397results about How to "Easily employed" patented technology

A card reader device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into the card is disclosed in which the card reader device comprises a read head for passing a magnetic stripe of a card by to read data stored on a magnetic stripe and for producing a signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, a signal setting device for setting an amplitude of the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, and an output plug adapted to be inserted into a headset jack associated with a host device for providing the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe to a host device.

A first fluid connector is provided for selective interconnection to and fluid transfer with a second fluid connector. The first connector comprises a fluid passageway, an internal member and an outer collar supportably disposed about the internal member for selective advancement and retraction relative thereto. At least a portion of the fluid passageway may extend through the internal member. The outer collar may be selectively retracted to facilitate cleaning of the internal member. In some embodiments, the outer collar and internal member may be disposed so that a distal portion of the internal member is substantially flush with or a distal portion of internal member projects beyond a distal end of the outer collar when the outer collar is in a retracted position relative thereto. To facilitate cleaning, a distal end or distal portion of the internal member may be substantially closed when the first and second connectors are disconnected. The second connector may be adapted to facilitate fluid interconnection with the first connector, and may also present a cleanable distal end when disconnected.

A method for assessing improvement in hand hygiene practices using sanitation solution dispensers deployed within particular areas of interest in a healthcare facility or the like. Each of the dispensers has a counter associated therewith, with the counter producing a count indicative of actual events of a healthcare worker sanitizing his / her hands. Other data is acquired that impacts the number of anticipated hand sanitation events in this particular area of interest. From this data, a number of anticipated hand sanitation events is determined. Finally, a determination is made, from information obtained through actual observation, of the number of opportunities that healthcare workers will have for hand sanitation in the area of interest over a particular period of time. A performance index, indicative of compliance with hand hygiene protocol, is then obtained by dividing the difference between the actual number of hand sanitizing events and the number of anticipated hand hygiene events by the number of opportunities for such hand hygiene events. This index may then be used to gauge improvement or regression in hand hygiene practices in an area of interest, or to measure the effectiveness of intervention programs, or to compare performance between various areas of interest.

The present invention relates to a molecular probe capable of high sensitivity and high specificity detection of target nucleic acid in a sample. Also disclosed is a detection method using this probe.

A transceiver includes a switching unit configurable for isolating an input of a receiver from an output of a transmitter during a local calibration mode. A known signal present at the output at a first power level during the calibration mode will also be present at the input at a second power level lower than the first power level and will be converted by the quadrature demodulator. A compensation factor is estimated for compensating the receiver section for imbalances in the in-phase and quadrature phase signals resulting from conversion of the known signal. Remote calibration is implemented using a method for remotely compensating for I-Q imbalance wherein a data packet having a known signal is transmitted to a receiver for conversion by a quadrature demodulator and compensation factors are estimated for compensating for imbalances in the in-phase and quadrature phase signals resulting from conversion of the known signal.

A sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprises a sensor comprising an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end, the second end having a tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion, the tip portion adapted to be inserted into a sample, the active material capable of interacting with a substance within a sample, a light source coupled to the first end of the sensor for emitting a beam of light into and through the sensor and into a sample, the emitted beam of light having a wavelength and the active material interacting with a substance within a sample to change the wavelength of the emitted beam of light to produce a reflected beam of light and the sensor for transmitting the reflected beam of light out of the second end thereof, an optical detector for receiving the reflected beam of light from the second end of the sensor for producing a signal indicative of the reflected beam of light, and a processor for receiving the signal indicative of the reflected beam of light and for processing the signal to determine the concentration of a substance within a sample.

Gas chromatographs of the invention generally comprise four or more analysis channels. Specifically, four or more gas chromatography columns are configured for parallel analysis of four or more gaseous samples with detection being effected using a microdetector array comprising four or more microdetectors. In one embodiment, the four or more microdetectors 510 are microfabricated detectors, and are integrally formed with a substrate or with one or more microchip bodies mounted on a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, a microdetector array comprises four or more thermal conductivity detectors having one or more thin-film detection filaments. A preferred heated environment for highly parallel gas chromatographs is also disclosed.

Adjustable sneezeguard apparatus includes a double-ended, elongated support member which is pivotal relative to a support. A sneezeguard panel holder is connected to the elongated support member and is pivotal relative to the support member.

A secure device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into a card. The card reader device reads and then encrypts the data, then outputs an analog signal that is indicative of the encrypted data. By way of an electrical plug-and-jack connection to a cell phone, the output signal is passed to circuitry in the cell phone where it is processed to extract the encrypted data. For security purposes, the cell phone is not enabled to decrypt the data, and therefor transmits the encrypted data to a remote server that is so enabled. When the card is used for financial transactions, the remote server cooperates with appropriate financial systems to process the transaction using data from the card plus transaction details that were entered by the cell phone user.

A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls. A variety structurally related connectors, comprising at least a connector body, base flange, and two lip receiving grooves, are described. These connectors are capable of interconnecting metal framing performing all framing functions including, without limitation, floor and ceiling joists, top and bottom plates, roof rafters, roof rims, window sills, trusses, headers and wall studs. The connectors lock into place within the stud and are secured from the inside using fasteners applied into the non-surface aspects of the stud. The stud connectors demonstrate three dimensional rigidity and a box-like fit within the metal framing studs to form joints that are strong, durable and precise. The framing system using the stud connectors of the present invention leaves the outside surfaces of the framing members and studs smooth and continuous, without protruding fastener heads or interruptions of any sort. The resulting smooth outside surfaces can be covered much more easily and inexpensively than the uneven and generally awkward outside surfaces presently encountered in metal framed structures. The manner in which the connectors lock within the studs promote their safe and efficient installation. The system and connectors of the present invention enables an entire structure to be framed using one type and size of metal framing studs cut to appropriate lengths on site.

A method, medium, and apparatus for encoding and / or decoding video by generating a scalable bitstream formed with a base layer bitstream and an enhancement layer bitstream, in order to provide forward compatibility, is described. The method includes reconstructing an image having an extended bit-depth and an extended video format into an image having a base bit-depth and a base video format, encoding the reconstructed image, and as a result of the encoding of the image having the base bit-depth and the base video format, generating a base layer bitstream, and reconstructing the image having the extended bit-depth and extended video format into an image having the extended bit-depth and the base video format, and by using the result of the encoding of the image having the base bit-depth and the base video format, encoding the image having the extended bit-depth and the base video format, and generating an enhancement layer bitstream with a result of the encoding of the image having the extended bit-depth and the base video format and additional data required for the extended video format.

Hydrocarbons are extracted from a target formation, such as oil shale, tar sands, heavy oil and petroleum reservoirs, by apparatus and methods which cause fracturing of the containment rock and liquification or volatization of the hydrocarbons by microwave energy directed by a radiating antenna in the target formation.