Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100105067 | BIOMARKERS FOR OVARIAN CANCER - The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying ovarian cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer of low malignant potential, benign ovarian disease or other malignant condition. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry. | 04-29-2010 |
20100173788 | BIOMARKERS FOR BREAST CANCER - The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying breast cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to determine metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry in serum samples fractionated by means of anion exchange chromatography. Some of the biomarkers have been identified as: Apolipoprotein A1; Apolipoprotein A2; Haptoglobin alpha 1; Transferrin; Complement C3a; and truncated forms thereof. | 07-08-2010 |
20100197561 | Biomarkers for Ovarian Cancer: B2 Microglobulin - The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying ovarian cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as ovarian cancer or non-ovarian cancer. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry. | 08-05-2010 |
20140038837 | BIOMARKERS FOR THE DETECTION OF EARLY STAGE OVARIAN CANCER - The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting early stage ovarian cancer in a patient. Also, methods for evaluating the ovarian cancer state of a patient are described herein. These methods involve the detection, analysis, and classification of biomarkers in biological samples. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038899 | BIOMARKERS FOR OVARIAN CANCER - The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying ovarian cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer of low malignant potential, benign ovarian disease or other malignant condition. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry. | 02-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080243183 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 10-02-2008 |
20090082797 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REMOTE SUTURE MANAGEMENT - Described here are devices and methods for suture management. In some variations, the devices comprise an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therebetween, a cantilever blade positioned near the distal end of the elongate tubular member, and an expandable member positioned adjacent the cantilever blade for actuating the cantilever blade. Also described are devices comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen at least partially therebetween, and an aperture in a wall thereof for passage of a suture therethrough. These devices further comprise a blade connected to a blade housing disposed within the lumen, where the blade is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The blade and blade housing may be slidable within the lumen, or an inner shaft for may be slidable within the lumen. Methods of using the devices are also described. | 03-26-2009 |
20090143791 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 06-04-2009 |
20090157118 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 06-18-2009 |
20110087247 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND CONTROLS THEREFOR - Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly. | 04-14-2011 |
20110213413 | ANEURYSM SENSING DEVICES AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A system for gaining access to an interventional site within vasculature through a vessel wall or other structure such as that of a medical device. An apparatus is provided to accomplish a sealed worksite as are sensor delivery systems including sealable sensor devices that are adapted to be placed at the interventional site. | 09-01-2011 |
20110276075 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING DEVICES TO A HEART - Described here are devices, methods, and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. Methods of accessing and delivering devices to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise advancing a first access element into the left atrial appendage by an intravascular pathway and advancing a second access element towards the left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The first and second alignment members may form an attachment through the wall of the left atrial appendage so that the first and second access elements are aligned. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Also described here are various methods and devices to create a left atrial appendage access site to help position and operate devices within the heart. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282250 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - Described here are systems and methods for affecting tissue within a body to form a lesion. Some systems comprise tissue-affecting devices, devices that guide the advancement of the tissue-affecting elements to a target tissue region, devices that locate and secure tissue, and devices that help position the tissue-affecting devices along the target tissue. The methods described here comprise advancing a first tissue-affecting device to a first surface of a target tissue, advancing a second tissue-affecting device to a second surface of the target tissue, and positioning the first and second devices so that a lesion may be formed in the tissue between them. In some variations, the devices, systems, and methods described here are used to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating fibrillating tissue from an endocardial surface and an epicardial surface of a heart. Methods of closing, occluding, and/or removing the left atrial appendage are also described. | 11-17-2011 |
20120095434 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERICARDIAL ACCESS - Devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space of a heart are described here. Access devices may generally comprise a tissue-engaging member, a tissue-piercing member, and a guide element. The access device may be introduced to the surface of a pericardium, where the tissue-engaging member may be deployed to engage a portion of the pericardium without engaging the epicardial surface of the heart. Once the access device has engaged the pericardium, the device may manipulate the pericardium to increase the distance between a portion of the pericardium and the epicardial surface of the heart. Once a sufficient space has been created, the tissue-piercing member may be advanced to pierce the pericardium and enter the pericardial space. The guide element may then be introduced into the pericardial space to provide an access pathway to the heart for other devices. | 04-19-2012 |
20130144311 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND TENSIONING DEVICES THEREFOR - Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly | 06-06-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140114337 | PERICARDIAL ACCESS DEVICES AND METHODS - Described here are devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space. The access devices may include a piercing member such as a needle and a proximal shoulder having a contact surface for contacting the pericardium as the piercing member pierces the pericardium. In some instances, the distance between the piercing member and the proximal shoulder may be adjustable. | 04-24-2014 |
20140276985 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND METHODS THEREFOR - Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted. | 09-18-2014 |
20140303721 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING DEVICES TO A HEART - Described here are devices and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. | 10-09-2014 |
20140336676 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND METHODS THEREFOR - Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto, and a snare control. The closure devices may further comprise one or more reference markings, wherein the relative positioning between a portion of the snare control and the reference markings provides an indication of the diameter of the snare loop assembly. In some variations, when the snare loop assembly is closed around a tissue such as the left atrial appendage, the measured diameter of the snare loop assembly may help a user determine whether the snare loop assembly has been properly positioned relative to the tissue, as well as the approximate size that a suture loop may have when released from the snare loop assembly. | 11-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110080855 | Method for Building Scalable Ethernet Switch Network and Huge Ethernet Switch - A method for building scalable Ethernet switch network and huge Ethernet switch is provided. The switch network is composed of a plurality of tiers of Ethernet switches forming a fat-tree topology. The bottommost tier connects to the end-stations. All switches except those in the top tier are typical IEEE802.1Q switches configured purposefully such that all packets from the end-stations are forwarded upstream to the top tier and are tagged with ingress port information. The top-tier switches possess a novel learning and forwarding capability such that a received packet is forwarded downstream to the destination end-station through one of a plurality of possible paths selected by a load balancing algorithm. Said method can also be applied to build an Ethernet switch of a large number of ports. | 04-07-2011 |
20110090789 | QoS-aware Flow-based Dynamic Load Balancing for Link Aggregation - A method for dynamic load balancing of packet flows on link aggregation provides dynamic assignment of individual packet flow to egress port that is least congested. The degree of congestion is measured by the utilization of the transmit queues. The dynamic assignments are maintained in a flow table. They are timed out by tracking packet tags in the transmit queues of corresponding scheduling priorities. The load balancing method is aware of quality of service requirements of the traffic and also capable of preserving packet order. | 04-21-2011 |
20110113472 | Integrated Virtual Desktop and Security Management System - An integrated virtual desktop and security management system provides the virtual desktop server functionality and, more importantly, security management for computing devices and servers in the corporate data network. The computing devices include computers running virtual desktop client software and computers running a complete operating system and applications. The system in this invention can intercept data packets exchanged among the computing devices and servers and also can scrutinize virtual machine computing and networking activities, and therefore, possess the capability of analyzing, logging, reporting, and permitting or denying computing and networking activities of devices in the corporate data network. | 05-12-2011 |
20110117850 | Apparatus and Methods for Enabling Smart Portable Device to be Universal Remote Control - An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) unit, an Infrared (IR) signal unit, and a processing unit that decodes the codes received from the RF unit and feeds them into the IR signal unit. The codes control the home electronic appliances such as TV, VCR, Hi-Fi systems, etc. that can decode IR remote control codes. A smart portable device such as a smart phone is equipped with powerful CPU, touch screen, networking interface, etc. The software application running on the smart portable device can convert the user commands received on the graphical user interface (GUI) into messages that contain the IR remote control codes and communicate the messages over the RF network to the apparatus. | 05-19-2011 |
20110144778 | Smart Audio Plug-in for Enabling Smart Portable Device to be Universal Remote Control - A smart audio plug-in comprises an electrical audio signal receiver, a processor of protocol data units carried in the electrical signal, and an infrared signal transmitter. The remote control codes control the electronic appliances such as TV, VCR, Hi-Fi systems, robots, etc. that can decode remote control codes. The smart audio plug-in can be inserted into the audio jack of a smart portable device. The smart portable device such as a smart phone is equipped with powerful CPU, touch screen, networking interface, audio jack, etc. The software application running on the smart portable device can convert the user commands received on the graphical user interface (GUI) into remote control code and transmit unmodulated, or modulated electrical signals such as amplitude modulated, frequency modulated or phase modulated signals that encode the remote control codes through the audio jack to the smart audio plug-in. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153885 | Plug-in Peripheral Device for Enabling Smart Portable Device to be Universal Remote Control - The smart portable device such as a smart phone is equipped with powerful CPU, touch screen, USB socket, etc. The software application running on the smart portable device can convert the user commands received on the graphical user interface (GUI) into remote control codes and communicate the remote control codes as data packets through peripheral bus interface, such as USB, to a plug-in peripheral device. The plug-in peripheral device receives the data packets and drives the IR transmitter using information in the data packets received. The remote control codes in the form of modulated IR signals arrive at the electronic appliances such as TV, VCR, Hi-Fi systems, robots, etc. that can decode remote control codes. | 06-23-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120264414 | Method for Creating Low-cost Interactive Entertainment Robots - A method for creating low-cost interactive entertainment robots is disclosed. The cost of the robots is reduced by using a commodity computing device: smart phone, and by having robotic bodies use a decoder of a set of movement commands that facilitates the interoperability between a variety of smart phones and a variety of robotic bodies. Smart phones are equipped with powerful CPU, touch screen, USB, camera, microphone, Bluetooth, WI-FI, etc. They are fit for being the robot control units with the relevant robot applications installed. The cost of robotic bodies can be reduced by minimizing the amount of processing and sensing there and having them focus on mechanical movements. Furthermore, by defining and using a set of movement commands that promotes interoperability between a variety of robot control units and a variety of robotic bodies, the cost of robotic bodies can be reduced through mass production. | 10-18-2012 |
20120278178 | Method for Delivering Highly Relevant Advertisements in a Friendly Way through Personal Robots - A method for delivering highly relevant advertisements in a friendly way through personal robots is disclosed. Internet has become ubiquitous and delivering advertisements through internet in the form of emails and Web contents is common. However, unsolicited advertisements are often considered annoying and ignored. Delivering highly relevant advertisements that users have a good chance of responding to them positively is challenging. Many personal robots are able to recognize the users through face recognition techniques and speech recognition techniques. Personal robots through frequent interactions with users gather data and preferences about users. The information gathered helps identifying the relevant advertisements specific to users. Also, the personal robots are able to deliver the advertisements in a friendly way that users may perceive positively. | 11-01-2012 |
20120315016 | Multi-Purpose Image and Video Capturing Device - A multi-purpose image and video capturing device is disclosed. The device comprises a smart phone and a robotic hand gripping the smart phone. The robotic hand is controlled by the smart phone. The smart phone provides the capability of capturing image and video via its camera. Through the application software running on the smart phone, the smart phone can capture image and video in various ways to accomplish different purposes, for example, document image capturing, security camera, video conferencing, etc. | 12-13-2012 |
20130085602 | Office Robot System - An office robot system aiming at reducing both capital expenditure and operational expenditure in deploying various office robots to perform office works and functionalities is disclosed. The office robot system uses a distributed processing computing cluster, centralizing the heavy-duty robot system software computation and robot management function on the computing cluster, enables various office robots to be light-duty mobile computing devices, hence minimizing their computation and memory requirements, and enables the communications between the office robots and the computing cluster via proper corporate networking infrastructure. The office robot system facilitates deployment of heterogeneous robots with various computation capabilities. The robot system software stack is organized into layers of functional modules. Based on the computation load capable on a robot and the networking infrastructure capacity, the robot and the computing cluster divide the computation load. | 04-04-2013 |
20130094656 | Intelligent Audio Volume Control for Robot - A method for automatic audio volume control on a robot is presented. The robot can deliver its audio output at a comfortable and intelligible level to the user according to user's distance and background noise intensity in user's environment. The user's distance is estimated, by using a camera with known focal length and resolution, by using a stereo camera with known focal length and distance between lenses, or by using an electronic ranging device. Background noise intensity is measured by using a microphone and digital signal processing techniques. The audio output volume is adjusted considering the effect of signal attenuation over user's distance and the effect of background noise. The audio output volume adjustment mechanism can be close-looped, based on the measured signal to noise ratio of acoustic echo of the audio output. | 04-18-2013 |
20130105239 | Telerobot for Facilitating Interaction between Users | 05-02-2013 |
20130117867 | Theft Prevention for Networked Robot - The robot in this invention can detect the fading or loss of wireless network signal as an indication of being removed from its working area and enter into alert mode. The purpose of robot entering into alert mode is to deter physical theft, e.g., by sounding an alarm, to protect confidential data loss, and to render the robot useless to an unauthorized person, reducing the incentives for theft. A number of techniques are employed in this invention: confidential data stored on the robot is encrypted; administrator is required to log in the robot to enable robot operations; robot is to detect abnormal conditions such as fading of wireless network signal, sudden loss of wireless network signal, loss of connectivity to management server, and physical disconnection of any computing part from itself; robot is to resume normal operations without administrator intervention when abnormal condition is rectified; an Internet management server instructs the robot to delete stored data when the robot fails to authenticate itself; and place the reset button of a computing part of the robot such that the reset button is only accessible when the computing part is physically disconnected from the robot. | 05-09-2013 |
20130132242 | Method for Providing Bookkeeping Service - A method for providing bookkeeping service is disclosed. The method, facilitated by a bookkeeping server, addresses some security concerns arisen from using remote bookkeepers using techniques comprising: secure client sessions, work item distribution, organization information concealment, encryption using organization specific private keys, concealment of passwords, and distributed storage. Also, an image capturing system is disclosed. The image capturing system facilitates the process of capturing images of financial transactions for remote bookkeeping. It comprises a low-cost device that provides illumination and facilitates image processing working along with a smart phone. | 05-23-2013 |
20130257018 | MOBILE APPARATUS THAT CAN RECOVER FROM TOPPLING - We disclose a mobile apparatus that can move steadily in its upright position and can recover from any toppled position to its upright position. The mobile apparatus may find useful applications in various areas such as vehicles, toys, and robots. The mobile apparatus adopts a body shape resembling a sphere with its bottom sliced off. At least three wheels are coupled to the body as ground contacting points to provide the basis of steady movement in its upright position. A weight is coupled to the bottom of the body such that the center of gravity of the mobile apparatus satisfies the following constraints: firstly, the center of gravity is between the bottom of the body and the center of an imaginary sphere that mostly coincides with the body; secondly, the center of gravity falls within the largest imaginary polygon formed by the ground contacting points in the upright position; lastly, the center of gravity falls outside any imaginary polygon formed by the ground contacting points in any toppled position. | 10-03-2013 |
20140307553 | NETWORK TRAFFIC LOAD BALANCING - A system and methods of using commodity switches and commodity servers to produce a load-balanced, highly-available network for a computing cloud are disclosed. The system comprises switches and servers. The switches are organized in tiers. The switches in the highest tier are connected to the servers via uplink switch ports. The switches in the lowest tier are connected to devices external to the system via downlink switch ports. A packet received from any downlink switch port is forwarded to one of the at least one link aggregation of uplink switch ports. A packet received from any uplink switch port is forwarded according to the first label in the packet. A server is configured to insert one or more labels in a packet to be sent out via the switches. A value in a label indicates the switch port to be selected to send out the packet received at a switch. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307580 | SWITCH FABRIC - A system and methods of using commodity switches to produce a switch fabric are disclosed. The system is designed taking into considerations the limitations of typical commodity switches and the requirements of high availability. The system comprises a plurality of switches organized in tiers. Each switch comprises uplink switch ports and downlink switch ports. The switch is connected to switches in higher tiers via its uplink switch ports and to switches in lower tiers via its downlink switch ports. The switches in the lowest tier are connected to the devices external to the system via downlink switch ports. A management module may provide the capability of provisioning and configuring the switches. On each switch, at least one link aggregation is configured with the uplink switch ports. A packet received from any downlink switch port is forwarded to one of the at least one link aggregation of uplink switch ports. A packet received from any uplink switch port is forwarded according to the first label in the packet. Each switch in the highest tier is configured to insert one or more labels in a packet to be sent out via the switches. A value in a label indicates the switch port to be selected to send out the packet received at a switch. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090144568 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MODULAR DYNAMICALLY POWER MANAGED POWER SUPPLY AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS, SERVER APPLICATIONS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method, and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environments is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment. | 06-04-2009 |
20120019172 | SYSTEM, ARCHITECTURE, AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION AND INCREASING PERFORMANCE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES - An electric vehicle accomplishes speed changes through the use of electronically controlled, multiple electric motor configurations that are coupled to an output drive shaft instead of a speed change transmission. A parallel-coupled motor configuration includes at least two motors that are each coupled to the output drive shaft through respective gear arrangements, each gear arrangement having a respective gear ratio. In a serially-coupled motor configuration, the stator of the second motor is coupled to the rotor of the first motor, where the rotor of the second motor is coupled to the output drive shaft. The required torque to reach or maintain a desired vehicle speed can be obtained by selective energization of either one or both of the motors (in both multi-motor configurations). Two motors are also coupled to a differential gear so that the rotational speed contributed by both motors are additive at the output shaft. | 01-26-2012 |
20120019196 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING BATTERIES - An apparatus, system, and method for charging batteries is provided. The apparatus comprises a monitoring unit configured for coupling to a battery and power source. The monitoring unit configured to acquire a control value indicative of a parameter, and to control the charging of the battery responsive thereto. The system comprises a plurality of battery chargers configured for coupling with respective batteries and a common power source. Each charger configured to obtain information relating to a parameter, to communicate the information to the other chargers, to acquire a control value from the information obtained thereby or received from another charger, and to control the charging of the associated battery based on the acquired control value. The method comprises providing a monitoring unit coupled to a battery and power source, acquiring a control value indicative of a parameter, and controlling the charging of the battery responsive to the control value. | 01-26-2012 |
20140100732 | SYSTEM, ARCHITECTURE, AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION AND INCREASING PERFORMANCE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES - An electric vehicle accomplishes speed changes through the use of electronically controlled, multiple electric motor configurations that are coupled to an output drive shaft instead of a speed change transmission. A parallel-coupled motor configuration includes at least two motors that are each coupled to the output drive shaft through respective gear arrangements, each gear arrangement having a respective gear ratio. In a serially-coupled motor configuration, the stator of the second motor is coupled to the rotor of the first motor, where the rotor of the second motor is coupled to the output drive shaft. The required torque to reach or maintain a desired vehicle speed can be obtained by selective energization of either one or both of the motors (in both multi-motor configurations). Two motors are also coupled to a differential gear so that the rotational speed contributed by both motors are additive at the output shaft. | 04-10-2014 |
20150048784 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING BATTERIES - An apparatus, system, and method for charging batteries is provided. The apparatus comprises a monitoring unit configured for coupling to a battery and power source. The monitoring unit configured to acquire a control value indicative of a parameter, and to control the charging of the battery responsive thereto. The system comprises a plurality of battery chargers configured for coupling with respective batteries and a common power source. Each charger configured to obtain information relating to a parameter, to communicate the information to the other chargers, to acquire a control value from the information obtained thereby or received from another charger, and to control the charging of the associated battery based on the acquired control value. The method comprises providing a monitoring unit coupled to a battery and power source, acquiring a control value indicative of a parameter, and controlling the charging of the battery responsive to the control value. | 02-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090318060 | CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL FOR EFFECTIVE PAD CONDITIONING - A method and apparatus for conditioning a polishing pad is provided. The conditioning element is held by a conditioning arm rotatably mounted to a base at a pivot point. An actuator pivots the arm about the pivot point. The conditioning element is urged against the surface of the polishing pad, and translated with respect to the polishing pad to remove material from the polishing pad and roughen its surface. The interaction of the abrasive conditioning surface with the polishing pad surface generates a frictional force. The frictional force may be monitored by monitoring the torque applied to the pivot point, and material removal controlled thereby. The conditioning time, down force, translation rate, or rotation of the conditioning pad may be adjusted based on the measured torque. | 12-24-2009 |
20130203321 | RETAINING RING MONITORING AND CONTROL OF PRESSURE - A load cup apparatus for transferring a substrate in a processing system includes a pedestal assembly having a substrate support, an actuator, and a controller. The actuator is configured to move the pedestal assembly into a loading position in contact with a retaining ring of a carrier head and to generate a retaining ring thickness signal based on a distance travelled by the pedestal assembly. The controller is configured to receive the retaining ring thickness signal from the actuator. | 08-08-2013 |
20140113533 | DAMPER FOR POLISHING PAD CONDITIONER - A conditioner apparatus for use in substrate polishing includes a conditioner head constructed to receive an end effector for conditioning a surface of a polishing pad, an arm that supports the conditioner head, a base that supports the arm, and a damper system secured to the base. The base includes an actuator connected to the arm to move the arm and the conditioner head laterally over the polishing pad. The damper system is configured to reduce vibration of the arm. | 04-24-2014 |
20140273767 | POLISHING PAD CONDITIONER PIVOT POINT - A polishing system includes a polishing pad having a polishing surface and a conditioner apparatus. The conditioner apparatus includes a conditioner head constructed to receive a conditioning disk for conditioning a surface of the polishing pad, an arm that supports the conditioner head, a base that supports the arm, the arm pivotally connected to the base such that the arm is pivotable about a pivot point to change an angle of inclination of the arm, wherein the pivot point is positioned below the polishing surface of the polishing pad. | 09-18-2014 |
20140315473 | MULTI-DISK CHEMICAL MECHANICAL POLISHING PAD CONDITIONERS AND METHODS - A pad conditioner may include multiple independently mounted conditioning elements configured to condition a polishing pad used in, e.g., a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. In some embodiments, the pad conditioner may include a main assembly disk and a main assembly base plate attached to the main assembly disk via a gimbal connection. A plurality of pad conditioner assemblies may be attached to the main assembly base plate. In some embodiments, each pad conditioner assembly may include a pad conditioner disk attached to the main assembly base plate, a pad conditioner base attached to the pad conditioner disk via a gimbal connection, and a conditioning element attached to the pad conditioner base. Methods of conditioning a polishing pad are also provided, as are other aspects. | 10-23-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090241199 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING, MANIPULATING AND PROCESSING RIGHTS AND CONTRACT EXPRESSIONS USING TOKENIZED TEMPLATES - System and methods for manipulating rights expressions for use in connection with a rights management system include one or more tokenized templates. Each tokenized template includes one or more rights expression language statements and one or more tokens associated with at least one of the rights expression language statements. Further, the tokens can be place holders for data items or rights expression elements. The system further includes a license template module that creates the tokenized templates, and a license instance creation module that replaces at least one of the tokens in one or more selected license templates with one or more of the data items or rights expression elements to generate a license instance. Additionally, the system includes a license instance analysis module having sub-modules for validating and interpreting license instances, and a data parsing module for extracting data from created license instances. | 09-24-2009 |
20110209223 | EXTENSIBLE RIGHTS EXPRESSION PROCESSING SYSTEM - Extensible grammar-based rights expression system for processing rights expressions including an interpreter with plug-in subcomponents, a validator, and a framework. In another embodiment, system includes a framework having an extensible architecture with extensibility points for adding extensions to the grammar, and an interpreter, the extensions defining semantics and syntax of new rights expressions. A method for processing rights expressions is also provided having the steps of registering plug-in components, making a programmatic call, finding and invoking appropriate plug-in components, evaluating the request against the grant, and returning an authorization result. In another embodiment, method includes the steps of providing an extensible grammar-based rights expression system having an extensible architecture with an interpreter, evaluating the request against the grant using the interpreter, and returning an authorization result. The method may include the step of adding new extensions to the rights expression system to allow processing of new rights expressions. | 08-25-2011 |
20140304177 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT USING ADVANCED COPY WITH ISSUE RIGHTS, AND MANAGED COPY TOKENS - A system, method and computer program product for a digital content player having a DRM agent to perform rights management operations on a digital content package, including loading rights management instructions to be executed by the digital content player, the rights management instructions being associated with the digital content package, executing the rights management instructions on the digital content player, and loading supporting licenses associated with the digital content package for processing by the DRM agent. The DRM agent deciding whether to permit the rights management operations requested by the rights management instructions. Further exemplary embodiments include systems, methods and computer program products for associating usage rights with digital content packages, managing of digital rights tokens, managing of digital content packages having predetermined broadcast dates, preserving of usage rights when content is transferred between DRM environments, and distributing content packages. | 10-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130116317 | FURANYL COMPOUNDS AND THE USE THEREOF - Provided herein are substituted furanyl compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of various disorders, including cancer and proliferative disorders. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate eIF4E activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate the Hedgehog pathway activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein are used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, immuno therapy and/or one or more additional anticancer drugs for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of cancer and proliferative disorders. | 05-09-2013 |
20140155477 | SUBSTITUTED BIARYL SULFONAMIDES AND THE USE THEREOF - Provided herein are substituted biaryl sulfonamide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of various disorders, including cancer and proliferative disorders. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate initiation of protein translation. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein are used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, immuno therapy and/or one or more additional anticancer drugs for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of cancer and proliferative disorders. | 06-05-2014 |
20140309297 | FURANYL COMPOUNDS AND THE USE THEREOF - Provided herein are substituted furanyl compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of various disorders, including cancer and proliferative disorders. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate eIF4E activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate the Hedgehog pathway activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein are used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, immuno therapy and/or one or more additional anticancer drugs for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of cancer and proliferative disorders. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090191711 | HARDMASK OPEN PROCESS WITH ENHANCED CD SPACE SHRINK AND REDUCTION - Methods for forming an ultra thin structure. The method includes a polymer deposition and etching process. In one embodiment, the methods may be utilized to form fabricate submicron structure having a critical dimension less than 30 nm and beyond. The method further includes a multiple etching processes. The processes may be varied to meet different process requirements. In one embodiment, the process gently etches the substrate while shrinking critical dimension of the structures formed within the substrate. The dimension of the structures may be shank by coating a photoresist like polymer to sidewalls of the formed structure, but substantially no polymer accumulation on the bottom surface of the formed structure on the substrate. The embodiments described herein also provide high selectivity in between each layers formed on the substrate during the fabricating process and preserving a good control of profile formed within the structure. | 07-30-2009 |
20090214798 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FRONT SIDE PROTECTION DURING BACKSIDE CLEANING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for front side protection while processing side and backside of a substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a showerhead configured to provide a purge gas to a front side of a substrate during a backside etch processing. The showerhead comprises a body configured to be disposed over the front side of the substrate. The body has a process surface configured to face the front side of the substrate. The process surface has an outer circular region, a central region, a middle region between the outer central region and the central region. The first plurality of holes are distributed in the outer circular region and configured to direct the purge gas towards an edge area of the front side of the substrate. No gas delivery hole is distributed within a substantial portion of the middle region. | 08-27-2009 |
20090293907 | METHOD OF SUBSTRATE POLYMER REMOVAL - Methods for cleaning a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes depositing a polymer on a substrate. A cleaning gas is provided to clean a frontside, a bevel edge, and a backside of the substrate. The cleaning gas may include various reactive chemicals such as H | 12-03-2009 |
20090302002 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING POLYMER FROM A SUBSTRATE - A method and an apparatus for removing polymer from a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus utilized to remove polymer from a substrate includes a processing chamber having a chamber wall and a chamber lid defining a process volume, a substrate support assembly disposed in the processing chamber, and a remote plasma source coupled to the processing chamber through an outlet port formed within the chamber wall, the outlet port having an opening pointing toward an periphery region of a substrate disposed on the substrate support assembly, wherein the remote plasma source is fabricated from a material resistant to hydrogen species. | 12-10-2009 |
20110079918 | PLASMA-BASED ORGANIC MASK REMOVAL WITH SILICON FLUORIDE - Removal of organic mask material from an etched dielectric film with an etchant gas mixture including silicon fluoride (SiF | 04-07-2011 |
20110120505 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FRONT SIDE PROTECTION DURING BACKSIDE CLEANING - Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for front side protection while processing side and backside of a substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a showerhead configured to provide a purge gas to a front side of a substrate during a backside etch processing. The showerhead comprises a body configured to be disposed over the front side of the substrate. The body has a process surface configured to face the front side of the substrate. The process surface has an outer circular region, a central region, a middle region between the outer central region and the central region. The first plurality of holes are distributed in the outer circular region and configured to direct the purge gas towards an edge area of the front side of the substrate. No gas delivery hole is distributed within a substantial portion of the middle region. | 05-26-2011 |
20110162674 | IN-SITU PROCESS CHAMBER CLEAN TO REMOVE TITANIUM NITRIDE ETCH BY-PRODUCTS - Methods for removing titanium nitride etch by-products from process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for the removal of titanium nitride hard mask etch by-products from a process chamber includes processing a substrate having a titanium nitride hard mask. A plasma is then formed from a cleaning gas comprising a chlorine (Cl | 07-07-2011 |
20140357083 | DIRECTED BLOCK COPOLYMER SELF-ASSEMBLY PATTERNS FOR ADVANCED PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY APPLICATIONS - Embodiments of methods and an apparatus for utilizing a directed self-assembly (DSA) process on block copolymers (BCPs) to form a defect-free photoresist layer for feature transfer onto a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a method for performing a dry development process includes transferring a substrate having a layer of block copolymers disposed thereon into an etching processing chamber, wherein at least a first type and a second type of polymers comprising the block copolymers are aggregated into a first group of regions and a second group of regions on the substrate, supplying an etching gas mixture including at least a carbon containing gas into the etching processing chamber, and predominately etching the second type of the polymers disposed on the second groups of regions on the substrate in the presence of the etching gas mixture. | 12-04-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120159308 | Customization of Mobile Applications Using Web-Based Technology - In one embodiment, receiving, at a first computing device from a second computing device, a request for a view of a user interface of a native application executing on the second computing device, wherein the view includes one or more first user interface components; determining, by the first computing device, a user agent type of the second computing device; selecting, by the first computing device, one or more second user-interface components to be included in the view based on the user agent type of the second computing device; generating, by the first computing device, code implementing a structured document that represents the view, wherein the structured document comprises the one or more first user-interface components and the one or more second user-interface components; and transmitting, from the first computing device to the second computing device, the code. | 06-21-2012 |
20120233239 | Device Specific Handling of User Interface Components - One embodiment receives a request for a screen of a user interface (UI) of a software application from a second computing device, wherein the screen comprises one or more UI components; accesses a set of features of the second computing device; for each UI component contained in the screen, generates first code for rendering and displaying the UI component on the second computing device based on the set of features of the second computing device; and transmits the first code to the second computing device. | 09-13-2012 |
20140047020 | Handling Notifications - In particular embodiments, one or more notifications are presented on a screen of a personal computing device while the personal computing device is in a locked state. Entry of one or more user responses may be detected on the personal computing device while still in the locked state. Each user response may be associated with at least one notification. An authorization event associated with the personal computing device may be detected, thereby unlocking the personal computing device. The one or more user responses on the personal computing device may then be presented to the user for confirmation. Once user confirmation is received, confirmed user responses may then be published. | 02-13-2014 |
20140244745 | Social Context for Applications - In one embodiment, a method includes determining one or more applications on one or more first client computing devices of a first user of a social-networking system; determining one or more second users of the social-networking system that are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; determining one or more applications on one or more second client computing devices of the second users; comparing the applications on the first client computing devices with the applications on the second client computing devices; determining one or more application recommendations for the first user based at least in part on the comparison; and sending the application recommendations to the first user. | 08-28-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090168659 | DIRECTOR DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF - A director device arrangement for enabling a plurality of monitoring functions to be performed on data traffic traversing through a network is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports for receiving data traffic and outputting the data traffic. The arrangement further includes a set of switch chips, which is configured to include at least a first switch chip and a second switch chip, which are configured to interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received by the set of switch chips. The arrangement yet also includes a set of monitoring ports, which is configured to receive at least one of the data traffic traversing through the network. The data traffic is configured to traverse the director device arrangement irrespective whether the power is provided to the circuitry of the director device arrangement. | 07-02-2009 |
20100146113 | DIRECTOR DEVICE WITH VISUAL DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS THEREOF - A director device arrangement for performing a plurality of monitoring functions on data traffic traversing through a network is provided. The director device arrangement includes a power module, a processor module, a set of network ports, a set of switch modules, and at least one monitoring ports. The set of switch modules is configured to include at least a first switch module and a second switch module that interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received. The at least one monitoring port is configured to receive at least one of the data traffic traversing through the network, whereas the data traffic is configured to traverse the director device arrangement between the set of network ports irrespective whether power is provided to the circuitry, the processor module, and the set of switch modules of the director device arrangement. | 06-10-2010 |
20110211446 | GIGABITS ZERO-DELAY TAP AND METHODS THEREOF - A gigabits zero-delay arrangement for enabling continuous monitoring of data traversing through a network in a high-speed Ethernet environment is provided. The arrangement includes a high-speed network device configured for monitoring the data flowing through the network. The arrangement also includes a primary power source for providing a first power to circuitry of the gigabits zero-delay arrangement. The arrangement further includes a sensor controller configured for monitoring power flowing into the high-speed network device and for establishing an alternative communication link. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211473 | TIME MACHINE DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF - A time machine arrangement for performing health check on a network environment is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that that is configured for receiving and outputting network data traffic. The arrangement also includes a monitoring port for receiving at least a portion of the data traffic flowing through the network. The arrangement further includes a set of processors configured at least for managing and analyzing the data traffic. The set of processors includes a scheduler component for directing the data traffic, a filtering component for applying a set of filters on the set data traffic, an encryption component for encrypting the data traffic, and a trigger component for defining a set of conditions for storing the data traffic. The arrangement yet also includes a storage memory component for storing a copy of at least the portion of the data traffic flowing through the network environment. | 09-01-2011 |
20120002552 | DIRECTOR DEVICE ARRANGEMENT WITH VISUAL DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS THEREOF - An apparatus for enabling a plurality of monitoring functions to be performed on network data is provided. The apparatus includes a power module and a processor module. The apparatus also includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving the data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a switchboard arrangement that includes at least two chips that are configured to interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received by the switchboard arrangement. The apparatus yet also includes logic module for analyzing the data traffic and for displaying the statistical data pertaining to the data traffic. The apparatus yet further includes a visual display arrangement that is configured for displaying the statistical data. | 01-05-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100202203 | Data restoration method for a non-volatile memory - A method and apparatus for selectively restoring data in a non-volatile memory array based on failure type. Weakened data and erroneous data are identified by performing two readings of a specific memory section. Alternatively, an error correction code is used after a first reading of data to identify erroneous data. The manner in which data is restored will depend on whether the data changed because of an erase failure or a program failure. If only a program failure occurred then the data will be reprogrammed without an intervening erase step. If the data experienced an erase failure, then the data will be erased prior to being programmed with correct data. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205504 | Automatic refresh for improving data retention and endurance characteristics of an embedded non-volatile memory in a standard CMOS logic process - A method for selectively refreshing data in a nonvolatile memory array based on failure type detected by an error correction code. If the page is determined to be error-free, no refresh operation takes place. Otherwise, if single-error words on a page contain erased and programmed bit errors, then a refresh operation, consisting of an erase and program, takes place. The erase operation is skipped if single-error words on a page solely contain a program failure. | 08-12-2010 |
20100208530 | Two Bits Per Cell Non-Volatile Memory Architecture - A memory circuit for holding a single binary value. A first bit cell holds one of a logical high value and a logical low value, and a second bit cell also holds one of a logical high value and a logical low value. Circuitry is provided for placing a logical high value in the first bit cell when the binary value in the memory circuit is to be a logical high value, and circuitry is provided for placing a logical high value in the second bit cell when the binary value in the memory circuit is to be a logical low value. In this manner, a logical high value exists within the memory circuit, whether the single binary value within the memory circuit is a logical high value or a logical low value. The difference between the two values of the binary value is which of the two bit cells holds the logical high value. Thus, this memory circuit can be sensed without the use of a sense amplifier. | 08-19-2010 |
20110141812 | Method and Apparatus for Restoring Data in a Non-Volatile Memory - A method and apparatus for selectively restoring data in a non-volatile memory array based on failure type. Weakened data and erroneous data are identified by performing two readings of a specific memory section. Alternatively, an error correction code is used after a first reading of data to identify erroneous data. The manner in which data is restored will depend on whether the data changed because of an erase failure or a program failure. If only a program failure occurred then the data will be reprogrammed without an intervening erase step. If the data experienced an erase failure, then the data will be erased prior to being programmed with correct data. | 06-16-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140027758 | MULTI-GATE THIN-FILM TRANSISTOR - This disclosure provides implementations of multi-gate transistors, structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a device includes a thin-film semiconducting layer arranged over a substrate. A drain and source are coupled to the semiconducting layer. The device also includes first, second and third gates all arranged adjacent the semiconducting layer and configured to receive first, second, and third control signals, respectively. Dielectric layers insulate the gates from the semiconducting layer and from one another. In a first mode, the first, second, and third gates are configured such that charge is stored in a potential well in a region of the semiconducting layer adjacent the second gate. In a second mode, the first, second and third gate electrodes are configured such that the stored charge is transferred through the region of the semiconducting layer adjacent the third gate electrode and through the source to a load. | 01-30-2014 |
20140210835 | METAL OXIDE LAYER COMPOSITION CONTROL BY ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION FOR THIN FILM TRANSISTOR - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film transistor (TFT) device on a substrate. In one aspect, the TFT device includes a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulator between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes at least two metal oxides, with the two metal oxides having a varying concentration relative to one another between a lower surface and an upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The TFT device also includes a source metal adjacent to a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer and a drain metal adjacent to another portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The composition of the oxide semiconductor layer can be precisely controlled by a sequential deposition technique using atomic layer deposition (ALD). | 07-31-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130321178 | SHARED VEHICLE RENTAL SYSTEM INCLUDING TRANSMISSION OF RESERVATION INFORMATION AND TARGETED ADVERTISING - Techniques and structures are disclosed relating to rental of vehicles, which may be owned by different owners. Each owner may have his or her own set of rental criteria associated with a particular vehicle, which prospective renters may have to meet to be able to rent the particular vehicle. Vehicles may be determined to be for rent based on a distance to a renter, price, and other factors. Messages and alerts may be exchanged between a server and an owner, renter, and/or vehicle computing device. Location information about vehicles is collected, and may be associated with particular drivers. Historical information and other data may be used to predict driver destinations. Targeted advertisements may be sent to renters based on predicted destinations, demographic information, or other information. In some embodiments, targeted advertisements are based on social networking website data. Vehicles may also be remotely located through the use of a horn and/or lights. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325521 | SHARED VEHICLE RENTAL SYSTEM INCLUDING VEHICLE AVAILABILITY DETERMINATION - Techniques and structures are disclosed relating to the rental of vehicles owned by different owners (i.e., a peer to peer vehicle network). Each owner may have his or her own set of rental criteria associated with a particular vehicle. Prospective drivers may have to meet (or choose from) this criteria to be able to rent a vehicle. Drivers may be able to choose a vehicle for rent based on a distance from one or more vehicles (e.g., closer vehicles are displayed higher in search results), price, or other factors. Messages and alerts may be exchanged between a server that implements a vehicle rental system and owner, driver, and/or vehicle computing devices. Location information about the vehicles is collected at the server, and a driver may be able to see the actual location of a vehicle for an upcoming rental. Vehicles may be remotely unlocked so that a driver can use the vehicle with keyless entry. | 12-05-2013 |