Invidi Technologies Corporation

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

David Downey

Daniel C Wilson

Bruce J Anderson

Patrick Michael Sheehan

Adam Hashmi

Eric Lui

Daniel A Boulet

David Pancratz

Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the compensation of asset providers and/or communications network providers for the non-consumption of assets provided with programming. In this regard, when users elect not to consume the assets associated with the programming, the asset provider loses the opportunity to present their assets to such non-consuming users and is thereby injured in relation to the price they have paid for the delivery of their assets. In one arrangement, a reporting module at a customer device is operative to identify when a user skips an asset and report that skip event to the network. This information may then be utilized to adjust the bill of the asset provider and/or to bill the user associated with the skip event.

Verifying and encouraging asset consumption in a communications network

An orthopedic implant system adapted to fixate bone includes a bridge with first and second bores therethrough and first and second elastic members extending from the bridge respectively into the first bore and the second bore. During insertion respectively of anchoring devices through the first and second bores and into the bone, the anchoring devices respectively contact the first and second elastic members and depress the first and second elastic members respectively into the first and second bores such that the first and second elastic members deform to store energy therein while transitioning from a natural shape to a fixation shape. After insertion of the anchoring devices, the first and second elastic members, in attempted transitions from the fixation shape to the natural shape, respectively deliver the energy stored therein to the anchoring devices such that the anchoring devices urge the bone into a fixation position.

Orthopedic implant and method of use thereof

A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input () to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request () to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data () from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input () with a particular asset. An RFI request () can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information () back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (). The digital set top box may also record inputs from the user to verify consumption of assets and track data requests. Using this information, the RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.

Request for information related to broadcast network content

A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the Internet. In one implementation, a code identifying an item of media content of interest (e.g. television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, radio) is captured and input to an RFI system that includes stored media tags and a search tool for matching inputs to the stored media tags. Upon receipt of the captured code, the RFI system matches the captured code with the stored media tags and provides a response to the user based on the match. The response may include or relate to follow-on or premium information relating to the content of interest. Using this information, an RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.

Universally interactive request for information

A pair of forceps includes a first arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a second arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the second arm connected to the first arm at a pivot point in combination with a first leaf spring coupled to an inner surface of the first arm at a first attachment point and curved toward the second arm and a switch coupled to an inner surface of the second arm and having a switch opening extending therethrough receiving the first leaf spring to form a ratchet mechanism maintaining a desired position of as the first and second arms relative to one another as they are radially compressed to a grasping configuration.

Bone reduction forceps and plate holding forceps

A request for information (RFI) system is provided a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input () to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request () to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data () from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input () with a particular asset. An RFI request () can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a package of assets or follow-on information () back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail ().

A system and method (i.e., utility) is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. More specifically a utility is provided for inserting targeted content into a broadcast content stream based at least in part on information associated with content of the programming that will be provided via a broadcast network. In this regard, one or more textual fields associated with the programming is monitored () or otherwise reviewed. Based on the textual information from the at least one textual field of the programming, targeted content or 'assets' are identified () (i.e., from a collection of assets) that have at least partially matching textual constraints. At least one of the identified assets may then be inserted () into a content stream of the broadcast network and provided in conjunction with the programming.

Growing community of inventors

Sherman, CT, United States of America

David Downey