, which are transmitted to the nearest voice-image message receiving station from where the digital signal strings are parsed and converted into voice, image, or video message files which are attached to an e-mail and delivered to user pre-defined destination e-mail addresses and a 911 rescue team. The e-mail also includes the caller's voice and personal information, photo images of a security threat, device serial number, and a GPS location map of the caller's location. The digital signal data may be recorded and transmitted within few seconds. The victim's family or police may either check the GPS location map in an e-mail or apply a new GPS based people tracking system of the present invention to search for a missing victim.

A wireless phone having an internal GPS-receiver is turned on by an auxiliary switch coupled to a Microwire bus for turning on the phone and the internally carried GPS receiver so that the phone can be made to call a predetermined number and report location. If the switch closure is a result of paging, a phone can be paged to report location whether or not the phone is initially off. This accommodates such applications as Alzheimer patients, truck-tracking, kid-tracking, pet-tracking and in general any application in which a wireless communications device such as a cell phone can be caused to report location, with the phone initially in an off condition. Alternative activations through the closure of specialized switches responsive to airbag deployment, car alarm activation, medical condition alerts, and perimeter violations, provides local activation of the system.

A user-configurable (and re-configurable), multi-sensor system for remote monitoring and surveillance applications. A portable-reconfigurable-sensor (PRS) based monitoring platform may be able to withstand environmental, chemical, biological, or fungal attacks and may be deployed (e.g., as a projectile) using a multitude of techniques. The PRS platform may include a multitude of sensors, a computing unit, a power supply, and other circuit elements embedded in a shell or a case of a hard material so as to result in a robust structure that is rugged enough to withstand a wide range of environments. The computing unit may work with various different types of sensors depending on the desired application. Information collected by the sensors in the PRS platform may be initially processed by the on-board computing unit and then sent to a remote user for additional processing and analysis.

A charging system for an autonomous data machine may be provided. The system may comprise: a charging station, wherein the charging station has a low profile allowing the autonomous data machine to drive over to charge a power supply of the autonomous data machine automatically; and one or more processors of the autonomous data machine configured to make charging decisions to effect charging operations of the autonomous data machine that include charging time, charging location, and operations to be performed during charging. In some instances, the charging decision are based on at least one of the following: location of charging station, availability of charging station, mission parameters, locations of other autonomous data machines, and / or charging requirements and / or availability of charging stations

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the direct and safe teaching of a robot. The apparatus consists of a plurality of tactile sensors and electronic circuitry encapsulated in a compact enclosure, and a handle protruding from the enclosure. The handle provides an easy means for an operator to apply an external force and to act on the sensors that generate electronic signals to the robot controller. The signals, proportional to the applied force, carry information that sets boundaries for safe operations, thus protecting the operator from any harm and the robot from damage.While in the teaching mode the operator guides the robot with the apparatus to the predetermined work positions that are recorded in the controller memory. The work position recording can be handled by either activating a pushbutton or by a voice command. The recorded positions are played back when the robot operates in the work mode.

The Therapeutic Vibrator is a small barrel-shaped container housing a motor and at least one battery for the electric power source. The Therapeutic Vibrator is typically activated by an on / off switch or push-button at one end of the barrel, and when activated, the barrel will vibrate delivering massage to a specific body part. The barrel may comprise two halves that fasten together having recesses and cavities for battery (typically button-cell type), motor, switch wiring, etc. The barrel may then be contained within an appropriate vibrator body made from a material that is soft to the touch. The Therapeutic Vibrator may be used in a sex toy or in any other appropriate massaging device, such as small massagers for hands or faces.