276 results about "Cost efficiency" patented technology

The invention defines a strong authentication token that remedies a vulnerability to a certain type of social engineering attacks, by authenticating the server or messages purporting to come from the server prior to generating a one-time password or transaction signature; and, in the case of the generation of a transaction signature, signing not only transaction values but also transaction context information and, prior to generating said transaction signature, presenting said transaction values and transaction context information to the user for the user to review and approve using trustworthy output and input means. It furthermore offers this authentication and review functionality without sacrificing user convenience or cost efficiency, by judiciously coding the transaction data to be signed, thus reducing the transmission size of information that has to be exchanged over the token's trustworthy interfaces

The present invention creates an objective methodology of quantitative accountability for medical device manufacturers, vendors, clinical providers, patients, and payers. In one embodiment, the standardized data received and stored in the medical device database can in turn be used for a variety of applications related to decision support (e.g., medical device selection), education and training (e.g., procedural performance), cost efficacy, evidence based medicine and best practice guidelines, personalized medicine, and comparative performance / safety analytics.

A multi-level automation control architecture, methods, and systems are disclosed, which provide enhanced scalability, functionality, and cost effectiveness for energy, access, and control. The systems include various combinations of automation controllers, remote controllers and peripheral devices that are used to provide monitoring and control functionality over the various systems in a structure, such as HVAC, water, lighting, etc. In various embodiments, the automation controller and various peripheral devices are implemented to provide an integrated energy management system for the structure. The system allows the user to manage energy based on the day, time, the presence of people, and the availability of natural lighting and heating, as well as prioritize and participate in demand-response program. The system can be implemented using a remote controller and expanded through the addition of automation controllers, remote controllers, and peripheral devices to enable the system to be tailored to specific user requirements.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for enabling physicians and hospitals to objectively reduce clinical and operational variations, which act to improve the quality and cost efficiencies of care. More particularly, the present invention describes medical processes and their enabling technologies that hospitals and physicians may use to objectively identify and replicate physicians and hospital's best clinical and operational practices. The present invention does so by quantifying clinical variation between each physician's best-demonstrated use of specific medical resources and his / her inefficient use of those resources. With his or her own variations quantified, the doctor then compares the variations to those of peer physicians in the hospital who manage similar patients. As healthcare providers use the tools and techniques described in the present invention to reason together and modify their medical and operational practices that reduce the observed variations, their clinical and financial outcomes are objectively improved. These changes in medical and operational practices result in saving millions of dollars per year for each hospital.

A multi-level automation control architecture, methods, and systems are disclosed, which provide enhanced scalability, functionality, and cost effectiveness for energy, access, and control. The systems include various combinations of automation controllers, remote controllers and peripheral devices that are used to provide monitoring and control functionality over the various systems in a structure, such as HVAC, water, lighting, etc. In various embodiments, the automation controller and various peripheral devices are implemented to provide an integrated energy management system for the structure. The system allows the user to manage energy based on the day, time, the presence of people, and the availability of natural lighting and heating, as well as prioritize and participate in demand-response program. The system can be implemented using a remote controller and expanded through the addition of automation controllers, remote controllers, and peripheral devices to enable the system to be tailored to specific user requirements.

The present invention provides a nano-integrated system assembly that offers both convenience and cost-efficiency, where multiple fluidic, electronic and mechanical components or chemical processes are optimally embraced effectively and efficiently in a systematic modularized manner. Furthermore, the nano-integrated system assembly has a generic configuration so as to enable and accommodate a wide spectrum of differently combined sequences of analyzing / processing operations to be performed on the identical nano-integrated system assembly.

A method and apparatus for catalytic production of carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The method also contemplates methods and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.

The invention relates to a method for inter alia to increase the energy and cost efficiency of a gas power plant or a thermal heat plant with CO2 capturing. The power plant comprises gas turbine plants (12,12′) comprising compressor units (13,13′) and turbine units (14,14′) and further comprises a combustor (10). The combustor (10) is working in principle with to separate gas part streams where one gas part stream flows internally through the flame tube (40) of the combustor (10), while the other gas part stream is flowing along the exterior of the flame tube (40). The first gas part stream comprises additional air and re-circulated, un-cleaned flue gas from the combustor (10), said gases being combusted together with fuel inside the flame tube (40). The second gas part stream comprises cleaned flue gas which is heated up at the exterior of the flame tube (40) while the flame tube (40) is cooled down. The invention comprises also a power plant, a combustor and a CO2 capture plant.

Mixing and dispensing apparatus and methods for use with, e.g., a multi-component reactive material process is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a series of positive displacement pumps adapted for stacked or “piggy-back” mating to a common motive source. At least one of the pumps is supplied by a sealed and collapsible reservoir bag and flexible tubing, thereby allowing removal (and optionally disposal) of one or more complete material pathways within the system. Such a configuration allows for, inter alia, rapid colorant changing with minimal material waste, obviates the use of hazardous solvents, and increases process efficiency and worker productivity. This arrangement also obviates complex metering apparatus common to prior art systems, thereby allowing it to be as small and power / cost efficient as possible.

A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse-the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.

A method for determining the total cost incurred per user of information technology (IT) in a distributed computing environment includes obtaining base costs and ongoing costs of an IT system and applying those costs to a series of metrics. The metrics are compared against benchmarks to evaluate and assess where cost efficiencies can be achieved.

The invention defines a strong authentication token that remedies a vulnerability to a certain type of social engineering attacks, by authenticating the server or messages purporting to come from the server prior to generating a one-time password or transaction signature; and, in the case of the generation of a transaction signature, signing not only transaction values but also transaction context information and, prior to generating said transaction signature, presenting said transaction values and transaction context information to the user for the user to review and approve using trustworthy output and input means. It furthermore offers this authentication and review functionality without sacrificing user convenience or cost efficiency, by judiciously coding the transaction data to be signed, thus reducing the transmission size of information that has to be exchanged over the token's trustworthy interfaces.

A disk drive system and method capable of dynamically allocating data is provided. The disk drive system may include a storage subsystem having a pool of storage. The storage subsystem dynamically allocates data across the pool of storage. The storage subsystem determines whether additional storage is required, and a notification is sent if the storage is required. Dynamic data allocation and data progression allow a user to acquire storage later in time when it is needed. Dynamic data allocation also allows efficient data storage of snapshots / point-in-time copies of virtual volume pool of storage, instant data replay and data instant fusion for data backup, recovery etc., remote data storage, and data progression, etc. Cloud-based storage media are provided to enhance the operational and cost efficiency of the system.

An integrated tool captures institutional and expert knowledge, then stores policy exclusion rules used to evaluate and enforce legal, regulatory, business and contract policy. Rules driven intelligent user interfaces enable efficient, validated and standardized entry of both policy exclusion rules and business operations plans to increase time and cost efficiency and lower risk. A rules engine evaluates business operation plans and identifies policy exclusions that should be enforced. A management information system automates methods and integrates tools to provide a tangible, integrated system.

A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a hybrid drive system utilizing route information. The route information may be learned by the vehicle's control system using an exemplary drive of the route or entered into the vehicle's control system manually or in conjunction with mapping or other software. A method for optimizing cost efficiency using a route oriented paradigm for operation of a hybrid drive system.

A method, system, and apparatus for debugging an application program from a workstation that is remote from a server on which the application program resides includes invoking the application program from the workstation via a network interface; displaying a user frame at the workstation that includes information generated by the application program; providing a debug view option at the workstation for generating a debug frame of the application program; and displaying the debug frame at the workstation when the debug view option is selected. A user can select options to switch between the user frame and the debug frame. The debug frame includes information about one or more components of the application program such as a list of the variables or objects, and the fields, methods, and / or the constructors associated with them. When the debug view option is selected, the information for the user frame is saved, and can be restored to regenerate the information on the user frame when the user view option is selected. The developer can view internal, public, and private code associated with the application program without compromising the security of other application programs on the server. This ability to remotely debug application programs in accordance with the present invention is thus more time and cost efficient than previous methods, and also alleviates concerns about security and unauthorized access to the server.

A method is disclosed for enhancing the predictability, scalability and cost effectiveness of online advertising with voice over IP connectivity and event tracking technologies. A service provider maintains a list of merchants who have offered to pay for customer VoIP calls to their establishment. The service provider maintains a real time connection with this merchant list and renders an advertisement in a distinguishing way in real time. A potential customer who views this advertisement on a web page may establish a VoIP call session with a merchant by selecting a free click-to-call link on the web page. When the customer places the call, the service provider pays for the call. Merchants in turn pay the service provider for displaying the ads that generated the calls on a price per call, price per impression or fixed fee basis.

From ancient history until now, man has constructed high-rise buildings of various kinds. They include monuments, castles, churches, office buildings, hotels, hospitals and residences. No matter how sophisticated construction techniques and technology have become, there is no system to transport people and equipment to or from selected locations between the ground level and roof of a high-rise; quickly, economically, consistently and safely outside the structure. Reed's High-Rise Emergency Rescue Egress System is such a system. This system solves the myriad problems which have existed for centuries relating to a need for external, vertical high-rise emergency evacuation and does so with substantial cost-efficiencies. Reed's High-Rise Emergency Rescue Egress System is comprised of varied electronic and mechanical components operating in unison. The three major pieces to the high-rise system are; a vehicle, a gondola and a roof-mount cantilever: The vehicle is a self-powered ground vehicle containing a gondola, stabilizing steel cables, drums, television screens, video cameras, communications, and remote control equipment. Once linked to a cantilever it provides power for lifting the gondola, equipment and personnel to monitor all activities below, beside or above the fire area. The self-powered cantilever is, remotely or manually, positioned on the roof of a high-rise building to a desired area of operation. The cantilever extends its connection arm over the edge of a high-rise building and lower cables to the ground rescue vehicle to make necessary connections with the gondola for traveling up and down the walls of a high-rise building. The cantilever roof-mount system is portable and contains steel cables, electric / hydraulic wenches, radio receivers, transmitters and video communication. The gondola, an enclosed cabin, is positioned on the rear, body portion, of the high-rise rescue vehicle. Once the gondola is linked to the vehicle and cantilever arm it becomes an exterior enclosed transporter in a matter of minutes. Reed's High-Rise Emergency Rescue Egress gondola will carry up to eight fully equipped firemen and can scale the wall of a burning building in minutes. The gondola carries firefighters and equipment below, beside or above the fire, while at the same time providing trapped building occupants a safe means of escape. A modified version of the gondola is used for high-rise building construction and maintenance.

In a packet based (typically IP) network, network address translation is frequently used to overcome the problem of dwindling address spaces. However, network address translation prevents the operation of many of the complex protocols used for transmission of media streams for example, data such as voice over IP or video over IP. Accordingly, media proxy devices are used to allow such data to traverse NAT boundaries. However, media proxy devices are expensive and therefore scarce and the selection of an optimum media proxy is important to obtain optimum functionality and cost effectiveness within the network. By providing a call agent in the network with a simple model of the network and providing information concerning optimum media proxies for different parts of the network, the problem of selecting an optimum media proxy during path set up is overcome.

The invention relates to a magnetic stripe reader, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of directly extracting binary information embedded in a magnetic stripe using simple analog and digital signal processing techniques. Once information stored in the magnetic stripe is extracted as a F-2F waveform by the magnetic stripe reader, peaks, valleys and mid-level transition points between every consecutive peak and valley are detected. A peak-to-peak period and an average time are directly derived to determine whether the corresponding peak-to-peak transition is associated with a binary bit of “1” or “0”. This magnetic stripe reader spares a need for a multi-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a large memory, and thus, constitutes a simple and self-contained solution that may read out the binary information stored on the magnetic stripe with reduced power consumption and improved cost efficiency.

Techniques for discontinuous transmission (DTX) and fast in-band signaling of configuration changes and protocol messages in speech communications systems provide cost efficiency in terms of radio transmission capacity, in terms of fixed line transmission, and in terms of implementation effort. An exemplary method for performing discontinuous transmission (DTX) in a communications system in which source data is interleaved for transmission from a first component in the system to a second component in the system includes the steps of detecting periods of source data inactivity, and transmitting silence descriptor (SID) frames from the first to the second component during the periods of source data inactivity, certain of the transmitted SID frames being interleaved using a different interleaving algorithm as compared to that used for source data. For example, the source data can be block diagonally interleaved, and certain of the SID frames can be block interleaved. An exemplary method for effecting configuration changes in a communications system includes the step of transmitting an escape frame in place of a speech data frame, the escape frame including a gross bit pattern to distinguish the escape frame from speech data frames and conveying a configuration change indication. The escape frame can further include a data field to indicate a particular configuration change to be made. For example, where the communications system is an AMR system, an escape frame can be used to change an active codec mode set. Alternatively, an escape frame can be used to change a phase of codec information.

An integrated electronic commerce (e-commerce) based construction industry bidding and project management system and methods, including document distribution, supply chain automation and on-line auctioning. In a pre-construction setting, the e-commerce based bidding and project management system and method provides for a user the means for participating and competing in the bidding and construction project management tasks using on-line computerized telecommunications technologies. The on-line system and methodologies help the participants to achieve cost efficiencies and performance enhancements that traditional prior art manual bidding and construction management systems and methods have not achieved. In a global system setting the present invention facilitates management of real estate, development, building and construction industries, including architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project phases, including design, specification, research, bidding, financing, procurement, construction, and maintenance.

The invention discloses a trajectory target launch point estimate apparatus based on model updating and a method, and the method comprises the steps of reverse tracking and filtering the point data measured by a radar, calculating the flight path and the launch point position of a ballistic missile through Runge-Kutta method of extrapolation, and updating the estimated launch point position through model deviation. By adopting an insensitive filtering algorithm based on the ballistic missile motion equation, non-linear filtering in high precision is realized; the computational complexity is moderate; and a high cost efficiency ratio is provided; a high value precision through track extrapolation calculating by fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is provided; the estimate deviation of the launch point position caused by an active segment is removed through model deviation updating; and the ballistic missile launch point estimate precision is substantially improved.

Driver device and a corresponding driving method for driving a load, in particular an LED assembly comprising one or more LEDs. To provide a better performance, better cost-efficiency, improved power factor and reduced losses, a driver device (1,1′, 2, 2′) is provided comprising a rectifier unit (10) for rectifying a received AC supply voltage (VS), load terminals (20) for providing a drive voltage (VL) and / or a drive current (IL) for driving said load, a capacitive storage unit (30) coupled between said rectifier unit and said load terminals for storing electrical energy provided by said rectifier unit and providing electrical energy to said load, and a bridge switching unit (40) coupled between said rectifier unit and said load for switching said capacitive storage unit into a load current path from said rectifier unit to said load terminals with a desired polarity and for switching said capacitive storage unit out of said load current path.

A hollow club head having a head body 14 and a face member 16 bonded to the face opening 12 of the head body 14 is provided, wherein the W / H ratio between the maximum height H (mm) and maximum width W (mm) of the face member is in the range of 1.0 to 1.7, so as to improve cost efficiency associated with improved repulsive speeds of balls hit by the club.

The auto caddy of the present invention may include a main housing having one or more receptacles for holding drinks or other items, and may include one or more attachment members having one or more sets of openings through which a vehicle headrest seat post may extend on installation with two points of contact, which may increase the stability of the auto caddy, especially during sudden movement of a vehicle. The auto caddy may include optional components for subdividing receptacles, one or more hooks from which a tray may be suspended, a strap for securing the tray, and slots for suspending a trash receptacle such as a plastic grocery bag. The auto caddy may also include offset sides for manufacturing cost efficiency, in which case offset washers (which may be hook-shaped) may be used at installation to maximize vertical and horizontal alignment and stability of the auto caddy.

A method, system, and apparatus for debugging an application program from a workstation that is remote from a server on which the application program resides includes invoking the application program from the workstation via a network interface; displaying a user frame at the workstation that includes information generated by the application program; providing a debug view option at the workstation for generating a debug frame of the application program; and displaying the debug frame at the workstation when the debug view option is selected. A user can select options to switch between the user frame and the debug frame. The debug frame includes information about one or more components of the application program such as a list of the variables or objects, and the fields, methods, and / or the constructors associated with them. When the debug view option is selected, the information for the user frame is saved, and can be restored to regenerate the information on the user frame when the user view option is selected. The developer can view internal, public, and private code associated with the application program without compromising the security of other application programs on the server. This ability to remotely debug application programs in accordance with the present invention is thus more time and cost efficient than previous methods, and also alleviates concerns about security and unauthorized access to the server.