Abstract: The present invention relates at least in part to surgical devices which comprise a shape memory polymer material composition. Particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fixation device e.g. an anchor device e.g. a suture anchor which comprises a shape memory material. Included in the present invention are anchor devices e.g. suture anchors which are formed entirely of a shape memory polymer material. Embodiments of the present invention comprise hybrid suture anchors, particularly suture anchors which are formed from a shape memory polymer material and a non-shape memory material. Methods of securing an anchor in a bone or tissue are also included in the present invention.

Abstract: The risk that an incoming emergency call is a prank call is presented in real-time to the called party, in the form of, e.g., an index of suspicion. An index of suspicion aggregation server quantifies, qualifies, and aggregates risks, suspicions, and/or threats relevant to a call center to formulate a scale of suspicion. Metrics are acquired (e.g., calling device location information, device configuration information, caller information, etc.) relevant to each communications request made to a call center and uses acquired metrics to rate communications requests based on a known scale of suspicion. Once a suspicion rating is determined for a communications request, the communications request is routed to a relevant call-taker terminal, as is the index of suspicion for that incoming call. Real time presentation of the index of suspicion enables call-takers to make better call-handling decisions based on risk analysis and historical call data associated with a given caller.

Abstract: A reporting panel reports a selected basis for hand care. The reporting panel may be mounted at a location near one or more hand care product dispensers and may be associated with one or more hand care product dispensers. The reporting panel may communicate with a monitoring system or with a hand care product dispenser.

Abstract: A method and mechanism to allow a location server to initiate a user plane location service (e.g., SUPL defined by OMA) procedure to a user plane enabled device via Instant Messaging, or alternatively, via an existing SIP session if a multimedia session is already established. The location request is signaled to the user plane enabled device via a SIP INFO message. The location request uses SIP messaging to overcome firewall and other network security issues. Location using SUPL over SIP may be provided about a caller making an E911 emergency call. An Instant Message may be sent to the user plane enabled device, e.g., a VoIP wireless phone.

Abstract: A technique to allow a server such as a location server to throttle concurrent or closely timed location requests for the position of a given wireless device such that within a certain time period preferably only one location request will be initiated to the positioning engine and the remaining closely-timed location requests will be buffered or cached. When a position for the given wireless device is returned per the outstanding location request, then the retrieved position will be used to respond to each of the buffered location requests. Thus, a plurality of location requests are satisfied with a single request to the positioning engine. By optimizing the use of cached position requests, throttling of location requests per the invention reduces network traffic significantly, increases the efficiency of a positioning server (therefore reducing business cost), and provides for an improved grade or quality of location based services in general.

Abstract: An N-dimensional affinity confluencer comprises an affinity table to maintain a plurality of affinities for each of a plurality of wireless devices. A sphere of influence (SPIN) table provides an influence for determination of a confluence between affinities maintained in the affinity table. An affinity confluence determination module determines an affinity confluence between the plurality of wireless devices and an influence parameter associated with the sphere of influence (SPIN) table. An affinity confluence is determined from among a plurality of wireless devices by determining a confluence of at least two predefined affinities from among a plurality of wireless devices. A sphere of influence parameter is applied to the confluence to determine those of the plurality of wireless devices defined by an affinity confluence. The plurality of wireless devices need not be within a common communication network.

Abstract: A persona-notitia intellection codifier (P-NIC) server intelligently codifies and disburses personal user information from a user device (smartphone, laptop, etc.) to a multiplicity of designee devices. Masking Persona-Notitia Intellection Codes (a.k.a. PICs) are created that each stipulate control(s) and parametric limitation(s) for the associated one of a variety of personal user information. The Persona-Notitia Intellection Codifier (P-NIC) server rapidly produces a mask comprising a multiple bit “key” value (i.e., a persona-notitia intellection code (PIC)) that is uniquely distinguishable from every other PIC that's ever been generated for a given user. The value of the PIC is typically many bytes in length, and associates attributes to a unique key value that describes a desired subset of all the user's available personal user information to be unlocked by the key value (i.e., by the PIC).

Abstract: A technique to allow a server such as a location server to throttle concurrent or closely timed location requests for the position of a given wireless device such that within a certain time period preferably only one location request will be initiated to the positioning engine and the remaining closely-timed location requests will be buffered or cached. When a position for the given wireless device is returned per the outstanding location request, then the retrieved position will be used to respond to each of the buffered location requests. Thus, a plurality of location requests are satisfied with a single request to the positioning engine. By optimizing the use of cached position requests, throttling of location requests per the invention reduces network traffic significantly, increases the efficiency of a positioning server (therefore reducing business cost), and provides for an improved grade or quality of location based services in general.

Abstract: A practical inter-carrier roaming solution by way of a roaming location protocol (RLP) router that provides consistent location support across heterogeneous wireless network standards. The RLP router maintains connectivity to each location server in a roaming ecosystem, alleviating the need for an expensive and impractical mesh network of location servers. When a home location server (H-LS) determines it cannot locate a subscriber device because the subscriber device is roaming, the H-LS sends an RLP request to the RLP router. The RLP router then routes the RLP request to a serving location server (S-LS), which subsequently returns location information for the roaming subscriber device. The RLP router maintains mobile switching center ID (MSCID) to location based services (LBS) mappings for routing RLP requests. The RLP router may also maintain rough MSC-level positioning data for each MSCID to enable the RLP router to resolve certain location fixes without utilizing an S-LS.

Abstract: A hand product use benchmark is determined for a target institution based on observations of hand product use in a studied institution and relationships between the number of observed hand product uses and characteristics of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution is determined based on target institution characteristics and the relationships between institution characteristics and observed hand product uses of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution may be adjusted based on direct observation of hand product uses in the target institution and based on actual conditions on which the benchmark is based. Compliance with the benchmark is determined by comparison of activity within the target institution to the benchmark.

Abstract: Stabilization of a wireless information collection system for dispenser usage compliance in a facility is provided. This system and method enable network stabilization by providing a network “heartbeat.” The network stabilization operates independently from information collection. Therefore, the system and method are able to improve the reliability of wireless information collection systems where the frequency of data collection is not steady.

Abstract: The number of messages required in networks where both location and presence services are deployed may be reduced, by retrieving presence data from messages otherwise intended to provide only location information. Thus, information determined in a location service scheme is utilized to provide a presence service as well. A location server requests mobile subscriber (MS) information from a Core Network (CN) Node (i.e. HLR, MSC, etc.) that can be used in determining the Location of the MS. A single message aggregates retrieval of information for two services, specifically, for both location and presence.

Abstract: A location services game engine (LSGE) that is concerned with the geographic location of the wireless devices used to play in the game. The operations performed by players on wireless devices inside the location services game engine have location proximity requirements on the wireless devices being played in the game, and other wireless devices they interact with. A common game experience provides a virtual game instance including a plurality of geographically remote playing wireless devices virtually gathered together within the virtual game to physically interact with one another, and traveling relative to one another within the virtual game. A location update of each of the plurality of playing wireless devices active within the virtual game is obtained, with any movement from a last reported position applied against a virtual origin point within the virtual reality game.

Abstract: The number of messages required in networks where location services are deployed may be reduced, by providing updated location information regarding particular subscribers, or even all subscribers, to subscribed or otherwise logged applications or services upon obtaining and providing location information for a different application or service. Consequential watch services in accordance with the principles of the present invention provide location information to one or more services OTHER than or in ADDITION to the service currently requesting location information, based on subscription to a suitable service.

Abstract: Automatic notification is provided to pre-designated emergency contacts for a given wireless subscriber upon the occurrence of an emergency call from the subscriber. Triggering for the automatic notification may take place at an appropriate time in the emergency call, e.g., at a time the emergency call is received, at a time during the emergency call after a current location of the emergency caller is obtained by the emergency network, once the emergency call terminates, after a set amount of time after the emergency call is received, terminates, etc. The automatic notification is preferably made using voice over Internet Protocol (VolP), but may instead be pre-designated by the subscriber to be in an alternative mode, e.g., by SMS, switched telephone, etc. An option is included for the emergency caller to cancel the automatic notification. The location of the emergency caller may be configurably provided to a notified emergency contact.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely, (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymer material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature, and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the fits layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer, and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at a lower compaction temperature than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: A wireless device Location Services Agent (LSA) provides location functions such as reporting locations to a Location Agent Management Module (LAMM) function in a location services gateway (LSG). The LSA provides a consistent location protocol for providing single shot, periodic triggers and area event triggers. Actual position determination is performed by the native techniques supported by the handset. Location is setup via a Location Agent Management Module (LAMM) component of a Location Services Gateway (LSG) communicating with the LSA. The LSA provides for agent upgrade; SET (handset) registration to the LAMM; Single Shot location determination and conveyance to the LAMM; Periodic Triggered location; Area Event Location; and Privacy Notification and Verification. The LSA interfaces with the LAMM component of the LSG to initialize location requests, and interfaces with external location servers for actual position determination.

Abstract: A mobile image display system includes multiple movable panels, each including a video display. Using a position sensor, the system knows when a particular panel reaches a position in which the displayed image is distorted due to overlapping or misalignment of the panels. Then, a central processing unit provides the panels in the region where distortion is present with a modified image to correct for this distortion. Additionally, the panels may include light and/or weight sensors. In response to these sensors, an image in any location the carousel can be revised in response to the presence of an article such as a suitcase.

Abstract: The number of messages required in networks where location services are deployed may be reduced, by providing updated location information regarding particular subscribers, or even all subscribers, to subscribed or otherwise logged applications or services upon obtaining and providing location information for a different application or service. Consequential watch services in accordance with the principles of the present invention provide location information to one or more services OTHER than or in ADDITION to the service currently requesting location information, based on subscription to a suitable service.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises the steps of: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (ii) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at lower compaction temperatures than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.