Abstract: The present invention discloses means and methods for reducing or eliminating pain during testing analyte levels of bodily fluids, including glucose, comprising a chip configured for both (i) to process electrical pulses obtained from a communicable analyzing strip, and (ii) to communicate the processed digital data. Pain reduction mechanisms accommodated by the device may include a finger clamping mechanism and/or an ergonomically contoured elastic finger-pad. The invention also discloses means and methods for body piercing, by an integrated diagnostic device comprising a lancet reversibly movable in parallel with a longitudinal axis from a first retract position, to a fully extended third position within the dermis and above and outside the venuole plexus, via a second position, located within the stratum cornea, and then back, to a final retracted fourth position; wherein the velocity of said lancet in its way from said first to said second position is relatively slow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for updating an influence model used to manage physical conditions of an environmentally controlled space. A method comprises operating an environmental maintenance system in a first production mode with the influence model until an event causes the system to enter a second production mode. In the second production mode a first actuator's operation level is varied and operation levels of other actuators are optimized. The influence model is adjusted based on the operation levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating, stabilizing or lessening the severity or progression of a disease or disorder associated with BTK.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for updating an influence model used to manage physical conditions of an environmentally controlled space. A method comprises operating an environmental maintenance system in a first production mode with the influence model until an event causes the system to enter a second production mode. In the second production mode a first actuator's operation level is varied and operation levels of other actuators are optimized. The influence model is adjusted based on the operation levels.

Abstract: Use of a bisphosphonate in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of osteoporosis post hip fracture to prevent or reduce subsequent osteoporotic skeletal fractures in a patient in need of such treatment, and particularly to a patient who has undergone recent repair of the hip fracture and corresponding methods of treatment.

Abstract: Known methods of heart function analysis, while useful, suffer from a number of limitations. These include the fact that these methods are inherently static, in that they consider an individual electrocardiogram (ECG) that can only provide a picture of heart function at a particular moment in time. Furthermore, the assessment depends upon the expertise of specialists performing a visual analysis of ECG traces, which may be subjective, and of limited sensitivity. Accordingly, a method of processing ECG signals comprises the steps of extracting data from at least one ECG signal, determining a time derivative of the data and generating a normalised index value representative of the energy in the time derivative. The index value is compared with corresponding historical data of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a reusable absorbent pad for absorbing liquids exuded from a body, comprising an absorbent one piece planar core having a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer perimeter defining a middle portion; a particulate blended and dispersed within at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface or the middle portion of the planar body; the particulate has greater absorbent characteristics than the planar body, is less than or equal to ¼? in dimension and is peat moss.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an absorbent pad for absorbing liquids exuded from a body, comprising a planar body having a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer perimeter defining a middle portion; a particulate blended and dispersed within at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface or the middle portion of the planar body; the particulate has greater absorbent characteristics than the planar body, is less than or equal to ¼? in dimension and is peat moss.

Abstract: Method and system for multimedia advertising. The multimedia advertising including video and content information. The advertisements being accessible for viewing the video and content information associated therewith.

Abstract: An automated grammar generator is disclosed, which is operable to receive a speech or text segment. The automated grammar generator identifies one or more parts of the segment suitable for processing into a natural language expression. The natural language expression is an expression which a person might use to refer to the segment. The automatic grammar generator generates one or more phrases from the segment, each of the one or more phrases corresponding to or capable of it being processed into a natural language expression or utterance suitable for referencing the text or speech segment. Noun phrases and verb phrases and other syntactic structures are identified in the speech or text segment, and modified to produce typical natural language expressions or utterances a user might employ to reference a segment. Verbs in verb phrases may be modified in order to provide further natural language expressions or utterances for use in the grammar.

Abstract: A spoken language interface comprises an automatic speech recognition system and a text to speech system controlled by a voice controller. The ASR and TTS are connected to a telephony system which receives user speech via a communications link. A dialogue manager is connected to the voice controller and provides control of dialogue generated in response to user speech. The dialogue manager is connected to application managers each of which provide an interface to an application with which the user can converse. Dialogue and grammars are stored in a database as data and are retrieved under the control of the dialogue manager and a personalisation and adaptive learning module. A session and notification manager records session details and enables re-connection of a broken conversation at the point at which the conversation was broken.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data selection mechanism for identifying a single data item from a plurality of data items, each data item having an associated plurality of related descriptors each having an asscoiated descriptor value. The data selection mechanism comprises a pattern matching mechanism for identifying candidate matching descriptor values that correspond to user-generated input, and a filter mechanism for providing a filtered data set comprising the single data item. The pattern matching mechanism is operable to apply one or more pattern recognition models to first user-generated intpu to generate one or more hypothesised descriptor values for each of the one or more pattern recognition models.

Abstract: A bed curtain divider for individuals sharing a bed, the bed curtain includes a substantially flexible barrier for shielding light rays from an individual on lying on the bed, the barrier comprising a first section having a first releasable attachment for attaching to a wall proximate a head portion of the bed, a second section operably adapted to maintain a first edge of the barrier intermediate the first corner and the second corner in tension, and a third section proximate the head portion of the bed.

Abstract: A bed curtain for individuals sharing a bed, the bed curtain includes a substantially flexible barrier for shielding light rays from an individual on lying on the bed, said barrier comprising a first section having a first releasable attachment for attaching to a wall proximate a head portion of the bed, a second section operably adapted to maintain a first edge of the barrier intermediate the first corner and the second corner in tension, and a third section proximate the head portion of the bed.

Abstract: A portable support pillow suitable for use as a nursing pillow is disclosed. The support pillow has a generally crescent shaped configuration, having a central portion and two opposed arms projecting from the center. The support pillow includes an inflatable air chamber and a removable cover. For use as a nursing pillow, the device is inflated to approximately 75% capacity with air, and provides sufficient support from the air pressure within the air chamber.