219 results about "Computer drive" patented technology

A computer-driven information management system selectively matches credit applicants with money lenders through a global communications network. The system includes an applicant data entry device for entering applicant data into the system. The applicant data defines an electronic applicant profile of a credit applicant seeking financing. A model data entry device is provided for entering model data into the system. The model data is established by the lender and defines an electronic model profile representing characteristics of a desired applicant. A filter electronically compares the applicant profile with the model profile, such that for those credit applicants matching the model profile, the applicant data is made available through the system to lender. For those credit applicants not matching the model profile, no applicant data is made available through the system to the lender.

A computer-driven system amplifies a target region based on integrating eye gaze and manual operator input, thus reducing pointing time and operator fatigue. A gaze tracking apparatus monitors operator eye orientation while the operator views a video screen. Concurrently, the computer monitors an input indicator for mechanical activation or activity by the operator. According to the operator's eye orientation, the computer calculates the operator's gaze position. Also computed is a gaze area, comprising a sub-region of the video screen that includes the gaze position. The system determines a region of the screen to expand within the current gaze area when mechanical activation of the operator input device is detected. The graphical components contained are expanded, while components immediately outside of this radius may be contracted and / or translated, in order to preserve visibility of all the graphical components at all times.

Enabling dynamic, computer-driven, context-based detection of social network patterns within an input graph representing a social network. A Social Network Aware Pattern Detection (SNAP) system and method utilizes a highly-scalable, computationally efficient integration of social network analysis (SNA) and graph pattern matching. Social network interaction data is provided as an input graph having nodes and edges. The graph illustrates the connections and / or interactions between people, objects, events, and activities, and matches the interactions to a context. A sample graph pattern of interest is identified and / or defined by the user of the application. With this sample graph pattern and the input graph, a computational analysis is completed to (1) determine when a match of the sample graph pattern is found, and more importantly, (2) assign a weight (or score) to the particular match, according to a pre-defined criteria or context.

A computer-driven resource manager (122) selectively executes user-initiated tasks (113) according to established rules (112) defining users' permissions for such tasks. A workflow engine (116) manages redefinition of the rules. Responsive to receiving (602) a request to change the rules, the engine processes the request (600). This includes reviewing the request and selecting (604) a corresponding approval path. Also, the workflow engine sequentially proceeds (610, 612, 614, 616, 620) through a sequence of stages defined by the selected path, where in each stage the workflow engine electronically solicits approvals from one or more approvers indicated by the selected approval path. The engine continues through the stages until receiving at least one denial, or all required approvals (616). Responsive to receiving all required approvals, an electronic message is transmitted (618) directing amendment of the rules per the user request.

A methodology for customers seeking to purchase a meal from a food service vendor such as a restaurant, a cafeteria, or a vending machine, by ordering a food preparation based upon menu-selections. In addition to receiving ordered food, customers receive suggestions for optionally modifying their food orders based upon nutritional benefits and other criteria. Either during real-time customer-ordering or during post-ordering, a food-service vendor presents a customer suggestions specific to a pending tentative or completed order, wherein the customer may enjoy purported nutritional benefits by electing to follow these suggestions and thereby modify the tentative order into a corresponding completed order. Alternatively, the customer may elect to ignore these suggestions, but may nonetheless decide to effect such food-ordering modifications during subsequent visits. The food selection criteria implemented by a food service vendor is independent of individual customer identity and preferences, and are flexible and readily adaptable to accommodate changes such as a food service vendor's marketing strategy, customer-food preferences, discoveries pertaining to nutrition and consequent good health; and may be adapted to a plethora of food service environments. The preferred embodiment contemplates a restaurant environment in which customers typically approach a food-ordering counter and interface with both a menu display and with order-taking personnel. Other embodiments implicate kiosks, vending machines, remote access devices, and locally and remotely-accessed networked computers, wherein customers interact with automated computer-driven devices instead of or in addition to wait-staff or other food service personnel.

The Wrist-Mounted Electrical Computer Components (WECC) invention comprises an Electrical Computer Component (ECC), a wrist or watch band, an attachment or integrating system that connects the ECC with the wristband, and a communication port, either a hardwire system is used such as a USB compatible connection or radio frequency (RF) system is used to interface with an external host computer. The WECC is a significant enhancement due to its implementation of universal adapters to interface with various computers, which will provide a more secure and stable form of transport for electronic computer components and their data. The WECC will (1) prevent loss of individual computer components thereby enhancing security and protecting loss of important electronic information, (2) provide a novel form for transporting electronic computer components, and (3) enhance the adaptation of universal adapters to interface with multiple computers. The WECC can carry electronic keys, medical history, calendars, credit card information, along with files from school or work. Storing electronic information on a person's wrist could greatly reduce the need current state of the art methods for transporting data through Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), Laptop computers, Zip(TM) drives, Compact Disks, and Smart Cards.

The invention discloses a nondestructive detection device and a nondestructive detection method for facility crop growth information, and belongs to the technical field of monitoring of facility crops. The device comprises a growth information sensing system, an electric control mechanical rocker arm and a control computer; the control computer drives the electric control mechanical rocker arm to be positioned at a detection position, and controls the growth information sensing system; reflection spectrums of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and moisture of crops, multispectral images, canopy temperature characteristic, multispectral morphological characteristics of canopies, stalks, plants and fruits, fruit quality information, and information of environmental illumination, temperature and humidity are acquired by using a multispectral imager and sensors of infrared temperature, irradiance, environmental temperature and humidity and load; nutrient and moisture characteristic spaces are acquired by optimizing and compensating the nutrient and moisture characteristics of the crops; and growth vigor information of canopy area, stalk thickness, fruit quality, plant height and the like is acquired by extracting the multispectral morphological characteristics of the crops, and comprehensive acquisition and nondestructive detection of the growth information of the crops are realized by combining nutrient, moisture and growth vigor characteristics.

Disclosed herein are demographic based content delivery systems and associated methods that automatically and non-invasively detect information regarding one or more persons within a designated viewing area. In embodiments of the systems and methods, two different automatic viewer identification and demographic classification technologies may be utilized, either alone or on combination. The technologies include image recognition technologies that utilize computer driven image and pattern recognition analysis algorithms and radio frequency identification tagging and reading technologies. Data collected from either one of or both of the two technologies is used to feed a demographic classification algorithm which then delivers different multimedia content based upon the determination of the algorithm. The embodiments of the invention may therefore be advantageously utilized to market in real time to consumers at the point of sale.

A mounting apparatus includes a computer drive bracket (10), an operating body (20) attached to a lateral wall (12) of the drive bracket, a data storage device (30), and two slide members (40) attached to sides of the storage device. First and second holes (126, 123) are defined in the wall, and a stop plate (124) is formed from the wall. The operating body includes: a resilient tongue (28) having a first wedge (22); and a second wedge (27). The first and second wedges engage in the first and second holes respectively. One slide member includes a protrusion (49′) and a buffer (47′). The protrusion snappingly engages with the first wedge so that it abuts the first wedge and prevents said slide member from moving back out from the drive bracket. The buffer abuts the stop plate and prevents the slide member from moving too far into the drive bracket.

A computer-driven, web-based system and method that facilitates the creation and transaction of carbon credits and, more particularly, to a web-enabled software system that facilitates the analysis, calculation, preparation, documentation, data management, workflow management, trading and storage of certified emissions and energy credits or offsets (green credits).

Disclosed is a computer-driven reservation system for reserving spaces in a parking facility at an airport terminal. The reservation system comprises a central server, a database of locations and associated plurality of spaces, which may be reserved for customer use, and one or more customer terminals on which is displayed a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving a customer's reservation request and enabling other customer interactions. The central server, database and customer terminals are interlinked via a network. The central server includes a reservation utility that provides a reservation GUI and a printable reservation coupon with reservation information when a space is reserved. In one embodiment, central server comprises an auction utility that monitors the number of spaces available in a particular location and when the number falls below a predetermined number, implements an auction procedure for all of the remaining number of spaces. Each remaining space is then allocated to a highest bidder.

A computer-driven file management technique is applied to a distributed file system with multiple storage "aggregates" to improve file distribution, user access, server workload, and the like. For a first aggregate, a recognition module analyzes file contents of all aggregates, plans a set of physical data movement operations to configure data stored upon a first one of the aggregates according to certain prescribed "goals," and buffers the planned physical data movement operations. The planned set of physical data movement operations constitute a "virtual" data move. The reviewing, planning, and buffering operations are repeated for all remaining aggregates in the distributed file system. However, each repeated reviewing operation considers the file contents of the aggregates as if all previous virtual data moves had actually been performed. Asynchronously with the storage analysis and reconfiguration planning, the system processes the action buffer. Namely, the system reads buffer contents according to a prescribed order, consults predetermined action "rules," and then carries out the physical data moves in accordance with the action rules. The action rules may specify desirable hours to move data or avoid moving data, for example.

A (e.g., U-shaped) receiving frame to be mounted in a drive bay or similar enclosure and interfaced with a host computer. The receiving frame receives therewithin a removable computer drive carrier module which encloses a computer drive and a removable fan module which exhausts heat generated by the computer drive to the atmosphere. Should the fan module fail, it is simply and easily removed from the receiving frame to be replaced by a new module, but without affecting the operation of the computer drive module or requiring that the receiving frame be taken out of service. A rotatable handle is pivotally connected across the first end of the computer drive carrier module. When the computer drive module is installed in the receiving frame, the handle is rotated to a closed position by which to cause power to be supplied to the computer drive. When it is desirable to apply a pulling force to the handle in order to remove the computer drive carrier from the receiving frame, the handle is rotated to an open position by which to cause power to be automatically removed from the computer drive.

The invention relates to a system for intelligently monitoring and controlling crop pests and diseases. The system is characterized by comprising a monitoring computer and a pesticide spraying device which is arranged in a crop growing place, wherein the monitoring computer drives the pesticide spraying device which is connected with the monitoring computer; a time controller and a pesticide spraying selective driving module are arranged in the monitoring computer; and the time controller controls and starts a corresponding spray head of the pesticide spraying device through the pesticide spraying selective driving module. The system has the following advantages that: 1, intelligentization is realized, the degree of automation is high, the control modes are diversified, the control is performed in time, and the using effect is good; 2, the solar energy is used as a power supply of monitoring equipment, so that the energy-saving effect is good; 3, the monitoring equipment not only can automatically control the water supply or the pesticide spraying of cultivated crops, but also has a multi-aspect management and control ability of controlling pests and diseases of the crops in different areas of the same place; and 4, the health condition of the crops is monitored in real time by using a monitoring probe, so that the crop pests and diseases are pre-warned in time and are controlled appropriately. Therefore, the system is not only favorable for ensuring the growth of the crops and the production bumper harvest of agriculture, forestry and tea industry, but also can greatly reduce medicament waste and pesticide pollution.

Enabling dynamic, computer-driven, context-based detection of social network patterns within an input graph representing a social network. A Social Network Aware Pattern Detection (SNAP) system and method utilizes a highly-scalable, computationally efficient integration of social network analysis (SNA) and graph pattern matching. Social network interaction data is provided as an input graph having nodes and edges. The graph illustrates the connections and / or interactions between people, objects, events, and activities, and matches the interactions to a context. A sample graph pattern of interest is identified and / or defined by the user of the application. With this sample graph pattern and the input graph, a computational analysis is completed to (1) determine when a match of the sample graph pattern is found, and more importantly, (2) assign a weight (or score) to the particular match, according to a pre-defined criteria or context.

A computer drive carrier to be removably received within a receiving frame so that a computer drive transported by the carrier can be interfaced with a host computer. A handle is pivotally connected to the computer drive carrier and adapted to be rotated between a closed position when the carrier is received within the receiving frame and an open position when it is desirable to remove the carrier and its drive from the receiving frame to be replaced by a different carrier. A key controlled lock is mounted on the receiving frame and includes a locking pawl that is rotatable from an unlocked position, at which to permit the handle to be rotated from the closed position to the open position so that the computer drive carrier can be removed from its receiving frame, to a locked position, at which to prevent the handle from being rotated to the open position so that the computer drive carrier is locked in place in the receiving frame. A microcontroller is located on the receiving frame and responsive to when a SAS computer drive has been inserted within a SATA receiving frame so as to initiate a LED warning signal to indicate a potential overheating condition. The microcontroller also prevents a manual shutdown of the computer drive when the drive carrier is locked within its receiving frame.

A computer-driven information management system for coordinating delivery of healthcare services to patients via a communications network, including a server with a database configured to receive and store for retrieval data representing information regrading a patient and collected by a coordinating party from an information source. Data entry means permit the coordinating party to enter the data into the database. A computer communicates with the database via the communications network for processing the data using software downloaded to the server. This permits a requesting party selected from the group consisting of the coordinating party, the patient, a healthcare provider, and an individual authorized to access the data to use the data coordinate a plan of care for the patient related to treatment of at least one medical condition. A display device displays the data.

An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

A method is provided for stimulating a motion-detecting visual pathway of a subject. A subject is tasked with fixating on a central stimulus displayed on a computer-driven display. While the subject is visually fixated, a peripheral stimulus is presented on the display. At least one characteristic of the peripheral stimulus is altered so as to trigger the motion-sensitive visual pathway of the subject. The altered characteristic may be the spatial locus, size, pattern, luminosity or hue of the stimulus. The altered and base stimulus may be alternately displayed in a cyclical manner to sustain the display of a dynamic peripheral stimulus. While alternately displaying the base and altered stimulus, the subject's response, indicative of their detection of the stimulus, may be monitored and recorded. The dynamic peripheral stimulus may be, for example, a repetitively translating object, or a repetitively blinking object.

A computing system includes a frame and a drive mounting structure for mounting one or more drive units within the computing system, with the drive mounting structure being pivotally and removably mounted on the frame to move between an operating position, in which an internal end of a drive unit mounted within the drive mounting structure is held within the computing system, and a service position, in which the internal end of the drive unit extends outward from the computing system. In the service position, access is provided to an open end of the drive mounting structure, into which the drive unit can be installed, to the internal end of the drive unit, for attachment of a cable, and to a side of the drive mounting structure, through which fasteners are driven to mount the drive unit within the drive mounting structure.

An electro-optical backlighting panel construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the electro-optical backlighting panel is integrated with a LCD display panel, a micropolarization panel, and a touch-screen writing panel to provide several different types of portable computer-based systems including, for example, a portable notebook computer, a computer-driven image display device, and a portable pen-computing device. In general, each of these computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without any sort of physical modification to the LCD display panel assembly. If desired, these computer-based systems can be used to directly view "spatially-multiplexed" images of 3-D objects or imagery during the direct viewing mode, and when desired these spatially-multiplexed images can be projected onto a wall surface or projection screen during the projection viewing mode. When the spatially-multiplexed images are viewed through electrically-passive polarized glasses, the 3-D object is perceived with stereoscopic depth sensation in either mode of viewing.

A device and method for retrofitting a 2D display monitor to provide 3D stereoscopic displays is provided. The device includes a shutter plate that is releasably connectable to the front of 2D display monitor, and an interface device connects the shutter plate to the computer driving the display. Through the use of time-multiplexed techniques, the shutter plate of the present invention provides true 3D stereoscopic displays from 2D display devices.

A method and system for providing an interactive computer-driven project management coordination service in which project providers can advertise available jobs, projects, or projects on the Internet and service providers can display information about time schedules and availability. The method and system enables project and service providers to access via the Internet the data stored, to search said data for purposes of matching and coordinating projects with the requisite services, and to delete or alter said data as projects or time schedules change from day to day.

A computer-implemented approach for processing benefits payment claims for prescription medicine, with these operations. Receiving pending pharmacy benefits payment claims submitted for payment by a pharmacy benefits claims payor, each claim specifying a patient. For each claim and its specified patient, performing operations including the following. Performing computer-driven statistical analysis of predefined aspects of one of the following in relation to a compiled history of past claims paid by one or more pharmacy benefits claims payors: claims history for the patient, the claim, medical history of the patient. Generating an indicator of predicted legitimacy by scoring results of the statistical analysis. Providing an output of at least one of the following: the indicator, payment advice prepared by applying predefined criteria to data including the indicator.