Abstract: A mobile device periodically determines its location and compares its location to a set of user-authorized geofenced region definitions. The proximity to any of the geofenced regions, as determines how often the mobile device determines its location (location sampling), and how it handles location information. Initially, when the mobile device is well outside of any of the geofenced regions a low location sampling rate is used. When the mobile device is within any of the geofenced regions, location information is transmitted, generally, to a backend server over a network. When the mobile device is not within any of the geofenced regions, transmission of location information can be inhibited. Further, when the mobile device is within a threshold distance of one of the geofenced regions, the sampling rate can be increased.

Abstract: Location polygons are defined along traffic lanes and parking spaces to facilitate determination of the location of a vehicle relative to features associated with the location polygons. The location polygons are used, in one application, to identity entrance and exit of a special toll lane along a roadway, and to ensure that the vehicle properly enters and exits the tolling lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering bone graft material, which utilize a graft material cartridge. The bone graft delivery system comprises an outer delivery unit and a graft material cartridge. The bone graft delivery system is configured to provide a mechanism that loads graft material through a delivery tube and not at the end or outside of it.

Abstract: A mobile device runs a tolling application program that, in part, can perform several vehicle occupant detection processes in order to verify the number of occupants in a vehicle. When the number of occupants is verified, then (when the number is more than one) discounts on tolls can be applied to toll transactions. In order to avoid the effect of false positive detections, several occupant sensing modalities are used and the results of each are evaluated to ensure that the correct number of occupants has been determined.

Abstract: The invention involves a retraction distraction blade system suitable for use with retractor and distractor tools for the implantation of intervertebral implants into the spine area of an animal, particularly humans. The retractor distractor blade includes structures for attaching the blade to a retractor or distractor tool to provide visual access to a surgical site. The blade is provided with a threaded member connected to a flexible lasso for securement around a portion of a pedicle screw or bone screw. Once the lasso is secured to the pedicle screw, the retractor is prevented from moving out of the surgical site. Operation of the distractor or retractor tool can then be utilized to provide distraction to the spinal vertebrae for implant insertion or spinal alignment. Once the procedure is sufficiently complete, the lasso can be removed from the pedicle screws.

Abstract: A mobile device periodically determines its location and compares its location to a set of user-authorized geofenced region definitions. The proximity to any of the geofenced regions, as determines how often the mobile device determines its location (location sampling), and how it handles location information. Initially, when the mobile device is well outside of any of the geofenced regions a low location sampling rate is used. When the mobile device is within any of the geofenced regions, location information is transmitted, generally, to a backend server over a network. When the mobile device is not within any of the geofenced regions, transmission of location information can be inhibited. Further, when the mobile device is within a threshold distance of one of the geofenced regions, the sampling rate can be increased.

Abstract: A tolling system is operable to reduce the number of manual reviews of a toll point images needed to process toll fee charges by separately reporting from both toll points and mobile device in vehicles running a tolling application program the lane and crossing time when traversing a toll point. A tolling service can match records produced by the toll points with records providing by the mobile device when the toll point cannot immediately determine the identity of the toll customer passing through the toll point.

Abstract: The invention is directed in various aspects to a system including anchors, anchor components, and anchor assemblies and subassemblies that are adapted for attachment to a bony structure of a clinical subject. For example, two or more such anchors in the form of screws may be affixed to bones, for example, vertebral structures such as the pedicle, and each anchor is connected to a stabilizer such as a surgical rod that is inserted between the anchors. The anchors and assemblies are novel in many respects owing to their modular nature, which in contrast to conventional systems, allows the anchors to be provided to a surgeon in modular, subassembly and fully assembled form to enable a broad array of choices in devising the optimal plane for surgical bone fixation.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an application program that is capable of determining location and a bearing direction of travel. Further, the application program is associated with a back end server that can receive definitions of local geofenced regions, including regions over roadways that indicate the proper bearing direction of traffic for vehicles in those defined regions. The application program monitors its location, which is also the location of a vehicle in which the device is traveling, and compares it with geofenced regions. When the vehicle is within a geofenced region having a traffic direction indication, the application program compares the present bearing direction with that indicated for the geofenced region. When the comparison indicates the vehicle in the wrong direction, the mobile device emits one or more alerts to indicate that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction for that traffic lane.

Abstract: A system, mobile device, backend server, and RFID toll module work in cooperation to automatically pay vehicular tolls to a toll agency that operates toll stations along a roadways travelled by the user of the mobile device. Upon approaching a toll station the mobile device enables the RFID toll module. The toll reader at the toll station transmits a toll reader signal that is received by the RFID toll module, which responds by transmitting a unique identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the mobile device at a toll account maintained by a toll service backend server. Upon completion of a toll transaction, the RFID toll module indicates the transaction to the mobile device, which forwards toll transaction information to the toll service backend server for payment from the toll account to the toll agency.

Abstract: A mobile device runs a tolling application program that, in part, can perform several vehicle occupant detection processes in order to verify the number of occupants in a vehicle. When the number of occupants is verified, then (when the number is more than one) discounts on tolls can be applied to toll transactions. In order to avoid the effect of false positive detections, several occupant sensing modalities are used and the results of each are evaluated to ensure that the correct number of occupants has been determined.

Abstract: Briefly, the invention relates to a surgical tool and method for forming a pilot bore by inserting a guide wire into bone. More particularly, the device includes a cannulated hand grip and driving tool used for the rotation of a bone or pedicle screw into bone. The rear portion of the hand grip includes a slide assembly that is suited to grip a guide wire. The slide assembly includes a user adjustable stop to control the sliding movement of the guide wire. The rear surface of the slide is constructed to be impacted with a hammer or similar device, whereby the stop prevents the guide wire from penetrating the bone further than desired. A jack member is included to allow the wire to be precisely retracted.

Abstract: Location polygons are defined along traffic lanes and parking spaces to facilitate determination of the location of a vehicle relative to features associated with the location polygons. The location polygons are used, in one application, to identity entrance and exit of a special toll lane along a roadway, and to ensure that the vehicle properly enters and exits the tolling lane. The location polygons define geofenced regions, and each definition for a geofenced region can include one or more rules that are used to evaluate location information reported by a user's equipment. The rules dictate whether an action it taken or inhibited, such as charging a toll or not charging a toll, based on other location information reported by the user's equipment.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an application program that is capable of determining its location and a bearing direction of travel. Further, the application program is associated with a service that operates a back end server that the application program can contact to receive definitions of local geofenced regions, including regions over roadways that indicate the proper bearing direction of traffic for vehicles in those defined regions. The application program monitors the location of the device, which is also the location of a vehicle in which the device is traveling, and compares it with geofenced regions. When the vehicle is within a geofenced region having a traffic direction indication, the application program compares the present bearing direction with that indicated for the geofenced region.

Abstract: A mobile device periodically determines its location and compares its location to a set of user-authorized geofenced region definitions. The proximity to any of the geofenced regions, as determines how often the mobile device determines its location (location sampling), and how it handles location information. Initially, when the mobile device is well outside of any of the geofenced regions a low location sampling rate is used. When the mobile device is within any of the geofenced regions, location information is transmitted, generally, to a backend server over a network. When the mobile device is not within any of the geofenced regions, transmission of location information can be inhibited. Further, when the mobile device is within a threshold distance of one of the geofenced regions, the sampling rate can be increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing vehicle license tag numbers allows subscribers of a toll service to avoid additional charges normally associated with processing photographs of vehicle license tags by toll agencies to collect tolls. A subscriber can upload one or more license tag numbers to be associated with the subscriber's account with the toll service. The toll service provides a list of license tag numbers to the toll agency. If, for a given toll event, the toll agency does not receive a response to a wireless toll tag reader signal, the toll agency compares a license tag number obtained by processing a photo of the vehicle's license tag with the list provided by the toll service to find a match and process the toll.

Abstract: A system, mobile device, backend server, and RFID toll module work in cooperation to automatically pay vehicular tolls to a toll agency that operates toll stations along roadways travelled by the user of the mobile device. Upon approaching a toll station the mobile device enables the RFID toll module. The toll reader at the toll station transmits a toll reader signal that is received by the RFID toll module, which responds by transmitting a unique identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the mobile device at a toll account maintained by a toll service backend server. Upon completion of a toll transaction, the RFID toll module indicates the transaction to the mobile device, which forwards toll transaction information to the toll service backend server for payment from the toll account to the toll agency.

Abstract: The invention involves a cannula suitable for the implantation of intervertebral implants into the spine area of an animal, particularly humans. The first end of the dynamically expanding cannula includes a rectangular or oval shaped cannula portion formed from a sandwich style assembly. The second end of the dynamically expanding cannula includes a connection assembly for securing the sandwich construction together. Once inserted, a backing assembly can be removed and a flexible expansion member can be displaced by an implant while a slide guides the implant to create a dynamic opening through which the implant travels to the disc space. A lever is supplied as a portion of the expansion assembly for removing the expansion member after insertion of an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for confirming the orientation of the spine around and along the longitudinal axis of the spine to provide additional accuracy with pedicle screw placement when the pedicle screw placement is by hand or with a robot. The system utilizes a CT scan of the patient which is overlain with a real time fluoroscopic image to confirm the proper orientation and positioning. Optical or electromagnetic markers can then be utilized to monitor for movement of the spine during the procedure.

Abstract: A phone device monitors an accelerometer while traveling in a vehicle to detect unusually large excursions or sudden changes in acceleration magnitude. When such an excursion is detected, the phone device then compares the excursion with the output of other components in the vehicle that can confirm or dispel a finding that the vehicle has experienced a collision. Once a likely collision has been detected, the phone device goes into an automated assistance mode where the use can be voice prompted as to their condition. If no response is received, the phone device can automatically call emergency services for assistance, providing the present location of the phone device. In less severe incidents, the phone device can automatically offer immediate access to other services, include a towing service, an attorney, an automobile service, among others. The service providers are based on a geo-fenced region in which the phone device is located.