200results about How to "Stay focused" patented technology

A system and method of the present invention for determining and maintaining dialog focus in a conversational speech system includes presenting a command associated with an application to a dialog manager. The application associated with the command is unknown to the dialog manager at the time it is made. The dialog manager determines a current context of the command by reviewing a multi-modal history of events. At least one method is determined responsive to the command based on the current context. The at least one method is executed responsive to the command associated with the application.

A system, apparatus, and method of remote, virtual on screen data input includes a peripheral data input device (PDID) made up of a proximity sensor and data communications means. The proximity sensor is adapted to dynamically recognize the movement of a target in the proximity of the peripheral device. The data connection device is adapted to transmit signals from the proximity sensor to a processor communicatively coupled to the remote display. The processor constructs a representation of input fields on the display, and, when detected, overlays a real-time, virtual representation of the target over the representation of the input fields.

The invention is a digital information display system (10), comprised of an electronically controlled display (20), usually used to display advertising, A video camera (30) is used to detect one or more viewers in the audience who are paying attention (100) to the display (20), and if so which part of the display (30). Based on which part of the display has the viewers attention, the advertising displayed is adjusted in real-time and based on the viewer analysis to promote continued attention from the viewer. It is an advantage of the invention that the display is able to continuously present relevant advertising content, and with reduced delay, to an audience by using its passive observation and analysis capabilities.

Thermodynamic cycles with diluent that produce mechanical power, electrical power, and/or fluid streams for heating and/or cooling are described. Systems contain a combustion system producing an energetic fluid by combusting fuel with oxidant. Thermal diluent is preferably used in the cycle to improve performance, including one or more of power, efficiency, economics, emissions, dynamic and off-peak load performance, temperature regulation, and/or cooling heated components. Cycles include a heat recovery system and preferably recover and recycle thermal diluent from expanded energetic fluid to improve cycle thermodynamic efficiency and reduce energy conversion costs. Cycles preferably include controls for temperatures, pressures, and flow rates within a combined heat and power (CHP) system, and controls for power, thermal output, efficiency, and/or emissions.

In one aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing the presence of a single molecule using total internal reflection. In one embodiment an apparatus for single molecule analysis includes a support having a sample located thereon; two sources of light at distinct wavelengths, a collimator for directing the light onto the sample through a total internal reflection objective; a receiver for receiving a fluorescent emission produced by a single molecule in the sample in response to the light; and a detector for detecting each of the wavelengths in the fluorescent emission. In another embodiment the apparatus further comprises a focusing laser for maintaining focus of the objective on the sample.

In one aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing the presence of a single molecule using total internal reflection. In one embodiment an apparatus for single molecule analysis includes a support having a sample located thereon; two sources of light at distinct wavelengths, a collimator for directing the light onto the sample through a total internal reflection objective; a receiver for receiving a fluorescent emission produced by a single molecule in the sample in response to the light; and a detector for detecting each of the wavelengths in the fluorescent emission. In another embodiment the apparatus further comprises a focusing laser for maintaining focus of the objective on the sample.

A golf aid that prevents a user from leaving a golf club too far behind on a golf course. When a golf club is too distanced from the user, the user is alerted to retrieve the lost club. Preferably, a GPS system assists in guiding the user to the location of the lost club. Several golf clubs can be activated to be monitored, so that the user can choose only the clubs that the user is actually playing with, to be monitored in case of loss.

A method of decontaminating articles, comprising the steps of:

• • (a) moving a plurality of articles having a known temperature along a first path;
  • (b) conveying a carrier gas along a second path that includes an elongated plenum, the second path intersecting the first path downstream from the plenum;
  • (c) heating the carrier gas to a temperature of at least about 105° C. at a location upstream of the plenum;
  • (d) introducing into the carrier gas in the plenum an atomized mist of a liquid hydrogen peroxide of known concentration; and
  • (e) controlling the following:
    • (1) the volumetric flow of carrier gas along the second path;
    • (2) the volume of hydrogen peroxide introduced into the carrier gas; and
    • (3) the temperature of the carrier gas introduced into the plenum, such that the concentration of the vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the carrier gas where the first path intersects the second path has a dew point temperature below the known temperature of the articles.

An improved focusing coupler device for coupling the image capturing portion of an endoscope to a video camera is disclosed. The coupler device includes a housing having an elongate internal chamber defining an optical pathway for connecting the optical image paths of the endoscope and the camera, first and second windows closing off the opposite ends of the chamber, a lens transport assembly disposed in the chamber for relative movement between the ends of the chamber, the lens transport assembly comprising a lens carrier that defines a longitudinal series of rack gear teeth and is movable between the opposite ends of the chamber, and at least one focusing lens mounted to the lens carrier in coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the chamber. The housing also includes a cavity containing a drive device and a passageway communicating with the midsection of the chamber and the distal end of the cavity chamber, and gear means for connecting the rack gear teeth to the drive device so as to translate rotational movement of the drive shaft in the cavity through the passageway to the rack gear teeth and thereby to selectively longitudinally move the lens transport assembly in the chamber.

A method of manufacturing an oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel excellent in high-temperature creep strength having a coarse grain structure is provided. This method comprises mixing either element powders or alloy powders and a Y₂O₃ powder, subjecting the mixed powder to mechanical alloying treatment, solidifying the resulting alloyed powder by hot extrusion, and subjecting the resulting extruded solidified material to final heat treatment involving heating to and holding at a temperature of not less than the AC₃ transformation point and slow cooling at a rate of not more than a ferrite-forming critical rate to thereby manufacture an oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel which comprises, as expressed by % by weight, 0.05 to 0.25% C, 8.0 to 12.0% Cr, 0.1 to 4.0% W, 0.1 to 1.0% Ti, 0.1 to 0.5% Y₂O₃ with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities and in which Y₂O₃ particles are dispersed in the steel. In this method, by using a TiO₂ powder as an element powder of a Ti component to be mixed at the mechanical alloying treatment or by additionally adding an Fe₂O₃ powder, the bonding of Ti with C is suppressed so that the C concentration in the matrix does not decrease. As a result, α to γ transformation during the heat treatment is ensured and it is possible to manufacture an oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel having a coarse and equiaxed grain structure effective in improving high-temperature creep strength.

A computer-implemented method for safely routing a soldier to a destination on the battlefield. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats to the soldier, a Graph Builder (102) for building a graph representing the battlefield, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the soldier along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Enemy Analyzer (200) for determining the attack range of enemy units and an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for soldiers across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on live video in the soldier's heads-up display.

The method for optimizing inspection speed during optical inspection of parts in high, low and fluorescent light applications. There are described autofocus mechanisms and methods optimized for fluorescent and non-fluorescent applications that when combined with a high speed CCD camera and high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve superior signal to noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance.

A method of presenting alternate routes to a user of a personal navigation device includes providing navigation instructions for guiding the user on an original route selected by the user, receiving and analyzing dynamic traffic data, determining the presence of a first alternate route according to the dynamic traffic data, the first alternate route potentially requiring a shorter travel time than the original route, and prompting the user with a choice of following the first alternate route, wherein the first alternate route is described using the name of at least one street associated with the first alternate route.

In a hand-free driving warning process for a vehicle, when a grip state of a steering wheel is in a hand-free driving state, and the vehicle is in a travel state stipulated previously, a danger degree is derived based on a position of a vehicle compartment where a non-grip hand exists. In deriving the danger degree, when the non-grip hand is in a high danger position, a high level is set; when the non-grip hand exists in a low danger position, a middle level or a low lever is set. In the low level, any warning is not outputted; in the middle level, a warning is outputted in a sound volume smaller than a usual sound volume; and in the high level, a warning is outputted in the usual sound volume or greater.

A novel combination of technologies from the fields of coffee roasting and solar-thermal energy collection enables the roasting of coffee beans by means of available solar energy with maximized efficiency. A solar receiving plate is provided configured to receive and convert solar radiation to thermal energy for heating a volume of air. A roasting chamber is provided configured for receiving and circulating the heated air from the solar plate. At least one valve is provided configured to be in at least one of a closed position and an open position for controlling at least one of air inflow and outflow into at least one of said solar receiving plate and said roasting chamber.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating disease and/or infection by the release of silver from an implant over an extended period of time. In particular, the devices described herein may be used to treat infections such as osteomyelitis by the controlled release of silver ions from multiple sites of an extended-use implant. This implant typically includes a plurality of arms that both anchor and help distribute the released ions within the tissue. Power may be applied to release the silver ions into the tissue.

A system and methods for matching at least one word of an utterance against a set of template hierarchies to select the best matching template or set of templates corresponding to the utterance. Certain embodiments of the system and methods determines at least one exact, inexact, and partial match between the at least one word of the utterance and at least one term within the template hierarchy to select and populate a template or set of templates corresponding to the utterance. The populated template or set of templates may then be used to generate a narrative template or a report template.