246results about How to "Increase likelihood" patented technology

A method for presenting advertising in an interactive service provided on a computer network, the service featuring applications which include pre-created, interactive text / graphic sessions is described. The method features steps for presenting advertising concurrently with service applications at the user terminal configured as a reception system. In accordance with the method, the advertising is structured in a manner comparable to the service applications enabling the applications to be presented at a first portion of a display associated with the reception system and the advertising presented at a second portion. Further, steps are provided for storing and managing advertising at the user reception system so that advertising can be pre-fetched from the network and staged in anticipation of being called for presentation. This minimizes the potential for communication line interference between application and advertising traffic and makes the advertising available at the reception system so as not to delay presentation of the service applications. Yet further the method features steps for individualizing the advertising supplied to enhance potential user interest by providing advertising based on a characterization of the user as defined by the users interaction with the service, user demographics and geographical location. Yet additionally, advertising is provided with transactional facilities so that users can interact with it.

Systems and methods provide for the fixation of osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic long bones, especially Colles' fractures. A cannula having a circumferential opening is inserted into cancellous bone and directed such that the circumferential opening faces the fracture. The cannula is further adapted to receive an expandable structure, the expandable structure being inserted through the cannula until it is in registration with the circumferential opening. The expandable structure is expanded through the circumferential opening into cancellous bone and toward the fracture. The expansion of the expandable structure through the circumferential opening toward the fracture causes compression of cancellous bone and moves fractured cortical bone, thus creating a cavity proximal to the fracture. The cavity is then filled with a flowable bone filling material and the material allowed to harden.

A novel media access control (MAC) mechanism utilizing synchronization signaling that enables nodes from different networks having different technologies and protocols to coexistence using the same shared media. The present invention is suitable for use with a wide range of different types of network and technologies and is particularly useful in providing coexistence capabilities to powerline based data communication systems. Specific time slots are assigned for the transmission of a frame occupation signal to indicate to all nodes that the channel is occupied. A synchronization signal is randomly transmitted during a preassigned time slot within the frame to provide accurate timing for the frame occupation signal. During times that a node does not transmit the synchronization signal, it listens to the channel. A timing signal is derived from the synchronization signals received from other nodes during this quiet period wherein the node is in a listening mode. The node then adjusts its internal clock in accordance with the derived timing signal.

Methods and apparatus for tracking and evaluating the relative value, such as the net present value, of medical services provided to patients associated with third party payors (“TPPs”). Under various embodiments of the present invention, the relative value of medical services is considered in evaluating whether to enter into an agreement with a TPP, whether to accept a new patient, when and for how long to schedule a patient appointment, and how long a physician should meet with the patient. Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a medical office are also disclosed whereby a physician may more effectively supply a patient with relevant information and provide prescriptions, record billing information, order supplies, and collect payment for services provided. Methods and apparatus for improving security within a medical office and reducing employee fraud are also disclosed.

An angioplasty cutting device for balloon angioplasty of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel. The device comprises a distal ring and a proximal ring. The device further comprises at least one strut attached to the distal ring and proximally extending to the proximal ring. The strut is configured to be disposed at the stenotic lesion to engage the stenotic lesion for dilatation of the body vessel during angioplasty. The strut extending from the proximal ring a predetermined length for delivery and retrieval of the device.

A system and method for verifying, authenticating, and providing notification of a transaction, such as a commercial or financial transaction, with and / or to at least one party identified as engaging in the transaction and / or identified as having a potential interest in the transaction or type of transaction, are provided. A central system accepts information regarding a transaction, including information about at least one party identified as engaging in the transaction, such as by a credit account number or Social Security number or merchant account number, and / or identified as having a potential interest in the transaction. Based on the information regarding the transaction and any supplemental information the central system determines, the central system communicates with and / or to at least one party and / or additional or alternative parties, via at least one communications device or system having a communications address, such as a telephone number or Short Message Service address, predetermined as belonging to the at least one party and / or additional or alternative parties. Via said communications, at least one party having an interest or a potential interest in the transaction may be notified of it, and may further be enabled or required to supply additional verifying or authenticating information to the central system. If the transaction was initiated or engaged in via a communications link, such as via the Internet, said communications preferably occur over at least one different communications link and / or protocol, such as via a wireless voice network. The central system may then compute a result based on the outcomes of said communications, and may then transmit the result to the user and / or to a second system or device.