Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090060208 | Manipulating Spatial Processing in a Audio System - A vehicle audio system that includes a source of audio signals, which may include both entertainment audio signals and announcement audio signals, speakers for radiating audio signals, and spatial enhancement circuitry comprising circuitry to avoid applying spatial enhancement processing to the announcement audio signals. | 03-05-2009 |
20090220102 | Active Noise Reduction Adaptive Filter Leakage Adjusting - An active noise reduction system using adaptive filters. A method of operation the active noise reduction system includes smoothing a stream of leakage factors. The frequency of a noise reduction signal may be related to the engine speed of an engine associated with the system within which the active noise reduction system is operated. The engine speed signal may be a high latency signal and may be obtained by the active noise reduction system over audio entertainment circuitry. | 09-03-2009 |
20100098263 | ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION ADAPTIVE FILTER LEAKAGE ADJUSTING - A method for determining leakage factors or adaptation rates, or both, for adaptive filters in an active noise reduction system. The leakage factor or adaptation rate, or both, may vary depending on a parameter of an input reference signal. The parameter may include one or more of reference signal input frequency, rate of change of reference input signal frequency, if a predetermined triggering condition exits, or if a predetermined event has occurred. | 04-22-2010 |
20100098265 | ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION ADAPTIVE FILTER ADAPTATION RATE ADJUSTING - A method for determining leakage factors or adaptation rates, or both, for adaptive filters in an active noise reduction system. The leakage factor or adaptation rate, or both, may vary depending on a parameter of an input reference signal. The parameter may include one or more of reference signal input frequency, rate of change of reference input signal frequency, if a predetermined triggering condition exits, or if a predetermined event has occurred. | 04-22-2010 |
20100239105 | ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION ADAPTIVE FILTERING - An active noise reduction system that reduces the incidence of divergence in the presence of high amplitude interfering noise. A limited frequency range threshold is established. | 09-23-2010 |
20110216916 | VEHICLE ENGINE SOUND ENHANCEMENT - A vehicle engine harmonic enhancement system. A method for operating the system includes providing a first engine harmonic enhancement audio signal and equalizing the first engine harmonic enhancement audio signal separately for each of the plurality of loudspeakers to provide individually equalized loudspeaker engine harmonic enhancement audio signals. A vehicle audio system includes a plurality of loudspeakers, an entertainment audio system, and an engine harmonic enhancement system. A method includes equalizing an entertainment audio signal to provide an equalized entertainment audio signal; providing an engine harmonic enhancement audio signal; equalizing the engine harmonic enhancement audio signal separately from the entertainment audio signal to provide an equalized engine harmonic enhancement audio signal; and combining the equalized entertainment audio signal with the equalized engine harmonic enhancement audio signal. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216917 | CORRECTING ENGINE NOISE CANCELLATION MICROPHONE DISTURBANCES - A system for correcting erroneous microphone readings in a vehicle engine harmonic cancellation (EHC) system. A method for operating an engine harmonic cancelling system, includes receiving, from a first microphone at a first location in a vehicle cabin, a signal representative of noise in the vehicle cabin; receiving, from a second microphone at a second location in the vehicle cabin, a signal representative of noise in the vehicle cabin; and correlating the signal from the first microphone with the signal from the second microphone. | 09-08-2011 |
20120062391 | Vehicle External Warning Sound Generation System and Method - A vehicle external warning sound generation system and method. A transducer generates warning sounds external to the vehicle in response to an input sound signal. A sensor senses sound external to the vehicle and has an output signal that represents both sensed ambient noise and sensed warning sounds. A processing system, responsive to the sensor output signal, generates the sound signal that is provided to the transducer. The processing system includes an adaptive filter which reduces the level of the warning sounds in the sensor output signal, so that mostly ambient noise remains. | 03-15-2012 |
20120230506 | ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION ADAPTIVE FILTER ADAPTATION RATE ADJUSTING - A method for determining leakage factors or adaptation rates, or both, for adaptive filters in an active noise reduction system. The leakage factor or adaptation rate, or both, may vary depending on a parameter of an input reference signal. The parameter may include one or more of reference signal input frequency, rate of change of reference input signal frequency, if a predetermined triggering condition exits, or if a predetermined event has occurred. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230534 | MANIPULATING SPATIAL PROCESSING IN AN AUDIO SYSTEM - A vehicle audio system that includes a source of audio signals, which may include both entertainment audio signals and announcement audio signals, speakers for radiating audio signals, and spatial enhancement circuitry comprising circuitry to avoid applying spatial enhancement processing to the announcement audio signals. | 09-13-2012 |
20130156213 | Virtual Audio System Tuning - A method of virtually tuning an audio system that incorporates an acoustic compensation system, where the audio system is adapted to play audio signals in a listening environment over one or more sound transducers. The acoustic compensation system has an audio sensor located at a sensor location in the listening environment. The transfer functions from each sound transducer to the audio sensor location are inherent. The method contemplates recording noise at the sensor location, and creating virtual transfer functions from each sound transducer to the sensor location based on the inherent transfer functions from each sound transducer to the sensor location. Audio signals are processed through the virtual sound transducer to sensor location transfer functions. A virtual sensor signal is created by combining the audio signals processed through the virtual sound transducer to sensor location transfer functions with the noise recorded at the sensor location. | 06-20-2013 |
20140277930 | Motor Vehicle Active Noise Reduction - A device and method that is configured to operate an active noise reduction system for a motor vehicle, where there is an active noise reduction system input signal that is related to the vehicle engine operation, and where the active noise reduction system comprises one or more adaptive filters that output noise reduction signals that are used to drive one or more transducers with their outputs directed to reduce engine noise. The engine harmonic noise level is estimated from the input signal that is related to the vehicle engine operation, and the output of the transducers is limited based on the estimate of the engine harmonic noise level. | 09-18-2014 |
20140294189 | Motor Vehicle Adaptive Feed-Forward Noise Reduction - A system, device and method that is configured to operate an active noise reduction system for a motor vehicle, where there is an adaptive feed-forward noise reduction system input sine wave at a frequency to be cancelled, and where the adaptive feed-forward noise reduction system includes an adaptive filter that outputs noise reduction signals that are used to drive one or more transducers with their outputs directed to reduce engine noise, and further includes an input transducer with an output signal that is a source of a control signal for the adaptive filter. The output signal of the input transducer is filtered before it reaches the adaptive filter so as to reduce the level of the output signal of the input transducer at one or more frequencies that are close to the frequency of the input sine wave. | 10-02-2014 |
20150063582 | Engine Harmonic Cancellation System Afterglow Mitigation - A device and method that is configured to operate an active noise reduction system for a motor vehicle, where there is an active noise reduction system input signal that is related to the vehicle engine speed, and where the active noise reduction system comprises one or more adaptive filters that use a filter coefficient to modify the amplitude and/or phase of a noise cancellation reference signal and output noise reduction signals that are used to drive one or more transducers with their outputs directed to reduce engine noise, where the value of the coefficient is related to an adaptive filter leakage factor. Changes in the engine speed, based on the input signal that is related to the vehicle engine operation, are monitored. In response to changes in the engine speed, the adaptive filter leakage factor is temporarily modified. | 03-05-2015 |
20150334490 | ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION ENGINE SPEED DETERMINING - An active noise reduction system using adaptive filters. A method of operation the active noise reduction system includes smoothing a stream of leakage factors. The frequency of a noise reduction signal may be related to the engine speed of an engine associated with the system within which the active noise reduction system is operated. The engine speed signal may be a high latency signal and may be obtained by the active noise reduction system over audio entertainment circuitry. | 11-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080199123 | ULTRAFAST GE/SI RESONATOR-BASED MODULATORS FOR OPTICAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS IN SILICON PHOTONICS - An optical modulator structure includes at least two waveguide structures for inputting and outputting an optical signal. At least one ring resonator structure provides coupling between the at least two waveguide structures. The at least one ring resonator structure includes Ge or SiGe. | 08-21-2008 |
20090101909 | SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTODETECTORS - In one aspect, a method includes forming a pit in a top surface of a substrate by removing a portion of the substrate and growing a semiconductor material with a bottom surface on the pit, the semiconductor material different than the material of the substrate. The pit has a base recessed in the top surface of the substrate. In another aspect, a structure includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate including at least one pit having a base lower than the top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor material having a bottom surface formed on the base of the pit. | 04-23-2009 |
20120193522 | Monolithic Optical Coupling Module Based On Total Internal Reflection Surfaces - In one aspect, an optical device comprises a monolithic optical module which includes a first total internal reflection (TIR) surface, a second TIR surface adjacent the first TIR surface, and a first optical port aligned with the first internal optical beam dividing interface. An interface between the first TIR surface and the second TIR surface forms a first internal optical beam dividing interface. An exterior surface of the first TIR surface and an exterior surface of the second TIR surface form a generally V-shaped notch on the monolithic optical module. A first optical beam entering the monolithic optical module through the first optical port and incident on the first internal optical beam dividing interface is partially reflected by the first TIR surface to travel in a first direction as a second optical beam and partially reflected by the second TIR surface to travel in a second direction as a third optical beam. The second direction is generally opposite to the first direction. | 08-02-2012 |
20120261559 | Monolithic Optical Coupling Module Based On Total Internal Reflection Surfaces - A low-cost monolithic optical module for splitting one or more input optical beams to two or more output optical beams is provided. The one or more input optical beams are reflected by two or more total internal reflection (TIR) surfaces of the monolithic optical module. A light splitting ratio between the two or more output optical beams is predetermined by one or more physical features of the two or more TIR surfaces. | 10-18-2012 |
20120287942 | Signal Converter of Consumer Electronics Connection Protocols - Methods and devices of converting signals of consumer electronics connection protocols to high speed bi-directional signals are presented. A novel packing method packs all the data, clocks, and control signals into one or more packets of a predefined format. A novel unpacking method unpacks the packets to original data, clocks, and control signals. | 11-15-2012 |
20120326259 | Avalanche Photodiode with Special Lateral Doping Concentration - Avalanche photodiodes having special lateral doping concentration that reduces dark current without causing any loss of optical signals and method for the fabrication thereof are described. In one aspect, an avalanche photodiode comprises: a substrate, a first contact layer coupled to at least one metal contract of a first electrical polarity, an absorption layer, a doped electric control layer having a central region and a circumferential region surrounding the central region, a multiplication layer having a partially doped central region, and a second contract layer coupled to at least one metal contract of a second electrical polarity. Doping concentration in the central section is lower than that of the circumferential region. The absorption layer can be formed by selective epitaxial growth. | 12-27-2012 |
20130287407 | Hybrid Multichannel or WDM Integrated Transceiver - Various embodiments of a hybrid multichannel or WDM integrated transceiver are presented. In one aspect, a transceiver includes a transmitter portion and a receiver portion. The transmitter portion includes an optical waveguide structure that includes multiple channels of optical waveguide modulators on a substrate. The receiver portion includes at least one surface light illuminated photodetector. | 10-31-2013 |
20130292741 | High Performance GeSi Avalanche Photodiode Operating Beyond Ge Bandgap Limits - Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) having at least one top stressor layer disposed on a germanium (Ge)-containing absorption layer are described herein. The top stressor layer can increase the tensile strain of the Ge-containing absorption layer, thus extending the absorption of APDs to longer wavelengths beyond 1550 nm. In one embodiment, the top stressor layer has a four-layer structure, including an amorphous silicon (Si) layer disposed on the Ge-containing absorption layer; a first silicon dioxide (SiO | 11-07-2013 |
20130294766 | Dark Current Cancellation For Optical Power Monitoring In Optical Transceivers - Various embodiments of a method and device for dark current cancellation for optical power monitoring in optical transceivers are presented. In one aspect, a device includes a photosensitive module and a processing module coupled to the photosensitive module. The photosensitive module is configured to detect an optical signal and generate a first signal responsive to detecting the optical signal. The processing module is configured to determine a value of a second signal that is related to noise and determine a value of a third signal that is related to a difference between a value of the first signal and the value of the second signal. | 11-07-2013 |
20140133508 | Novel Photonic Device Structure And Fabrication Method Thereof - Various embodiments of a photonic device and fabrication method thereof are provided. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate, a current confinement layer disposed on the substrate, an absorption layer disposed in the current confinement layer, and an electrical contact layer disposed on the absorption layer. The current confinement layer is doped in a pattern and configured to reduce dark current in the device. The photonic device may be a photodiode or a laser. | 05-15-2014 |
20140186991 | AVALANCHE PHOTODIODE WITH SPECIAL LATERAL DOPING CONCENTRATION - Avalanche photodiodes having special lateral doping concentration that reduces dark current without causing any loss of optical signals and method for the fabrication thereof are described. In one aspect, an avalanche photodiode comprises: a substrate, a first contact layer coupled to at least one metal contract of a first electrical polarity, an absorption layer, a doped electric control layer having a central region and a circumferential region surrounding the central region, a multiplication layer having a partially doped central region, and a second contract layer coupled to at least one metal contract of a second electrical polarity. Doping concentration in the central section of the electric control layer is lower than that of the circumferential region. The absorption layer can be formed by selective epitaxial growth. | 07-03-2014 |
20140239301 | High Performance Surface Illuminating GeSi Photodiodes - A GeSi avalanche photodiode (APD includes an anti-reflection structure, a Ge absorption region, and a resonance cavity enhanced (RCE) reflector. The anti-reflection structure includes one or more dielectric layers and a top contact layer which is heavily doped with dopants of a first polarity. The RCE reflector includes: an intrinsic or lightly doped Si multiplication layer, a Si contact layer which is heavily doped with dopants of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, a Si cavity length compensation layer, a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and a Si substrate. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241658 | Electro-Optic Silicon Modulator With Longitudinally Nonuniform Modulation - A device, such as a silicon modulator, in accordance with the present disclosure employs PN diodes without sacrificing the modulation depth, while achieving lower loss and better impedance matching to 50-Ohm drivers. In one embodiment, the device includes an input waveguide, an input optical splitter coupled to the input waveguide, first and second optical phase shifters coupled to the input optical splitter, an output optical splitter coupled to the first and second phase shifters, and an output waveguide coupled to the output optical splitter. The phase shifters are designed with variant capacitance per unit length. | 08-28-2014 |
20140291682 | High Performance GeSi Avalanche Photodiode Operating Beyond Ge Bandgap Limits - Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) having at least one top stressor layer disposed on a germanium (Ge) absorption layer are described herein. The top stressor layer can increase the tensile strain of the Ge absorption layer, thus extending the absorption of APDs to longer wavelengths beyond 1550 nm. In one embodiment, the top stressor layer has a four-layer structure, including an amorphous silicon (Si) layer disposed on the Ge absorption layer; a first silicon dioxide (SiO | 10-02-2014 |
20150028386 | Ge-Si P-I-N Photodiode With Reduced Dark Current And Fabrication Method Thereof - Various embodiments of a germanium-on-silicon (Ge—Si) photodiode are provided along with the fabrication method thereof. In one aspect, a Ge—Si photodiode includes a doped bottom region at the bottom of a germanium layer, formed by thermal diffusion of donors implanted into a silicon layer. The Ge—Si photodiode further includes a doped sidewall region of Ge mesa formed by ion implantation. Thus, the electric field is distributed in the intrinsic region of the Ge—Si photodiode where there is low dislocation density. The doped bottom region and sidewall region of the Ge layer prevent electric field from penetrating into the Ge—Si interface and Ge mesa sidewall region, where a large amount of dislocations are distributed. This design significantly suppresses dark current. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028443 | A Ge-Si Avalanche Photodiode With Silicon Buffer Layer And Edge Electric Field Buffer Region - Various embodiments of a germanium-on-silicon (Ge—Si) avalanche photodiode are provided. In one aspect, the Ge—Si avalanche photodiode utilizes a silicon buffer layer to reduce the energy of holes drifting into absorption layer where the absorption material has lower ionization threshold, thereby suppressing multiplication noise and increasing the gain-bandwidth product of the avalanche photodiode. In another aspect, the Ge—Si avalanche photodiode utilizes an edge electric field buffer layer region to reduce the electric field along the sidewall of multiplication layer, where high electric field is applied for avalanche, thereby reducing probability of sidewall breakdown and enhancing reliability of the avalanche photodiode. | 01-29-2015 |
20150043866 | Electro-Optic Silicon Modulator With Capacitive Loading In Both Slots Of Coplanar Waveguides - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a high-speed silicon modulator without the microwave mode conversion and provide 50-ohm impedance matching to drivers simultaneously. In one aspect, a device may include an input waveguide region, an optic splitter, two optic phase shifters, an optic splitter, and an output waveguide. The device may include two curved waveguides. Either or both of the curved waveguides may have specially doped regions including PN junctions or MOS capacitors. The PN junctions or MOS capacitors may be alternatively connected to both slots of a coplanar waveguide forming the electrodes. | 02-12-2015 |
20150236478 | Novel Photonic Device Structure And Fabrication Method Thereof - Various embodiments of a photonic device and fabrication method thereof are described herein. A device may include a substrate, a bottom contact layer, a current confinement layer, an intrinsic layer, an absorption layer, and a top contact layer. The bottom contact layer may be of a first polarity and may be disposed on the substrate. The current confinement layer may be disposed on the bottom contact layer. The intrinsic layer may be disposed on the current confinement layer. The absorption layer may be disposed on the intrinsic layer. The top contact layer may be of a second polarity and may be disposed on the absorption layer. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. | 08-20-2015 |
20150243800 | Ge/Si Avalanche Photodiode With Integrated Heater And Fabrication Thereof - Various embodiments of a novel structure of a Ge/Si avalanche photodiode with an integrated heater, as well as a fabrication method thereof, are provided. In one aspect, a doped region is formed either on the top silicon layer or the silicon substrate layer to function as a resistor. When the environmental temperature decreases to a certain point, a temperature control loop will be automatically triggered and a proper bias is applied along the heater, thus the temperature of the junction region of a Ge/Si avalanche photodiode is kept within an optimized range to maintain high sensitivity of the avalanche photodiode and low bit-error rate level. | 08-27-2015 |
20150338577 | Polarization Rotator-Splitter/Combiner Based On Silicon Rib-Type Waveguides - Various embodiments of an integrated polarization rotator-splitter/combiner apparatus are described. An integrated polarization rotator-splitter apparatus may include an input waveguide section, a polarization rotator section, a polarization splitter section and an outgoing waveguide section, which can also be reversely connected as a polarization rotator-combiner. | 11-26-2015 |
20150362683 | Method And Optical Coupling Package With A Locking Device For A Fiber Array Subassembly And A Lens Array - Various embodiments of a novel method and design for coupling optical signals from a lens array to a fiber array subassembly with locking capability in a pluggable form factor are provided. Optical signals vertically emitted from a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array on a printed circuit board (PCB) are coupled into an optical coupling lens array, which are then coupled into a fiber array subassembly parallel to the PCB. A locking device in a pluggable form factor provides means for mating and locking between the lens array and the fiber array subassembly, thereby achieving good coupling and locking between the fiber array subassembly and lens array. | 12-17-2015 |
20150378185 | Silicon-Based Rib-Waveguide Modulator And Fabrication Method Thereof - Various structures of an electro-optic device and fabrication methods thereof are described. A fabrication method is provided to fabricate an electro-optic device which may include a silicon-based rib-waveguide modulator which includes a first top silicon layer, having a first doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a first conducting type, a second top silicon layer, having a second doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a second conducting type, and a thin dielectric gate layer disposed between the first top silicon layer and the second top silicon layer. The second doped region may be at least in part directly over the first doped region. The modulator may also include a rib waveguide formed on the second top silicon layer, a first electric contact formed on the first top silicon layer, and a second electric contact formed on the second top silicon layer. | 12-31-2015 |
20160025932 | Integrated Lens-Array-On-Substrate For Optical Coupling System And Fabrication Method Thereof - An integrated optical coupling device may include a substrate, a coating layer disposed on the substrate, and a prism disposed on the coating layer. The prism may include a first surface and a second surface. The integrated optical coupling device may also include a first lens disposed on the first surface of the prism, a second lens disposed on the second surface of the prism, and an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on the first lens and the second lens. | 01-28-2016 |
20160041340 | Optical Coupler Having Anchored Cantilever Structure With Multi-Stage Inverse Taper Core Waveguide And Fabrication Method Thereof - An optical coupler structure may include a substrate, a waveguide section and an anchored cantilever section. The substrate may include a main body and a sub-pillar structure formed on the main body. The waveguide section may be disposed on the substrate, and may include a core waveguide of a first material surrounded by a cladding layer of a second material. The anchored cantilever section may be disposed on the sub-pillar structure on the substrate, which may be configured to support the cantilever section and separate the cantilever section from the main body of the substrate. The anchored cantilever section may include a multi-stage inverse taper core waveguide and a cladding layer, of the second material, which surrounds the multi-stage inverse taper core waveguide. | 02-11-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130168635 | MATERIALS AND CONFIGURATIONS OF A FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine. Different embodiments of the heat engine may have different configurations that may include a cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode arranged in different ways according to a particular embodiment. Different embodiments of the heat engine may also incorporate different materials in and/or proximate to the cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169108 | ANODE WITH SUPPRESSOR GRID - A suppressor grid is configured proximate to an anode to produce a suppressor electric field selected to provide a force on an electron in a direction pointing away from the anode, wherein the suppressor electric field is further selected to pass electrons from the suppressor grid to the anode. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169142 | Electronic Device Graphene Grid - A device includes an anode, a cathode, and a grid configured to modulate a flow of electrons from the cathode to anode. The grid is made of graphene material which is substantially transparent to the flow of electrons. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169156 | Field emission device - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169193 | PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF A FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, and the performance of the device is optimized. | 07-04-2013 |
20130221843 | FIELD EMISSION DEVICE WITH AC OUTPUT - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine with an AC output. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229105 | VARIABLE FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229133 | ADDRESSABLE ARRAY OF FIELD EMISSION DEVICES - Field emission devices are configured in addressable arrays. | 09-05-2013 |
20130313980 | EMBODIMENTS OF A FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - In one embodiment, the trajectory of one or more electrons is controlled in a field emission device. In another embodiment, the field emission device is configured analogously to a klystron. In another embodiment, the field emission device is configured with electrical circuitry selected to control the input and output of the device. | 11-28-2013 |
20140070696 | TIME-VARYING FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable as a function of time. | 03-13-2014 |
20140078863 | ASSAYING GOLD WITH A MICROWAVE PULSE - A system for assaying gold in a rock formation includes a transmitter and an acoustic sensor. The transmitter is configured to transmit a microwave pulse into the rock formation. The acoustic sensor is coupled to the rock formation and is configured to detect an acoustic wave emitted from the rock formation in response to receipt by the rock formation of the microwave pulse. | 03-20-2014 |
20140090889 | MINING DRILL WITH GRADIENT SENSING - A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091713 | LOW PRESSURE LAMP USING NON-MERCURY MATERIALS - One embodiment relates to a mercury-free low-pressure lamp having a bulb. The bulb includes an emissive material and one or more phosphors. The emissive material includes at least one of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, wherein when the bulb is in a non-operational state, the emissive material condenses into a liquid or solid, and when the bulb is in an operational state the emissive material forms an emitter, the emitter in combination with one or more gases generate photons when excited by an electrical discharge. The one or more phosphors are configured to convert at least a portion of the photons to other visible wavelengths. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091716 | FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine. | 04-03-2014 |
20140102947 | RADIOFREQUENCY PARTICLE SEPARATOR - An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle. | 04-17-2014 |
20140138109 | BIOMASS STORAGE SYSTEM - An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material. | 05-22-2014 |
20140147555 | EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS - The present technology provides an edible composition including a plurality of dietary strands coated with a flavored coating; where the interior of each dietary strand comprises a fat, protein, carbohydrate, or a combination thereof; where the dietary strands are braided or woven together; and where the flavor of the interior of the dietary strand is distinct from the flavor of the flavored coating. Also provided are methods of providing an animal with nourishment, including providing the animal with any one of the edible compositions described herein. The animal may or may not be a human. | 05-29-2014 |
20140159590 | MATERIALS AND CONFIGURATIONS OF A FIELD EMISSION DEVICE - A field emission device is configured as a heat engine. Different embodiments of the heat engine may have different configurations that may include a cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode arranged in different ways according to a particular embodiment. Different embodiments of the heat engine may also incorporate different materials in and/or proximate to the cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode. | 06-12-2014 |
20140182435 | NANOTUBE SLICER - A device for slicing material includes a structural support and a nanotube blade. The nanotube blade includes a nanotube filament having atoms arranged in a lattice structure and has a first end and a second end. Both the first end and the second end are coupled to the structural support and separated by a length of the nanotube blade. | 07-03-2014 |
20140183927 | NANOTUBE SLICER - A system for slicing material includes a structural support and a nanotube blade. The nanotube blade is coupled to the structural support and includes a nanotube filament having atoms arranged in a lattice structure. A first end and a second end of the nanotube blade are coupled such that the nanotube blade forms a nanotube loop. | 07-03-2014 |
20140199455 | DRY STEAM OVENS - A method of cooking a food item includes supporting a food item having multiple cooking sites, providing a jet of dry steam from a steam nozzle, determining a targeted subset of the cooking sites, and dynamically moving the food item or the steam nozzle so that the jet of dry steam is directed onto the targeted subset of the cooking sites. | 07-17-2014 |
20140241571 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTAMINATION MONITORING - A system for contamination monitoring includes a tracking component, a material identification component, a procedural component, and a notification component. The tracking component tracks an individual and one or more objects in a work area using a three-dimensional tracking system. The material identification component identifies a material of the one or more objects based on a captured image. The procedural component determines that an object of the one or more objects is contaminated based on tracked locations of the one or more objects and the individual. The notification component provides a notification of the contamination. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244344 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVITY MONITORING - A system for activity monitoring includes a tracking component, an activity identification component, a procedural component, and a notification component. The tracking component tracks an individual and one or more objects in a work area using a three-dimensional tracking system. The activity identification component identifies an activity of the individual and any of the one or more objects that are affected by the activity. The procedural component determines whether the activity violates one or more procedural rules pertaining to one or more of the individual, the work area, and the one or more objects. The notification component provides a notification of a violation. | 08-28-2014 |
20140270472 | TIERED LATENCY OF ACCESS FOR CONTENT - A method substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279127 | TRANSMITTING CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF REQUESTED ACCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include transmitting a bidding tag that is designed to elicit one or more bids for accessing a content that is being offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, the different levels of access for accessing the content being associated with different amounts of content access latencies and different amounts of associated fees, and the bidding tag to be transmitted at least partially identifying the content to be offered for consumption, receiving a bid as a result, at least in part, to transmitting of the bidding tag, the bid to be received being a request for accessing the content at a particular level of access, the particular level of access being for accessing the content with a particular amount of content access latency and for a particular amount of associated fee, the particular level of access having been selected from the different levels of access for accessing the content; and transmitting the content in accordance with the particular level of access that was requested through the received bid. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279141 | RECEIVING CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF ACCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include receiving a bidding tag for a content that is to be offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, the different levels of access for accessing the content to be offered being associated with different amounts of content access latencies and different amounts of associated fees, and the bidding tag to be received at least identifying a content type to be offered for consumption and designed for eliciting one or more bids for the content, transmitting a bid in response, at least in part, to receiving the bidding tag, the bid to be transmitted being a request for accessing the content at a particular level of access, the particular level of access being for accessing the content with a particular amount of content access latency and for a particular amount of associated fee, the particular level of access having been selected from the different levels of access for accessing the content; and receiving the content in accordance with the particular level of access. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279142 | RECEIVING CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF ACCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include receiving a bidding tag for a content that is to be offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, the different levels of access for accessing the content to be offered being associated with different amounts of content access latencies and different amounts of associated fees, and the bidding tag to be received at least identifying a content type to be offered for consumption and designed for eliciting one or more bids for the content, transmitting a bid in response, at least in part, to receiving the bidding tag, the bid to be transmitted being a request for accessing the content at a particular level of access, the particular level of access being for accessing the content with a particular amount of content access latency and for a particular amount of associated fee, the particular level of access having been selected from the different levels of access for accessing the content; and receiving the content in accordance with the particular level of access. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279143 | TRANSMITTING CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF REQUESTED ACCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include transmitting a bidding tag that is designed to elicit one or more bids for accessing a content that is being offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, the different levels of access for accessing the content being associated with different amounts of content access latencies and different amounts of associated fees, and the bidding tag to be transmitted at least partially identifying the content to be offered for consumption, receiving a bid as a result, at least in part, to transmitting of the bidding tag, the bid to be received being a request for accessing the content at a particular level of access, the particular level of access being for accessing the content with a particular amount of content access latency and for a particular amount of associated fee, the particular level of access having been selected from the different levels of access for accessing the content; and transmitting the content in accordance with the particular level of access that was requested through the received bid. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279144 | ELICITING ONE MORE MORE BIDS FOR ACCESSING CONTENT AT ONE OR MORE LEVELS OF CONTENT ACCESS FROM TWO OR MORE CLIENT COMPUTING DEVICES - Computationally implemented methods and systems include communicating to two or more client computing devices at least one bidding tag that is designed to elicit one or more bids for accessing a content that is being offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, each of the different levels of access for accessing the content that is being offered for consumption being associated with a different content access latency and associated fee pair, and the at least one bidding tag to be communicated at least partially identifying the content to be offered for consumption, obtaining one or more bids as a result, at least in part, of communicating the at least one bidding tag to the two or more client computing devices, the one or more bids to be obtained being at least one or more requests for accessing the content at one or more levels of the different levels of access for accessing the content that is being offered for consumption; and releasing the content in accordance with the one or more obtained bids. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279145 | ELICITING ONE MORE MORE BIDS FOR ACCESSING CONTENT AT ONE OR MORE LEVELS OF CONTENT ACCESS FROM TWO OR MORE CLIENT COMPUTING DEVICES - Computationally implemented methods and systems include communicating to two or more client computing devices at least one bidding tag that is designed to elicit one or more bids for accessing a content that is being offered for consumption at different levels of access for accessing the content, each of the different levels of access for accessing the content that is being offered for consumption being associated with a different content access latency and associated fee pair, and the at least one bidding tag to be communicated at least partially identifying the content to be offered for consumption, obtaining one or more bids as a result, at least in part, of communicating the at least one bidding tag to the two or more client computing devices, the one or more bids to be obtained being at least one or more requests for accessing the content at one or more levels of the different levels of access for accessing the content that is being offered for consumption; and releasing the content in accordance with the one or more obtained bids. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279146 | PRESENTING CONTENT AS A RESULT, AT LEAST IN PART, TO RELAYING OF A BID AND FOLLOWING LAPSE OF A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include presenting an interface for soliciting a bid for accessing a content following lapse of a specific amount of content access latency, the bid to be solicited including at least one user elected fee amount elected from a plurality of fee amounts available for election for the specific amount of content access latency, the user elected fee amount being an amount of fee being offered through the bid in exchange for accessing the content following lapse of the specific amount of content access latency: relaying the bid in response, at least in part, to obtaining the bid as a result of the soliciting, the bid to be relayed indicating at least the user elected fee amount; acquiring at least access to the content as a result, at least in part, of the relaying; and presenting at least the access to the content following lapse of the specific amount of content access latency. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279147 | PRESENTING CONTENT AS A RESULT, AT LEAST IN PART, TO RELAYING OF A BID AND FOLLOWING LAPSE OF A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF CONTENT ACCESS LATENCY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include presenting an interface for soliciting a bid for accessing a content following lapse of a specific amount of content access latency, the bid to be solicited including at least one user elected fee amount elected from a plurality of fee amounts available for election for the specific amount of content access latency, the user elected fee amount being an amount of fee being offered through the bid in exchange for accessing the content following lapse of the specific amount of content access latency: relaying the bid in response, at least in part, to obtaining the bid as a result of the soliciting, the bid to be relayed indicating at least the user elected fee amount; acquiring at least access to the content as a result, at least in part, of the relaying; and presenting at least the access to the content following lapse of the specific amount of content access latency. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279148 | ACQUIRING OPEN BIDS FOR ONE OR MORE CONTENT ACCESS LATENCIES AND PROVIDING CONTENT ACCORDINGLY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring from a plurality of users a plurality of open bids for one or more content access latencies, each of the plurality of open bids to be received indicating one or more offer amounts submitted by the plurality of users that the plurality of users are offering in exchange for being provided at least access to a specific content with the one or more content access latencies; determining which one or more of the plurality of open bids indicate at least the highest offer amount amongst the plurality of open bids; and providing at least access to the specific content to one or more of the plurality of users in accordance, at least in part, with the determining. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280942 | ACQUIRING OPEN BIDS FOR ONE OR MORE CONTENT ACCESS LATENCIES AND PROVIDING CONTENT ACCORDINGLY - Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring from a plurality of users a plurality of open bids for one or more content access latencies, each of the plurality of open bids to be received indicating one or more offer amounts submitted by the plurality of users that the plurality of users are offering in exchange for being provided at least access to a specific content with the one or more content access latencies; determining which one or more of the plurality of open bids indicate at least the highest offer amount amongst the plurality of open bids; and providing at least access to the specific content to one or more of the plurality of users in accordance, at least in part, with the determining. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281992 | PROVIDING ACCESS TO CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SELECTED LEVEL OF ACCESS FROM A PLURALITY OF GRADUATED LEVELS OF ACCESS - Computationally implemented methods and systems include displaying a selection graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting a level of access for accessing content from a plurality of graduated levels of access for accessing the content, the plurality of graduated levels of access for accessing the content being for accessing the content with varying amounts of latencies and for varying amounts of corresponding fees, receiving a selection of the level of access for accessing the content from the plurality of graduated levels of access to the content; and providing access to the content in accordance with the selected level of access. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281993 | PROVIDING ACCESS TO CONTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SELECTED LEVEL OF ACCESS FROM A PLURALITY OF GRADUATED LEVELS OF ACCESS - Computationally implemented methods and systems include displaying a selection graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting a level of access for accessing content from a plurality of graduated levels of access for accessing the content, the plurality of graduated levels of access for accessing the content being for accessing the content with varying amounts of latencies and for varying amounts of corresponding fees, receiving a selection of the level of access for accessing the content from the plurality of graduated levels of access to the content; and providing access to the content in accordance with the selected level of access. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. | 09-18-2014 |
20140325922 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DAMPING BUILDING OSCILLATIONS - A fluid transport system for actively damping oscillations of a structure affixed to a ground surface is disclosed. The system includes a pipe defining a flow path, a driver in fluid communication with the pipe and configured to provide a fluid flow through the pipe, and a controller. The controller is programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event. | 11-06-2014 |
20140349629 | MOBILE DEVICE THAT ACTIVATES UPON REMOVAL FROM STORAGE - A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action. | 11-27-2014 |
20140349631 | MOBILE DEVICE THAT ACTIVATES UPON REMOVAL FROM STORAGE - A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action. | 11-27-2014 |
20140349632 | MOBILE DEVICE THAT ACTIVATES UPON REMOVAL FROM STORAGE - A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action. | 11-27-2014 |
20140379384 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DRIVING TO DETERMINE AN INSURANCE PROPERTY - A method for determining a property of an insurance policy includes receiving driving data for a vehicle based on sensor data from one or more sensors external to the vehicle. The driving data includes identification data for one or more of the vehicle and a driver of the vehicle. The method includes determining risk data associated with one or more of the vehicle and the driver based on the driving data. The method further includes automatically determining a property of an insurance policy associated with one or more of the vehicle and the driver based on the risk data. | 12-25-2014 |
20140379385 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DRIVING TO DETERMINE AN INSURANCE PROPERTY - A method for determining a property of an insurance policy includes receiving sensor data from a portable electronic device regarding a driving event involving a first vehicle. The sensor data is provided by the portable electronic device in response to a user initiating a command to report the driving event. The portable electronic device is external to the first vehicle. The method includes identifying, based on the sensor data, one or more of the first vehicle and a driver of the first vehicle. The method includes determining risk data associated with one or more of the first vehicle and the driver based on the driving event. The method further includes automatically updating an insurance property of an insurance policy associated with one or more of the first vehicle and the driver based on the risk data. | 12-25-2014 |
20150014057 | MINING DRILL WITH GRADIENT SENSING - A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool. | 01-15-2015 |
20150034198 | PIPELINE LEAK SEALING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039324 | MANAGING A RISK OF A LIABILITY THAT IS INCURRED IF A SUBJECT TREATED FOR A CONDITION IS RETREATED WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD - An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that a subject treated for a condition will be retreated within a time period, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking an action if the subject is retreated within the time period. For example, such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if a subject treated for a condition is retreated for the condition, for a complication arising from the condition or from the treatment of the condition, or for another reason, within a specified retreatment time period. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039337 | MANAGING A RISK OF A LIABILITY THAT IS INCURRED IF ONE OR MORE SUBJECTS EACH TREATED FOR A RESPECTIVE CONDITION ARE RETREATED WITHIN A RESPECTIVE SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD - An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that one or more subjects each treated for a respective condition by a respective provider will be retreated within a respective retreatment time period, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking a respective action for each of the one or more subjects that is retreated within the respective retreatment time period. For example, such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if one or more subjects each treated for a respective condition is retreated for the respective condition, for a complication arising from the respective condition or the treatment of the respective condition, or for another reason, within a respective specified retreatment time period. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039486 | GENERATING A DESCRIPTION OF, AND AN OFFER TO TRANSFER OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE, AN ASSET THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE RETREATMENT CONTRACT - An embodiment of a method includes generating a description of an asset that includes at least one retreatment contract, and generating an offer to transfer, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, the asset. The asset may also include one or more instruments other than the at least one retreatment contract. Such an embodiment may allow a party to a retreatment contract to diversify its risk, or to recoup at least a portion of the fee it paid under the contract. An example of a retreatment contract includes a party paying a fee (e.g., an insurance premium) for another party to take an action (e.g., pay money to the party) if a subject treated for a condition is retreated for the condition, for a complication arising from the treatment of the condition, or for another reason, within a specified time period. | 02-05-2015 |
20150053481 | KINETIC PENETRATOR WITH A RETRIEVAL TETHER - A retrievable kinetic penetrator includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end, a nose coupled to the first end of the tubular body, and a retrieval system. The nose is configured to penetrate a ground surface and subsurface materials of a subterranean ground volume. The retrieval system includes a tether coupled to the tubular body and is configured to facilitate recovery of the tubular body from the subterranean ground volume. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054930 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR ASSESSING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices, systems, and methods for assessing microbiota of skin are described which include: a skin-covering material with an inner surface conforming in shape to a topography of a skin surface and including a microbe-capture region; an image-capture device to capture a least one image of the inner surface of the skin-covering material and to transform the captured at least one image into a digital output including information associated with at least one property and a spatial distribution of at least one type of microbe bound to the microbe-capture region; and a computing device including circuitry configured to receive the digital output from the image-capture device, compare the at least one property of the at least one type of microbe with a database of reference microbe properties, and generate a digital profile including the at least one property and the spatial distribution of the at least one type of microbe bound to the microbe-capture region of the skin-covering material. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054944 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR ASSESSING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices, systems, and methods for assessing microbiota of skin are described which include: a skin-covering material with an inner surface conforming in shape to a topography of a skin surface and including a plurality of specific microbe-binding elements; an image capture device to capture an image of the inner surface of the skin-covering material and to transform the image into a digital output including information associated with at least one property and a spatial distribution of at least one type of microbe bound to the specific microbe-binding elements; and a computing device including circuitry configured to receive the digital output from the image-capture device, compare the at least one property of the at least one type of microbe bound to the specific microbe-binding elements with a database of reference microbe properties, and generate a digital profile including the at least one property and the spatial distribution of the at least one type of microbe bound to the specific microbe-binding elements. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054945 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR ASSESSING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices, systems, and methods for assessing microbiota of skin are described, including: a skin-covering material including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface substantially conforming to a topography of a skin surface of an individual and including a plurality of signal-generating complexes, one or more of the plurality of signal-generating complexes configured to emit one or more signals in response to at least one type of microbe; an image capture device to capture an image of the inner surface of the skin-covering material, the image including one or more signals emitted from the plurality of signal-generating complexes, and to transform the image into a digital output; and a computing device including circuitry configured to receive the digital output, compare the properties of the imaged one or more signals with a database of reference signal-generating complexes, and generate a digital spatial profile of microbes on the skin-covering material. | 02-26-2015 |
20150112727 | MANAGING A RISK OF A LIABILITY THAT IS INCURRED IF AN INSURER DENIES COVERAGE FOR TREATING AN INSURED FOR A CONDITION - An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that an insurer will deny coverage for treating an insured for a condition, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking an action if the insurer denies coverage for treating the insured. Such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if an insurer under a medical insurance policy denies coverage for treating an insured under the policy. Examples of such liability include money owing to a physician or other provider that treated the insured, interest on the money owing, late fees and other penalties, and a downgrading of the credit of the insured or of a party financially responsible for the insured. | 04-23-2015 |
20150112728 | MANAGING A RISK OF A LIABILITY THAT IS INCURRED IF ONE OR MORE INSURERS DENIES COVERAGE FOR TREATING ONE OR MORE INSURED FOR ONE OR MORE CONDITIONS - An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that one or more insurers will deny coverage for treating one or more insured for one or more conditions, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking a respective action for each instance of at least one of the one or more insurers denying coverage for treating at least one of the one or more insured. Such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if one or more insurers under one or more medical insurance policies deny coverage for treating one or more insured under the one or more polices. An example of such liability includes money owing to one or more physicians or other treatment providers that treated the one or more insured (or, from a treatment provider's perspective, the inability to collect such money owing). | 04-23-2015 |
20150112729 | GENERATING A DESCRIPTION OF, AND AN OFFER TO TRANSFER OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE, AN ASSET THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE COVERAGE DENIAL CONTRACT - An embodiment of a method includes generating a description of an asset that includes at least one coverage-denial contract, and generating an offer to transfer, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, the asset. The asset may also include one or more instruments other than the at least one coverage-denial contract. Such an embodiment may allow a party to a coverage-denial contract to diversify its risk, or to recoup at least a portion of the fee it paid under the contract. An example of a coverage-denial contract includes a party paying a fee (e.g., an insurance premium) for another party to take an action (e.g., pay money to, or on behalf of, the party) if an insurer under another contract denies coverage for treating an insured under the other contract. | 04-23-2015 |
20150114009 | TRAIN PROPELLANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An LNG storage and delivery method for a transportation system includes routing a first train to scheduled stops along a first train route, routing the first train to an LNG fuel source positioned on the first train route, transferring LNG from the LNG fuel source to the first train, and transporting LNG from the LNG fuel source to an LNG storage site positioned along a second train route using the first train. | 04-30-2015 |
20150148265 | SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR PROFILING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices and systems for sampling and profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a replaceable microbe sampling unit including a substrate and a location information storage component, the substrate including a microbe-capture region configured to capture at least one type of microbe from one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual, and the location information storage component configured to store information associated with the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface of the individual. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148684 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROFILING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a microbe profiling device including a device head and a hand-held housing, the device head including an epidermis-engaging component and an access window and configured to dislodge microbes from a skin surface, and the hand-held housing defining an opening aligned with the access window, the hand-held housing including a motor operably coupled to a motivatable component, a substrate disposed in relation to the motivatable component and including a microbe-capture region, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the epidermis-engaging component contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted or reflected from the microbe-capture region, and a computing component including circuitry to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148685 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROFILING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a microbe profiling device including a device head and a hand-held housing, the device head including an epidermis-engaging component and an access window and configured to dislodge microbes from a skin surface, and the hand-held housing defining an opening aligned with the access window, the hand-held housing including a motor operably coupled to a motivatable component, a substrate disposed in relation to the motivatable component and including signal-generating complexes, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the epidermis-engaging component contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted from the signal-generating complexes, and a computing component including circuitry to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148686 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SAMPLING AND PROFILING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a hand-held microbe profiling device including a housing defining an opening, the housing including at least one rotatable component at least partially disposed in the opening defined by the housing, an elongated flexible strip disposed on an outer surface of the at least one rotatable component, the outer surface of the elongated flexible strip positioned to contact one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual through the opening defined by the housing, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the elongated flexible strip contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted or reflected from the elongated flexible strip, and a computing component to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148705 | SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR SAMPLING AND PROFILING MICROBIOTA OF SKIN - Systems and devices for sampling and profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a replaceable microbe sampling unit including at least one rotatable component, an elongated flexible strip, and a location information storage component, the elongated flexible strip including a microbe-capture region configured to capture at least one type of microbe from one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual, and the location information storage component configured to store information associated with the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface of the individual. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148949 | STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Systems for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The robot includes a body. The robot further includes a tool coupled to the body and configured to hold a structural maintenance tool. The robot includes a sensor coupled to the body. The robot includes a drive system configured to allow positioning of the body along the structure, including inverted positioning and vertical positioning. The robot further includes a communication interface coupled to the body. The robot includes a controller coupled to the body. The controller is in communication with the tool, the sensor, and the drive system. The controller is configured to receive an operating instruction through the communication interface. The controller is configured to autonomously position the body via the drive system and to perform a task with at least one of the tool and the sensor according to the operating instruction. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148955 | STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Systems and methods for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The system includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot includes a body, a tool arm, a sensor coupled, a drive system configured to allow vertical and inverted positioning of the first robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The second robot similarly includes a body, a drive system configured to allow positioning of the second robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The system includes a base station in communication with the first robot via the first robot transceiver and/or in communication with the second robot via the second robot transceiver. The first robot is configured to autonomously perform a maintenance task on the structure. The second robot is configured to autonomously provide a support service to the first robot during the maintenance task. The first robot is configured to communicate with the second robot. | 05-28-2015 |
20150162625 | MULTI-RESPONSIVE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An electrical power generation system includes a first fuel cell having a first responsiveness, a second fuel cell having a second responsiveness different from the first responsiveness, and a controller coupled to the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell. The controller is configured to engage the first fuel cell to satisfy at least a portion of a base load and selectively engage the second fuel cell to satisfy at least a portion of a load increase. | 06-11-2015 |
20150344376 | TAGGANT FOR CEMENT AUTHENTICATION - A traceable cement mixture includes a volume of cementitious material and a taggant disposed within the volume of cementitious material. The taggant includes data relating to a characteristic of the volume of cementitious material. | 12-03-2015 |
20150374161 | DRY STEAM OVENS - An oven includes a support structure configured to support a food item having multiple cooking sites, a steam nozzle configured to direct a jet of dry steam onto the food item, and a control system configured to determine a targeted subset of the cooking sites in response to a cooking requirement of the food item and configured to dynamically control movement of the support structure or the steam nozzle to direct the jet of dry steam onto the targeted subset of cooking sites in response to the cooking requirement of the food item. | 12-31-2015 |