Rovi Guides, Inc.

Endius, Inc.

Medispectra, Incorporated

Adeia Guides Inc.

Medtronic Xomed, Inc.

Rovi Technologies Corporation

Matthew Emans

John Hoctor

Christopher T Zirps

Jennie Kwo

Mark D Modell

Samuel Meyer

Robert Nordstrom

Steven Bennett

David Bee

Ze'ev Hed

Randall Kelley

Walter Richard Klappert

Timothy E Taylor

Jonathan Turner

William R Rebh

David Lipson

Methods and systems are described herein for preventing a user from terminating a service. Specifically, the media guidance application may generate for display content aimed at preventing the user from terminating a service in response to determining that a user is likely to terminate the service. For example, in response to determining that a particular media asset preferred by a user is accessible through another service, the media guidance application generates the content associated with preventing the user from terminating his or her current service (e.g., discounts to the cost of the current service, promotion or lists of media content available through the current service, etc.).

Methods and systems for preventing a user from terminating a service based on the accessibility of a preferred media asset

Methods and systems are disclosed for an optimization system that recommends amounts of resources for use in reaching viewers during a media asset. The optimization system, using control circuitry, receives a user input of a first value of a resource and determines a first rate at which a number of unique household viewers reached during a first media asset changes for the first value. The optimization system compares the first rate to a threshold rate and determines whether the first rate equals or exceeds the threshold rate. The optimization system, in response to determining that the first rate does not equal or exceed the threshold rate, recommends a second value to the user.

Systems and methods for non-linear optimization of audience reach

Methods and systems for performing non-linear optimization of reach are described herein. The methods and systems may be used to compute the reach associated with different advertisement campaigns involving different combinations of spots. The method includes computing probabilities that a user will access a certain spot. The method includes retrieving a weight associated with the targeted user demographic. The method includes computing a first reach value using a first non-linear function, and a second reach value using a second non-linear function. The method includes comparing the two reach values to each other and to a predetermined reach threshold. The higher reach value larger than the predetermined reach threshold is selected and information associated with the selected reach value is provided to the user.

Methods and systems for performing non-linear reach optimization by computing reach values

Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that prevents a user from terminating a service by broadening criteria used for user recommendations in response to determining that a user is getting bored of the media content already consumed through the service. For example, the media guidance application may determine that the rate at which a user consumes media assets (e.g., through a service) is declining (e.g., indicating the user is losing interest). In response, the media guidance application recommends new media assets with characteristics (e.g., genre, subject matter, media asset series affiliation) that differs from the media assets previously consumed by the user.

Methods and systems for preventing a user from terminating services based on a consumption rate of the user

Methods and systems are also described herein for a media guidance application that generates for display content associated with preventing a user from terminating a service based on whether or not the user has purchased a particular number of media assets that are available only through the service. For example, in response to determining that a user, currently subscribed to a first service, has purchased a threshold number of media assets from the first service, the media guidance application may determine that it is unlikely that the user will terminate the use of the first service.

Methods and systems for preventing users from terminating services based on use

Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that generates for display content associated with preventing a user from terminating a service in response to determining, based on a biometric state of the user, that a user is likely to terminate the service. For example, in response to determining that a user is unhappy, not attentive, or bored when accessing content provided by the service, the media guidance application may generate for display discounts or other promotions for the service.

Methods and systems for preventing users from terminating services

System and methods are presented for providing an interface to select advertising slots in an advertising campaign. In some embodiments, a user equipment device generates for display a plurality of cells in a grid arrangement. Each cell is associated with an advertising slot corresponding to a content source and a time period, and each cell includes a representation of an audience of the associated advertising slot. The user equipment device receives a user selection of a first cell of the plurality of cells, a function is executed with respect to a first advertising slot associated with the first cell.

Systems and methods for providing an interface for data driven media placement

The present invention recognizes that optical probes function both as medical access devices and as instruments which collect complex optical data. The invention provides an optical probe accessory device which can access luminal spaces within the body of a patient without sacrificing the quality of optical data obtained. The accessory device further comprises either, singly, or in combination, selectable features or options which optimize light transmission, maximize patient comfort, and provide single-use capabilities.

Optical probe accessory device for use in vivo diagnostic procedures

Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a characteristic of a sample of a material by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample. The apparatus includes an optical assembly and a protective barrier. The optical assembly sequentially illuminates a plurality of volume elements in the sample with an intensity distribution in the sample that drops off substantially monotonically from a first region in a first optical path and collects electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements. The optical assembly collects the electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements with a collected distribution that drops off substantially monotonically from a second region in a second optical path. The first and second regions at least partially overlap in each of the volume elements. The optical assembly can be configured as a probe, to be directed to the evaluation of a sample of a biological material. A protective barrier can be disposed between the optical assembly and a body tissue, to prevent contamination of the optical assembly by said body tissue.

Spectral volume microprobe arrays

A steerable surgical cutting instrument incorporating an articulating mechanism comprises a bendable outer tubular member, a bendable inner member disposed in the outer tubular member, at least one actuating wire extending from the outer tubular member to effect bending of the outer and inner members when the actuating wire is pulled proximally, an outer hub secured to a proximal end of the outer tubular member and an inner hub secured to a proximal end of the inner member proximally of the outer hub. The outer and inner hubs are releasably connectible to a powered surgical handpiece used to rotate the inner member within the outer member to cut anatomical tissue at a distal end of the instrument. The articulating mechanism includes the outer hub, a wire guide disposed on the outer member distally of the outer hub, an actuator pivotably mounted on the outer hub and a housing assembled on the outer hub distally of the powered surgical handpiece. The wire guide guides the actuating wire to extend proximally from the wire guide for attachment to the actuator, which is pivotable to pull the actuating wire proximally to effect bending of the outer and inner members.

Articulating mechanism for steerable surgical cutting instruments

A coupling for releasably connecting first and second parts of an apparatus such as a surgical instrument. The coupling comprises a socket member on the first part of the apparatus, the socket member having an axially extending central opening, and a plug member on the second part of the apparatus. The socket member includes a first manually depressible release button and a first locking element spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the central opening and movable radially with each other relative to the central opening when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member. The first locking element moves away from the central opening when the first release button is depressed. The socket member also includes a second manually depressible release button and a second locking element spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the central opening and movable radially with each other relative to the central opening when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member. The second locking element moves away from the central opening when the second release button is depressed. The first and second locking elements are engageable with the plug member to block axial movement between the plug member and the socket member when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member.

Quick disconnect coupling for surgical instrument

A surgical instrument (10) includes a rigid stem section (12) defining a longitudinal axis (32) of the surgical instrument. The rigid stem section (12) has a central passage (86) for aspirating human tissue through the rigid stem section. A flexible stem section (14) extends from the rigid stem section (12). The flexible stem section (14) has a central passage (86) for aspirating human tissue through the flexible stem section. The flexible stem (14) section has a distal end portion (68) defining a suction opening (74) of the surgical instrument (10). The suction opening (74) communicates with the central passage (86) of the flexible stem section (14). The flexible stem section (14) comprises a bendable outer tubular member (60) and a bendable inner tubular member (90) slidable within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member (60) has a neutral axis of bending (66). The inner tubular member (90) has a neutral axis of bending (102) spaced apart from the neutral axis of bending (66) of the outer tubular member (60). The flexible stem section (14) is movable between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis (32) in response to relative sliding movement between the inner and outer tubular members (90, 60).

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Matthew Emans