Abstract:
A thin resilient strand, such as medical suture material, extends from a stiffer shank. The strand can form a resilient hook and/or it can have an arcuate free end to engage tissue such as the interior of a capsular bag at approximately its equator during ophthalmic surgery.
Abstract:
A thin resilient strand, such as medical suture material, extends from a stiffer shank. The strand can form a resilient hook and/or it can have an arcuate free end to engage tissue such as the interior of a capsular bag at approximately its equator during ophthalmic surgery.
Abstract:
A consumer-driven system and method for promoting philanthropic giving/lending and social activism based on customer purchases. The system and method optimizes the choices on the part of the Customer in the selection of one or more Funding Options and allocation of Funding Points among one or more selected Funding Options. Feedback information concerning the progress of the funds permits the Customer to evaluate the effectiveness or success of the Funding Option; target feedback content to the Customers that have provided funds via the sponsoring entity; and/or prompt the donor/lendor for additional involvement or action concerning the Funding Option to promote continued engagement on the part of the Customer.
Abstract:
A system and a method for monitoring computer application and resource utilization are presented. In one embodiment, a list of different users associated with different entities or customers of a shared computer is maintained. A second list of different applications invoked by one or more of the different users is also maintained. A third list including different programs employed by the different applications invoked by the different users, including a weighting factor for each program is also maintained. These records are then used to identify operation usage and/or cost characteristics of the different applications by particular users associated with different entities of the shared computer, in response to an event.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining the characteristics of a local loop using the multi-carrier tones of a DSL activation process. For one embodiment, one or more sets of downstream multi-carrier tones of a digital subscriber line activation process are received at an extended voice-band modem and are capable of transmitting upstream multi-carrier tones of the digital subscriber line activation process over a local loop. The downstream carrier tones and the upstream carrier tones are folded into a first multi-tone signal and a second multi-tone signal, respectively, each having a plurality of component signals within the spectrum band of the extended voice-based modem. The total signal power of the first multi-tone signal is divided by the power of one of the plurality of component signals of the second multi-tone signal to determine a ratio value. The ratio value is used to determine a characteristic of the local loop.
Abstract:
An audio modem provides both the functionality needed for audio processing and that needed for implementing one or more modems. A digital signal processor utilizes a plurality of serial ports to interface with one or more codecs used for interfacing an analog audio channel and with one or more modem codecs used for interfacing an analog communications channel.
Abstract:
The present invention is a unique solution to the problem of holding a document in a position to read the document while reclining in a bed or on a horizontal surface. In the prior art attempt to achieve positioning a document relative to a reclining user's field of view have been complex, costly and limited in the type of document positioned. The present invention is simple to install, light in weight so it can be easily positioned by a user and accommodates documents in sizes ranging from newspapers to paperback books. Paperback books are particularly difficult to accommodate because they tend to resist lying flat when opened. In the present invention a book clamp is positioned on the spine of the book and pushes the spine against the base flattening the paperback book. The present invention has a flexible attachment means functioning to attach the document holder to a vertical surface and provide a means of adjustment.
Abstract:
A solar energy thermostatic controller using a solid-state microcomputer that manages air mover(s) to supply heated air for building space heating. Methods includes microcomputer software for communicating with temperature sensors located at the solar heating source, the supply vent source and the building room/interior. The present invention thermostatic control device features a data logger to record temperatures and humidity history, and elapsed time usage history of solar heated air available from attics and crawl spaces; or solar collectors mounted in or on walls, rooftops, or exterior locations. The thermostatic control device manages use of limited solar heated air for building environmental control. Program controlled temperature set points manage an HVAC blower to gather solar heated air during the daily sunlight solar excursion and to control shutdown of the supply system when solar heated air temperature falls below present room/interior temperature. Methods include permanent memory storage of historical data.