16857results about How to "Reduce operating costs" patented technology

A system and method is described for instantly connecting and matching people and business entities with reciprocal interests in the location of their presence in real-time. Portable communication devices using wireless communication are used for transmitting data between users with reciprocal interests connected through a peer-to-peer network or in a client-server environment. Telephone users utilize an Interactive Voice Response system to communicate with other users of reciprocal interest. A matching algorithm running in a remote computer connected to the devices through network makes an initial assessment about the likelihood of a match, and then with the permission of the requester and the respondent, sets up communication sessions.

A system and method for treating a deposition reactor are disclosed. The system and method remove or mitigate formation of residue in a gas-phase reactor used to deposit doped metal films, such as aluminum-doped titanium carbide films or aluminum-doped tantalum carbide films. The method includes a step of exposing a reaction chamber to a treatment reactant that mitigates formation of species that lead to residue formation.

A system and method for depositing a film within a reaction chamber are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a temperature measurement device, such as a pyrometer, to measure an exterior wall surface of the reaction chamber. A temperature of the exterior wall surface can be controlled to mitigate cleaning or etching of an interior wall surface of the reaction chamber.

An electronic system providing banking services, comprises a server having a first interface for communication with user mobile telephony devices over a mobile telephone network; and a second interface for communication with an intermediary acting as a gateway to banking records of multiple banking organisations. The first interface is adapted to allow at least balance enquiry requests to be submitted to one of the multiple banking organisations by means of the intermediary and to provide at least balance enquiry replies for display on the user mobile telephony device. The invention provides the functions of the high street ATM using the mobile phone environment.

A network switch having a unified, adaptive management paradigm for wireless network devices is disclosed. The switch includes configurable ports for connecting devices. A software application running on the switch allows a network administrator to selectively configure each port to support either a wired device or wireless device. Configuration information and software images that are needed for operation of the wireless device are associated with the port. When a wireless device is first plugged into the switch port, it downloads its configuration directly from the switch port. By storing the configuration information and images at the switch and automatically downloading them to the wireless devices, the task of configuring the devices is greatly simplified for the network administrator. This is particularly advantageous in heterogeneous network environments that support both wired and wireless devices, and where wireless device are readily moved to different ports.

Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.

The present invention relates to a wetness monitoring system that includes a data collection device that sends wetness measurement data to a central computer that detects changes in wetness measurement data caused by the presence of urine or other dielectric fluids. The data collection device includes a semi-reusable sensor and reusable data collector that are worn on a garment of the person. The data collector includes an internal power source so that the person can live a normal ambulatory life. The data collector has an electrical circuit that uses the changing resistance characteristics in the sensor to gather wetness measurement data. The data collector periodically generates and transmits a signal containing the actual wetness measurement data. The signals are coded to identify the particular data collector or person sending the signal. The data collector is programmed to conserve power by sending signals less frequently during periods when the sensor is clearly dry. Signals are sent more frequently when the sensor is damp or a wetness event may have occurred. The central computer receives the signals containing the wetness measurement data and compares the measurement data to an adjustable wetness sensitivity level to determine if a wetness event has occurred. When the central computer determines that a wetness event has occurred, the computer displays the name of the particular person wearing the data collector and the approximate time that the wetness event occurred. The system then pages an appropriate healthcare worker to inform them that the particular individual needs attention and tracks the approximate response times to ensure that the patient is continuously receiving prompt care.

A point of sale (POS) rebate method and system allows a consumer purchasing a product having an associated manufacturer's mail-in rebate to redeem the rebate at the POS. Products that have associated manufacturer rebates are recognized when the products are purchased, e.g., based on information stored in a rebate database. When such products are identified, terms and conditions of a POS rebate are determined. The value of the POS rebate may be determined based on the value of the mail-in rebate offered by the manufacturer. The value of the POS rebate may be determined by querying a server containing rebate information, such as a server operated by or on behalf of the manufacturer or retailer. The consumer is then prompted to choose whether to keep the original manufacturer's mail-in rebate, or to accept the POS rebate, along with any terms and conditions associated with the POS rebate.

A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a lower mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed. The compressed recycle stream is cooled sufficiently to substantially condense it, and is then expanded to the pressure of the fractionation tower and supplied to the tower at a top column feed position. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.

The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet. An LED illuminates the cells and a CCD camera captures the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells. Image analysis performed with a novel algorithm provides a count of the cells on the surface that can be related to the target cell concentration of the original sample. The compact cytometer system provides a rugged, affordable and easy-to-use technique, which can be used in remote locations.

An apparatus for sensing at least one physiological parameter of a patient and transmitting data related to the sensed physiological parameter to an external device. The apparatus comprises a detecting portion comprising at least one sensor interconnected with a connector, an acquisition portion comprising a connector interface configured to receive the connector, electronics for controlling the at least one sensor via the connector interface, receiving data related to the at least one physiological parameter from the at least one sensor via the connector interface and processing the received data, and a wireless interface for transmitting the processed data to the external device, and a power source for supplying energy to the acquisition module.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for wireless purchase of merchandise from a vending machine by using a cellular mobile phone. The present invention permits a cellular mobile phone user to dial a sequence of code on the phone to invoke the vending machine to dispense merchandise, where payment is charged to the mobile phone account. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and a method for on-line inventory management. With on-line inventory management, the present invention provides high efficient operation, reduced operation cost, and just-in-time service and merchandise delivery. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and a method that allow both on-line inventory management and wireless purchase of merchandise in a vending machine.

In a campaign, a customer's file is reviewed to determine the offer or solicitation to send to the customer and the time such will remain open, and an e-mail message is sent to the customer that contains the offer or solicitation in text, a packet, or a URL address for a protected personalized web page (501). The packet may be opened on-line or off-line allowing the customer to provide information or terms that are subsequently sent to (505) the originator. Alternatively, such information is obtained via the protected, personalized web page to which the customer is referred. If the customer provides acceptable information and terms (510, 515), the transaction is completed (520).

Systems and methods for data center control are provided that identify parameters of one or more data centers, where each data center includes a plurality of devices. The systems and methods receive a command to execute an application, and identify a selected data center from the one or more data centers as a location to run the application based at least in part on an evaluation of the parameters.

The invention discloses a parking system path planning method based on dynamic time windows, and belongs to the technical field of path planning. The method is characterized by comprising the following steps: S1, building a work environment model of AGVs in an intelligent garage in a topological method; S2, setting priority for each AGV and each car parking/picking task according to different evaluation criteria; S3, using a Dijkstra algorithm to plan a shortest possible path for an AGV accepting a task; S4, arranging feasible path time windows; S5, designing conflict resolution strategies according to different types of conflicts; and S6, planning a conflict-free optimal path for the AGV using a parking system path planning algorithm based on dynamic time windows. A time-sharing use strategy is used, and the Dijkstra algorithm and a time window method are combined effectively, so that the problem that the existing multi-AGV path planning is of poor flexibility and is prone to deadlock or collision conflict is solved effectively, and a shortest conflict-free optimal path can be planned for an AGV accepting a task. In addition, the overall operation efficiency of an intelligent three-dimensional parking system can be improved effectively, and the car parking/picking waiting time can be reduced for social members.