Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090024309 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VEHICLES ON A ROADWAY - A system and method for tracking and monitoring vehicles on a roadway. RFID tags are positioned along the roadway and may be interrogated by vehicles equipped with an RFID scanner and a transceiver as the vehicles encounter the RFID tags along the roadway. The RFID tag information received by the RFID scanner is transmitted by the transceiver to a roadside repeater station which in turn sends the RFID tag information, as well as other identifying information, to a remote central tracking station. The remote central tracking station processes the RFID tag information and other information to determine a current position of a corresponding vehicle. Driver ranking profiles may be generated for drivers of vehicles and stored in a database in the central tracking station. The driver ranking profiles are used to restrict drivers in certain ways. | 01-22-2009 |
20090238493 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ADJUST MEDICAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT - A system and method for automatically adjusting parameters of an imaging machine are disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor device to capture sensed characteristic information of a next person to be medically imaged. The system also includes a computer to receive the sensed characteristic information from the at least one sensor device and to generate adjustment data based on the sensed characteristic information. The system further includes a medical imaging machine to receive the adjustment data from the computer and to adjust at least one parameter of the imaging machine in response to the adjustment data. | 09-24-2009 |
20090268876 | METHODS OF ASSESSING PERFORMANCE IN AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the assessment of performance quality of an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and at least one current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem. The currently acquired set of digital phantom image data is automatically compared to at least one previously acquired set of digital phantom image data representing a standard image of quality corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation and the imaging phantom device to automatically determine if at least one sensor parameter of the sensor subsystem has changed. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268953 | Method for the automatic adjustment of image parameter settings in an imaging system - A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the automatic adjustment of image parameter settings in an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and entered. A current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem and processed to generate a current set of image-processed data using the imaging system. The current set of image-processed data is automatically compared to a previous set of image-processed data or a target set of specifications, representing a standard of image quality and corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation. At least one image parameter setting may be automatically adjusted to account for a difference in at least one image parameter between the current set of image-processed data and the previous set of image processed data or target set of specifications. | 10-29-2009 |
20090270881 | FACIAL BLEMISH REMOVING DEVICE - A device and method for removing facial blemishes, including sebum that blocks facial pores. The device includes a substantially flat, elongated and rigid element having a first surface and a second surface, and a distal end and a proximal end. The device also includes a base member to which the rigid element is attached such that a collection area is formed between the second surface of the distal end of the rigid element and a portion of the base member. | 10-29-2009 |
20090320052 | METHODS OF POPULATING A THIRD-PARTY DOCUMENT WITH DIGITAL INFORMATION CONTENT - Systems and methods of transferring information from at least one source context to at least one target context, and associated physical computer-readable medium. A service software application is used on a processor-based platform to transfer digital data content from at least one data source to at least one data target in at least a semi-automatic manner. The data source is associated with a source software application and the data target is associated with a target software application. The digital data content includes, for example, text data, image data, graphics data, or a clipboard object. | 12-24-2009 |
20100006685 | SENSOR CABLE RETRACTOR - An apparatus and method for retracting and storing a sensor cable. The apparatus includes a housing operable to selectively engage a sensor cable having a cable connected to a sensor and operable to store the sensor cable in a retracted position, and a retraction mechanism capable of retracting the sensor cable to the housing without damaging the sensor. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007725 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC INTRA-ORAL SENSOR LOCATING FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION - A method and systems for capturing digital intra-oral images, while automatically determining a location of an intra-oral sensor placed within a mouth of a patient, is disclosed. A spatial frame-of-reference is established with respect to teeth within the mouth of the patient. An intra-oral digital imaging sensor is placed within the mouth of the patient adjacent to at least one tooth within the mouth that is to be imaged using the intra-oral sensor. Spatial location information is automatically generated such that the spatial location information defines how the intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to the spatial frame-of-reference. A digital image of at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image. The associated spatial location information may be used to automatically correlate the acquired image to a tooth or teeth within the mouth and/or to automatically orient the acquired image for display. | 01-14-2010 |
20100009739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANONYMOUSLY SERVICING LOTTERY PLAYERS - A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request at the server platform via a communications network. The method further includes the third party organization obtaining at least one lottery ticket in response to the client request, and securely holding the at least one lottery ticket for the at least one lottery player specified in the client request. The method also includes the third party organization determining a status of the at least one lottery ticket via the server platform and the communications network. The method further includes the third party organization transforming the at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount if a status of the at least one lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status. The method also includes the third party organization securely transferring at least a first portion of the monetary amount to at least one account or trust. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010983 | AUTOMATED DICOM PRE-FETCH APPLICATION - Systems, methods, and computer readable medium for pre-fetching patient information using a DICOM protocol. A DICOM pre-fetch application communicates with a patient appointment application to retrieve upcoming patient appointment information. An external DICOM database server is queried, directly or indirectly, by the DICOM pre-fetch application to determine any medical image information stored on the external DICOM database server that is associated with the patient appointment information. The DICOM pre-fetch application retrieves the medical image information from the external DICOM database server and stores the medical image information on a local DICOM database server. | 01-14-2010 |
20100033024 | CONTROLLABLE ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033997 | TIMED ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A timed electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) and a method of operation thereof. The electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) includes a current sensor, a counter, and an electrical switch. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus), the current sensor senses the flow of current and triggers the counter to start counting. When the counter is finished counting, the counter triggers the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. | 02-11-2010 |
20100034474 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SPATIALLY RELATED MEDICAL DIGITAL IMAGE DATA SETS FOR IMAGE COMPRESSION AND STORAGE PRIOR TO IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - System and method for preparing spatially related medical digital image data sets for image compression and storage prior to image reconstruction. The system and method exploit the similarities between spatially adjacent digital image data sets to reduce the amount of data to be compressed and stored. The spatially adjacent digital image data sets correspond to a plurality of spatially contiguous digital image data sets acquired over, for example, a current anatomical portion of a patient using a medical imaging modality or, for example, a current portion of a man-made structure or a current portion of a geological feature using an imaging modality. | 02-11-2010 |
20100072190 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY SHUTTING OFF A BURNER OF A STOVE OR OVEN - A safety apparatus for a stove or oven and a method of operation thereof. The safety apparatus facilitates the method of turning on a burner of the stove or oven and automatically counting over a time interval in response to turning on the burner. The method further includes automatically stopping a flow of electrical current or combustible gas to the burner in response to the counting reaching an end of the time interval. | 03-25-2010 |
20100109887 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISABLING APPLIANCES IN RESPONSE TO A SMOKE DETECTOR - Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatically disabling an appliance. When a smoke detector/alarm is activated, a signal or message is sent to at least one safety device operatively coupled to at least one appliance. The appliance is disabled in response to receiving the signal or message. The systems, methods, and apparatus are based on the implicit assumption that, if a smoke detector/alarm is activated, the source of the smoke is likely due to a nearby appliance that is in use. | 05-06-2010 |
20100123831 | THIRD PARTY ACQUISITION OF IMAGES AT THE DIRECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT IMAGING APPLICATION - A system and method for capturing and displaying images in an ordered manner. An image progression description (IPD) is generated using an imaging software application (ISA). The IPD defines an ordered sequence of image acquisition instruction sets (IAIS) and an image display layout (IDL). The ordered sequence of IAIS is transferred to a portable image acquisition device (PIAD) which reads and sequentially displays the ordered sequence of IAIS. A plurality of images is acquired using the PIAD in accordance with the ordered sequence of IAIS. The plurality of images are transferred back to the ISA and are displayed according to the IDL. | 05-20-2010 |
20100178096 | CONDIMENT PACKET HAVING A SPREADING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed. | 07-15-2010 |
20100203821 | REMOTE SUCTION CONFIGURATION, METHOD, AND RETROFIT KIT FOR EXHAUST-PRODUCING POWER TOOLS USED INDOORS - A remote suction configuration, method, and retrofit kit for ventilating exhaust from an exhaust-producing power tool used indoors. An exhaust conduit is connected between an exhaust port of an exhaust-producing tool used within a substantially enclosed structure and an intake port of a vacuum apparatus placed externally to the structure. Universal connectors or retrofit adapters are provided at the ends of the exhaust conduit to connect the exhaust conduit between an exhaust port of the exhaust-producing tool and an intake port of the vacuum apparatus. In this manner, exhaust produced by the tool may be actively pulled through the conduit to an external environment instead of relying on the tool to push the exhaust the entire length of the conduit. | 08-12-2010 |
20100206386 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISABLING UTILITIES - A safety apparatus and method for automatically disabling a utility of a facility. One safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in a basement of a house in line with a water pipe just after a water meter. Another safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in an apartment building in line with a gas utility pipe just after a gas meter. Still another safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in a house in line with a home heating oil pipe. Any of the safety apparatuses include means for measuring a rate of flow of a fluid from a utility fluid source, means for determining if the measured rate of flow indicates the existence of an abnormal flow condition, and means for disabling the flow of fluid from the utility fluid source if the abnormal flow condition is determined to exist. | 08-19-2010 |
20100266187 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL FLAW REMOVAL FROM X-RAY SENSITIVE PLATES - A system, a method, and computer readable media for generating a corrected image from image information extracted from an X-ray sensitive plate. First, flaw map image information is extracted from an X-ray sensitive plate in order to determine any flaws (e.g., scratches) on the plate. Then the plate is exposed to capture physical image information (e.g., anatomical information) and the physical image information is extracted from the plate. The flaw map information is used to identify corresponding flaws in the extracted physical image information. Image processing is performed to correct the flaws (e.g., due to scratches on the X-ray sensitive plate) in the physical image information to form a corrected physical image. | 10-21-2010 |
20100289618 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND KITS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATING A GARAGE DOOR OPENER - Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener. | 11-18-2010 |
20100307600 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISABLING UTILITIES - A safety apparatus for automatically disabling a utility of a facility. The safety apparatus includes at least one remote sensor that transmits a signal if an environmental parameter reaches a preset default setting or a setting selected by a user. The safety apparatus also includes an electronic controller device operatively connected to the utility and capable of disabling the utility upon receiving the signal from the sensor based upon the environmental parameter. | 12-09-2010 |
20100313274 | IMAGE SERVER WITH MULTIPLE IMAGE CONFIDENTIALITY PORTS - Image servers, methods, software applications, and computer readable medium for retrieving images of various levels of patient anonymity via multiple image confidentiality software ports. In an image server, at least two image confidentiality software ports are provided, where each of the image confidentiality software ports is capable of providing images at a predetermined level of patient anonymity, and where the predetermined level of patient anonymity is different for each of the image confidentiality software ports. | 12-09-2010 |
20100325322 | DIRECT CONNECTION SINGLE USER-INTERFACE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE COMPUTERS AND DISPLAYS - Methods, systems, and devices providing single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays. Direct communication links to multiple computers are provided to automatically transmit peripheral computer device position and peripheral computer device commands to one of the multiple computers using, for example, a single computer mouse and/or a single computer keyboard device, based on a configuration map which maps mouse position to display position of the multiple computers and displays as the current mouse position is automatically tracked. | 12-23-2010 |
20110071991 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GEOMETRIC DATA COMPRESSION AND ENCRYPTION - Systems, methods, and physical computer-readable storage media for performing geometric data compression and geometric data decompression and/or geometric data encryption and geometric data decryption. A virtual geometric compression object is generated within a computer system by defining a plurality of discrete elements arranged in a geometric shape and assigning one or more data bit values to each of the plurality of discrete elements. The virtual geometric compression object is used by the computer system to compress sequences of uncompressed data bits into compression definitions. A compression definition defines a path through the virtual geometric compression object corresponding to a sequence of uncompressed data bits. In a reverse manner, for data decompression, at least a portion of a virtual geometric compression object is generated and a compression definition is used to extract a corresponding sequence of uncompressed data bits from the portion of the virtual geometric compression object. | 03-24-2011 |
20110078889 | FACIAL BLEMISH REMOVING DEVICE - Methods of making a device for removing a facial blemish. A facial scraping element is configured to be substantially rigid and flat, and a distal end of the facial scraping element is transformed for contacting and advancing across a facial surface of a user. A pad member is configured to be substantially non-rigid and non-flat. The facial scraping element may be attached to the pad member to form a collection area between a surface of the pad member and a surface of the facial scraping element. The resultant device is capable of being gripped between a finger and thumb of a user and advanced across the face of a user to remove and collect facial blemishes. | 04-07-2011 |
20110096340 | HEND-HELD DEVICE FOR SCANNING AND PRINTING - A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent printing. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a printing head integrated at a distal end portion of the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be printed onto a printable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a distal end of the hand-held device across (or onto) the printable medium. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096372 | HEND-HELD DEVICE FOR SCANNING AND TRANSFERRING INTO A COMPUTER APPLICATION - A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent transferring. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a data transfer interface component integrated within the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be transferred into a data field, selected by a user of the hand-held device, of a software application running on a separate processor-based apparatus. | 04-28-2011 |
20110119701 | COORDINATED VIDEO FOR TELEVISION DISPLAY - Apparatus, methods, and systems for acquiring search content based on digital information content provided from a video source. Video information and associated non-video information are received from a video source. The video information includes program video content and the associated non-video information includes digital information content. At least a portion of the digital information content is transformed into a search query and the search query is communicated to a first search data source. A query result is received from the first search data source based on the search query. At least a portion of the search query results are transformed into query result display data which may then be encoded as a video signal for display. | 05-19-2011 |
20110173081 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING POINT-OF-SALE CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION - System and method for automatically providing tailored customer services at a point-of-sale location. An identity of a customer approaching the point-of-sale location is automatically determined using an auto-identifying technology. Stored customer activity data corresponding to the identified customer is automatically accessed using a computer-based system operatively interfacing to the auto-identifying technology. At least one tailored customer service is automatically generated for the customer by processing at least a portion of the accessed customer activity data using the computer-based system. | 07-14-2011 |
20110218650 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING OPERATIONAL STATES OF APPLIANCES - Systems and methods for automatically changing an operational state of an appliance associated with a known fixed location. A current location of an individual is automatically determined with respect to a known fixed location using at least one wireless communication device. The system automatically determines if an operational state of at least one appliance associated with the known fixed location is to be changed based on at least the current location of the individual. The operational state of the at least one appliance is automatically changed if it is determined that the operational state is to be changed. | 09-08-2011 |
20110243316 | AUTO-MATCHING OF A PHONE EXTENSION TO A TRACKED INDIVIDUAL WITHIN A DOMAIN - A system and methods for telephoning individuals associated with a domain. A current location of a given individual within a domain is automatically determined and the given individual is automatically associated with a telephone extension number based on the current location of the given individual. As the given individual moves around within the domain, the associated telephone extension number associated with the given individual is updated. A receptionist or other individual within the domain may select to telephone the given individual thereby automatically accessing and dialing the telephone extension number currently associated with the given individual in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. If the given individual is not currently located within the domain, an external telephone number associated with the given individual may be automatically accessed and dialed in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. | 10-06-2011 |
20110247136 | DEVICES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DETERRING MONSTERS, SPECTERS, DEMONS, AND THE LIKE - A devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface and which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided. The external device may be capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed. | 10-13-2011 |
20110274332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DENTITION SPECIFIC IMAGE ENHANCEMENT - Systems, methods, and computer readable media to automatically tailor image parameter settings used in a dental X-ray imaging system. At least one dentition characteristic and at least one non-dentition characteristic are selected and used to automatically determine at least one X-ray exposure setting for a patient to be imaged. The at least one dentition characteristic, the at least one non-dentition characteristic, and the at least one X-ray exposure setting are used to automatically generate a set of image parameter settings capable of being applied to acquired X-ray image data, being representative of the dentition of the patient. | 11-10-2011 |
20110304740 | UNIVERSAL IMAGE CAPTURE MANAGER - A universal image capture manager (UICM) for facilitating the acquisition of image data from a plurality of image source devices (ISDs) to an image utilizing software application (IUSA). The UICM is implemented on a computer processing device and includes a first software communication interface configured to facilitate data communication between the UICM and an IUSA. The UICM also includes a translator/mapper (T/M) software component being in operative communication with the first software communication interface and configured to translate and map an image request from an IUSA to at least one device driver (DD) software component of a plurality of DD software components. The UICM further includes a plurality of DD software components being in operative communication with the T/M software component. Each of the DD software components is configured to facilitate data communication with at least one ISD. | 12-15-2011 |
20120092194 | TRANSPORTATION ALERT APPLICATION FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method for providing notification about approaching transportation. A transportation notification application on a mobile communication device associated with a transportation vehicle is activated. An operator of the transportation vehicle selects a predefined route, having multiple transportation stops to be traversed by the transportation vehicle, from the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. A current transportation stop of the selected route is then selected, again using the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. The transportation notification application on the mobile communication device then automatically sends a transportation notification message, in response to the selecting of the current transportation stop, to a plurality of user communication devices of known users of the transportation vehicle who are associated with at least one subsequent transportation stop of the transportation vehicle. | 04-19-2012 |
20120113240 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FULL-MOUTH INTRAORAL IMAGE ACQUISITION - Apparatus and methods for full-mouth intraoral image acquisition. An intraoral sensor configuration includes a multi-aperture digital camera and/or a conformal layered sensor structure, a bite piece, and an electronic cable for imaging inside surfaces of a mouth of a patient without having to re-position the digital camera and/or the conformal layered sensor structure within the mouth of the patient during an image acquisition session. Images may be acquired sequentially or simultaneously. | 05-10-2012 |
20120137432 | DEVICES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DETERRING MONSTERS, SPECTERS, DEMONS, AND THE LIKE - Devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface, which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided which is capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120139700 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND KITS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATING A GARAGE DOOR OPENER - Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener. | 06-07-2012 |
20120139701 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND KITS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATING A GARAGE DOOR OPENER - Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener. | 06-07-2012 |
20120141638 | CONDIMENT PACKET HAVING A SPREADING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120179647 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-PARTY DOCUMENT REVISION - A system and method providing a multi-party document revision capability. A master electronic document (MED) may be established on a central computer platform. The MED is embedded with an unalterable document identification code (DIC) which clearly identifies the single instance of the MED. Parties having permission to access, modify, and approve the MED on the central computer platform are each provided with a unique identifier code (UIC) which is associated with the DIC and, therefore, the MED. Any permitted party having an assigned UIC may access the MED and enter proposed changes to the MED on the central computer platform. However, each party associated with the MED has to approve any proposed change before the proposed change is automatically entered as a formally accepted change into the MED. | 07-12-2012 |
20120185354 | IDENTIFYING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES BASED ON A BUDGET - A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase. | 07-19-2012 |
20120194952 | CONTROLLABLE ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring. | 08-02-2012 |
20120226779 | AUTOMATIC ENTRY OF CALENDAR EVENTS - Devices, methods, servers, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatically generating an event entry within an electronic calendar application. An event-identifying code of an advertised event is entered into an electronic auto-event feature running on a processor-based device. The auto-event feature may automatically access an event server via an information network in response to the event-identifying code and automatically retrieve event information associated with the advertised event from the event server via the information network based on at least a portion of the event-identifying code. Alternatively, the event information may be embedded in the event-identifying code. The auto-event feature is in operative communication with an electronic calendar application running on a processor-based device to automatically create at least one event entry for the advertised event within the electronic calendar application using at least a portion of the event information. | 09-06-2012 |
20120259886 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF A QUERY TO A DICOM SERVER - A system and method for automatically generating a query to a DICOM server computer. The system comprises patient identification information encoded in a tangible medium. The system further comprises a reading device to read the encoded patient identification information from the tangible medium. The system also includes a computer-based platform hosting a medical software application. The computer-based platform operationally interfaces to the reading device to receive the read patient identification information from the reading device and to automatically generate a DICOM query, using the medical software application, such that the DICOM query includes at least a portion of the patient identification information. The system further comprises at least one DICOM server computer operationally interfacing to the computer-based platform to receive the DICOM query from the computer-based platform. | 10-11-2012 |
20120270628 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANONYMOUSLY SERVICING LOTTERY PLAYERS - A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request of a client at a server platform of a third party organization via a communication network, obtaining a lottery ticket from an authorized distributor of lottery tickets in response to the client request and securely holding the lottery ticket for the lottery player specified in the client request, automatically determining a status of the lottery ticket via an authorized lottery agency over the communication network, transforming the lottery ticket into a monetary amount when a status of the lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status, and securely transferring at least a first portion of the monetary amount to an account or trust. | 10-25-2012 |
20120321213 | REAL-TIME APPLICATION OF FILTERS BASED ON IMAGE ATTRIBUTES - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for automatically modifying digital image data in accordance with preferences of a user. When a user accesses a set of digital image data over a network using a computer system, the computer system automatically reads an identifier associated with the set of digital image data and applies at least one digital image filter to the set of digital image data, where the at least one digital image filter is correlated with or mapped to the associated identifier. The user is able to define the identifiers, the filters, and the mapping (correlation) between the identifiers and the filters, thus establishing image display preferences for the user. | 12-20-2012 |
20130162389 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO AID IN FINDING MISPLACED, FORGOTTEN, OR UNUSED ITEMS - Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence. | 06-27-2013 |
20130311325 | IDENTIFYING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES BASED ON A BUDGET - A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311334 | IDENTIFYING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES BASED ON A BUDGET - A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase. | 11-21-2013 |