Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130006785 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO FACILITATE SETTLEMENT OF A TRANSACTION - Disclosed herein are systems and method for facilitating transactions between a merchant-partner and an end-user (e.g., a customer of the merchant-partner). More specifically, presented herein are systems and methods for settling a transaction between a point-of-sale terminal and a merchant-partner, wherein the point-of-sale terminal receives presentment of a payment for the merchant-partner from an end-user. | 01-03-2013 |
20130144734 | MONEY TRANSFER SYSTEM USING PRE-FUNDED ESCROW - Disclosed herein are systems and method for facilitating money transfer transactions between a sender and a recipient. In general, the systems and methods include: (a) a point-of-service terminal (POS) receiving an initiation payment from a sender; (b) a pre-funded account that receives replenish payments from the POS; (c) a money transmitter terminal that receives a funding payment from the pre-funded account, and provides a fulfillment payment to a recipient; and (d) a centralized service provider linking the POS, the pre-funded account, and the money transmitter. In operation, the centralized service provider (1) receives presentment data, from the POS, indicating that the sender has provided the initiation payment at the POS, (2) provides a computerized notification to the money transmitter, instructing the money transmitter to provide the fulfillment payment to the recipient, and (3) facilitates the replenishment of the pre-funded account. | 06-06-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090001222 | CONTROL OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES BY VARIABLE WETTED SURFACE MORPHOLOGY - Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a vehicle in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be controlled by a controller and an actuator in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the vehicle relative to the fluid, including a speed, a direction and an attitude of the vehicle. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described. | 01-01-2009 |
20090065650 | DYNAMIC ROUGHNESS FOR AERODYNAMIC APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a surface immersed in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be control in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the surface relative to the fluid. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described. | 03-12-2009 |
20120239231 | CONTROL OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES BY VARIABLE WETTED SURFACE MORPHOLOGY - Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a vehicle in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be controlled by a controller and an actuator in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the vehicle relative to the fluid, including a speed, a direction and an attitude of the vehicle. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described. | 09-20-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080222165 | Method and system for providing universal remote control of computing devices - A universal console (UC) platform for a UC device is provided. The user sets up or initializes the UC by describing his or her preferences and disabilities. The UC digests and stores this user information. Later, as the user encounters various devices and applications to be controlled, and indicates a desire to control a particular device, the device to be controlled or other source sends a canonical user interface (UI) description of the device's UI to the UC. The canonical UI description adheres to an abstract format to describe in high-level terms the functionality of the device's UI. From the canonical UI representation, the UC device is capable of recognizing (1) the action-commands to which the device responds including parameters and (2) the decisions, selections, and input the user needs to provide for the console to determine which action-commands to send and the values of the action-command parameters. Generally, this implicates group hierarchy, from which the user is able to choose what he or she wants the device to perform, and the UC is able to gather the parameter values associated with the action-commands to carry out the user's wishes. Additionally, the UC device is capable of receiving status, state changes and other notifications from a device within its control. | 09-11-2008 |
20090094614 | Direct synchronous input - Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing direct synchronous input. An input monitor determines where an input from a sender that is directed to a target element is about to be delivered. One example for providing an input monitor includes using a system hook. If the input monitor determines that the input is about to be delivered to the target element, the input is delivered to the target element, and the sender is notified that delivery to the target element succeeded. An interface for providing a direct synchronous input is also described. The interface has a start method for monitoring inputs being sent to target elements from a sender. The interface also has a received event for notifying the sender when a particular input is received by the target element. | 04-09-2009 |
20100082733 | EXTENSIBLE REMOTE PROGRAMMATIC ACCESS TO USER INTERFACE - A remote automation system is described herein that allows application accessibility information to be used remotely and extended to allow custom UI elements to be automated. The remote automation system receives a request at a remote computer for automation data related to an application running on the remote computer. The remote automation system requests automation data from the application running on the remote computer and serializes the automation data for transmission to the client computer. The system transmits the serialized automation data to the client computer in response to the request. When the client computer receives the response, the system deserializes the automation data and provides the deserialized automation data to a local application on the client computer. Thus, the remote automation system allows users to view applications running on a remote system but run accessibility applications locally. | 04-01-2010 |
20100315437 | Magnification Engine - An improved graphics processing system and method are described for magnifying visual output information for printing, display, or other output. A graphics engine transforms display information so as to magnify one or more components or areas of an output image for display via output hardware such as a screen or printer. Magnification parameters are supplied to the graphics engine by one or more magnification applications. In an embodiment of the invention, the graphics engine performs compositing of magnified and unmagnified content for display. In an alternative embodiment, the graphics engine outputs corresponding scaled image material to the appropriate magnification application for rendering. In a further embodiment, the graphics engine may operate in both modes. The magnified output according to various embodiments of the invention enhances the accessibility of the computer system for visually handicapped or impaired users by providing high quality magnification and increased system and application stability. | 12-16-2010 |
20120268496 | Magnification Engine - An improved graphics processing system and method are described for magnifying visual output information for printing, display, or other output. A graphics engine transforms display information so as to magnify one or more components or areas of an output image for display via output hardware such as a screen or printer. Magnification parameters are supplied to the graphics engine by one or more magnification applications. In an embodiment of the invention, the graphics engine performs compositing of magnified and unmagnified content for display. In an alternative embodiment, the graphics engine outputs corresponding scaled image material to the appropriate magnification application for rendering. In a further embodiment, the graphics engine may operate in both modes. The magnified output according to various embodiments of the invention enhances the accessibility of the computer system for visually handicapped or impaired users by providing high quality magnification and increased system and application stability. | 10-25-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120009853 | PORTABLE DRILL BIT SHARPENER - A hand held, portable drill bit sharpener is provided which may be powered by a standard commercially available electrical power tool. The power tool may be used to actuate the drill bit sharpener by arranging the drive shaft of the sharpener into the power tool chuck. This drive shaft is connected through a gear set to a biased rotating sharpening stone which is pressed against a drill bit tip. The drill bit may be held in the sharpener using a standard keyless drill bit chuck. | 01-12-2012 |
20120217207 | WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM - A water treatment system is provided. The system includes a container having a removably coupled cover. A conduit is coupled to the cover. At least one UV germicidal light bulb is coupled to the conduit, wherein the conduit and at least one UV germicidal light bulb cooperate to arranged the at least one UV germicidal light bulb to be within the container when the cover is coupled to the container. A funnel is coupled to the cover opposite the at least one UV germicidal bulb. A filter is coupled to the cover and fluidly coupled to the funnel, the filter arranged to be within the container when the cover is coupled to the container. At least one electrical generator is configured to couple with a bicycle frame, the at least one electrical generator being electrically coupled to provide electrical power to the at least one UV germicidal bulb. | 08-30-2012 |
20120238953 | BIOPSY SPACER DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A breast cavity spacer device, such as for use with a percutaneous lumpectomy, is provided. The device includes a body having a projection on one end. The body has a bore extending there through. A catheter is disposed at least partially within the bore. A balloon member is fluidly coupled on one end of the catheter, the balloon member having an elliptical shape. | 09-20-2012 |
20120292260 | WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM - A water treatment system is provided. The system includes a first container and a pump fluidly coupled to the first container. A filter is fluidly coupled to the pump opposite the first container. A valve having an inlet fluidly is coupled to the filter opposite the pump, the valve having a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first container and a second outlet. At least one UV germicidal light is fluidly coupled to the second outlet, wherein a fluid from the second outlet flows over at least a portion of the length of the at least one UV germicidal light. A second container is fluidly coupled to the second conduit. At least one electrical generator is configured to couple with a bicycle, the at least one electrical generator being electrically coupled to provide electrical power to the at least one UV germicidal bulb and the pump. | 11-22-2012 |
20130303946 | WEARABLE ARTICLE FOR DETECTING AN IMPACT AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A wearable article for detecting an impact to the head is provided. The wearable article includes a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer. A sensor is disposed between the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer. An indicator device is operably coupled to the sensor, the indicator device being configured to to provide a visual indication of the level of the impact. | 11-14-2013 |
20150126924 | BIOPSY SPACER DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A breast cavity spacer device, such as for use with a percutaneous lumpectomy, is provided. The device includes a body having a projection on one end. The body has a bore extending there through. A catheter is disposed at least partially within the bore. A balloon member is fluidly coupled on one end of the catheter, the balloon member having an elliptical shape. | 05-07-2015 |
20150352644 | COMBINATION TOOL - A multipurpose tool is provided. The tool including a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. A hammer portion extending from the first end, the hammer portion having at least one surface configured to strike a fastener in operation. The tool further includes a drill portion slidably disposed within the housing, the drill portion including a chuck configured to receive a drill, the chuck being positioned within the housing when in a first position and at least partially extending from the second end when in a second position. | 12-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110144935 | ULTRASONIC INSPECTION USING ACOUSTIC MODELING - Configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system is facilitated using an ultrasound response predicted by a simulation tool. In one embodiment, estimated material properties of an object to be inspected are input to the simulation tool. Also input to the simulation tool is at least one estimated property of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection. The simulation tool predicts the response of the object to ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer. This response is dependent upon the estimated material properties of the object to be inspected and the at least one estimated property of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic inspection system is then configured dependent upon a feature of the predicted response. The system may be configured, for example, by setting the position of a time gate, selecting an appropriate ultrasonic transducer, selecting the position of the transducer to achieve good focus, or selecting parameters for signal processing. | 06-16-2011 |
20120101764 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE LEVEL OF A RESPONSE SIGNAL FROM AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the level of a response signal from an ultrasound transducer is disclosed. During a calibration phase, a description of a gain profile of a level adjuster is set dependent upon an expected response signal for a type of object to be tested and the description is stored in memory. During a measurement phase for an object under test, a description of a gain profile is selected for the type of the object under test and a gain profile is determined from the selected description. The response signal from the object under test is passed through a level adjuster and the level of the response signal is adjusted dynamically in accordance with the gain profile. The description of the gain profile is selected with reference to an expected response either by operator interaction with a user interface or automatically. | 04-26-2012 |
20130128690 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL PATH EQUALIZATION IN A SCANNING ACOUSTIC MICROSCOPE - A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse. | 05-23-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090263174 | Package For Dispensing A Personal Care Product - A package for dispensing a liquid personal care product, the package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand; an applicator comprising an applicator base and a skin-contacting portion extending from the applicator base to a first height; a dispensing conduit through which a liquid personal care product is dispensable from the body, wherein the dispensing conduit comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises an inlet that is in fluid communication with the body, wherein the distal end extends from the applicator base to a second height that is less than the first height; and a flow-restricting member associated with the dispensing conduit. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263175 | Package For Lathering A Personal Care Product - A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the package comprising: (a) a body for grasping with a user's hand, wherein the body comprises a horizontal plane defining a first cross-sectional shape; and (b) an applicator comprising a skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting portion comprises a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional shape; wherein each of the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape comprises a major dimension oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension oriented along a second axis, and wherein the major dimensions are greater than the minor dimensions. | 10-22-2009 |
20160101909 | CONTAINER - A container for an electronic nicotine delivery system. The container has a body having a pair of end walls spaced from each other by a base wall and the body also includes a recess extending between the end walls to receive an electronic nicotine delivery system. A lid is pivotally attached to the body for rotation between open and closed positions about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of an electronic nicotine delivery system received in the recess. | 04-14-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110128972 | PEER TO PEER DYNAMIC NETWORK LINK ACCELERATION - A peer to peer dynamic network acceleration method and apparatus provide enhanced communications directly between two or more enhanced clients. The enhanced clients may comprise a front-end, a back-end, or both. In general, the front-end and back-end of the enhanced clients work in concert to translate data into an enhanced protocol for communication between the enhanced clients. The enhanced protocol may provide acceleration, security, error correction, and other benefits. Data from various applications may be seamlessly translated between a first protocol and the enhanced protocol, such that the applications need not be modified to use the enhanced protocol. The enhanced clients may automatically detect one another to establish an enhanced communications channel automatically. | 06-02-2011 |
20140317309 | SYSTEM AND DEVICES FACILITATING DYNAMIC NETWORK LINK ACCELERATION - A peer to peer dynamic network acceleration method and apparatus provide enhanced communications directly between two or more enhanced devices, such as enhanced clients. The enhanced clients may comprise a front-end, a back-end, or both. In general, the front-end and back-end of the enhanced clients work in concert to translate data into an enhanced protocol for communication between the enhanced clients. The enhanced protocol may provide acceleration, security, error correction, and other benefits. Data from various applications may be seamlessly translated between a first protocol and the enhanced protocol, such that the applications need not be modified to use the enhanced protocol. The enhanced clients may automatically detect one another to establish an enhanced communications channel automatically. | 10-23-2014 |