428 results about "Off the shelf" patented technology

A telemanipulatively controlled guide tube acts as a wrist mechanism for a surgical instrument that extends through the guide tube. The instrument may be removed and replaced with another instrument. In some aspects the instruments are commercial, off the shelf minimally invasive surgical instruments.

A business method utilizing a system comprising one or more distributed computers, application software, off-the-shelf peripheral components including keyboard-and-mouseless data entry (KDE) devices, business processes, human and KDE device readable data, related information on removable data storage media or available from external databases, and existing communications systems for speeding and improving: 1) personal or business automation, efficiency and productivity, goal attainment; 2) improving, speeding and automating the person-computer interface; 3) selection, acquisition, and tracking usage of items acquired from an existing supply chain; 4) marketing items and retaining customers buying the products, controlling their usage, and disseminating information about the products.

A system and method for decoding an image of decodable indicia, the computer system that includes receiving a request to decode an image, disabling the automatic focus on a camera in a client, setting the focus to a predetermined focus point that is close to the camera lens, capturing the image, locating the decodable indicia in the image and decoding the image of decodable indicia.

Third party cache appliances are configured into a content delivery service to enable such devices to cache and serve content that has been tagged for delivery by the service. The invention enables the content delivery service to extend the reach of its network while taking advantage of high performance, off-the-shelf cache appliances. If the third party caches comprise part of a third party content delivery network, the interconnection of caches to the CDS according to the present invention enables the CDS and the third party network to share responsibility for delivering the content. To facilitate such “content peering,” the CDS may also include a traffic analysis mechanism to provide the third party network with preferably real-time data identifying the content delivered by the CDS from the third party caches. The CDS may also include a logging mechanism to generate appropriate billing and reporting of the third party content that is delivered from the cache appliances that have been joined into the CDS.

The invention relates to novel artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs). The aAPC comprises at least one stimulatory ligand and at least one co-stimulatory ligand where the ligands each specifically bind with a cognate molecule on a T cell of interest, thereby mediating expansion of the T cell. The aAPC of the invention can further comprise additional molecules useful for expanding a T cell of interest. The aAPC of the invention can be used as an “off the shelf” APC that can be readily designed to expand a T cell of interest. Also, the aAPC of the invention can be used identify the stimulatory, co-stimulatory, and any other factors that mediate growth and expansion of a T cell of interest. Thus, the present invention provides powerful tools for development of novel therapeutics where activation and expansion of a T cell can provide a benefit.

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

A system for converting readily available standard off the shelf golf club parts into a interchangeable golf club system. A conversion system consists of a head insert which can be glued into the hosel of a standard golf club head. A shaft insert having a central flange is insertable and glueable into place on a standard shaft of a golf club. The shaft insert and the head insert forming a quick connect to attach the shaft to the golf club head. Through the use of different club heads representing the full range of woods, irons, and putter, each having a head insert pre-installed, the club may have emulating any club by attaching the desired club head. A shaft length adjustment is made by a cooperating pin installed in the top of the shaft and slidable within a number of slots provided in a telescoping sleeve slidable over the shaft.

Systems and methods for creating fully custom products from scratch without exclusive use of off-the-shelf or pre-specified components. A system for creating custom products includes an image capture device for capturing image data and / or measurement data of a user. A computer is communicatively coupled with the image capture device and configured to construct an anatomic model of the user based on the captured image data and / or measurement data. The computer provides a configurable product model and enables preview and automatic or user-guided customization of the product model. A display is communicatively coupled with the computer and displays the custom product model superimposed on the anatomic model or image data of the user. The computer is further configured to provide the customized product model to a manufacturer for manufacturing eyewear for the user in accordance with the customized product model. The manufacturing system is configured to interpret the product model and prepare instructions and control equipment for the manufacturing of the customized product.

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

A protection mechanism capable of providing both local and end-to-end connection protection for dual homed access / aggregation devices or customer-edge devices in a network. The protection mechanism provides end-to-end and fast local protection for off the shelf access devices that do not have any built in per-connection protection capabilities. The access device is connected via two separate physical uplinks to two edge switches of the network. For each connection to be protected, a main path is provisioned from one edge switch and an alternative path is provisioned from the other edge switch. The edge switches are adapted to comprise means for switching traffic from the main path to the alternative path in the event a failure along the main path is detected. Failures both in the stack portion, the core portion and in the access device uplinks are protected against.

A method for matching a recorded image with geographic data substantially corresponding to a geographic location where the image was recorded, is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, global positioning system data logs are time matched with other data collected, including image data, for the purpose of spatially mapping the collected data. Two important underpinnings of the present invention are that first, the real time of the data acquisition is recorded along with the data acquired; and second, that the offset time between the data logging clock and the world standard time is accurately determined. A primary advantage of the present invention is its wireless functionality; no information transmitters, receivers, special interfaces or power suppliers are required. In addition, a wide variety of off-the-shelf equipment may be used with the present invention as system components.

A method and system and computer readable medium for: (1) the creation and representation of business rule definitions, (2) the creation and representation of enforcing rule handlers, (3) the creation and representation of a framework to check the existence of rules then, apply the appropriate handler, (4) and the distribution of the rule definitions and handlers to clients. The present invention defines a rule language and provides a framework that separates the definition of the rules, the enforcing handler, the system at which rules are generated and the system at which rules are enforced. Further, in one embodiment, the present invention uses standard XML notations to define rules and standard XSL and XSLT processing instructions to enforce rules. Using standard XML, XSL and SXLT allows clients to use off-the-shelf XML parser and XSL processors in lieu of developed code or rule based engines.

A software engine runs in a compatible mode with off-the-shelf word processors, e-mail programs and presentation development software and other document development software. The software engine is used for the security classification of sensitive or national security classified information in electronic and resultant hard copy document formats. The software engine ensures that the individual considers all informational portions of a document, that appropriate document marks are employed, that document marks in their electronic format are persistent and that all necessary information, such as classification guides, standards and security regulations, provided by the organization to classify information is at hand and immediately available. In addition to the document sensitivity or classification determination and marking support, the software engine tracks and controls documents and the electronic media storing documents. It also provides warnings and alarms, ad hoc document security analysis and reporting capability to system security administrators with respect to document or network events or captured information that may be indicative of risk to the information requiring protection. The software also provides the ability for an organization to centrally establish and control a security classification or sensitivity marking hierarchy for automated security classification support.

The invention provides an off-the-shelf product solution to target the specific needs of commercial users with naturally parallel applications. A top-level, public API provides a simple “compute server” or “task farm” model that dramatically accelerates integration and deployment. A number of described and claimed adaptive scheduling and caching techniques provide for efficient resource and / or network utilization of intermittently-available and interruptible computing resource in distributed computing systems.

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

A digital networked studio and the needed software services to allow the use of the system for monitoring the creation and distribution processes of real-time created content is described. Distribution problems are solved using an off-the-shelf network, e.g. using an IP based or similar data protocol, such as an IP network based distributed system architecture to bring the display controller functionality closer to the source and to replace proprietary busses used for transporting video, audio, RGB, graphical information and / or metadata with building blocks based on standard IP and compression technologies. A characteristic of such a network is to use unicast, multicast and / or broadcast technologies (based on network addresses) and to route data from one address to another. The network provides redundancy in case any of the digital generation units.

An accelerated graphics processing subsystem that significantly increases the processing speed of computer graphics commands. The preferred embodiment of this invention presents a first-of-its-kind graphics processing subsystem that combines the processing power of multiple, off-the-shelf, video cards, each one having one or more graphic processor units. The video cards can be used without substantial modification. Under the preferred embodiment, each video card processes instructions for drawing a predetermined portion of the screen which is displayed to the user through a monitor or other visual output device. The invention harnesses the power of multiple video cards without suffering from the high bandwidth constraints affecting prior attempts at parallel graphics processing subsystems.

The present invention takes advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology by introducing VoIP-based call center telephony equipment that is software-based and runs on inexpensive off-the-shelf personal computer (PC) systems. With the VoIP-based call center system of the present invention, the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is coupled to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway in order to convert all incoming traditional telephone communication into VoIP based telephony telecommunication. This is performed using the well-known SIP telephony protocol set forth in RFC 3261. Once converted to the VoIP format, the incoming VoIP-based calls are directed to the VoIP based Call Center Server system. The Call Center Server system provides all the sophisticated call center features that were formerly only available in large call centers created with specialized expensive telephone equipment

Wireless game controller can provide variable resistance during strength training exercise and is coupled with off the shelf video gaming system such as Nintendo WII or personal computer by bluetooth or WiFI connection. The resistance is provided by a motor / generator. Electrical recuperation occurs between eccentric and concentric steps of the exercise, electrical energy is stored in a super capacitor between the steps. Video gaming system is configurable to run exercise software that provide reinforcing game experience, coaching, and physical therapy to the user. Exercise software tracks user's pose using fiduciary marks on the controller and data from 3d accelerometer embedded in the controller. The resistance is computed as a function of one or more the following: exercise type, position, velocity, user profile, and repetition number.

A method of prestack reverse-time migration of seismic data that yields significant gains in computer storage and memory bandwidth efficiency is disclosed. The values only of the source wave incident on the boundaries of a simulation domain are saved, rather than all of the values of the wavefield throughout the entire simulation domain. This data allows an accurate and robust approximation of the forward propagated source wave for all finite-difference approximation orders of the acoustic wave equation. The method reduces the amount of data storage required by an order of magnitude and overcomes the present challenge of requiring special large memory hardware while allowing for the implementation of 3D prestack reverse-time migration on off-the-shelf platforms.

A network storage appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a single chassis that encloses a plurality of servers and a plurality of storage controllers coupled together via a chassis backplane. The storage controllers control the transfer of data between the plurality of servers and a plurality of storage devices coupled to the storage controllers. The servers and storage controllers include a plurality of field replaceable unit (FRUs) hot-pluggable into the backplane such that any one of the FRUs may fail without loss of availability to the storage devices' data. In various embodiments, the chassis fits in a 19″ wide rack; is 1U high; the servers are standard PCs configured to execute off-the-shelf server applications and to facilitate porting of popular operating systems with little modification; the servers include disk-on-chip memory rather than a hard drive; local buses (e.g., PCIX) on the backplane interface the various FRUs.

Wireless game controller can provide variable resistance during strength training exercise and is coupled with off the shelf video gaming system such as Nintendo WII or personal computer by bluetooth or WiFI connection. The resistance is provided by a motor / generator. Electrical recuperation occurs between eccentric and concentric steps of the exercise, electrical energy is stored in a super capacitor between the steps. Video gaming system is configurable to run exercise software that provide reinforcing game experience, coaching, and physical therapy to the user. Exercise software tracks user's pose using fiduciary marks on the controller and data from 3d accelerometer embedded in the controller. The resistance is computed as a function of one or more the following: exercise type, position, velocity, user profile, and repetition number.

A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

An assembly for providing a weatherproof feedthrough for data communications cables into a structure. The assembly includes a unique housing having a cavity for removably receiving a connector attached to a terminal end of a cable in a fixed orientation. The cable attached to the connector in the cavity exits the assembly into a protected side of the structure. A cable from the unprotected side of the structure enters the assembly such that a connector disposed on its terminal end may be connected to the connector in the cavity. The assembly is particularly suited to allow off the shelf connectors to be used within the housing. The assembly may include strain relief devices for protecting the cables attached to the connectors.

A cryoprobe system utilizing a monolithic, insulated, hand-held thermal mass having an exposed tip for cryosurgical applications and the like, as well as a heat extraction base configured to interface with the thermal mass to quickly and efficiently reduce the heat of the thermal mass to cryogenic temperatures. The heat extraction base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to interface with the tip of the thermal mass, such that the tip plugs in securely to the base, to permit an efficient thermal transfer of heat from the thermal mass through the base via a heat exchange system communicating with the base which employs a low temperature cryo-refrigeration unit. The cryo-refrigeration unit may comprise a single low temperature cooling unit to reduce the temperature of the base to around minus one hundred degrees Centigrade utilizing off-the-shelf cryogenic refrigeration methods, or may utilize a series of more conventional refrigeration units in a primary and secondary heat extraction arrangement, which method may further utilize thermocouple or Peltier effect device assist to further reduce the temperature of the heat extraction base to the required temperature. Also claimed is the method of cryosurgery employing the device(s) of the present invention.

A robust toolkit that can be configured and assembled in an object-oriented manner to develop a custom case management software application. The toolkit provides a set of software components that serve as a framework for integration with off-the-shelf components. The software components are organized in a vertical layered architecture, with each layer depending upon the layers below it. The toolkit includes a top enterprise application layer, a middle case management application layer, and a bottom customized application layer. The toolkit allows developer to focus on meeting the specific case management needs of a target business / organization, instead of developing case management business logic and application logic from the ground up.

A portable, transportable or fixed Traffic Violation Photo Enforcement System, (TVPES) operating from either a moving or stationary position, capable of providing complete identification and documentation of multiple moving traffic violations across all lanes of moving traffic and transmitting or relaying the data to a specified law enforcement agency or their approved violation processing service to support municipal, county, and state traffic violation enforcement efforts through the use of constitutionally sufficient evidence for citation generating and later court prosecution. The (TVPES) consists of various off the shelf and customized components including but not limited to one or more of the following: computer based control units, speed detection devices, tracking devices, digital video and single frame cameras, facial recognition software / automated license-plate recognition software capable of analyzing digital video and single-frame imagery, voice recording devices, GPS location devices, data collection and storage devices and data transmitting and receiving devices.

A method for adapting a computer-to-computer communication protocol, and especially TCP / IP, or any protocol implemented in a general purpose off-the-shelf network like Ethernet, for use in providing communication needed in an industrial control system, and especially an industrial control system using a programmable logic controller (PLC), where there is frequent communication between the PLC and control or monitoring elements, the method aimed at allowing the PLC to perform scanning of its ladder logic at a rate adequate for effective industrial control. The method includes making permanent-type TCP connections between the PLC and a control element or a monitoring element, use of a protocol for communication with a control or monitoring element in which both a read register and a write register instruction is included in a single communication transaction, such as a MODBUS command, and tuning communication between the PLC and a control element or a monitoring element.