856results about How to "Address rising prices" patented technology

A security network containing multiple controller functions that communicate using wireless communications. The controller functions are contained within base units. One controller function may be the master controller. Other controller functions may receive a copy of the configuration data contained within the master controller. If the master controller fails, another controller function may become the master controller. The controller functions may use encryption keys to encrypt and / or authenticate communications. Some base units may contain a telecommunications interface. Controller units may relay communications between themselves to reach a telecommunications interface. Controller functions located in different buildings may communicate. Controller functions may each receive wireless communications from a transponder and combine the received communications to reduce errors.

A mobile content delivery system that optimizes the delivery of especially bandwidth-consuming content (or the flow of any peak-hour data traffic) in a way that best utilizes the free capacity in the radio network, thus enabling considerably more efficient usage of the radio capacity. It also allows new services and pricing structures to be used in the cellular network, that otherwise would not be possible. The class of delivery of message content can be selected by the user on a transaction basis, or subscription-based and pre-defined in a user profile. By choosing a scheduled delivery the user can receive the content at a fraction of the price compared to instant delivery, since the content is sent at a time when the network is least utilized.

The present invention relates to a wireless home automation system having a controller for controlling a broad variety of functions via two ways communication with a plurality of devices. The controllers and devices of the system comprises means for generating a signal comprising a destination identifier, instructions related to the input / output of the destination or source device, and a repeater identifier. The devices according to the invention are adapted to act as input / output devices and signal repeating devices. The processors of each device comprises means for, upon reception of a signal, processing said information if the destination identifier corresponds to the device identifier of the device, and means for, upon reception of a signal, transmitting a second signal holding at least said destination identifier and said instruction if the repeater identifier corresponds to the device identifier of the device.

An online buying group (referred to herein as a "co-op") is formed for the specific purpose of purchasing a particular product at (102) by defining a start time, end time, critical mass, any minimum number of units offered, any maximum number of units offered, starting price and product cost curve. As data is gathered from buyers, by means of their making binding purchase offers, the co-op is modified at (108) using a pricing tool, so as to take into account for this market data in the definition of the price curve. A buyer chooses a product co-op of interest at (114). The buyer is presented with the following essential co-op information: current price, closing time, next price level (as defined by a price curve visibility window and the price curve) sufficient to entice the buyer to make an offer. Once a buyer has made up his mind, the decision must be made at (116) to offer a purchase price which includes the current price, guaranteeing availability if critical mass has been achieved, or to make an offer at a lower price range that can be accepted only if the co-op price drops to that level, which may not occur. Given a decision to make an offer at such lower price, the buyer enters such maximum price at which he is willing to purchase the product at (118). Should the current price drop to the level at which the offer was made, the price contingency is removed from such offer and assuming critical mass is achieved, the offer is accepted at at the close of the co-op at (122), and processed accordingly. Inventory is allocated to fulfill the accepted offer at (126) following the closing of the co-op at (124).

An object of the present invention is to; miniaturize, increase the capacity, and reduce the price of piezoelectric components. The present invention relates to a piezoelectric component and a manufacturing method thereof, characterized in that: there are bonded and laminated at least two or more piezoelectric elements in which comb-teeth electrodes, wiring electrodes having element wirings that are arranged adjacent to the comb-teeth electrodes, and electrode terminals connected to the wiring electrodes, are formed on a principal surface of a plurality of piezoelectric substrates, while forming hollow sections between the respective piezoelectric elements; through electrodes are formed in the respective piezoelectric substrates so as to pass therethrough; the through electrodes are connected to the electrode terminals; and the piezoelectric substrates are sealed by a resin sealing layer.

A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount, and a paper receipt is printed for the customer with a customer identification and a transaction identification encoded in a bar code thereon. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. The customer then scans the encoded bar code with a bar code scanner at a gasoline dispenser to redeem the discount. The total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the price-per-unit-volume of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount. When the customer completes the gasoline purchase, a value of the total discount redeemed is determined and stored in a discounts redeemed database. Portions of the discount redeemed are then allocated to vendors of the first and second cross-marketed products according to predetermined criteria.

A security network for use in a building with an opening to be monitored for possible intrusion. The network includes an intrusion sensor monitoring the opening; an RFID transponder associated with the sensor; an RFID reader in wireless communication with the transponder; and a portable telephone handset having first keys activating conventional telephone capability and second keys activating interaction with the other security network components. The handset wirelessly communicates with the reader. The reader may take the form of a security cradle for the handset. Alternatively, the reader may take the form of a telephone console. The console has keys enabling a user to dial remote telephone numbers; circuitry adapted to receive wireless communications from the transponder; circuitry in wireless communication with the handset; circuitry in communication with an external network; and a processor executing program code enabling the handset to communicate with the external network via the telephone console.

A data processing system is disclosed that can be used to conduct a modified auction. A minimum value is determined for an item to be auctioned. Potential bidders are provided the opportunity to buy the rights to bid on the item. When the total proceeds from selling the rights to bid on the item become equal to or greater than the minimum value for the item, an auction is performed for the item. In one embodiment, only those entities that purchased the rights to bid may participate in the auction, and the auction is designed to prevent the auction price from becoming too high.

A communications architecture for a security network using low power and high power wireless communications. The low power and high power wireless communications will typically be operating in different frequency bands and at different transmit power levels. The security network contains base units and transponders. Base units may be in the form of cordless phone handsets or cordless phone base stations. Transmissions from a transponder may be received at more than one base unit. A base unit may forward communications from a transponder to another base unit. Transponder communications may contain identifying information and may further encrypt information sent in the communications. Base units may contain data used in determining whether to route communications to another base unit.

The present invention relates to a wireless home automation system having controllers for controlling a broad variety of functions via two-way communication with a plurality of devices. More specifically, the invention relates to sharing information related to the system between controllers, e.g. by updating a second controller with the newly learned information of a first controller, or by replicating a controller by making a second controller a complete copy of a first controller. The information can be shared by generating and transmitting, with a first controller, a list of device identifiers of devices controlled by the first controller to a second controller. The list is received by the second controller and stored in a memory of the second controller dedicated to store device identifiers of devices controlled by the second controller. This function proves advantageous when new controllers are introduced or if a controller is lost, worn out, or destroyed.

An apparatus and a method provide a convenient way for consumers to recycle used batteries. The apparatus is a self-contained station or kiosk that accepts used batteries from a consumer and dispenses one or both of fully charged batteries and credit for the used battery to the consumer. The method determines one or more of chemistry, rechargeability and condition of the used battery, assigns a credit value to the used battery, and dispenses a form of credit based on the assigned credit value. The present invention recycles one or both of used rechargeable and used non-rechargeable batteries and separately dispenses fully charged batteries. Used rechargeable batteries are recharged and reused, and used non-rechargeable batteries are collected for proper disposal according to regulations.

An improved crimping mechanism well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

An inverter circuit allowing a single drive circuit to perform both tracking control for tracking resonance frequency fluctuations caused by load fluctuations, and power control, thereby reducing switching loss. An inverter drive circuit part obtains a phase difference between output current and output voltage directed to a load circuit connected to a midpoint of two arm circuits of the inverter circuit, and controls a phase of the driving signal directed to each semiconductor switch such that the phase difference becomes zero or a predetermined value, enabling an operating frequency of the inverter circuit part to track a resonance frequency of the load circuit, and enabling a current phase to be delayed with respect to a voltage phase, thereby achieving ZCS. Since the phase difference is used, an auxiliary circuit is not necessary for measuring a current value in proximity to the semiconductor switches.