Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for the aggregation and analysis of vehicle prices via a geo-specific model. Data may be collected at various geo-specific levels such as a ZIP-Code level to provide greater data resolution. Data sets taken into account may include demarcation point data sets and data sets based on vehicle transactions. A demarcation point data set may be based on consumer market factors that influence car-buying behavior. Vehicle transactions may be classified into data sets for other vehicles having similar characteristics to the vehicle. A geo-specific statistical pricing model may then be applied to the data sets based on similar characteristics to a particular vehicle to produce a price estimation for the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for the filtering, selection and presentation of vendors accounting for both user characteristics and vendor characteristics, such that the systems and methods may be used by both customer and vendor alike to better match customer needs with the resource-constrained vendors with whom a successful sale has a higher probability of occurring. Embodiments may include filtering, selecting and/or presenting vendors to a user sorted by the probability that the particular vendor will possess the characteristics that appeal to a particular customer and therefore result in a large probability of sale and suppress presentation of those vendors that are unlikely to be selected by the customer since their characteristics are less consistent with those needed by the customer and, therefore, are unlikely to result in a sale.

Abstract: A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks.

Abstract: Various techniques for providing a low leakage electrostatic discharge (ESD) structure for non-contact bio-signal sensors are disclosed. In some embodiments, a low leakage ESD structure for a capacitive bio-sensor includes a unity gain buffer, and an ESD protection circuit connected to the unity gain buffer, in which the ESD protection circuit includes a diode connected across an input and an output of the unity gain buffer, and in which a voltage range for the ESD protection circuit is configurable.

Abstract: A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor system including a sensing plate, an amplifier, and a switching circuit is described. The sensing plate is capacitively coupled to a body surface. A change in the electric potential on the body surface generates an electric field that induces change in the electric potential of the sensing plate. The sensing plate includes a sensing node positioned in the electric field for generating an input signal from the electric field. The sensing plate is not in contact with the body surface. The amplifier receives the input signal at the input port, amplifies the input signal and generates an output signal at the output port. The switching circuit is connected to the input port and a reference voltage. The switching circuit non-continuously closes a shunting path from the sensing node to the reference voltage to reset the voltage at the sensing node.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for sensory-evoked potential (SEPs, e.g., visual-evoked potentials) signal detection/classification by synchronizing EEG to the repeated presentation of sensory stimuli in the time domain. In some embodiments, a system receives a plurality of EEG signal samples, generates a stimulus-locked EEG and determines whether the plurality of EEG signal samples are evoked in response to a pattern of stimulus. In some embodiments, no prior knowledge about the update pattern (such as the flashing frequency of a visual stimulus) of the stimulus and no prior knowledge about an individual user's EEG pattern are required.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with time separated signals are described. One system embodiment includes a delay circuit, two or more sets of interconnects, and a clocked deracer circuit. In the system embodiment, at least one of the sets of interconnects is arranged as a shield for another set of interconnects. In the system embodiment, the delay circuit may select a timing delay to apply to the first signal to produce the near-end signal based, at least in part, on a desired ratio between a reduction in the slack associated with a setup time on a far-end receiver and a reduction in the slack associated with a hold time on a near-end receiver.

Abstract: A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for monitoring the range of motion of a patient's knee includes a knee sleeve, a number of sensor circuits coupled to the knee sleeve, and a communication circuit coupled to the knee sleeve and electrically coupled to the sensor circuits. Each sensor circuit includes a sensor configured to generate data indicative of the position of the respective sensor. The communication circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit the data to a computer.

Abstract: A system for administering scan-based promotions involving manufacturers and retailers. The system records the terms of the promotion, ensures that the promotion is conducted in compliance with the agreed terms, settles the promotion and provides continual promotion progress for review by the retailers and the manufacturers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for efficiently summing the partial product bits produced by a multiplier. Briefly described, in architecture, the apparatus includes a first array of odd/even summation circuitry, a second array of odd/even summation circuitry, and a linear array of adders. The apparatus is configured to add a row of partial product bits produced by a multiplier in multiplying a first operand with a second operand. The first array of odd/even summation circuitry produces a first summation of a portion of the partial product bits. The second array of odd/even circuitry produces a second summation of the other partial product bits. The linear array of adders then adds the first summation and the second summation to produce a carry save representation of a product bit (i.e., a bit of the product produced by multiplying the first operand by the second operand).

Abstract: A CMOS latch with improved immunity to soft errors resulting from energetic particle strikes is disclosed. In one embodiment two Schmitt triggers are cross-coupled to hold a logic state. The significant hysteresis of the Schmitt triggers improves the resistance of the latch to induced soft errors. In a further embodiment, the Schmitt triggers operate by providing feedback from the Schmitt trigger output that changes the effective impedance of both the pullup and pulldown networks of the Schmitt trigger thereby creating significant hysteresis. In another embodiment, the Schmitt triggers operate by providing feedback from the Schmitt trigger output that changes the effective impedance of only one of either the pullup or pulldown network of the Schmitt trigger thereby creating significant hysteresis.

Abstract: A suspended acoustical ceiling access panel system includes a door frame for supporting a standard ceiling tile and hanger assemblies in the form of pivot brackets that are pivotally attached at each of opposite sides of the door frame near one end of the frame. The pivot brackets are formed to be easily slid over standard ceiling grid members and releasably clamped to the grid members while pivotally supporting the door frame. The door frame is also provided with latch members at an end of the frame opposite from the end pivotally attached to the pivot brackets and ceiling grid members. The latch members can be manually positioned to engage a ceiling grid member when the access panel system is in a closed position.

Abstract: A system for administering scan-based promotions involving manufacturers and retailers. The system records the terms of the promotion, ensures that the promotion is conducted in compliance with the agreed terms, settles the promotion and provides continual promotion progress for review by the retailers and the manufacturers.

Abstract: A monitor suspension method and apparatus for adjustably suspending a monitor to a work surface so that the distance and angle between the monitor and the work surface can be adjusted by a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a catalyst in powdered form comprising the oxides of copper, iron, aluminum and manganese wherein the atomic ratio of copper to iron is at least 1:1. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing such hydrogenation catalysts which comprises the steps of(A) preparing a first aqueous solution containing at least one water-soluble copper salt, at least one water-soluble iron salt, and at least one water-soluble manganese salt;(B) preparing a second solution containing at least one water-soluble basic aluminum salt and at least one alkaline precipitating agent;(C) mixing the first and second solutions wherein an insoluble solid is formed;(D) recovering the soluble solid; and(E) calcining the recovered solid to form the desired catalyst.The invention also relates to a process for hydrogenating aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid esters.

Abstract: An electronic filter for filtering an electrical signal. Signal processing circuitry therein includes a logarithmic filter having a series of filter stages with inputs and outputs in cascade and respective circuits associated with the filter stages for storing electrical representations of filter parameters. The filter stages include circuits for respectively adding the electrical representations of the filter parameters to the electrical signal to be filtered thereby producing a set of filter sum signals. At least one of the filter stages includes circuitry for producing a filter signal in substantially logarithmic form at its output by combining a filter sum signal for that filter stage with a signal from an output of another filter stage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a catalyst in powdered form which comprises a major amount of the oxides of copper and zinc, and a minor amount of aluminum oxide wherein the pore volume of pores of said catalysts having a diameter between about 120 and about 1000 .ANG. is at least about 40% of the total pore volume. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing hydrogenation catalysts comprising the oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum which comprises the steps of(A) preparing a first aqueous solution containing at least one water-soluble copper salt and at least one water-soluble zinc salt;(B) preparing a second solution containing at least one water-soluble basic aluminum salt and at least one alkaline precipitating agent;(C) mixing the first and second solutions whereby an insoluble solid is formed;(D) recovering the insoluble solid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a catalyst in powdered form comprising the oxides of copper, iron, aluminum and manganese wherein the atomic ratio of copper to iron is at least 1:1. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing such hydrogenation catalysts which comprises the steps of(A) preparing a first aqueous solution containing at least one water-soluble copper salt, at least one water-soluble iron salt, and at least one water-soluble manganese salt;(B) preparing a second solution containing at least one water-soluble basic aluminum salt and at least one alkaline precipitating agent;(C) mixing the first and second solutions wherein an insoluble solid is formed;(D) recovering the soluble solid; and(E) calcining the recovered solid to form the desired catalyst.The invention also relates to a process for hydrogenating aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid esters.