2710 results about "Environmental factor" patented technology

A solid-state storage system is described with a method for adjusting the frequency of data retention operations. The data retention operation frequency can be increased or decreased according to a variety of environmental factors such as error code frequency, system temperature, altitude, and other operating conditions. These factors can indicate an increased or decreased risk of failure and accordingly provide increased or decreased rates of data retention operations.

The invention pertains to location approximation of devices, e.g., wireless access points and client devices in a wireless network. Location estimates may be obtained by observation/analysis of packets transmitted or received by the access point. For instance, data rate information associated with a packet is used to approximate the distance between a client device and the access point. This may be coupled with known positioning information to arrive at an approximate location for the access point. Confidence information and metrics about whether a device is an access point and the location of that device may also be determined. Accuracy of the location determination may be affected by factors including propagation and environmental factors, transmit power, antenna gain and diversity, etc. A location information database of access points may employ measurements from various devices over time. Such information may identify the location of client devices and provide location-based services to them.

An adaptive timeout value setting is determined for DCE applications, wherein the timeout value setting is adapted and adjusted according to environmental factors and communication conditions between a client/server pair. The adaptive timeout value setting takes into consideration the communication time between a client and a server in each client/server pair in determining and setting a timeout value for each pair. The timeout value for a client/server pair is adjusted in a dynamic fashion so that the client is able to be more adaptive to real environment changes and so that the server's performance is not degraded due to ineffective timeouts. The system and method determines an adaptive timeout value setting in distributed computing environment (DCE) applications for a client/server pair wherein each pair has a client system and a server system. A server response time of the server system is tracked to a remote procedure call from the client system. The remote procedure call includes a binding handle, and the server response time is based on a time of the server system responding to the remote procedure. An optimal timeout value is calculated from the response time, and a timeout value of the binding handle is reset as the optimal timeout value.

Methods and systems for obtaining and analyzing data from embedded sensors in electronic products for warranty management. A data collection unit in an electronic product collects and reports data about environmental factors that is relevant about a warranty agreement and transmits the data over a communications link to a data interpretation unit. The data interpretation unit may obtain warranty information from an electronic product and query a database to determine if the electronic product has been exposed to environmental factors outside the ranges that are specified in the warranty agreement. The data interpretation unit may query a database to determine the product grade of the electronic product based on the sensor data and to determine an estimated product value. The data interpretation unit may query a database to determine an estimated warranty cost of an extended warranty based on the condition of the electronic product and historical warranty value.

The present invention is a composition for forming seals. The composition includes a base material and a hydrogel. The base materials is preferably an elastomer or a thermoplastic. Seals formed with the composition are particularly suited for use in a wellbore environment. The inclusion of hydrogel in the seals allows the seals to be manipulated or altered through certain environmental factors. For instance, temperature, oil/water ratio, pH and the electronic field may all be used to alter the characteristics of the hydrogel. In this way, the seal may be caused to swell in response to a specific stimulus, thereby preventing or sealing a leak without requiring additional work or input from the operator.

The present invention provides portal friendly user interface widgets that can detect environmental factors in a portal page and automatically adjust the markup they produce based on the detected environmental factors. Each portal friendly widget comprises: a system for detecting at least one environmental factor in a portal page; and a system for automatically adjusting markup produced by the portal friendly widget based on the at least one detected environmental factor.

A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.

An irrigation scheduler modifies output of a preprogrammed irrigation schedule of an installed irrigation controller to at least partially improve irrigation of the corresponding landscape. Preferred embodiments accomplish this task using a microprocessor programmed to: (a) derive a first set of information from the output of an irrigation controller used to control an operation of an irrigation valve; (b) receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an environmental factor and a meteorological factor; and (c) use the first set of information and the second set of information to interfere with reception of the output by the valve.

A patient is diagnosed and a regimen of treatment is prescribed in a system which tests the patients, receives test results from a patient, including DNA test results. A database of human genome data correlating human health disorder with DNA genetic tests is accessed. A database of environmental factors which correlate known human health disorders with environmental conditions is accessed. Risk factors including genetic risk and environmental risk are developed, and from these, a composite risk factor is developed. This is used to access a database of prescribed drug therapy.

A method for noninvasive blood glucose monitoring involves metabolic heat measurement and algorithm to correct interferences from environmental factors, and physiological or pathological conditions of subjects.

An in-vehicle gaming system may be played by a driver alone, or simultaneously or individually by a driver and/or one or more other users. The in-vehicle gaming system may be activated or controlled by, for example, touch, voice, or gesture. Gameplay is dynamically adjusted based at least in part on environmental factors such that the driver is not distracted from driving the vehicle. Game content is generated based at least in part on environmental factors and user data.

A method of improving and strengthening the performance of metal and protecting the metal against degradation and suppression thereof by controlling ultrasonic impact is disclosed. The method addresses the problems of degradation of metal properties during prolonged service under external forces, thermodynamic fluctuations and negative environmental factors. The method also relates to the technologies oriented to protect against (prevent) and to suppress the danger of materials failure due to unfavorable change in performance over time. The well-known methods of “combating” metal degradation cover a wide range of technologies from metallurgical alloying during melting, casting, welding and application of coatings to various thermal treatments and effects on the surface. The invention provides a new versatile method of addressing degradation problems in all these cases.

The present invention discloses a novel method for identifying an individual who may be susceptible to develop a developmental disorder. In one particular example, an individual is identified who is genetically susceptible to becoming schizophrenic. In addition, the present invention discloses a novel method for identifying individuals who are genetically susceptible to have offspring with a developmental disorder. Methods of diagnosing, preventing and treating developmental disorders such as schizophrenia are also provided.

A smart window includes a windowpane, at least one sensor and a wireless signal transceiver. The sensor is disposed on the windowpane and configured for detecting an environmental factor and accordingly outputting a sensing signal. The wireless signal transceiver is disposed on the windowpane and electrically connected to the sensor. The wireless signal transceiver is configured for further transmitting the sensing signal from the sensor. A smart window system includes the aforementioned smart window. The smart window and the smart window system adopt wireless communication manner to transmit the sensing signals, and thereby the smart window system has an overall modulation to an environmental factor.

A system or method (collectively “classification system”) is disclosed for classifying sensor images into one of several pre-defined classifications. Mathematical moments relating to various features or attributes in the sensor image are used to populated a vector of attributes, which are then compared to a corresponding template vector of attribute values. The template vector contains values for known classifications which are preferably predefined. By comparing the two vectors, various votes and confidence metrics are used to ultimately select the appropriate classification. In some embodiments, preparation processing is performed before loading the attribute vector with values. Image segmentation is often desirable. The performance of heuristics to adjust for environmental factors such as lighting can also be desirable. One embodiment of the system is to prevent the deployment of an airbag when the occupant in the seat is a child, a rear-facing infant seat, or when the seat is empty.

A method for automatically navigating potential websites for predictive browsing based on user activities along with efficiency of verifying content updates. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of websites and its associated attributes that a user visits can be recorded and stored in a storage engine. The potential sites can be predicted by a predictive engine component based upon a past browsing history and various environmental factors that are recorded in the storage engine. A dynamic content detection engine component examines each potential websites and detects if the site has been updated. The predictive engine enables the user to navigate to the potential websites thereby permitting the user to browse websites faster.

A neurological profile associated with introversion/extroversion levels, simultaneous visual element processing capability, and/or dynamism processing capability, etc., is determined to select market categories and stimulus material targeted to the particular neurological profile. The neurological profile is determined using information such as user input, user activity, social and environmental factors, genetic and developmental factors, and/or neuro-response data. The neurological profile can be matched with corresponding neurological profile templates to select market categories and stimulus material.

A digital content distribution scheme allows for monitoring of a wide range of data, such as system and behavior events of audiences and playback devices, as well as environmental factors, such as those present at the playback venue. More “static” data may be considered, such as subscriptions, settings, bandwidth, and the like. Based upon the data considered, real or near-real time changes in the content provided to audiences may be made. The changes may be based upon predictions of audience interest made by prediction engine. The techniques may also allow for time-shifting and adaptation of content based upon playback times.