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| 20080270301 | MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method which enables a merchant to obtain payment for a purchase from a customer who uses a mobile communication device to make the purchase, including uploading an application program to the customer's mobile communication device, and receiving a request for payment from a merchant terminal. The request for payment includes an identification code of the customer's mobile communication device and a purchase amount. The method further includes transmitting a purchase message to the customer's mobile communication device, the purchase message including an identification of the merchant, the purchase amount, and a request for purchase confirmation. The method further includes receiving a response to the request for purchase confirmation transmitted from the customer's mobile communication device, and if the response to the request for purchase confirmation is affirmative, transmitting to the merchant terminal information identifying a financial account belonging to the customer. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090125446 | System and Method for Secure Transactions Manageable by a Transaction Account Provider - A system and method for securing a financial transaction using a proxy code, which is assigned a transaction account number. An account issuer permanently assigns the proxy code to a transaction account correlated to the transaction device. The proxy code is uploaded onto the transaction device for later use in completing a transaction request. During transaction completion, the proxy code is provided to a merchant system in lieu of any sensitive account information. Since the proxy code is permanently assigned, the number need not be changed or updated on the merchant system once uploaded into a payment device or merchant database. The account issuer may manipulate the sensitive account information without need to alter the information stored on the merchant database. Since the proxy code contains no sensitive information, the sensitive information related to the transaction account is secured from theft. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20100211505 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MASS TRANSIT MERCHANT PAYMENT - Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110302081 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MASS TRANSIT MERCHANT PAYMENT - Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument. | 12-08-2011 |
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| 20100068073 | CONTROLLER FOR A MOTOR AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MOTOR - A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100080714 | CONTROLLER FOR A MOTOR AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MOTOR - A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100291494 | FLAME ROD ANALYSIS SYSTEM - A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110002792 | CONTROLLER FOR A MOTOR AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MOTOR - A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The pumping apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor connectable to the power source and configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The pumping apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller is configured to generate a derivative value based on the signal, and to control the motor based on the derivative value. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110211612 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR ARRAY AND METHOD OF ANALYZING A CONDITION OF WATER IN A TANK OF A WATER HEATING SYSTEM - A system for determining a temperature of a medium, such as water, in a volume, such as a water heater tank. The system includes a temperature sensor array and a variable frequency voltage supply. A first temperature sensing unit of the temperature sensor array includes a temperature sensor in parallel with a capacitor. The capacitor is selected such that the impedance is low relative to the resistance of the temperature sensor at frequencies above a threshold and high at frequencies below a threshold. A second temperature sensing unit of the array includes a second temperature sensor. The temperatures sensed by the various temperature sensors in the array are determined by selectively varying the frequency of the voltage supply. | 09-01-2011 |
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| 20090079189 | PIPE CLAMP WITH INTEGRAL LATCH - A pipe clamp that enables two pipes to be loosely connected together in a desired axially-aligned and rotationally-aligned configuration prior to tightening of the clamp. The pipe clamp includes a band having a first end and a second end, and a tightening mechanism connected to the band for drawing the ends of the band together. The pipe clamp further includes a latch having a base portion attached to the band and a clip portion that snaps over a button welded to the pipe to temporarily hold the clamp in place on the pipe. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090189392 | SINGLE-BOLT BAND CLAMP WITH GASKETED CENTER RIB AND PIPE LAP JOINT USING THE SAME - A band clamp that connects overlapping pipe ends includes a band, a tightening mechanism, and a gasket. The band has a radially protruding rib, a first lateral section that extends from a side of the rib, and a second lateral section that extends from another side of the rib. The tightening mechanism connects to the band and is operable to tighten the band, and the gasket is received in the rib. In one example, an axial width of the lateral sections are within a range relative to an axial width of the rib, and in another example, the lateral sections are angled inwardly with relative to an axis of the band. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100186199 | EXPANDABLE CLAMP - An expandable clamp includes a band and a worm gear mechanism. The band makes an imaginary circumference and has a number of slots spaced apart from one another along the imaginary circumference. The worm gear mechanism is connected to the band and operates to radially expand and contract the imaginary circumference of the band. The worm gear mechanism includes a worm gear that has a threaded shank that engages the slots when the worm gear is rotated which causes the radial expansion and contraction of the imaginary circumference. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20110018263 | BAND CLAMP WITH EMBOSSED GASKET FOR SLOTTED PIPE LAP JOINTS - A band clamp used for forming a pipe lap joint. The band clamp includes a band, tightening mechanism, and gasket. The band extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end and is sized to fit over an outside pipe end. The tightening mechanism is connected to the band at the first and second end. The tightening mechanism includes at least one fastener to bring the first and second ends toward each other to tighten the band over the outside pipe end. The gasket is constructed to fit over an inside pipe end and within the outside pipe end such that the gasket is at least partially sandwiched between said inside and outside pipe ends. The gasket has an embossment extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the gasket and being constructed to be received at least partly within a slot of the outside pipe end. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110210546 | PIPE CLAMP WITH SLEEVE AND GASKET - A pipe clamp that includes a band, tightening mechanism for the band, a split sleeve within the band, and gasket located inside a circumferential channel in the split sleeve. The split sleeve includes a tongue-and-groove joint in which said tongue has at least one side edge that confronts and engages a side edge of the groove during penetration of the tongue into the groove in response to tightening of the outer band using the fastening mechanism. This provides a metal-to-metal seal at the tongue-and-groove join. The relative construction of the tongue and groove is such that during penetration of the tongue into the groove, there are areas of spaced separation between the confronting side edges of the tongue and groove. Also during tightening the gasket is forced into these areas of spaced separation which provides a second, gasketed seal at the tongue-and-groove joint. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120018999 | GASKETED PIPE CLAMP - A pipe clamp that includes a band having an inner surface defining a first channel segment located inwardly of first and second axial ends of the band, a tightening mechanism for drawing first and second circumferential ends of the band toward each other to tighten the band, and a bridge abutting the inner surface and circumferentially spanning a break in the first channel segment that is located at the tightening mechanism, The bridge has a second channel segment aligned with the first channel segment such that the first and second channel segments together define a substantially continuous circular channel located at an interior portion of the clamp. The pipe clamp further includes a gasket seated at least partially within the channel. The bridge can be attached to a reaction block used in the tightening mechanism to maintain proper position during tightening of the band. | 01-26-2012 |
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| 20100025238 | ANALYTE SENSOR APPARATUSES HAVING IMPROVED ELECTRODE CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM - Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized elements and/or configurations of elements as well as methods for making and using such sensors. Typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100169035 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OBSERVING SENSOR PARAMETERS - The invention disclosed herein provides methods and materials for observing the state of a sensor, for example those used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. Typically a voltage such as a voltage pulse is applied to the sensor in order to solicit a current response from which for example, factors such as impedance values can be derived. Such values can then be used as indicators of a sensor's state, for example the state of sensor hydration, sensor noise, sensor offset, sensor drift or the like. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100174553 | Diabetes Therapy Management System - A method of diabetes analysis is provided. A plurality of glucose level readings for a user is received. The plurality of blood glucose level readings are analyzed to generate a report. The report includes a first chart along a 24-hour timeline indicating the plurality of glucose level readings, and a second chart having at least one of infusion device settings and active insulin levels corresponding to the 24-hour timeline of the first chart. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20110160553 | Sensor and monitor system - A monitor system to monitor a characteristic of a user is disclosed. The monitor system includes a sensor to produce a signal indicative of a glucose characteristic measured in the user, the sensor further having a sensor port. The monitor system further includes a recorder within a recording housing, the recorder hosing also encompassing a batter. The recorder further includes a recorder port that interfaces with the sensor port in order to receive the produced signals from the sensor port. A recorder clock that assigns a time to the signals from the sensor is also defined within the recorder housing, as is a recorder processor that includes a recorder memory that is coupled to the recorder port to store the produced signals from the sensor. The recorder further includes a data port defined to interface with a dock receiver. A dock that is remotely located from the sensor and the recorder is also included with the monitor system. The dock includes the dock receiver that physically couples the recorder to the dock via the data port and a dock processor that is coupled to the dock receiver. The monitor system further includes a data processor defined to analyze the signals from the sensor that were stored in the recorder. The data processor includes: a data processor memory to store data from the recorder and a data processor clock. Further included with the data processor is a program to assign the time and date of the signals from the sensor by comparing the time and date on the data processor clock with the time assigned to the signals from the sensor by the recorder clock. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110230741 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OBSERVING SENSOR PARAMETERS - The invention disclosed herein provides methods and materials for observing the state of a sensor, for example those used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. Typically a voltage such as a voltage pulse is applied to the sensor in order to solicit a current response from which for example, factors such as impedance values can be derived. Such values can then be used as indicators of a sensor's state, for example the state of sensor hydration, sensor noise, sensor offset, sensor drift or the like. | 09-22-2011 |
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| 20100048242 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT PROCESSING - Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to data driven imaging architectures, in which a cell phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing, such as filtering and edge detection—and even some simpler template matching operations—may be performed on the cell phone. Other operations are referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be identified using techniques such as a reverse auction, though which they compete for processing tasks. Other aspects of the disclosed technologies relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20110212717 | Methods and Systems for Content Processing - Mobile phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others concern user interface improvements. Other aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a mobile phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Still other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the mobile device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing (e.g., simple filtering and edge detection) can be performed on the mobile phone, while other operations can be referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be selected using techniques such as reverse auctions, through which they compete for processing tasks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 09-01-2011 |
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| 20100014981 | VARIABLE-TWIST ROTOR BLADE CONTROLLED BY HUB PITCH ANGLE AND ROTATIONAL SPEED - The twist distribution of torsionally-flexible rotor blades is adjusted by exploiting centrifugal effect on inertial torquers affixed at one or more stations along the blade span. Twist is thereby made to vary passively as a function of rotor speed and hub incidence angle. With inertias of appropriate size and location, the twist variation is such that high rotor efficiency is maintained over a wide range of operating conditions. Satisfactory dynamic behavior of the blade, including cyclic-pitch response and flutter resistance, is simultaneously achieved. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20110024559 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED LAUNCH, RETRIEVAL, AND SERVICING OF A HOVERING AIRCRAFT - An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched using equipment suitable for use on a small vessel, or a base with similarly limited space or irregular motion. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of a base apparatus. Continued translation of the aircraft may pull the cable clear of the apparatus, in which case it can continue in free flight and return for another retrieval attempt. Alternatively, the cable will be dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot or similar channel, until its free end is captured. The aircraft, having thus become anchored to the base station, is then pulled down by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, while directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture. Once mated to the fixture, the cable can be released and stored aboard the aircraft; the aircraft can be automatically shut down; and fueling or other servicing can be completed through appropriate connectors in the docking fixture. The aircraft can remain docked as needed, and when desired, be automatically started and tested in preparation for launch. It can then be released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle can thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus. It can be used with low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110133024 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING A HOVERING AIRCRAFT - For retrieval of a hovering aircraft, a cable, bar, or similar fixture is suspended in an approximately horizontal orientation across the retrieval area between two well-separated supports. The aircraft slowly flies into this fixture, which then slides along the aircraft in a direction approximately parallel with the aircraft's thrust line. This leads to the aircraft becoming fastened to the fixture by an interceptor or aircraft capturer, which in alternative embodiments are respectively on the aircraft or the fixture or both. Thrust is then reduced, and the aircraft comes to rest hanging from the fixture for subsequent removal. Retrieval is thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus, light and unobtrusive elements on the aircraft, low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy. | 06-09-2011 |
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| 20090112101 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE TO FACILITATE EVALUATION OF OBJECTS USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090316116 | SCANNING LASER PROJECTION DISPLAY FOR SMALL HANDHELD DEVICES - Image projection devices, high-speed fiber scanned displays and related methods for projecting an image onto a surface and interfacing with the projected image are provided. A method for projecting one or more images and obtaining feedback with an optical input-output assembly is provided. The input-output assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber and a sensor. The method includes generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber, articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern, projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber, and generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100177035 | Mobile Computing Device With A Virtual Keyboard - The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile computing. In one aspect there is provided a system. The system may include a processor configured to generate at least one image including a virtual keyboard and a display configured to project the at least one image received from the processor. The at least one image of the virtual keyboard may include an indication representative of a finger selecting a key of the virtual keyboard. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100208240 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF EVALUATING AN OBJECT USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - A system for evaluating subject objects includes at least one physical source ( | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110243571 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE TO FACILITATE DISTRIBUTED EVALUATION OF OBJECTS USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120072154 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE TO FACILITATE EVALUATION OF OBJECTS USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120072176 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF EVALUATING AN OBJECT USING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY - A system for evaluating subject objects includes at least one physical source operable to emit electromagnetic energy and driver electronics drivingly coupled to at least one physical source. The driver electronics is configured to drive at least one physical source as a number of logical sources, using an electromagnetic forcing function. The number of logical sources is greater than the number of physical sources. In addition, the system includes a sensor configured to receive an electromagnetic response from at least a portion of an evaluation object illuminated by one or more physical sources operated as logical sources, and convert the electromagnetic response to a test response signal indicative of the electromagnetic response of the evaluation object. | 03-22-2012 |
