185results about How to "Encourage use" patented technology

A system and method that facilitate efficient use of 3G high-speed data networks while providing for personalized audio content selection and coordinated distribution of selected content are disclosed. The invention categorizes audio content to be delivered over wireless networks such that the categories correspond to a different delivery priority. In an illustrative three-category implementation, category 1 content has the highest delivery priority for delivery as soon as possible, category 2 content has the next highest delivery priority for delivery, and category 3 content, such as music, audio books and so on, has the least urgent delivery priority. The categories are used to coordinate audio content delivery to efficiently use available bandwidth and network resources by delivering content at off-peak times. The invention also allows the downloading process to be interruptible such that it can be resumed at about the point of an interruption to conserve resources.

Systems and methods are presented for providing dynamic temporally and geographically relevant information or content to mobile communications devices, in which a profile and a current location are obtained for a mobile device, profile specific geographically and temporally relevant content from a data store according to the user profile, the current user location, and the current time, and the content is provided to mobile communications device via a communications network.

A business model, system, and method for a business entity to distribute branding, advertising, marketing, and service (BAMS) data to consumer-users is described. The business entity establishes and maintains a venture server that transmits BAMS data to client applications installed on the electronic devices of consumer-users and controls usage and display of the BAMS data at the electronic devices. The client application, which is prepared and assigned a unique identifier by the business entity, performs a useful function that requires a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed in the display of the user's electronic device. After receiving the BAMS data, the client application stores it, and displays it in the GUI. The client application can be written so that no user information is transmitted from the electronic device to the venture server.

Construction of a model using a computer aided design system includes constructing a feature in a three dimensional model based on data input by a user. Following construction of the feature, a part configured to compatibly couple with the feature is automatically identified based on design attributes of the feature. The part can be selected from a parts library that includes data representing parts and their geometric characteristics. The part also may be automatically generated based on a part model in a parts library. The part generation can include querying a database storing the part library to retrieve a part model, and then generating an instance of the part model based on design attributes of the feature so as to ensure coupling compatibility with the feature.

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.

The present invention enables the purchase of perishable objects by ascertaining and attaching a value to the certainty that the perishable object will be available and adjusting the value of the product or service for purchasers willing to pay the discounted value on the condition that the perishable object may not be available at the time of expiration. Rather than paying the certainty value, the prospective purchaser is given the opportunity to enroll in a pool for the perishable object. At a certain time the perishable is released to the pool of purchasers, who are then selected to purchase the item.

A method and system for providing an employment placement service that provides incentives to encourage use of the employment placement service by both employers and job applicants. In a representative embodiment, the invention broadcasts job openings, presents detailed information about the employers advertising the openings, provides means for employers and applicants to exchange information (e.g., résumés), and provides incentives for both employers and job applicants to use the employment placement service. The primary components include a job listing database, an employer information database, a résumé database, and a series of graphical user interfaces that integrate the databases and give the employers and applicants access to view and manipulate the information. The system can also save user queries for various purposes.

A system and method for funding a collective account via aggregating usage of electronic tags is disclosed. The system and method promotes the use of electronic tags, and the funding of collective accounts that may be associated with charitable or other philanthropic causes. Further benefits may be realized by replenishing the prefunded account that serves as the source of funds for the electronic tag to an affinity account that also benefits the charitable or other philanthropic cause.

Methods and apparatus for capture, processing, storage, retrieval and display of goaltending sports performance metrics, analytics, and video, comprising a portable computing device (20), with touch-input display (100), specially adapted to receive and process telemetry metrics from movement and position sensors and multiple-angle video devices (40). Inertial measurement sensors (10) attached to or embedded in goaltender equipment (2) and three-dimensional space sensors (30) arranged In the vicinity of a goal or net (3) create a digital environment for processing, analyzing, and translating goaltender performance metrics to Improved performance by goaltender testing, evaluation and comparison, and review of video and performance metrics during and after games and practices. Gesture-based user Interfaces and sensor-based automated video tagging expedite tagging video with contextualized metadata characterizing identified goaltending events. System (50) stores tagged video, performance metrics, analytics and summarized test scores to a remotely accessible Performance Library (55) for game, season, and career assessment.

A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only funding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.

A heat sink for cooling LEDs, which includes a heat sink housing which is configured as a finned concentric tube configuration. Also, an LED heat sink assembly and an LED cooling system which include a heat sink housing which is configured as a finned concentric tube configuration. Also, a method for cooling LED modules.

This invention concerns a method and computing system for game, lottery and advertising campaign events in order to encourage the use of chained SMS or Multimedia messages where the sender, responsible for supporting all associated costs, becomes eligible for winning randomly awarded prizes set according to predetermined rules, using the cellular phone channel, in theory, reaching all cellular phone users, without breaking any mobile network service operator database privacy. It is characterized by: The use of a network computing system, connected to the mobile network operator numbers, who receive cellular phone messages and forward them to a computing system management platform. The messages are then assigned a sequential number by order of arrival to the system, all numbers are logged and the user is notified of this number and invited to forward one or more potential participant phone numbers to a specific phone number; the management platform, using a group of software applications will then send the future participant a message inviting him / her to join the game; if the participant whishes to enter the chain, he / she will have to send a message stating the arrival number of the participant who inserted him / her in the chain as well as one or more cellular phone numbers of prospective participants, it is therefore always possible to identify the origin and all the members of a any given sequence.

A method for formation of shaped components such as shaped absorbent cores, for disposable absorbent articles, contemplates that a relatively wide web of material be provided from which the components are cut. The web of material is longitudinally slit to form a plurality of subdivided webs each having shaped components arranged in serial relationship. The shaped components of adjacent ones of the subdivided webs are nested with each other, that is, a line extending longitudinally of the web extends through the components of adjacent subdivided webs. Efficient formation is facilitated by collecting the marginal portions of the web of material, and at least partially recycling the collected portions for formation of the wide web.

The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a share of program profits above a pre-designated level is returned to participating recipients at pre-designated intervals such as annually. Participants respond to an offer to participate in the mutual benefit program. After admission to the program, the card issuer tracks the performance according to the desired performance metric for the participants. At certain intervals, such as yearly, the card issuer reports out the financial performance for the period. If the performance exceeded the pre-designated threshold performance, then returns are distributed to participants according to a share methodology. The share methodology can provide that returns are allocated among participants according to various criteria, such as based on non-financial criteria including: periods of inactivity and financial criteria including: spending volume, finance charges, and so forth.

A system and method for approving credit or debit card transactions is provided. Transaction data such as an amount of money to be settled is obtained by a cardholder. A digital signature of the cardholder is generated based on the transaction data, wherein the transaction data can additionally include a cardholder's reference number. The generated digital signature is included in the request for approval message. Accordingly, the received digital signature is verified by the card issuer to either approve or disapprove the transaction.

Personal care composition comprising a discrete transparent aqueous phase and a discrete non-aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises from about 0.05% to about 5% of a polymeric thickener, and from about 50% to about 99.5% water, both by weight of the aqueous phase; and the non-aqueous phase comprises from about 20% to about 90% of a sunscreen selected from the group consisting of oil-soluble sunscreens, oil-insoluble sunscreens, and combinations thereof; and from about 5% to about 40% of an oil thickener, all by weight of the non-aqueous phase; and wherein the ratio of the weight of the aqueous phase to the weight of the non-aqueous phase is from about 1:1 to about 9:1; and wherein the aqueous phase and the non-aqueous phase are visually distinct and form a stable pattern.

A remote controlled valve for cessation of water flow from an outflow component such as a showerhead or faucet during periods where water flow is not required by the user to provide for water conservation. The device features a remote control having a large contact area for contact with the user's arm or leg or hip to allow for activation without the use of their hands and fingers. The large size also renders the remote control unit easily located by sense of touch and without the user's eyesight to encourage use by users who might otherwise be concerned about reinitiating water flow during shampooing or while using he device on a sink with their hands wet or occupied.

The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a share of program profits above a pre-designated level is returned to participating consumers at pre-designated intervals such as annually. Customers respond to an offer to participate in the mutual benefit program. After admission to the program, the card issuer tracks the performance according to the desired financial metric for the participating cardholders. At certain intervals, such as yearly, the card issuer reports out the financial performance for the period. If the financial performance exceeded the pre-designated threshold performance, then returns are distributed to participating cardholders according to a share methodology. The share methodology can provide that returns are allocated among participating cardholders according to various criteria, such as based on spending volume, finance charges, and so forth.

A self-guiding shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system is provided which is integrated into the parking lot construction. A collection channel is adjacent and parallel to a row of parking spaces which is formed as an inset trough configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart to a collection end. The collection channel has a generally planar floor and at least one inclined side bank with the floor being downwardly linearly inclined toward the collection end. Lateral feed channels intersect with the collection channel which are configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart from the parking lot into the collection channel. Thus, shopping carts from the parking lot are introduced into the lateral feed channels at the parking lot level and guided therethrough into the collection channel.

A storage and drying unit for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment is provided. The unit comprises an enclosure having a back wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining at least one chamber with an open front. The chamber may also include shelf members for supporting the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. The walls and any shelf members include aeration holes for allowing movement of air through the chamber in order to facilitate the drying of the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment placed in the chamber. The unit may be provided with a drying fan to encourage an airflow past the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment in the chamber to facilitate drying of same. The unit may also be provided with hangars for hanging the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. These hangars are sized and shaped to be removably inserted into any one of the aeration holes.

An automated system for monitoring respiratory diseases, such as asthma, provides noninvasive, multimodal monitoring of respiratory signs and symptoms that can include wheeze and cough. Some embodiments employ a mobile device, such as a cell phone, in which raw data from a microphone and an accelerometer are processed, analyzed, and stored. Data can be collected continuously. Time domain and frequency domain analyses of signals to determine, e.g., energy, duration, and spectral content of candidate sounds can be employed to discriminate symptoms of interest from background sounds and to establish significance. Accelerometer signals are analyzed to determine activity levels. Analyses of a user's symptoms and activity level prior to, during, and after an event can provide meaningful determinations of disease severity and predict future respiratory events. The system can provide a summary of data, as well as an alarm when symptom severity reaches a threshold.

A prosthetic sock monitoring system is disclosed. The sock monitoring system includes a storage device and a data collection unit. The data collection unit is operable to receive data from at least one sensor coupled to a prosthetic sock that is wearable by a patient, and store the received data in the storage device. A prosthetic sock is also disclosed. The sock comprises material shaped to fit over at least a portion of the residual limb of the patient and a thickness adapted for inserting the residual limb into the socket of the prosthesis while the sock is fitted over the residual limb. The sock also comprises one or more of a sock identification unit and a force sensing device.

A system and method is provided for categorizing airline passengers traveling with and without baggage and unbundling the baggage costs associated with the airfare to encourage separate parcel service use. In one embodiment, based on information from an online booking system, the traveler is allowed to choose from a variety of options addressing modes of baggage handling, and an online routine determines the associated costs for the options chosen, providing travel rates that vary from the typical base airfare.

A method for motivating a user including the steps of providing a device with an image capturing feature; capturing an image of the user with the image capturing feature; transmitting the captured image to an identity verification device; comparing biometric data from the image to a biometric profile provided by the user; generating a motivational image of the user with a processing device, the motivational image being produced from an acquired image of the user, the acquired image depicting at least one feature of the user; and displaying the motivational image from the processing device in substantially real time to the user; wherein the motivational image exclusively depicts a real image of the user having enhanced dimensions for the at least one feature.

A host node connected to a network using an Internet Protocol automatically identifies multiple adapters connected to the same network, preferably by broadcasting a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request for assignment of an IP address on a first adapter, and listening to the request on a second adapter, thereby determining that both adapters are on the same network. The host preferably causes an IP address to be generated for one of the adapters, and automatically configures the adapters to share the IP address thus generated as a virtual IP address, assigning one of the adapters as a primary adapter. Preferably, the host automatically detects deactivation of the primary adapter and switches the virtual address assignment to a different adapter.

A bracelet worn by a user displays images, including direct advertisements, received from a remote device. Structurally, the bracelet forms a circumference about a void for receiving the user's wrist. Further, the bracelet includes a wireless communication receiver for receiving signals from the remote device. Also, the bracelet includes a display element positioned along the circumference for displaying images defined by the signals. Typically, the display element will comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, and / or fiber optics.

A disposable nasal filter for filtering air breathed into the respective nostrils of a nose with a semi-circular ring member having respective end portions in the form of cup-like members forming a clip for engagement with respective opposing inner portions of the bridge of a nose; and respective filter members attached to opposite sides of the ring member for covering the respective nostrils of the nose to filter the air entering the nostrils.

To guide a player showing an interest in a gaming machine, and encourage a use of the gaming machine, thereby increasing a customer gathering capability and increasing an operating rate of the gaming machine. A gaming machine enabling a plurality of players to play an identical game simultaneously includes: a plurality of player terminals at which a player carries out an input for a game; a front display and / or a speaker which executes an effect accompanying a game; a seating condition detector which detects whether or not a player terminal has an empty seat; an observer detector which detects whether or not an observer, who is a person other than a player playing the game, exists; and a guiding effect selection section which, in the event that an existence of an empty seat is detected by the seating condition detector, and an existence of an observer is detected by the observer detector, selects an effect for guiding the observer to one of the empty seats, and causes the front display and / or the speaker to execute the selected effect.