Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090255591 | ISOLATION VALVE WITH CORROSION PROTECTED AND HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCED VALVE ACTUATOR AND CLOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD - An isolation valve includes a shield that surrounds and protects the valve closure actuator components from exposure to corrosive fluids that flow through the valve when the valve is open. | 10-15-2009 |
20120061369 | MULTIPLE HEATER CONTROL SYSTEM WITH EXPANDABLE MODULAR FUNCTIONALITY - A multiple heater control system includes cables, connectors, and junction boxes for user-friendly daisy chain connections of heater controllers and heaters in various configurations or combinations of individually controlled heater series and/or master and slave heater series. The heater controllers include process control of AC power to the heaters and upper-limit safety shutoff that is substantially independent from the process control. The heater controllers also have variable levels of control, adjustment, display, and communications functionality in a base module that is expandable to various levels with expansion modules that are attachable to and detachable from the base module. Connector, cable, and junction configurations, adapters, and latch features enhance user friendliness. | 03-15-2012 |
20120171092 | HIGH-EFFICIENCY, HOT TRAP APPARATUS AND METHOD - A hot trap for removing a reactive constituent gas from a gas stream via chemical reaction and/or thermal disassociation includes a trap chamber with a heater assembly and a trap medium in its core inner portion and annular pre-heating and counterflow heating ducts in its outer and intermediate portions surrounding the core inner portion for heating an inflowing gas stream and conservation of heat energy in the trap as well as to maintain lower temperatures on external surfaces. | 07-05-2012 |
20150312963 | STREAMLINED HEATER ASSEMBLY WITH FRONT AND INTERMEDIATE DAISY CHAIN POWER INJECTION, SHIELDING, AND WATER RESISTANT FEATURES - Heater modules are configured for streamlined daisy chain connectivity that includes front end and intermediate daisy chain power injection, water resistant heater assemblies, and shielding. A power injection device is configured with connectivity for insertion of power into heater modules that are in front and intermediate daisy chain positions while enabling data communications between heater modules positioned on opposite sides of the power injection locations. | 10-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100082384 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSUMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - A comprehensive consumer relationship management system is disclosed. The comprehensive consumer relationship management system includes dispute resolution, customized data modeling, advertising assistance, and secure communications. By providing value added features, the comprehensive consumer relationship management system may strengthen consumer relationships by, for example, creating detailed data analysis to aid in making business decisions and facilitating secure communications among diverse consumers. | 04-01-2010 |
20140365357 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSUMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - A comprehensive consumer relationship management system is disclosed. The comprehensive consumer relationship management system includes dispute resolution, customized data modeling, advertising assistance, and secure communications. By providing value added features, the comprehensive consumer relationship management system may strengthen consumer relationships by, for example, creating detailed data analysis to aid in making business decisions and facilitating secure communications among diverse consumers. | 12-11-2014 |
20160086190 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSUMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - A comprehensive consumer relationship management system is disclosed. The comprehensive consumer relationship management system includes dispute resolution, customized data modeling, advertising assistance, and secure communications. By providing value added features, the comprehensive consumer relationship management system may strengthen consumer relationships by, for example, creating detailed data analysis to aid in making business decisions and facilitating secure communications among diverse consumers. | 03-24-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150348166 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED FINANCIAL SERVICES BASED ON SOCIAL SIGNALS - A system and method includes a data store that stores information about a plurality of product offerings, a communication interface that receives, via a network, social signals information, a social signals processor coupled to an application programming interface that enables transmission of the social signals information, wherein the social signals processor detects a change in profile information, geo-social information, status information, or social media preference, and a product offering processor that determines a product offering from among the plurality of product offerings based on the detected change in profile information, geo-social information, status information, or social media preference. | 12-03-2015 |
20160048842 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FINANCIAL TRANSFERS FROM A FINANCIAL ACCOUNT USING SOCIAL MEDIA - A system and method includes a communication interface of a customer service system that receives, via a network, a request from a customer device to link a social media account and at least one customer device with the customer service system, a social linking application programming interface that enables a social network system to interact with the customer service system and links the customer device to the social media account, a database that stores the link between the customer device and the social media account, a location detector that detects the at least one linked customer device when the at least one customer device is within a predetermined range of a customer service device associated with the customer service system, an alert system that generates a notification based on the customer device being within a predetermined range of the customer service device, a processor that interacts with the social linking application programming interface analyzes the linked social media account to determine at least one customer interest and generate a listing of customer service offers based on the at least one customer interest. The alert system automatically provides at least one of the customer service offers to the customer device. | 02-18-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090060113 | DEBRIS SHIELD UPPER TIE PLATE FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD TO SHIELD ASSEMBLY FROM DEBRIS - A nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: a fuel bundle including an array of fuel rods and water rods mounted in an upper tie plate and housed in walls of a channel, and a pore type debris shield mounted at least partially in the channel, above or below the upper tie plate, the shield extending to or over the walls of the channel, whereby deflecting and/or capturing falling debris from entering the fuel assembly, wherein the shield is design to be durable, yet flexible, and porous. | 03-05-2009 |
20090060114 | DEBRIS SHIELD FOR UPPER TIE PLATE IN A NUCLEAR FUEL BUNDLE AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DEBRIS - A nuclear reactor fuel assembly including: an upper tie plate having apertures to receive and support fuel rods of a fuel bundle; the fuel bundle includes an array of the fuel rods mounted and housed in the walls of a channel, and a load bearing or non-load bearing debris shield may be mounted in the upper tie plate, wherein the debris shield is porous to prevent the passage of debris. The debris shield is mounted in the frame of the upper tie plate. The debris shield can be either a removable unit, or it can be attached as a permanent integrated structure within the upper tie plate. The upper tie plate frame is also porous, e.g., has small vertical openings to allow fluid to pass through the frame and block passage of debris. The openings in the frame increase the effective flow area of passages through the upper tie plate and thereby compensate or offset any flow restrictions due to the debris shield. Preventing debris falling into the fuel bundle is expected to assure the operational life of the fuel assembly by reducing the risk of fuel rod failure and premature discharge from the reactor core. | 03-05-2009 |
20090080590 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SHIELD A NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE DEBRIS SHIELD IN UPPER TIE - A method to capture, retain and remove debris falling into a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including a bundle of fuel rods mounted below an upper tie plate and housed in a hollow metal channel, the method includes: inserting a debris shield in the upper tie plate; maintaining the shield in the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, and water rods, while the fuel bundle assembly is in an operating nuclear reactor core; capturing debris falling in the fuel assembly on the debris shield; after capturing the debris, removing the fuel bundle assembly with the inserted debris shield from the nuclear reactor core to a maintenance/fuel inspection pool and thereafter removing the debris shield from the upper tie plate, cleaning and then reinserting the cleaned debris shield back into the upper tie plate, and moving the fuel bundle assembly from the maintenance/fuel inspection pool back into the nuclear reactor core. | 03-26-2009 |
20090092217 | METHOD TO SHIELD NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE DEBRIS SHIELD IN UPPER TIE PLATE - A method to prevent debris falling into a nuclear reactor fuel assembly including a bundle of fuel rods mounted below an upper tie plate and housed in a channel including: inserting a debris shield in the upper tie plate; maintaining the shield in the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, while the fuel assembly is in an operating nuclear reactor core; flowing coolant through the bundle and the debris shield during operation of the nuclear reactor core, and capturing or deflecting debris falling in the fuel assembly with the debris shield. | 04-09-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140052594 | SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED PROCESSES FOR SWITCHING ACCOUNTS - The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for switching accounts In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments include a computer system for switching an existing account associated with a customer to a new account that may include a storage device storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions in the storage device. In one embodiment, the processor may analyze account information associated with an existing account and identify one or more transactions associated with the existing account. In another aspect, the processor may determine a first transaction from the one or more transactions that is to be switched to a new transaction associated with a new account and configure the new transaction similar to the first transaction. The processor may switch the first transaction to the new transaction and provide a representation that reflects a status for the switching of the first transaction to the new transaction. | 02-20-2014 |
20140052595 | SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED PROCESSES FOR ANALYZING AND DETERMINING THE VALUE OF SWITCHING ACCOUNTS - The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for customer account switching valuation. The disclosed embodiments include a customer account switching valuation computer system that includes a storage device storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions in the storage device. In one aspect, the system may receive, from a client computer associated with a customer, a response to an offer to switch an existing account to a new account and collect, based on the response, account information relating to the existing account. The processor may be configured to parse the collected account information into one or more categories and analyze the categorized account information to determine a value to the customer for switching from the existing account to the new account. The processor may also provide a representation of the value to the client computer. | 02-20-2014 |
20150012400 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SWITCHING CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS - Systems and methods are disclosed that provide credit card account switching processes. In certain embodiments, a card switch system is disclosed to automate or near-automate one or more processes for effectuating the switch of a credit card account from one card carrier to another. The system is configured to receive an indication to switch credit card accounts for a customer. Further, the system receives user cardholder data associated with at least one of the customer, the previous credit card account, or the new credit card account. The system is configured to identify, based on the received cardholder data, account information associated with the previous credit card account to associate with the new credit card account. Finally, the system is configured to transfer the identified account information to a system associated with the new credit card account. | 01-08-2015 |
20160104237 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING A CUSTOMER ACCOUNT SWITCH - Systems and methods for management of an account switch are disclosed. An account switch management system may include one or more memory devices storing software instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to receive a list of transaction entries to be switched from a first account to a second account and account information associated with the first account and the second account. The one or more processors may also determine a recommendation relating to a customer action based on the transaction entries and the account information. The one or more processors may provide the list of transaction entries and account information and the recommendation to the client device. The one or more processors may also receive a request from the client device to complete an action and transmit a notification to a processing device to complete the action. | 04-14-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090124207 | Protocol Reference Model, Security and Inter-Operability in a Cognitive Communications System - Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g., PHY/MAC Layers, Spectrum Sensing Function, Geolocation Function, and/or Security Sublayers), and to make informed decisions on spectrum utilization. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124208 | PROTOCOL REFERENCE MODEL, SECURITY AND INTER-OPERABILITY IN A COGNITIVE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g., PHY/MAC Layers, Spectrum Sensing Function, Geolocation Function, and/or Security Sublayers), and to make informed decisions on spectrum utilization. | 05-14-2009 |
20110138183 | METHOD FOR ENSURING SECURITY AND PRIVACY IN A WIRELESS COGNITIVE NETWORK - In some embodiments, authentication, confidentiality, and privacy are enhanced for a wireless network of cognitive radios by encryption of network management and control messages as well as data traffic, thereby protecting information pertaining to node identification, node location, node-sensed incumbent transmissions, CRN frequency channel selections, and such like. During initial network registration, a temporary ID can be issued to a node, and then replaced once encrypted communication has been established. This prevents association of initial, clear-text messages with later encrypted transmissions. Elliptic curve cryptography can be used for mutual authentication between subscribers and the base station. ECC-based implicit digital certificates can be embedded in co-existence beacons used by CRN nodes to coordinate use of frequency channels, thereby preventing denial of service attacks due to transmitting of falsified beacons. Similar certificates can be embedded within identity beacons used to protect certain incumbents from interference by the CRN. | 06-09-2011 |
20150050917 | METHOD FOR ENSURING SECURITY AND PRIVACY IN A WIRELESS COGNITIVE NETWORK - In some embodiments, authentication, confidentiality, and privacy are enhanced for a wireless network of cognitive radios by encryption of network management and control messages as well as data traffic, thereby protecting information pertaining to node identification, node location, node-sensed incumbent transmissions, CRN frequency channel selections, and such like. During initial network registration, a temporary ID can be issued to a node, and then replaced once encrypted communication has been established. This prevents association of initial, clear-text messages with later encrypted transmissions. Elliptic curve cryptography can be used for mutual authentication between subscribers and the base station. ECC-based implicit digital certificates can be embedded in co-existence beacons used by CRN nodes to coordinate use of frequency channels, thereby preventing denial of service attacks due to transmitting of falsified beacons. Similar certificates can be embedded within identity beacons used to protect certain incumbents from interference by the CRN. | 02-19-2015 |
20150063570 | METHOD FOR ENSURING SECURITY AND PRIVACY IN A WIRELESS COGNITIVE NETWORK - In some embodiments, authentication, confidentiality, and privacy are enhanced for a wireless network of cognitive radios by encryption of network management and control messages as well as data traffic, thereby protecting information pertaining to node identification, node location, node-sensed incumbent transmissions, CRN frequency channel selections, and such like. During initial network registration, a temporary ID can be issued to a node, and then replaced once encrypted communication has been established. This prevents association of initial, clear-text messages with later encrypted transmissions. Elliptic curve cryptography can be used for mutual authentication between subscribers and the base station. ECC-based implicit digital certificates can be embedded in co-existence beacons used by CRN nodes to coordinate use of frequency channels, thereby preventing denial of service attacks due to transmitting of falsified beacons. Similar certificates can be embedded within identity beacons used to protect certain incumbents from interference by the CRN. | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090197284 | Analysis of Proteins from Biological Fluids Using Mass Spectrometric Immunoassay - Presented herein are methods, devices and kits for the mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) of proteins present in complex biological fluids or extracts. Pipettor tips containing porous solid supports that are covalently derivatized with affinity ligand and used to extract specific proteins and their variants from various biological fluids. Nonspecifically bound compounds are rinsed from the extraction devices using a series of buffer and water rinses, after which the wild type protein (and/or its variants) are eluted directly onto a target in preparation for analysis such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Mass spectrometry of the eluted sample then follows with the retained proteins identified via accurate molecular mass determination. Protein and variant levels can be determined using quantitative methods in which the protein/variant signals are normalized to signals of internal reference standard species (either doped into the samples prior to the MSIA analysis, or other endogenous protein co-extracted with the target proteins) and the values compared to a working curves constructed from samples containing known concentrations of the protein or variants. Such MSIA devices, kits and methods have significant application in the fields of; basic research and development, proteomics, protein structural characterization, drug discovery, drug-target discovery, therapeutic monitoring, clinical monitoring and diagnostics, as well as in the high throughput screening of large populations to establish and recognize protein/variant patterns that are able to differentiate healthy from diseased states. | 08-06-2009 |
20090215182 | METHOD, COMPOSITION AND DEVICE FOR SAMPLING NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES IN A BIOLOGICAL FLUID - Disclosed is a composition that synergistically prevents proteolysis or modification of peptides in sampled biological fluids using sulfonyl fluoride family protease inhibitors at high concentrations combined with at least one additional protease inhibitor of a different type, preferably a broad spectrum protease inhibitor, and a chelator. A preferred embodiment uses AEBSF at 10 mM, Benzamidine at 20 mM and EDTA as the chelator. The disclosed composition may be combined with other protease inhibitors to further modulate its specificity, for instance to additionally target acidic proteases. Additional protease inhibitors, reducing agents, stabilizers and buffering agents may be combined with the disclosed compositions in devices for sampling or testing biological fluids for levels of peptides of interest, or methods therefore. The disclosed devices, compositions and methods are of particular use in sampling and testing for the level of natriuretic peptides. | 08-27-2009 |
20100267069 | ANALYSIS OF PROTEINS FROM BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS USING MASS SPECTROMETRIC IMMUNOASSAY - Presented herein are methods, devices and kits for the mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) of proteins present in complex biological fluids or extracts. Pipettor tips containing porous solid supports that are covalently derivatized with affinity ligand and used to extract specific proteins and their variants from various biological fluids. Nonspecifically bound compounds are rinsed from the extraction devices using a series of buffer and water rinses, after which the wild type protein (and/or its variants) are eluted directly onto a target in preparation for analysis such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Mass spectrometry of the eluted sample then follows with the retained proteins identified via accurate molecular mass determination. Protein and variant levels can be determined using quantitative methods in which the protein/variant signals are normalized to signals of internal reference standard species (either doped into the samples prior to the MSIA analysis, or other endogenous protein co-extracted with the target proteins) and the values compared to a working curves constructed from samples containing known concentrations of the protein or variants. Such MSIA devices, kits and methods have significant application in the fields of; basic research and development, proteomics, protein structural characterization, drug discovery, drug-target discovery, therapeutic monitoring, clinical monitoring and diagnostics, as well as in the high throughput screening of large populations to establish and recognize protein/variant patterns that are able to differentiate healthy from diseased states. | 10-21-2010 |
20100267581 | HIGH THROUGHPUT INTEGRATED MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM AND DEVICE - A microfluidic system and device capable of high throughput which includes a multi-channel micro-column having a high surface area material having at least one affinity reagent bound thereto contained within a housing. The structure of the housing and/or the multi-channel micro-column is of a sufficient size and configuration to enable capture and purification of an analyte contained within a sample and one or more of binding of a reporter molecule to the analyte and a substrate chemical reaction with the analyte to all take place within the housing and/or the multi-channel micro-column. | 10-21-2010 |
20110008799 | PHENOTYPIC RATIO OF SERUM AMYLOID IN PRE- AND TYPE 2 DIABETES - The present invention is directed to diagnosing, determining, and/or monitoring type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their related conditions by detecting levels and modulations of Serum amyloid A protein (SAA), SAA variants and/or the phenotypic ratio of SAA. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying and evaluating therapeutic treatments for type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their related conditions by monitoring SAA, SAA variants, and/or the phenotypic ration of SAA. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008901 | APOLIPOPROTEIN CIII IN PRE- AND TYPE 2 DIABETES - The present invention is directed to diagnosing, determining, and/or monitoring type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their related conditions by detecting levels and modulations of ApoCIII and its variants. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying and evaluating therapeutic treatments for type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their related conditions by monitoring ApoCIII and its variants. | 01-13-2011 |
20110124122 | BIOMARKERS AND ASSAYS FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - Presented herein are novel blood plasma/serum biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease. These newly identified biomarkers create the basis for multiple (single) assays using traditional bioassay technologies and when used in combination yield exceptional clinical sensitivity and specificity in the determination of myocardial infarction (MI). A multiplexed, mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) able to simultaneously assay for the new/novel biomarkers as well other MI markers is also presented. Means and methods for evaluating data generated using multiple biomarkers in order to validate findings and further the use of the multiplexed MI assay in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic uses is also included. | 05-26-2011 |
20140273008 | METHODS TO ASSESS ENZYME ACTIVITY USING MASS SPECTROMETRIC IMMUNOASSAY - Methods to assess biological enzyme activity directly in a complex clinical sample. To such a sample, e.g., plasma, an exogenous synthetic peptide substrate for an enzyme present in the sample and to be assessed is added. The sample then undergoes mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) to monitor the mass spectral profile of the immuno-purified exogenous synthetic peptide substrate directly from the sample. Using the resulting profile, parameters such as enzyme activity and effect of enzyme modulators, including therapeutics administered to an individual for a condition involving the enzyme, may be determined. | 09-18-2014 |
20150212100 | APOLIPOPROTEIN CIII IN PRE- AND TYPE 2 DIABETES - The present invention is directed to diagnosing, determining, and/or monitoring type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their misted conditions by detecting levels and modulations of ApoCIII and its variants. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying and evaluating therapeutic treatments for type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and their related conditions by monitoring ApoCIII and its variants. | 07-30-2015 |