US09057702B2
Wide-field fluorescent imaging on a mobile device having a camera is accomplished with a compact, light-weight and inexpensive optical components that are mechanically secured to the mobile device in a removable housing. Battery powered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) contained in the housing pump the sample of interest from the side using butt-coupling, where the pump light is guided within the sample holder to uniformly excite the specimen. The fluorescent emission from the sample is then imaged using an additional lens that is positioned adjacent to the existing lens of the mobile device. A color filter is sufficient to create the dark-field background required for fluorescent imaging, without the need for expensive thin-film interference filters.
US09057701B2
A system for performing automated cell screening in drug discovery, includes an automated microscope, a fast autofocus device, and a digital imaging system. Processes are implemented in software through which relevant cellular material is segmented and quantified with minimal user interaction. Improvements in the following areas: known methods for image processing are implemented in such a way that automated segmentation is achieved; sets of known measurements (pixel counting, etc.) are implemented as methods which demonstrate aspects of biology in a reliable fashion; components for automated positioning, focusing, imaging and processing of a multiplicity of samples are integrated as systems within which the segmentation and measurement methods may be mounted; and components and methods are adapted into systems which yield more highly automated and more rapid cell screening.
US09057700B2
A separation/detection column that can detect a component separated by a separating agent having an optical responsivity which is the same as that of a component in a sample. The separation/detection column is configured by filling one end of a tube 1, having an ultraviolet transparency, with a first filler that has an ultraviolet responsivity and a separation ability to separate the component in the sample, and by filling the other end of the tube 1 with a second filler that has an ultraviolet responsivity which is different from that of the first filler and does not have the separation ability via a spacer 4 constituted by quartz wool, and moreover by inserting an end cap 5 constituted by quartz wool into the other end of the tube 1.
US09057687B2
A calibration tool and method of using the tool to calibrate a fiber optic needle oxygen sensor. The tool includes at least a vial sealingly covered by a septa and containing a supply of particulate oxygen getter within the chamber of the vial. The vial has an open top and is constructed from an oxygen impermeable material. The septa is resealing, needle-penetrable and oxygen impermeable. The supply of particulate oxygen getter is retained within an oxygen permeable sachet.
US09057686B2
A non-destructive inspection apparatus, system and associated method are provided to facilitate the inspection of a workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to be placed in operable contact with the workpiece. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to emit ultrasonic signals into the workpiece and to receive return signals from the workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus also includes a grip operably connected to the ultrasonic sensor such that the grip and the ultrasonic sensor are movable in concert. The grip is configured to support an operator's palm, such as a majority of the operator's palm, such that force applied to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus by the operator is transferred via the grip to the ultrasonic sensor. The non-destructive inspection system may also include a computer in communication with the non-destructive inspection apparatus to receive information relating to the return signals received by the ultrasonic sensor.
US09057681B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to the high temperature mechanical testing of materials. In one aspect, a method includes providing an apparatus. The apparatus may include a chamber. The chamber may comprise a top portion and a bottom portion, with the top portion and the bottom portion each joined to a window material. A first cooled fixture and a second cooled fixture may be mounted to the chamber and configured to hold the sample in the chamber. A plurality of heating lamps may be mounted to the chamber and positioned to heat the sample. The sample may be placed in the first and the second cooled fixtures. The sample may be heated to a specific temperature using the heating lamps. Radiation may be directed though the window material, the radiation thereafter interacting with the sample and exiting the chamber through the window material.
US09057678B2
An image reconstruction system, apparatus, and method employing a non-sequential scanning scheme using real-time feedback are provided. A projection information generating unit is configured to generate at least one piece of projection information by the X-ray irradiated to the object in the at least one viewpoint. A projection information comparing unit is configured to compare predicted intermediate projection information with measured intermediate projection information from the generated projection information. The predicted intermediate projection information is predicted from pieces of projection information generated from different viewpoints, and the measured intermediate projection information is measured in an intermediate viewpoint corresponding to the predicted intermediate projection information. A determining unit is configured to determine whether to irradiate the X-ray to the object in an additional viewpoint. An image reconstructing unit is configured to reconstruct the generated projection information, and to acquire an image representing the object.
US09057676B2
A microfluidic multiple channel particle analysis system (1) which allows particles (2) from a plurality of particle sources (3) to be independently simultaneously entrained in a corresponding plurality of fluid streams (4) for analysis and sorting into particle subpopulations (5) based upon one or more particle characteristics (6).
US09057666B2
A method of measuring viscous and elastic properties of a gluten-containing substance includes: bringing the gluten-containing substance into a powder, adding a predetermined amount of aqueous liquid to a predetermined amount of the powder, kneading the powder and liquid to a dough to develop the viscoelastic character of the gluten in the dough- and extracting viscoelastic gluten from the dough by rinsing with the liquid. The method further includes: shaping the gluten, placing the shaped gluten between two parallel planar surfaces, compressing the gluten by moving the planar surfaces towards each other at a controlled rate, until a maximum compression force or a minimum spacing is reached, releasing the force on the planar surfaces so that these can move away from each other due to elastic recovery of the compressed gluten, measuring the distance between the planar surfaces during the compression and elastic recovery of the gluten, and storing the measured values.
US09057665B2
A system and method for correcting non-linearities in the output of a tunable laser over a sweep range. Electromagnetic radiation is directed over a range of wavelengths to a measurement system from the tunable laser source, wherein the measurement system collects data over the range of wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation emitted over the range of wavelengths is monitored. A non-linearity in one or more wavelengths over the range of wavelengths is determined. A signal is transmitted to the measurement system to cease collecting data when the one or more wavelengths having the non-linearity is output from the tunable laser source or the data is ignored.
US09057660B2
An Automated Multi-Orientation Drop Test apparatus includes a clamping mechanism for clamping an object to be test dropped. The Automated Multi-Orientation Drop Test apparatus includes a pneumatic lifting mechanism interconnected to the clamping mechanism. The Automated Multi-Orientation Drop Test apparatus includes a guide plate for guiding the object in freefall in a certain orientation such that the object impacts a base in the desired axial orientation.
US09057645B2
In a color imaging system, multiple rendering devices are provided at different nodes along a network. Each rendering device has a color measurement instrument for calibrating the color presented by the rendering device. A rendering device may be a printer in which the measuring of color samples on a sheet rendered by the printer is provided by a sensor coupled to a transport mechanism which moves the sensor and sheet relative to each other, where the sensor provides light from the samples to a spectrograph. A rendering device may also be a display having a member supporting a color measuring instrument for receiving light from an area of the screen. The color measuring instruments provide for non-contact measurements of color samples rendered on a display or a sheet, and are self-calibrating by the use of calibration references.
US09057637B2
A method and a device for optically determining state variables inside a container (1) for liquefied gases. In the method and device, light emitted by an illumination unit (2) travels within an optical waveguide (7, 9) to a contact point (33) with the content of the container (1) and is partially reflected there, the intensity of the reflected light is measured by an image sensor (4), and a state variable is determined from the intensity. In order to create a comprehensive “image” of the state variables in the container and of the container content, several optical waveguides (29, 29′) are guided to contact points (33) which are distributed within the container (1) and form measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n). Locally assigned state variables (refractive index, density, temperature, etc.) of the container content are determined from the measured values obtained at the measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n) and are evaluated along with the spatial coordinates of the measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n) in the container (1).
US09057635B2
A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity.
US09057634B2
A process variable transmitter includes a sensor drive controller that outputs a sensor drive signal that is used to drive a sensor that senses a process variable. The sensor drive controller changes the frequency of the sensor drive signal to avoid frequencies and associated harmonics at which noise occurs and which could interfere with the sensor signal.
US09057628B2
A linear magnetic position sensor may include a magnetic field generating unit having two permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field. A Hall sensor may be disposed in a region of the magnetic field forming a linear measuring section, wherein the Hall sensor and the magnetic field generating unit are linearly displaceable relative to one another along a longitudinal direction in order to position the Hall sensor within the measuring section. The permanent magnets may be polarized in a transverse direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The permanent magnets may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. Each pole of one of the permanent magnets may be connected to a pole of the other permanent magnet via a magnetic conductor element.
US09057625B2
Navigation systems, methods, and programs acquire evaluation information for each unit interval having a predetermined distance, the evaluation information being an index for evaluating a driver's driving operation of a vehicle, and determine based on a first scale of a map displayed on a display unit, a first distance of an evaluation interval for evaluating the driver's driving operation. The systems, methods, and programs evaluate the driver's driving operation in the evaluation interval having the first distance based on the evaluation information for each unit interval included in the evaluation interval, and display the evaluation result at a position corresponding to the evaluation interval on the map displayed on the display unit.
US09057620B2
A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.
US09057616B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying points-of-interest. In one aspect, a method includes identifying points-of-interest (POIs) associated with one or more of multiple, selected geographic areas, and determining, for each of the multiple geographic areas, a score associated with the identified POIs. The actions also include generating a combined score for each identified POI based on the determined scores associated with the respective POI, selecting a subset of the identified POIs based at least on the combined scores, and displaying a link to the POIs in the subset.
US09057613B2
A system for validating a correction to map data for a geographic location, the system comprising: a processing resource; and a navigation device; wherein the processing resource comprises: a user request generator that is configured to generate a user request for transmission to the navigation device; a transmitter for transmitting the generated user request to the navigation device; and a receiver for receiving a user response from said navigation device; and the navigation device comprises: a receiver for receiving the user request transmitted from the processing resource; a user request module configured to present said received user request to a user of the navigation device; a user response module for capturing a user response to said presented user request, and a transmitter for transmitting said captured user response to said processing resource.
US09057606B2
Systems and methods compute an estimated altitude of a receiver using atmospheric data, including a pressure measured at a location of the receiver, a temperature measured by at a reference location, and a reference pressure corresponding to the reference location. The reference pressure is based on a pressure measured at the reference location, the temperature measured at the reference location, and an altitude corresponding to the reference location. The receiver receives the reference pressure from a transmitter. The estimated altitude may be used for determining the three-dimensional position of the receiver.
US09057604B1
Point-ahead laser pointer-tracker systems with stabilization and wavefront correction in both transmit and receive directions provide arrangements for sensing the wavefront correction required in two different directions, one in the received target image direction for good image quality in the tracker and the other in the point-ahead direction for good beam quality on the target. In the several embodiments, a marker beam is aligned with the target image. Wavefront aberration correction signals are produced by an output wave sensor that senses the wavefront of the marker beam in the received target image direction and the wavefront of the source laser beam in the point-ahead transmit direction. The alignment is maintained by use of the output wave sensor signals together with signals from the tracker of the target and current aimpoint positions. These signals, compared in selected pairs, control mirrors in various legs of the optical system to put the current aimpoint on the desired aimpoint and to align the marker beam along the received target image direction.
US09057597B2
A method for determining the roughness of an internal surface of a metal substrate or a metal layer is provided. By the correlation of a single destructive measurement in order to determine the roughness and the conductivity measurement of a transition region, the roughness is determined for other samples without destructive measurement.
US09057596B2
A device and a method for monitoring the operational state of rotor blades of a turbine from a position facing the blade tip of a passing rotor blade: A wavesource generates an electromagnetic wave and a wave guide directs the wave towards the blade tip. The waveguide is included in a resonator defining at least one discrete resonance frequency of the wave on the waveguide. An aperture at its front end emits an energy fraction of the wave toward the blade tip. The frequency of the wave is adjusted to the resonance frequency of the resonator at the momentary operation conditions, and a measuring unit compares at least one measurement parameter of the wave directed towards the blade tip with the corresponding measurement parameter of the wave reflected from the blade tip.
US09057595B2
A method and system to provide for increased signal intensity and improved signal quality in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) by capturing the real and virtual images of an object being imaged by FDOCT in sequence or consecutively.
US09057590B1
A system for a piston actuator comprising a configuration with lead styphnate charge material and Nichrome® bridgewire, wherein the device configuration provides very high reliability, including piston actuator applications; resistance of the bridgewire is carefully controlled to optimize power transfer from the firing circuit to the bridgewire and charge material.
US09057587B2
An improved display provides information regarding a projectile trajectory so that a user is informed whether or not there is a clear shot. The improved display provides trajectory path indicator shown over cross hairs. In some embodiments, an intermediate point in the projectile trajectory is an aiming point and is indicated in relation to the visualized target. A rangefinder device is calibrated to a weapon having a sight, such as a bow sight. The aiming point is displayed showing the intermediate point in the projectile trajectory that corresponds with a pin in the bow sight. The rangefinder device may be calibrated using a calibration sheet. The display may include a level. The trajectory path indicator shows the aiming point, which is the highest point in the projectile trajectory as perceived by the user.
US09057583B2
A sight system is provided which may be selectively used in a variety of different ways. In one example, the sight system may be positioned on a rifle to provide a rifle sight system. In this example, the sight system may be positioned on the rifle barrel a substantial distance away from a user's eye. Advantageously, such an implementation may permit a user to effectively sight the rifle without compromising situational awareness. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide a telescopic sight with a reticle (e.g., a dot, crosshair, mark, or other appropriate shape) superimposed on an image (e.g., a zoomed or non-zoomed image) displayed from a camera. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide an occluded sight in which a camera and/or display of the sight system is disabled. As a result, a reticle may be displayed over an opaque background.
US09057578B2
A simulation bullet includable BB bullet magazine includes an enclosure, an elastic element arranged in the enclosure, an internal receptacle slidably received in the enclosure, and at least one simulation bullet movably receivable in the enclosure. The internal receptacle has an end coupled to the elastic element. The simulation bullet is arranged to contact the end of the internal receptacle that is distant from the elastic element. With such a structure, when the simulation bullet is loaded into the enclosure, the internal receptacle is pressed downwards. To shoot BB bullets, the simulation bullet is pushed out of the enclosure, whereby the elastic element moves the internal receptacle upward to a ready-to-shoot position. As such, a user, when operating and using the device, can fully experience of the fun of operation and thus, an advantage of being interesting and easy to operate can be achieved.
US09057566B2
The invention relates to a header tank for a heat exchanger, comprising a header plate intended for the fixing of a plurality of tubes through which at least one fluid flows, and a cover intended to close the header tank at least in part when fixed to the header plate, and an elastic sealing means (1) situated between the header plate and the cover, characterized in that the sealing means (1) is arranged resting against and in tension on at least two ends of tube. The invention also relates to the heat exchanger that incorporates two header tanks like those defined and to the method of fitting such a sealing gasket in a header tank.
US09057559B2
A cellulose pulp drying box for drying a web of cellulose pulp having blow boxes that are operative for blowing gas towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp. At least 10% of the total number of blow boxes of the drying box are provided, in their respective face, with openings having a characteristic measure of 1.8 to 3. mm and constituting at least 20% of the total degree of perforation of the face of the respective blow box.
US09057558B2
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.
US09057549B2
A system and method for a compressor includes a compressor connected to an evaporator, a suction sensor that outputs a suction temperature signal corresponding to a suction temperature of refrigerant entering the compressor, and a control module connected to the suction sensor. The control module determines a saturated evaporator temperature, calculates a suction superheat temperature based on the saturated evaporator temperature and the suction temperature, and monitors a floodback condition of the compressor by comparing the suction superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. When the suction superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the control module increases a speed of the compressor or decreases an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor.
US09057547B2
Surged heat pump systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having refrigerant phase separators that generate at least one surge of vapor phase refrigerant into the inlet of an evaporator during an on cycle of the compressor. This surge of vapor phase refrigerant, having a higher temperature than the liquid phase refrigerant, increases the temperature of the evaporator inlet, thus reducing frost build up in relation to conventional refrigeration systems lacking a surged input of vapor phase refrigerant to the evaporator. The temperature of the vapor phase refrigerant is raised in relation to the liquid phase with heat from the liquid by the phase separation, not by the introduction of energy from another source. The surged heat pump systems may operate in highest heat transfer efficiency mode and/or in one or more higher temperature modes.
US09057545B2
A system for mounting at least one solar panel on a roof may include a plurality of panel mounting brackets each including a base to be positioned on the roof having a first opening(s) therein, and a vertical extension having a proximal end coupled to the base, a distal end, and a central portion extending between the proximal and distal ends. The distal end may define a fastener channel having a fastener slot opening vertically aligned with the first opening(s) in the base. The central portion may include a cross member(s) defining a second opening(s) therein vertically aligned with the fastener slot opening and the first opening(s) in the base. The system may further include a bracket fastener(s) to be inserted through the fastener slot opening, the second opening(s), and the first opening(s) of a respective panel mounting bracket and coupled to the roof.
US09057534B2
A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller.
US09057507B2
An LED lamp includes an envelope, a circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, a lamp body and a lamp holder. The LEDs are arranged on the circuit board. The envelope covers the LEDs. The lamp body is connected between the envelope and the lamp holder. The lamp body includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The lamp body defines therein a plurality of first channels and a second channels. The first channels are defined adjacent to the envelope. The second channels are defined in the vicinity of the lamp holder.
US09057501B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device package including a reflective substrate including a chip mounting region, a circuit substrate disposed on the reflective substrate, the circuit substrate including an inside edge defining the chip mounting region and at least one aligning hole disposed at a position spaced from the inside edge, and at least one light emitting diode chip disposed in the chip mounting region, the at least one light emitting diode chip being connected to the circuit substrate through a wire.
US09057500B2
A flashlight has a casing extending along an axis, formed with a screwthread, and holding a battery having two poles. A light-emitting diode has a light-emitting head and a first and second integral lead wires. A holder is formed with first and second separate throughgoing holes, a seat into which the holes open and in which the diode head is fitted with the first and second wires extending outward through the respective first and second holes out of contact with each other, a reflector adjacent the seat, and a screwthread. The holder is fitted to the casing with the screwthread of the holder operatively engaged with the screwthread of the casing and the first wire pressed directly against one of the poles of the battery.
US09057494B1
An apparatus including a first funnel having an inner surface, a transparent solid sphere, a first tube having first and second ends, and a first light emitting diode device having an inner surface with a first light emitting diode. The first end of the first tube may be closer to the transparent solid sphere than the second end of the first tube. The first funnel, the transparent solid sphere, the first tube, and the first light emitting diode device may be configured with respect to each other so that light from the first light emitting diode of the first light emitting diode device is reflected off of the inner surface of the first funnel into the transparent solid sphere, and then from the transparent solid sphere into the first end of the first tube, through the first tube, and out from the second end of the first tube.
US09057492B2
The present invention relates to a surgical lamp (100) comprising both a first light source (110) and a second light source (112), where the first light source is capable of emitting light across a broad first spectral range and the second light source being capable of emitting light having an emission peak in a narrow second spectral range. The surgical lamp further features a light source selecting device (120), capable of selectively turning on and off the first and the second light source. The first light source has a high color rendering index so as to enable objects, such as tissues, to appear in their true color, and the second light source has a low or non-definable color rendering index, so as enable accentuation of particular tissues.
US09057483B2
An insert for a cryogenic capable pressure vessel for storage of hydrogen or other cryogenic gases at high pressure. The insert provides the interface between a tank and internal and external components of the tank system. The insert can be used with tanks with any or all combinations of cryogenic, high pressure, and highly diffusive fluids. The insert can be threaded into the neck of a tank with an inner liner. The threads withstand the majority of the stress when the fluid inside the tank that is under pressure.
US09057480B1
A lightweight compact collapsible camera crane may comprise a tubular boom having segments arranged in a telescopic configuration such that the boom is transformable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. A boom-end bracket may be removably and hingedly connected to a distal end of the boom. The boom-end bracket may include a camera seat configured to support a camera. A tower may be removably and hingedly connected to an intermediate position along the boom such that during use a downward motion of a proximal end of the boom results in an upward motion of the distal end of the boom and an upward motion of the proximal end of the boom results in a downward motion of the distal end of the boom. A removable actuator cable may mechanically couple the tower and the boom-end bracket to maintain an orientation of the camera seat.
US09057479B2
An exemplary embodiment of a wall-mounted aiding mechanism for firmly attaching an object to a vertical wall and which is proofed against external impacts includes a casing, a sliding plate and an adjusting screw. The casing defines a first receiving space to receive the sliding block which performs a collaring or shearing action on a fastener such as a screw. The adjusting screw passes into the receiving space of the casing. The adjusting screw engages with the sliding block to lift the sliding block to a topmost position of the receiving space or disengages with sliding block to let the sliding block drop onto the neck of the fastener and hold it secure.
US09057475B1
A support stand for a beach umbrella or similar structure that requires support is described. The support stand includes a base plate having an upwardly extending attachment cylinder for receiving a pole of an item the needs support. The bottom of the support stand includes a plurality of pivotally attached projections for extending into the ground to provide support. The projections are biased open but can be selectively folded flat against the bottom of the support stand and then held in place for transportation or storage. The support stand includes a handle and pole attachment features the enable one handed transportation.
US09057473B2
Disclosed is a pipe reinforcement structure and method for repairing or reinforcing a pipe, pipeline or other tubular member containing one or more cracks or joints on its outer circumferential surface comprising the steps of: identifying a pipe repair zone along a longitudinal section of the outer surface of the tubular member where cracks or joints are located; installing one or more compression straps around the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member in the pipe repair zone, the one or more compression straps comprising outer edges and being secured in place with a buckle; optionally applying a high compression putty over the edges of the straps and buckles and in the cracks; applying a corrosion resistant coating over the installed compression straps and tubular member surface in the pipe repair zone; and applying a composite wrap material over the applied corrosion resistant coating in the pipe repair zone.
US09057468B2
A wedge coupling for coupling a tubing to a housing is disclosed. The wedge coupling includes a base having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a portion of the tubing therethrough and a plurality of prongs disposed on the base and around an inner periphery of the opening. The plurality of prongs are configured to slidably engage the housing and to deflect inwardly to secure the tubing to a nozzle adapter disposed within the housing.
US09057466B2
A molding composition which comprises at least 50% by weight of the following constituents: a) from 0 to 99 parts by weight of polyamide, and b) from 1 to 100 parts by weight of polyamide elastomer, selected from the group of polyetheresteramide and polyetheramide, where the total of the parts by weight is 100 and where the molding composition comprises from 0 to 9% by weight of plasticizer, is used for the production of a molding for contact with a supercritical medium, and preferably for the production of an inner thermoplastics layer in a flexible pipe or rigid pipe, in which a supercritical medium is conveyed. Low or zero plasticizer content eliminates any significant occurrence of problems such as increased stiffness and longitudinal shrinkage.
US09057445B2
An improved disc for a butterfly valve having reduced structure within the bore of the valve, so as to minimize obstruction to the flow of granular material therethrough. Accelerated flow of granular material through the valve is obtained because of the thin dimensions of the butterfly valve. The modified disc includes upper and lower sockets, most of its structure is outside the perimeter of the disc. The disc may be of arcuate shape.
US09057443B2
A metal seal of a non-circular ring which shows uniform sealing ability on whole periphery. The whole configuration of the metal seal is a non-circular ring having an R-shaped curved portion and a straight portion, and a cross-sectional configuration of the metal seal is changed as to make cantilever flexural rigidity larger on the straight portion than on the R-shaped curved portion.
US09057437B2
In order to provide a forklift capable of performing an inching control suitable for a specific work and a running operation of the forklift and an inching control method of the forklift, an inching ratio calculating unit calculates an inching ratio, a target engine speed calculating unit calculates a target engine speed, a modulation control unit sets a time constant of the inching ratio in response to a speed difference between the target engine speed and an actual engine speed and outputs a correction inching ratio having the time constant set thereto, a multiplication unit outputs a correction absorption torque obtained by multiplying the correction inching ratio by a target absorption torque, and a HST pump electromagnetic proportional control output current converting unit outputs a current instruction value to a pump capacity setting unit.
US09057428B2
A center distance D1 from a motor shaft connected to an electric motor and a generator shaft connected to a generator to a clutch shaft including a wet multiple disc clutch is set longer than a distance Dm from the axial center of the electric motor, that is, the axial center of the motor shaft to the outermost circumference of a housing, which houses the electric motor.
US09057426B2
A swiveling joint system for a horse head on a pump jack includes a working beam, a worm drive, a horse head member, and at least one locking pin. The swiveling joint system improves access to parts of the well because the horse head member can be swiveled out of position instead of being completely disassembled. The locking pin holds the horse head member in alignment with the working beam. When the locking pin is removed, the worm drive controls the swiveling of the horse head member in either direction towards either side of the working beam. The worm drive has a worm gear attached to the horse head member so that movement and position of the horse head corresponds to movement of the worm gear. The horse head member and working beam are rotatable relative to each other on a pivot pin, which can be connected to a lubricator.
US09057422B2
A unitary stretch belt installation and removal tool includes an installation component having a slot for positioning the tool on the rim of a pulley and a wedge shaped element to stretch and guide a belt into a pulley groove as the pulley is rotated and further having an integral removal component including a slot and a shaped, generally convex belt guide surface for stretching and guiding a belt from a pulley as the pulley is rotated.
US09057418B2
A rolling bearing of a balancer shaft device is positioned on an imaginary circle concentric with an axis of a shaft portion of a balancer shaft as viewed in a radial cross-section, and includes a cylindrical portion which covers the shaft portion. An outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion defines an inner ring raceway surface of an inner ring member on which a rolling element of the rolling bearing rolls. A part of the shaft portion of the balancer shaft, at a position on which the rolling bearing is disposed, has a cutout formed at a portion which does not contribute to offsetting of rotational vibration of a crankshaft.
US09057417B2
To provide a vibration isolation unit capable of reducing the number of parts, man-hour and material cost, and suppressing the product cost. One side of a stopper rubber member continues to the outer edge of a diaphragm. Accordingly, because they can be vulcanizingly molded simultaneously, the number of parts can be reduced. Also, because the diaphragm is attached to an outer tube member, the stopper rubber member also can be fixed simultaneously, and therefore the man-hour can be reduced. Further, because one side of the stopper rubber member continues to the outer edge of the diaphragm, overlapping of them in an axial view can be avoided, and a rubber material can be used efficiently. Thus, the number of parts, man-hour and material cost can be reduced and the product cost of the overall vibration isolation unit can be suppressed.
US09057411B2
In a clutch which is impelled by an actuator into the closed position and which automatically moves into the open position by an opening spring, the movement of the clutch into the open position is monitored and any malfunction is displayed.
US09057409B2
An actuation system for actuating a clutch piston of a transmission includes an actuator and a lever. A first end of the lever is attached to the actuator. The lever is pivotable about a lever connection location. Movement of the actuator rotates the lever about the lever connection location. A spring assembly is pivotable about a spring connection location, and pivotably connected to the lever at a second end of the lever. When the actuator is disposed in an un-actuated position, the spring assembly is positioned such that a pre-loaded spring force is directed along a zero moment path to generate a zero moment in the lever. When the actuator is disposed in an actuated position, the spring assembly is rotated so that the spring force is directed along a moment generating path in order to generate a moment in the lever to rotate the lever.
US09057388B2
A vacuum trap, a plasma etch system using the vacuum trap and a method of cleaning the vacuum trap. The vacuum trap includes a baffle housing; and a removable baffle assembly disposed in the baffle housing, the baffle assembly comprising a set of baffle plates, the baffle plates spaced along a support rod from a first baffle plate to a last baffle plate, the baffle plates alternately disposed above and below the support rod and alternately disposed in an upper region and a lower region of the baffle housing.
US09057385B2
A pump casing for a centrifugal pump, which comprises an inlet opening, a discharge outlet, and a transition surface extending between an inner peripheral surface of the main pumping chamber and an inner peripheral surface of the discharge outlet, the transition surface arranged for separating an in use exit flow of material in the discharge outlet from an in use recirculation flow of material in the main pumping chamber. The transition surface has a cutwater having a profiled section which comprises a protrusion which extends irregularly from an otherwise generally rounded arched or U-shaped transition surface and is configured such that, in use, the velocity and/or turbulence resulting from the in use flow of the material being pumped in the main pumping chamber is reduced.
US09057370B2
A negative dead volume syringe comprising a body defining a chamber, a syringe tip disposed at a distal end of the chamber and having a tip passageway therethrough in open communication with the chamber, a rod extending from a first end within the chamber to a second end coupleable to a motor to produce bidirectional motion of the rod, and a plunger tip having a proximal portion coupled to the first end of the rod, a medial portion distally extending from said proximal portion and shaped to complement the tip passageway, and a tip extension distally extending from said medial portion and shaped to be received within a dead volume defined by a passageway of a valve coupleable to the syringe tip wherein the plunger tip ensures evacuation of fluid and air from the chamber, syringe tip, and dead volume of the valve upon distal displacement of the rod.
US09057344B2
The present invention discloses a method of introducing fuel into a diesel engine for combustion within the engine. A combustible gas in liquid form is injected into the engine for combustion therein with diesel fuel so as to maintain a combustible gas concentration derived from the liquid in the range of 0.2%-0.6% of air intake by volume of combustible gas. Suitable gases include LPG or liquid petroleum gas, natural gas, hydrogen, ethane, methane, propane, butane, hexane, heptane, pentane, acetylene, carbon monoxide, ammonia or other combustible gas, or a combination of two or more thereof.
US09057337B2
An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine has a perturbation control which oscillates the air-fuel ratio with a first frequency. A first difference signal is generated indicative of a difference between a present value and a first past value from an air-fuel ratio sensor detected at a timing of a first specific period which is set to reduce a specific frequency component corresponding to a specific frequency different from the first frequency. A first frequency component is extracted. A second difference signal is generated indicative of a difference between a present value and a second past value detected at a timing of a second specific period which is set to reduce the first frequency component. The specific frequency component is extracted. A failure of the control system is determined by a relationship between intensities of the first frequency component and the specific frequency component.
US09057333B2
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an axle torque determination module, an engine torque determination module, and an engine torque control module. The axle torque determination module determines an axle torque request based on a driver input and a vehicle speed. The engine torque determination module determines an engine torque request based on the axle torque request and at least one of a turbine speed and whether a clutch of a torque converter is applied. The engine torque control module controls an amount of torque produced by an engine based on the engine torque request.
US09057308B2
Embodiments of a heating system maintains the temperature of a fuel additive (e.g., AUS32) at and/or above freezing temperature to avoid crystallization. The heating system can form a fluid circuit with one or more coaxially arranged sleeves disposed about hoses that transport the additives. The fluid circuit can also include a central compartment that encloses a flow meter. A fluid heater couples with the fluid circuit to provide heating fluid, e.g., to the central compartment. The heating fluid disperses throughout the heating compartment and into the sleeves, thereby direction heating fluid in thermal proximity to the hoses and other components that handle the fuel additive.
US09057306B2
A device for delivering reducing agent from a tank to a metering unit includes a pulsating delivery pump for delivering reducing agent in a delivery direction through a delivery line from the tank to the metering unit. The delivery line includes at least two separate ducts in regions downstream of the delivery pump in the delivery direction. The ducts form flow paths having different propagation times for the reducing agent. This leads, in particular, to cost-effective noise reduction for such delivery systems. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
US09057303B2
Exhaust system for a dual-fuel engine that is provided with a first fuel and a second fuel. The exhaust system includes an exhaust passageway, with an exhaust treatment component provided in the exhaust passageway. A thermal enhancement device communicates with the exhaust passageway and is located upstream from the exhaust treatment component, wherein the thermal enhancement device is operable to raise a temperature of an exhaust located in the exhaust passageway during a switch between the first fuel and the second fuel that is provided to the dual-fuel engine. The exhaust treatment system can also include a by-pass pipe in communication with the exhaust passageway that by-passes the exhaust treatment component, wherein during combustion of the first fuel by the dual-fuel engine, the by-pass pipe is open. During combustion of the second fuel by the dual-fuel engine, the by-pass pipe is closed.
US09057298B2
A wall flow type particulate filter is arranged inside the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine where combustion is performed under an excess of oxygen. The particulate filter carries a solid acid. The solid acid has a Hammett acidity function smaller than −0.83 and larger than −12 in the standard state. To remove the ash from the particulate filter, ash atomization processing for rendering the state of the particulate filter a state where the exhaust gas which flows into the particulate filter is lowered in concentration of oxygen and the particulate filter is raised in temperature is temporarily performed.
US09057297B2
An object of this invention is to appropriately control the state of a corona discharge in accordance with an exhaust air-fuel ratio, and always purify particulate matter (PM) in exhaust gas efficiently. An engine is equipped with a corona discharge-type exhaust emission control device. The exhaust emission control device purifies PM in exhaust gas by generating a corona discharge between a center electrode and an earth electrode. When the air-fuel ratio is in a rich region, an ECU controls an applied voltage that is applied between the electrodes. It is thereby possible to obtain a maximum PM purification rate while preventing an arc discharge. When the air-fuel ratio is in a lean region, a discharge current flowing between the electrodes is controlled. It is thereby possible to suppress power consumption while compensating for a decrease in the PM purification rate caused by a reduction in the PM amount in the exhaust gas.
US09057292B2
Provided is a timing adjustment system having improved control for achieving a target rotational phase. The valve timing adjustment system includes a displacement mechanism unit that displaces a rotational phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a locking mechanism unit that locks the rotational phase at an intermediate locked phase positioned within a displacement range of the rotational phase; a hydraulic pathway that hydraulically drives the displacement mechanism unit and the locking mechanism unit; and a control unit including a control system that controls operations of the hydraulic control valve. The control unit changes a temporal responsiveness of the control system based on a displacement force that displaces the rotational phase.
US09057285B2
There is proposed a lubricant system having a plurality of motor-driven pumps operating in parallel as main oil pumps, wherein even if at least one of the main oil pumps stops, the other normally operating main oil pumps do not stop due to overload of a motor. A lubricant system 7 comprises a hydraulic pressure piping 9, a plurality of lubricant pumps 10 arranged in parallel, a plurality of AC motors 11 driving each of the lubricant pumps 10, an error detector 24 detecting a presence or absence of an error in an operating state of each of the AC motors 11, a pressure loss addition unit 25 configured to increase pressure loss in the hydraulic pressure piping 9, and a controller 26 causing the pressure loss addition unit 25 to increase pressure loss when the error detector 24 detects an error in at least one of the AC motors 11. When an error occurs in at least one of the AC motors 11, the lubricant system 7 changes each working point of the lubricant pumps 10 driven by another AC motor 11 to a lower flow side than that in a steady operation.
US09057283B2
A turbomachine having gas cooled bearings may include an axially-oriented, cooling-gas passageway interconnecting first and second bearing chambers. The passageway may include grooves formed at an interface between an aerodynamic component of the turbomachine (e.g., a wheel or impeller) and a portion of a shaft assembly of the turbomachine.
US09057282B2
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for adjusting clearances in a turbine. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a turbine system. The system may include one or more turbine blades; a turbine casing encompassing the one or more turbine blades; and a thermoelectric element disposed at least partially about the turbine casing, wherein the thermoelectric element expands or contracts the turbine casing by heating or cooling at least a portion of the turbine casing, thereby adjusting a clearance between the one or more turbine blades and the turbine casing.
US09057276B2
A gas turbine engine blade (20), including: an airfoil (24) including a pressure side exterior surface (34), a suction side exterior surface (36), and a first rib (130) spanning between the pressure side exterior surface and the suction side exterior surface. The airfoil (24) is twisted from a base end (30) of the airfoil to a tip end (32) of the airfoil. The first rib is twisted from a base end of the first rib to a tip end of the first rib. The pressure side exterior surface, the suction side exterior surface, and the first rib are cast as a monolith.
US09057272B2
An example component polishing method includes polishing a component, and protecting at least a portion of a component during the polishing using a sacrificial mask. Some of the sacrificial mask is removed during the polishing.
US09057268B2
A rotary piston and cylinder assembly having two rotary piston and cylinder devices, each device including a rotor and a stator, the stator at least partially defining an annular cylinder space, the rotor being in the form of a ring, and the rotor having at least one piston which extends from the rotor ring into the annular cylinder space. In use the at least one piston is moved circumferentially through the annular cylinder space on rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, the rotor body being sealed relative to the stator, and the device further having cylinder space shutter means which is capable of being moved relative to the stator to a closed position in which the shutter means partitions the annular cylinder space, and to an open position in which the shutter means permits passage of the at least one piston, the cylinder space shutter means including a shutter disc, wherein the devices are connected by a transfer passage.
US09057267B2
A rotary engine using a swing vane separating expansion chambers is provided for operation with a pressurized fuel or fuel expanding during a rotation of the engine. A swing vane pivots about a pivot point on the rotor yielding an expansion chamber separator ranging from the width of the swing vane to the length of the swing vane. The swing vane optionally slidingly extends to dynamically lengthen or shorten the length of the swing vane. The combination of the pivoting and the sliding of the vane allows for use of a double offset rotor in the rotary engine and the use of rotary engine housing wall cut-outs and/or buildups to expand rotary engine expansion chamber volumes with engine rotation yielding corresponding increases in rotary engine power and/or efficiency.
US09057262B2
A hyper-pressure water cannon, or pulse excavator, is able to discharge fluid pulses at extremely high velocities to fracture a rock face in excavation applications. A compressed water cannon can be used to generate hyper-pressure pulses by discharging the pulse into a straight nozzle section which leads to a convergent tapered nozzle. The hyper-pressure water cannon design is relatively compact, and the pulse generator can readily be maneuvered to cover the face of an excavation as part of a mobile mining system.
US09057256B2
A system can include an interface to receive sensed data and economic data; a production control framework that includes a module for modeling motor efficiency of an electric submersible pump, a module for modeling gas composition of a fluid being pumped by an electric submersible pump, a module for modeling solid dynamics in a fluid being pumped by an electric submersible pump, a module to update one or more of the modules for modeling in response to receipt of data via the interface; and an interface to output control commands to a controller for an electric submersible pump based at least in part on data received by the interface and analyzed by the production control framework. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09057251B2
A downhole assembly, such as a toe-to-heel gravel pack assembly, has a body with a body passage, outlet ports for slurry, and screens for fluid returns. An inner string deploys in the body to perform the toe-to-heel gravel packing. A telescoping adjustment device allows the inner string to space out properly when deployed to the toe of the assembly. Sealing surfaces of a locating device in the body separate a sealable space and seal against seals on the inner string movably disposed therein. Fluid pumped in the string produces a pressure buildup when the string's port communicates with the sealable space. The pressure buildup indicates that the tool is positioned at a first location in the assembly, and other positions for placement of the tool can then be calculated therefrom.
US09057243B2
Protection at a hydrocarbon well is enhanced by placing a blowout preventer over a well head. An adapter is connected to the blowout preventer. The adapter includes a valve that when turned off prevents non-production flow from the blowout preventer to a riser pipe.
US09057239B2
A method and apparatus for anchoring a wireline lubricator assembly in a well. A locking assembly having radial locking pin members is disposed between a bell nipple assembly and blowout preventer assembly. With a lubricator assembly properly positioned relative to the locking assembly, automated locking pin members equipped with locking blocks can be actuated to move between retracted positions and extended positions. In the extended position, the locking blocks engage against the lubricator assembly, locking the lubricator assembly in place and preventing axial movement of the lubricator assembly relative to the locking assembly.
US09057238B2
A tree cap has a wedge type annular metal seal for capping and sealing a subsea tree and associated methods to energize the same. The tree cap includes a cam element having a lower end with a conical profile adapted to be disposed within a respective bore of the subsea tree. The cam element moves along an axis of the bore. The annular metal seal is disposed on an outer diameter of the cam element so that the cam element may compress the annular metal seal against an actuation member to seal the bore of the subsea tree. The tree cap includes a housing adapted to be disposed on and secure to the subsea tree. The housing carries the cam element and exerts an axial force on the cam element to deform the annular metal seal into sealing engagement between the tree cap and the subsea tree.
US09057231B2
An energizing ring can be used to energize a seal. In embodiments, the energizing ring has a recess, or divot, adjacent to a portion of the seal so that if the seal is deformed during a balloon-type failure, a portion of the deformed seal can occupy the recess. The seal, thus, engages surfaces of the recess to prevent axial movement of the energizing ring relative to the seal.
US09057220B2
A plastic window frame trim is for installation of a window in a corrugated metal building wall having a cut opening with a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges, each of the edges being backed by framing members. The window frame trim includes: a frame header J-channel with a flange; a frame footer J-channel with a flange; a pair of nailing fins; and fasteners. The trim header J-channel, footer J-channel, and nailing fins are attached to the window frame. The window frame is lifted so frame header J-channel flange slides between the top edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the top of the cut opening. The window is lowered so footer J-channel flange slides between the bottom edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the bottom of the cut opening so that window frame rest on the window sill. Fasteners attach the window frame to the framing members through the metal building wall. Trim caps snap over the nailing fins to finish the trimmed window.
US09057208B2
A core assembly for use with a core housing of a lock assembly is defined by a bifurcated core body including interconnected first and second cylindrical members disposed in an abutting relationship. The bifurcated core body defines a first end received by an opening disposed in the core housing and a second end defining a substantially continuous surface. A slot is defined crosswise of the interconnected cylindrical members disposed between the first end and the second end of the interconnected cylindrical members. A catch is received in the slot defined by the bifurcated core body. The catch is biased outwardly from the slot for interlocking with the core housing irremovably securing the core body to the core housing.
US09057207B1
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose recreational tent that allows a user to participate in a wide array of games and other activities inside or outside of the tent. The games and activities that may be played include but are not limited to soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, football, golf, tennis, volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse, and badminton.
US09057195B2
A clamp described herein can secure a solar cell array to a seam of a standing seam metal roof. The clamp has a cam that is rotated by the tightening of a bolt to cause the cam to engage the seam. The clamp also has a receiver for receiving the seam and the rotated cam. By installing the clamp on the seam, the solar cell array can be secured to the standing seam metal roof without drilling into the roof. Because no screws are required to be drilled into the rooftop, the damage to the rooftop is substantially reduced. Also, by reversing the process described above, the clamp can be uninstalled in a similar fashion.
US09057191B2
An acoustically absorptive panel comprises a forward airspace bounded by an acoustically transparent front fabric stretch-mounted on a support frame, and the front face of a porous acoustical absorber, the forward air space, the front fabric and the porous absorber collectively acting as acoustical absorbing chamber, wherein oppositely disposed end panels of the front fabric extend around opposing side frame members of one or more frame structures of the support frame and are connected to a pair of spaced apart retaining struts disposed between the side frame members, the distance between the retaining struts adjustable by rotating one or more threaded tension adjusters thereby stretching or relaxing the front fabric across the support frame to adjust the frequency at which sound absorption will be maximized.
US09057187B2
A toilet fixture includes a bowl, a primary drain fluidly connected to the bowl, a supply water plenum providing water to the bowl to flush the fixture, and a secondary drain inlet located to the plenum. The secondary drain inlet includes a secondary drain hole permitting water to flow from the plenum into the secondary drain inlet. The secondary drain inlet is fluidly connected to a drain permitting water to exit the fixture and water flowing through the secondary drain inlet can bypass a clog in the primary drain.
US09057183B2
A touch free automatic faucet is provided. The faucet includes a faucet housing including many sensors for controlling water flow and water temperature. A processor is connected to the sensors. A first control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A second control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A power source is connected to the processor, the first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly. Water flow and water temperature are controlled by the sensors without touching of the faucet housing.
US09057181B2
A water flow valve positioned within a water distribution system just past a building's water meter. The valve compresses air bubbles into the water at the point where the water enters the meter, thus making the meter read less volume when the water passes through it. The air is compressed through back pressure created by the valve. With this increase in pressure, the air bubbles in the water begin to collapse and occupy less space. When the water, with collapsed air bubbles, passes through the meter, the meter reads basically only the water volume, as the amount of any air volume remaining is negligible. As such, the user's water bill is lower, as compared to if no valve had been disposed within the water line, and the bill reflect a more accurate reading of the actual amount of water that has been delivered.
US09057179B1
A tractor loader attachment system for efficiently attaching and removing a loader upon a tractor. The tractor loader attachment system generally includes a pivot bracket attached to a loader mounting pocket, an engaging member pivotally connected to the pivot bracket, an actuator attached to a first end of the engaging member and to the tractor frame, wherein movement of the actuator pivots the engaging member so that a hooked end of the engaging member engages or releases a shaft attached to the loader frame to selectively retain the loader frame attached to the tractor vehicle.
US09057172B2
An anchoring system for anchoring a pole to a ground surface, the anchoring system including a plurality of modules interconnectable to one another for surrounding the pole, each module including a support leg configured for extending into the ground surface so as to provide anchoring support to the pole on a given side of said pole, each module of the anchoring system further including at least two mounting interfaces disposed distally from the support leg and configured for resting against the pole, and each module of the anchoring system further including at least one connecting member extending from an edge of the support leg to a corresponding mounting interface, said the least one connecting member further operatively extending between said at least two mounting interfaces.
US09057170B2
A pile splice section for a spliced prestressed concrete pile includes a prestressed concrete element including a first end and a second end and a plurality of tendons that extend from the first end to the second end. A first end assembly at the first end of the prestressed concrete element includes a first plate coupled to the plurality of tendons. The first end assembly further includes a plurality of internally threaded fasteners embedded in the first end of the prestressed concrete element that are engagable via apertures extending through the first plate. A second end assembly at the second end of the prestressed concrete element includes a second metal plate coupled to the plurality of tendons. The second end assembly further includes a plurality of apertures extending through the second plate and accessible via pockets proximate the second end of the prestressed concrete element.
US09057169B1
A sacrificial tip and method of installing a friction pile within the ground includes a connective plate to attach to a friction pile, a smaller diameter pipe extending from the plate, and a plurality of gussets and a helical flight secured to the pipe. The pipe projects generally perpendicularly from the connective plate toward a penetrative aspect and the plurality of gussets are secured to and project radially outwardly from the pipe, and extend longitudinally along the pipe tapering radially inwardly from the connective plate toward the penetrative aspect. The helical flight is secured about the pipe and spirals longitudinally toward the penetrative aspect. The connective plate can be secured to the friction pile with the pipe projecting coaxially with the friction pile to define the sacrificial tip for the friction pile.
US09057164B2
An area delineating device is disclosed for creating a temporary border or barrier between two or more points. The delineating device has a base, a hollow vertical member, and an exit opening in the vertical member. A series of flaps, preferably rubber, are located on the bottom of the base and facilitate access to the base cavity in which is housed a reel of disposable partitioning material, such as caution tape or police tape. The disposable partitioning material threads up from the base cavity, through the base channel and into the vertical cavity. The disposable partition material then exits the vertical cavity via the exit opening at the top of the delineating device. A series of lineal windows can be present in the vertical member.
US09057163B1
A pavement repair system is provided utilizing solid phase auto regenerative cohesion and homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization technologies. The system is suitable for use in repairing asphalt pavement, including pavement exhibiting a high degree of deterioration (as manifested in the presence of potholes, cracks, ruts, or the like) as well as pavement that has been subject to previous repair and may comprise a substantial amount of dirt and other debris (e.g., chipped road paint or other damaged or disturbed surfacing materials). A system utilizing homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization is suitable for rejuvenating or repairing aged asphalt, thereby improving properties of the paving material.
US09057157B2
The invention relates to an arrangement arranged to introduce a three-dimensional structure in a paper during production of said paper in a paper making machine (1). The arrangement comprises a heat roll (14) arranged to dry a wet paper web and an extended nip roll (12) arranged to form a transfer nip (TN) with said heat roll (14). The extended nip roll (12) is provided with a flexible jacket (17) arranged around the circumferential area of said extended nip roll (12). An external surface of said flexible jacket (17) is provided with a textured portion (15) and when the wet paper web passes the transfer nip between said extended nip roll (12) and said heat roll (14), said textured portion (15) of the external surface of the flexible jacket (17) will impart a three-dimensional texture to the paper web.
US09057147B2
A silicon carbide epitaxial substrate having a main surface (second main surface) includes: a base substrate; and a silicon carbide epitaxial layer formed on the base substrate and including the main surface (second main surface), the second main surface having a surface roughness of 0.6 nm or less, a ratio of standard deviation of a nitrogen concentration in the silicon carbide epitaxial layer at a surface layer including the main surface (second main surface) within a plane of the silicon carbide epitaxial substrate to an average value of the nitrogen concentration in the silicon carbide epitaxial layer at the surface layer within the plane of the silicon carbide epitaxial substrate being 15% or less.
US09057144B2
Nanostructured films including a plurality of nanowells, the nanowells having a pore at the top surface of the film, the pore defining a channel that extends downwardly towards the bottom surface of the film are provided. Also provided are methods including exposing a growth substrate to an anodizing bath, applying ultrasonic vibrations to the anodizing bath, and generating a current through the anodizing bath to form the nanostructured film. The nanostructured films may be formed from TiO2 and may be used to provide solid state dye sensitized solar cells having high conversion efficiencies.
US09057143B2
The present invention relates to an aluminum die base material for a stamper having a component composition that contains 0.5% by weight to 3.0% by weight of Mg, the total amount of elements other than Mg, including unavoidable impurities, is 500 ppm or less, and the remainder is composed of Al, and a forged structure in which the average crystal grain size is 1000 μm or less and the surface area ratio of second phase particles is 0.10% or less. According to the present application, a stamper can be provided in which, together with the crystal grain size of the aluminum being refined, the formation of second phase particles is inhibited, surface irregularities attributable to mirrored surface polishing are reduced, and a uniform relief pattern is formed by anodic oxidation treatment.
US09057131B2
A separating device for process chambers arranged one after the other in a vacuum coating installation for coating two-dimensional substrates comprises a separating element which can be fitted between two process chambers transversely in relation to the transporting direction of the substrates. The element comprises a passage for the substrate that is arranged in the region of the transporting plane of the substrate and formed by at least one through-opening provided in the separating element, and includes at least one closure, optionally closing or opening the passage. An intermediate chamber formed by intermediate chamber outer walls is also provided and the separating element is arranged inside the intermediate chamber and the intermediate chamber is subdivided into two intermediate chamber segments. In this configuration, the separating device forms a chamber of its own, arranged between two neighboring process chambers.
US09057126B2
When an oxide semiconductor is deposited by a sputtering method, there is a difference in composition between a sputtering target and a film deposited using the sputtering target in some cases depending on a material of the oxide semiconductor. In manufacturing a sputtering target containing zinc oxide, a crystal which contains zinc oxide is formed in advance, the crystal is crushed, and then a predetermined amount of zinc oxide is added and mixed. After that, the resulting object is sintered to form the sputtering target. The composition of the sputtering target is adjusted by setting the proportion of zinc in the sputtering target higher than that of zinc in a film having a desired composition which is obtained at last, in consideration of the amount of zinc which is reduced at the time of deposition by a sputtering method, the amount of zinc which is reduced at the time of sintering, and the like.
US09057120B2
Provided herein include methods of molding a parison comprising an amorphous alloy and or an amorphous alloy composites, where the molding takes place within the supercooled liquid region or around the glass transition temperature of the amorphous alloy. In one embodiment, the foπning can be carried out with two fluids at different temperatures. The molded article can have a very high aspect ratio or a three-dimensional hollow shape with a desirable surface finish.
US09057112B2
The invention herein provides certain strains of lactic acid bacteria selected for their capability of promoting production of IL-10 and consequently proliferation of CD4+CD25+ TR cells, for prophylaxis and/or treatment of infant colic, a method of selecting such strains, and products containing such strains.
US09057104B2
The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual with an antipsychotic based on individual's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and/or ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) genes.
US09057101B2
In relation to an automated nucleic acid processor and an automated nucleic acid processing method using a multi function dispensing unit, processing involving extraction and amplification of the nucleic acid, can be consistently, quickly and efficiently conducted at a low cost with the use of a multi function dispensing unit, while saving user's trouble without expanding the scale of the device. The multi function dispensing unit includes: a nozzle head provided with a suction-discharge mechanism and nozzles detachably provided with dispensing tips; a container group having, at the very least housing parts for liquids and reaction containers for housing an amplification solution; a transfer mechanism that makes an interval between the nozzles and the container group relatively movable; a temperature controller whereby temperature control of the interior of the reaction vessels is possible; sealing liquids and/or sealing lids that are transportable to the reaction vessels using the nozzles, and which make the amplification solutions housed in the reaction vessels sealable within the reaction vessels; and a sealing control part that controls the suction-discharge mechanism or the transfer mechanism, such that the sealing liquid and/or the sealing lids seal the amplification solution within the reaction vessels when the housing of the amplification solution in the reaction vessels is completed.
US09057089B2
Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.
US09057087B2
The invention relates to a process of process of producing a fermentation product, comprising: liquefying a starch-containing material to dextrins with an alpha-amylase in the presence of an asparaginase and/or an amino acid oxidase; saccharifying the dextrins to a sugar with a glucoamylase; and fermenting the sugar using a fermenting organism.
US09057079B2
The invention relates to improved genetic elements providing high levels of expression of operably-linked genes in a variety of tissues. In particular, fragments of unmethylated, CpG islands of less than 2 kb are shown to provide enhanced transgene expression and have advantages in terms of vector construction and cloning capacity.
US09057074B2
The present invention relates to controlling the expression of genes into the pedicel, more specifically in the placentochalaza cells.
US09057073B2
Disclosed are methods and means to alter fiber properties such as fiber length in fiber producing plants such as cotton. Additionally plant promoters with a fiber-preferential or fiber-selective expression profile are provided.
US09057071B2
The invention relates to methods for the production of chemical compounds, particularly but not exclusively ethanol, by microbial fermentation. Also described are genetically modified micro-organisms capable of using carbon monoxide to produce one or more products, particularly but not exclusively ethanol as a main product, and producing a reduced amount or substantially no 2,3-butanediol and/or a precursor thereof.
US09057069B2
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the Eg5 gene (Eg5 gene), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of the Eg5 gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by Eg5 expression and the expression of the Eg5 gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of the Eg5 gene in a cell.
US09057066B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of huntingtin in a cell, tissue or animal. Further provided are methods of slowing or preventing Huntington's disease progression using an antisense compound targeted to huntingtin. Additionally provided are methods of delaying or preventing the onset of Huntingtin's disease in an individual susceptible to Huntingtin's Disease. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders.
US09057057B2
Disclosed are methods of making and using engineered FokI cleavage domain variants. Also disclosed are methods, compositions and fusion proteins containing obligate heterodimers of engineered FokI cleavage domain variants and DNA binding domains, such as zinc finger protein (ZFP) domains and transcription activator-like effector (TALE) domains.
US09057049B2
The aromatic compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline-is the major potent flavor component of all aromatic rice and other plants. This present invention provides transgenic plants in which 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is synthesized at a level greater than in naturally occurring non-aromatic varieties. The transgenic plants have reduced expression of the Os2AP gene and protein, resulting in an aromatic phenotype.
US09057048B2
An objective of this invention is to provide an HCV strain with a high capacity for virus production in a cell culture system. This invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a polyprotein precursor of the hepatitis C virus JFH1 strain having one or more amino acid substitutions, wherein the polyprotein precursor comprises at least substitution of glutamine at position 862 with arginine, as determined with reference to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 in the Sequence Listing.
US09057035B1
Low sulphur marine fuel compositions are provided. Embodiments comprise 10 to 50 wt % of a residual hydrocarbon component, with the remaining 50 to 90 wt % selected from a non-hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, and a combination thereof. Embodiments of the marine fuel composition can have a sulphur content of about 0.1 wt % or less.
US09057033B2
Provided are a method and a device for producing synthesis gas and for operating an internal combustion engine therewith. The engine fuel gases can be produced from changing heterogeneous organic fuels, wherein highly tar-laden product gas and pyrolysis gas are formed. The gas mixtures or the syntheses gas formed and by special operation of the gas engine are usable as an addition to the ignition oil. The synthesis gas is generated from the pyrolysis gas that is generated in a pyrolysis reactor and from the product gas that results from autothermal gasification of the pyrolysis coke formed and/or of the pyrolysis oil in an atmospheric steady-state fluidized bed gasifier. Then purifying the synthesis gas in a gas scrubber and in an tar electrostatic filter, passing the synthesis gas via a compressor into a separate injector of a two-stroke dual-fuel engine, bypassing turbocharger and intercooler.
US09057032B2
The problems of the prior art are overcome by the apparatus and method disclosed herein. The reactor vessel of a plasma gasifier is operated at high pressure. To compensate for the negative effects of high pressure, various modifications to the plasma gasifier are disclosed. For example, by moving the slag, more material is exposed to the plasma, allowing better and more complete processing thereof. In some embodiments, magnetic fields are used to cause movement of the slag and molten metal within the vessel. An additional embodiment is to add microwave heating of the slag and/or the incoming material. Microwave heating can also be used as an alternative to plasma heating in a high pressure gasification system.
US09057027B2
A process for steam cracking liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks containing synthetic crude oil comprises i) hydroprocessing a wide boiling range aliquot containing a) normally liquid hydrocarbon portion substantially free of resids and b) thermally cracked hydrocarbon liquid, boiling in a range from about 600° to about 1050° F., to provide a synthetic crude oil substantially free of resids; ii) adding to the synthetic crude oil a normally liquid hydrocarbon component boiling in a range from about 100° to about 1050° F.; and iii) cracking the mixture resulting from ii) in a cracker furnace comprising a radiant coil outlet to provide a cracked effluent, wherein the cracking is carried out under conditions sufficient to effect a radiant coil outlet temperature which is greater than the optimum radiant coil outlet temperature for cracking the synthetic crude oil separately. A method for upgrading synthetic crude for use in cracking is also provided, as well as a feedstock for cracking.
US09057024B2
A machine apparatus used for a creation of a combustionable liquid fuel material known as Commercialized Hybrid Hydrogen (CHH) suitable for replacement of petroleum gasoline. Primary objective and conclusion is: the most cost-effective machine apparatus possible for production of CHH. Graphite electrodes immersed underwater are electronically arched. Resulting after combustion carbon molecule emissions ionize with hydrogen and oxygen molecules from the water at about 5000 degrees Celsius. Post-plasmatic discharge rises is captured, refrigerated and pressurized into CHH. All apparatus power requirements are satisfied by CHH internally with the exception of an initial bootstrap power-up cycle. A machine heat exchange run steam turbine provides a secondary energy provision. An internal computer logic flow processing system detects availability of null-costing solar, wind and steam turbine production of electricity prior to using CHH for apparatus power requirements. A recycling consumable graphite rod component furthers existing cost-effectiveness.
US09057018B2
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound, polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and polymer thereof
A compound represented by the formula (1) is provided. A polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing the compound can be controlled in birefringence and is excellent in stability of a liquid crystal phase. An anisotropic polymer excellent in uniformity of alignment is obtained by coating and polymerizing the composition on a supporting substrate. In the formula (1), at least one of Ra represents a polymerizable group, A represents a ring group, Y and Z each represent a single bond or alkylene; in which —CH2— in the alkylene may be replaced by another group, and m and n each represent an integer of from 0 to 5.
US09057017B2
A liquid crystal composition exhibiting a blue phase, which enables higher contrast, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a chiral agent and liquid crystal containing a compound having three electron-withdrawing groups as end groups of a structure where a plurality of rings including at least one aromatic ring is linked to each other directly or with a linking group laid therebetween. At least one of the three electron-withdrawing groups includes a trifluoromethyl group. The peak of the diffracted wavelength on the longest wavelength side in the reflectance spectrum of the liquid crystal composition is less than or equal to 450 nm, preferably less than or equal to 420 nm. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display device can be provided with the use of the liquid crystal composition.
US09057016B2
A method for forming a high molecular weight liquid crystalline polymer is provided. The method include melt polymerizing two or more precursor monomers (e.g., acetylated or non-acetylated) in the presence of an aromatic amide oligomer. The present inventors have discovered that such an oligomer can lower the melt viscosity of the viscous polymer as it is formed. The ability to lower melt viscosity in situ during melt polymerization enables the formation of high molecular weight polymers that display low melt viscosity and can still be removed from the reactor vessel without solidifying therein. This not only improves the ease of processing, but also allows molecular weights to be reached that are even higher than conventionally practical.
US09057014B2
A method for improving hydraulic fracturing creates coated proppants containing one or more chemical constituents bonded to a substrate and introduced into the fracturing fluid itself. The substrate that eventually acts as a proppant may be sand, ceramic, resin coated sand, and other materials. Typically, the materials that are coated as powders adhered to the substrate may include friction reducers, biosides, oxygen scavengers, clay stabilizers, scale inhibitors, gelling agents, or the like. By adhering solid materials to a substrate 12 by a binder 14, a single, solid, granular material may be maintained onsite, requiring reduced footprint, reduced mixing and may introduce almost instantaneously into a fracturing flow stream all the necessary chemical constituents, which will eventually become mixed. The result is reduced time, energy, manpower, equipment, and space at the sight, while reducing the environmental impact of transportation, spills, hydrocarbon use, and the like.
US09057010B2
The invention relates to a ternary composition comprising: from 5 to 50% of difluoromethane;—from 2 to 20% of pentafluoroethane; and—from 30 to 90% of tetrafluoropropeae. The tetrafluoropropeae may be 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene or 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. This composition can be used as a heat-transfer fluid in vapor compression circuit.
US09057005B2
A powder and gel concentrate for a sealing solution is provided. The concentrate is comprised of a biocide, dye and acid buffer. This concentrate can be hydrated or dissolved using standard tap (mineralized) water to produce a sealing solution. The acid buffer keeps the minerals in the tap water suspended in solution, thereby preventing the solid scale (mineral build-up) that would otherwise clog the filters of a sealing system.
US09057003B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of low-viscosity polyisocyanate reaction products which contain allophanate groups, can be readily emulsified in water and contain activated groups which react, by polymerization, with ethylenically unsaturated compounds under the action of actinic radiation. The present invention furthermore relates to the products which can be prepared by the process according to the invention and their use.
US09057001B2
A coating and method of making, using, and applying the coating to protect structures from scratches and/or the undesired collection of slag and/or spatter associated with metal working processes. The coating includes a base layer and a top layer that, when applied, mitigate adhesion of weld slag to the underlying structure. The coating is also transparent such that it does not interfere with the functionality of any indicia associated with the underlying structure or device and also renders the coating suitable for use with photo-reactive or responsive sensors and/or other non-opaque structures—such as goggles, facemasks, and/or shields.
US09056997B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus performing recording on a recording medium includes: a water-based yellow ink containing a yellow dye, a water-based magenta ink containing a magenta dye and a water-based cyan ink containing a cyan dye of which hue angles ∠H° defined in a CIELAB color space are within the predetermined ranges; an ink-jet head configured to discharge the water-based yellow, magenta and cyan inks; and a controller configured to control the ink-jet head so as to satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B) to thereby form a composite black on the recording medium: (A) 0.66≦C/(Y+M) and (B) 530≦Y+M+C≦600, wherein in the conditions (A) and (B): Y, M and C are drop amounts (ng) of the yellow dye, the magenta dye and the cyan dye dropped in a 25.4 mm×25.4 mm area of the recording medium, respectively.
US09056994B2
Disclosed herein are high structured carbon blacks, methods of synthesis and treatment, and dispersions and inkjet ink formulations prepared therefrom. The carbon black can have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and STSA ranging from 160 to 220 m2/g. The carbon black can also have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and a ratio of STSA/BET surface area ranging from 0.7 to 1.
US09056993B2
The present invention provides an ink composition that contains a pigment, a dispersant, a hydrosoluble solvent; and water, wherein the pigment is represented by the following chemical formula 1: where R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having one to three carbon atoms, or chlorine, wherein the ink composition satisfies the following relations 1 and 2: 0.050≦X/Y≦0.120 Relation 1 0.700≦Z/Y≦1.050 Relation 2 where X represents a minimum absorbance in a wavelength range of from 400 nm to 450 nm, Y represents an absorbance of a maximum peak in a wavelength range of from 500 nm to 550 nm, and Z represents an absorbance of a maximum peak in a wavelength range of from 550 nm to 600 nm.
US09056988B2
Disclosed are infrared reflective coating compositions and cured coatings deposited on a substrate, as well as multi-component composite coating systems. The coating compositions include an infrared transparent pigment and an infrared reflective pigment.
US09056986B2
Provided is a UV curable type ink-jet ink composition containing a monomer A which is expressed by the following general formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3 (I) (in the formula, R1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl radical, R2 is a bivalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 2 to 20, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a univalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 1 to 11), a compound B containing five or more (meth)acryloyl radicals per molecule, and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate C having an aromatic ring skeleton, wherein the monofunctional (meth)acrylate C which is in a range of 5 to 35 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition is contained, wherein the compound B is in a range of 5 to 40 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition, wherein the monomer A is in a range of 10 to 70 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition.
US09056981B2
The present invention provides a polyamide resin composition comprising (A) about 100 parts by weight of polyamide resin; (B) about 0.1 to about 50 parts by weight of titanium dioxide; and (C) about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of modified polyolefin, wherein the (C) modified polyolefin is prepared by grafting a monomer that is partially miscible with the polyamide resin into the main chain of the polyolefin.
US09056971B2
A rubber-plastic alloy for a warm mix asphalt mixture and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The rubber-plastic alloy consists of plastic, crumb rubber, cracked wax and rubber oil. The manufacturing method includes extruding the plastic, the crumb rubber, the cracked wax, and the rubber oil at suitable ratio via a single screw extruder, and pelleting via a water-cooled die-face cutter. The rubber-plastic alloy is mixed with a hot mineral material in an asphalt mixture mixer, and then liquid asphalt matrix is pumped into the mixer via an asphalt pump to provide a warm mix rubber-plastic modified asphalt mixture. The rubber-plastic alloy is applied for modifying an asphalt mixture to an effect equivalent to that achieved by a wet method.
US09056965B2
Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided.
US09056960B2
A method of thermally insulating a transport means or an industrial or plant construction comprises obtaining a nanoporous foam (NP1) by reacting epoxy resin(s) (E) with amphiphilic epoxy resin hardener(s) (H) in water by a phase inversion polymerization wherein the binder content during polymerization is from 15% to 39.9% by weight, and installing the nanoporous polymer foam as a thermal insulation material in transport means or in an industrial or plant construction.
US09056957B2
A masterbatch comprising pigment and demolding agent is provided. The demolding agent is selected from the group comprising low molecular weight polyolefin oils, low molecular weight polyolefin waxes, montan waxes and aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid esters of fatty acids and/or fatty alcohols, wherein the pigment content of the masterbatch is from 3 to 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of the masterbatch. The masterbatch is suitable for preparation of a polymer composition having improved pigment dispersion.
US09056952B2
Composite materials are provided that include an open-cell polymer foam matrix including one or more polymers and, embedded into the polymer foam matrix, granules or shapes which have an open porosity.
US09056951B2
A stiff layered polymer nanocomposite comprising a substrate adapted to receive a plurality of alternating layers of a first material and a second material; wherein the first material and second material are a polyelectrolyte, an organic polymer or an inorganic colloid and said first material and said second material have a chemical affinity for each other, said plurality of layers crosslinked using a chemical or physical crosslinking agent. Thin films that are consolidated and optionally crosslinked can be manufactured into hierarchical laminates with rigid and stress resistant properties.
US09056949B2
Michael addition curing chemistries in compositions comprising sulfur-containing polymers such as polythioethers and polysulfides are useful in aerospace sealant applications. Compositions employing Michael addition curing chemistries include sulfur-containing adducts comprising terminal Michael acceptor groups. In particular, the sulfur-containing adducts include terminal 1-(ethylenesulfonyl)-n-(vinylsulfonyl)alkanol groups.
US09056947B2
Compositions of PHAs with PBS and/or PBSA are described and methods of making the same.
US09056945B2
The present invention relates to a process for organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of at least one monomer M suitable for ring-opening polymerization, or of mixtures thereof, wherein, in a step (i), at least one N-heterocyclic compound is subjected in the presence of at least one Zerevitinov-active compound Z1 to a temperature of at least 80° C. for a period of at least 30 seconds and, in a step (ii), the monomer M is added and reacted.
US09056944B2
The present invention is directed at a binder for a battery electrode comprising an ethylene oxide-containing copolymer including a first monomer of ethylene oxide (EO) and at least one additional monomer selected from an alkylene-oxide that is different from the first monomer of EO, an alkyl glycidyl ether, or a combination thereof; wherein the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer has a weight average molecular weight less than about 200,000 g/mole (e.g., from about 10,000 to about 100,000), the molar fraction of the first monomer of EO (XEo) in the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer is greater than 0.80 (e.g., from about 0.80 to about 0.995), and the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer has a peak melting temperature (Tp), in ° C., for a selected XEO in the range of about 0.80 to about 0.995, which is below a maximum value of Tpmax, at the selected XEO, which is calculated using the equation Tpmax=(60−150 (1−XEO)).
US09056937B2
A process for producing natural rubber-based acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder. The process comprises introducing a portion of natural rubber, mixing divinylbenzene (DVB) with the portion of natural rubber to produce vulcanized natural rubber, mixing the vulcanized natural rubber with a monomer solution to produce grafted natural rubber, mixing a plurality of grafted polybutadiene rubbers with the grafted natural rubber to produce a latex masterbatch and mixing a coagulant to a portion of the latex masterbatch to produce natural rubber-based ABS powder. By mixing the DVB with the portion of natural rubber, an intermediate step which is required in conventional methods before the polymerization process, can be eliminated. A natural rubber-based acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder produced by the process is also disclosed.
US09056919B2
The invention relates to novel USP2a peptides and antibodies, as well as nucleic acids related to them. The peptides, antibodies and the nucleic acids are useful for the detection, staging and monitoring of the progression of cancer, as well as for determining or monitoring the efficacy of treatment.
US09056911B2
The invention discloses a humanized chimeric monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), polynucleotides encoding the antibody, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and host cells containing the expression vectors. The invention also discloses uses of the antibody, polynucleotides, vectors and host cells for manufacturing medicaments for diagnosis and/or treatment of tumors.
US09056909B2
Provided are immunogenic and vaccine compositions and methods for their preparation and use, which compositions are effective in protecting against, minimizing the severity of, preventing, and/or ameliorating M. hyopneumoniae infection. Administration to an animal of one or two doses of an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae composition disclosed herein is effective in providing immunity to the animal and protection from infection with a virulent strain of M. hyopneumoniae thereby reducing the severity of and/or preventing disease caused by one or more virulent strain of M. hyopneumoniae. Also provided are compositions, which further comprise one or more antigen such as, for example, one or more live bacteria, bacterin, toxoid, and/or virus and/or viral antigen. Exemplified are immunogenic compositions, comprising an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae and compositions, comprising Porcine Circovirus Type 1-Type 2 chimera modified live vaccine (cPCV1-2) in further combination with an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae.
US09056902B2
This invention relates to soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. In particular, this invention relates to compositions comprising soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus and also to diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. Further, the invention relates to therapeutic antibodies including neutralizing antibodies, and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infection by Hendra and Nipah viruses.
US09056898B2
The invention encompasses an attenuated RNA virus and methods of using an attenuated RNA virus. The RNA virus comprises, in part, an ion channel protein comprising a peptide tag.
US09056892B2
Transport peptides, alone or attached to a cargo moiety, are capable of targeted axonal import into the spinal cord and other structures of the central nervous system. The transport peptides can be used to deliver therapeutic agents and other molecules of interest from the periphery to the central nervous system, providing a means to detect, treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, chronic pain and other conditions via minimally invasive techniques of administration.
US09056890B2
Peptide vaccines against cancer are described herein. In particular, isolated epitope peptides or immunogenic fragments derived from SEQ ID NO: 32, that bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are provided. The amino acid sequence of the peptide of interest may be optionally modified with the substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition of one, two, or several amino acids sequences. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating cancer that include such peptides are also provided.
US09056885B2
The present invention provides novel fluorescent dyes and kits containing the same, which are useful for labeling a wide variety of biomolecules, cells and microorganisms. The present invention also provides various methods of using the fluorescent dyes for research and development, forensic identification, environmental studies, diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of disease conditions.
US09056884B2
A process for producing a charge control agent comprising an azo-based iron complex salt compound as an effective component, comprises: synthesizing a monoazo compound through diazotization coupling; and ironing the monoazo compound by using an ironizing agent such as ferric chloride to produce an azo-based iron complex salt compound represented by the following formula. The ironization reaction of the monoazo compound is carried out while pH is kept at 7.0 to 8.0. Since the above azo-based iron complex salt compound having high purity can be obtained at a high yield, it can be used as a charge control agent directly and a special purification step can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to greatly cut the production cost.
US09056883B2
An object is to provide a novel organometallic complex capable of emitting phosphorescence by using, as a ligand, an organic compound with which a variety of derivatives can be easily synthesized. Another object is to provide an organometallic complex having high heat resistance. Other objects are to provide a light-emitting element having high emission efficiency and to provide a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device having reduced power consumption. Provided are an organometallic complex including a structure represented by the following General Formula (G1), and a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device formed using the organometallic complex including the structure represented by the following General Formula (G1).
US09056881B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkyl phosphinates, alkenyl phosphinates, alkynyl phosphinates or phenyl phosphinates by reaction of a corresponding phosphine oxide with an alcohol or phenol in the presence of alkali-metal fluoride or tetraalkylammonium fluoride.
US09056878B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. In particular, disclosed are sterically hindered hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds and improved purity hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. Also disclosed are processes for making hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds; the products of the disclosed processes; compositions and polymers comprising the disclosed compounds and products of the disclosed processes; and ophthalmic lenses, for example contact lenses, intraocular lenses, artificial cornea, and spectacle lenses, comprising the disclosed compositions, disclosed polymers, disclosed compounds, and products of the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09056877B2
Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that modulate kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, and compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment of diseases and conditions associated with kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, are described herein.
US09056876B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted 1H-pyrazolo[3′,4′:4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-amine analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 (mAChR M4); synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09056865B2
The present application relates to compounds of Formula (I), and Formula (II), or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A, X, Y, Z, e, f, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5b, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R20, R21, R22 and R23 are defined herein. These novel pyridine derivatives that are useful in therapy, in particular for treating diseases or conditions mediated by Smo, including the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. Additional embodiments relate to methods of using such compounds in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US09056863B2
The present invention is directed to pyridine compounds of Formula (I). Separate aspects of the invention are directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and uses of the compounds as therapeutic agents treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
US09056861B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing tetrazole-substituted anthranilamide derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Z are each as defined in the description, and to a novel crystal polymorph of these derivatives and to the use thereof in agrochemical formulations.
US09056856B2
Provided is a novel heterocyclic compound which can be used for a light-emitting element, as a host material of a light-emitting layer in which a light-emitting substance is dispersed. A heterocyclic compound represented by a general formula (G1) is provided. In the formula, A represents any of a substituted or unsubstituted dibenzothiophenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted dibenzofuranyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted carbazolyl group, R11 to R19 separately represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 13 carbon atoms, and Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 13 carbon atoms.
US09056852B2
Provided herein are (alpha-substituted aralkylamino or heteroarylalkylamino) pyrimidinyl and 1,3,5-triazinyl benzimidazoles, e.g., a compound of Formula I, and their pharmaceutical compositions, preparation, and use as agents or drugs for treating proliferative diseases.
US09056844B2
A mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described.
US09056841B2
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting compounds are described. Uses of the compounds for imaging, therapy, cell sorting, and tumor mapping are also described.
US09056838B2
The present invention is related to new intermediates and processes for preparing Ticagrelor disclosed in this patent application. One of the embodiments of the invention provides a process for preparing Ticagrelor of Formula I, comprising coupling a compound of Formula VI, with a compound of Formula IX,
US09056823B2
The invention relates to a catalyst for the catalytic esterification and acylation reaction. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of adding a divinyl benzene monomer into a solvent prepared by mixing azobisisobutyronitrile, tetrahydrofuran and water, performing hydrothermal treatment at the normal temperature under the constant pressure, and volatilizing the solvent at the room temperature to obtain polydivinylbenzene; grinding the polydivinylbenzene into 200-mesh powder and performing degassing treatment under the nitrogen condition; adding polydivinylbenzene blocks into 1,1′,2-trichloroethane to explode and crack into small blocks, wherein the small blocks swell; evenly mixing 1,1′,2-trichloroethane and concentrated sulfuric acid, adding silver sulfate serving as a catalyst, adding processed polydivinylbenzene, performing sulfonation, filtering and washing with dioxane and water till it is neutral, performing drying, using dilute sulphuric acid to activate, performing washing till the it is neutral and performing drying. The catalyst has high catalytic activity and conversion rate.
US09056822B2
PAH is subjected to C—H/C—B coupling using a specific boron compound, a palladium compound, and o-chloranil to produce a compound in which a C—H bond of the PAH is directly arylated regioselectively in a simple manner. When the substrate and the boron compound are appropriately selected, a larger PAH can also be obtained by further performing an annulation reaction after the coupling reaction. Similarly, when PAH is subjected to C—H/C—H cross-coupling using a specific aromatic compound, a palladium compound, and o-chloranil, a compound in which a C—H bond of the PAH is directly arylated regioselectively can be produced in a simple manner. When the substrate and the aromatic compound are appropriately selected in this case, a larger PAH can also be obtained by further performing an annulation reaction after the cross-coupling reaction.
US09056812B2
A process for preparing 4-cyclohexyl-2-methyl-2-butanol, comprising: a) reaction of styrene with isopropanol at elevated temperature to obtain 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-butanol, and b) heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-butanol over a catalyst suitable for ring hydrogenation of aromatics, where the molar ratio of the styrene used in step a) to the isopropanol used in step a) is in the range from 1:below 5 to 1:0.5.
US09056794B2
The present invention is drawn to a lithia alumina silica material that exhibits a low CTE over a broad temperature range and a method of making the same. The low CTE of the material allows for a decrease in microcracking within the material.
US09056789B2
The present invention provides a method of producing a granular product, the method comprising providing waste stone wool product of which at least 90% is in coherent form having minimum dimension at least 50 mm and which has a content of at least 10% water, by weight of the waste stone wool product; producing a base material from the stone wool by reducing the coherent stone wool to particulate form such that at least 80% by weight of the base material is in the form of particles having size not more than 40 mm, and has water content not more than 50 wt % based on the particulate base material; forming the particulate base material into granules, wherein at least 80% by weight of the granules have size not more than 40 mm, and subjecting the granules to sintering at a temperature in the range 900 to 1050° C. to form a granular product wherein at least 80% by weight of the granular product is in the form of granules having size not more than 40 mm, and during the operation of the method no binder is added. The present invention also relates to a product obtainable by the method described above.
US09056782B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing a platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex for a positive-electrode material of a lithium-air battery. More specifically, a manganese dioxide/carbon complex is prepared by dispersing carbon in a manganese dioxide precursor solution and applying microwaves, filtering and drying to the resulting solution. Next a platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex is prepared by dispersing the manganese dioxide/carbon complex in ethylene glycol, adding a platinum precursor and applying microwaves to the resulting solution. The platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex synthesized according to the present invention exhibits lower overvoltage and higher current density in oxygen reduction and oxidation reactions as compared to either a manganese dioxide/carbon complex or a platinum/carbon complex.
US09056776B2
Solid or semi-solid feedstock is melted in an open bottom electric induction cold crucible furnace. Directionally solidified multi-crystalline solid purified material continuously exits the bottom of the furnace and may optionally pass through a thermal conditioning chamber before being gravity fed into a transport mold where an ingot of the purified multi-crystalline solid material is transported to a remote holding area after the transport mold is filled with the multi-crystalline material and cut from the continuous supply of material. Cool down of the ingot is accomplished remote from the open bottom of the electric induction cold crucible furnace.
US09056774B2
[Problem] To provide a method of producing aluminum nitride that has high conducting property and can be excellently filled and is useful as a filler for heat-radiating materials, and an aluminum nitride powder obtained by the same method.
US09056766B2
One method includes providing a first substrate; the first substrate may include a first MEMS device and a second MEMS device. A second substrate is also provided. The first substrate is bonded to the second substrate. The bonding may include forming a first bond ring around the first MEMS device and forming a second bond ring around the second MEMS device, wherein the second bond ring also encircles the first bond ring. In an embodiment, the eutectic point of the materials of the second bond ring is not reached during the bonding.
US09056765B2
Various aspects of the present invention, for example and without limitation, comprise a semiconductor device package and/or method for manufacturing a semiconductor device package. Such a device package may, for example, comprise a MEMS device package.
US09056757B1
A combination bottle opener by which to remove a cap from the top of a bottle and can opener by which to remove a lid from the top of a can. The opener includes a body having a curved head located at one end thereof to surround the bottle cap to be removed and a pair of tapered legs located at the opposite end to fit below the lid to be removed from the can. A force-transmitting plate is affixed to the top of the body so as to extend between the pair of legs. A force applied to the force-transmitting plate of the opener in a first direction causes an edge of the plate to rotate into engagement with the bottle cap to lift the cap off the bottle. A force applied to the force-transmitting plate in an opposite direction causes the tapered legs to rotate into engagement with the lid to pry the lid off the can.
US09056756B1
A tool shelf assembly allows a user to store and organize tools while working on a scissor lift. The assembly includes a panel having a front surface and a back surface. A flange is coupled to the panel. The flange and the back surface form a channel configured to receive a handrail of a scissor lift to support the panel on the scissor lift. A lower shelf has a lower end, an upper end and a peripheral wall extending between the upper and lower ends. Each of the lower end, the upper end and the peripheral wall define an interior space of the lower shelf. The lower shelf is attached to and extends outwardly from the front surface. A plurality of openings is positioned in the lower shelf. Each of the openings provides access into the interior space wherein each of the openings is configured to receive a tool therein.
US09056754B2
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using dynamically placed pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises (i) transporting an object along a path within the physical environment and placing the object at a location within the physical environment such that the placed object becomes a dynamically placed pre-positioned object in the physical environment; (ii) updating a map of the physical environment by adding placed object data representing the dynamically placed pre-positioned object to the map of the physical environment to create updated map data such that the placed object, when added to the map, serves as a landmark with observable features and can be used in the navigation of an industrial vehicle with access to the updated map data; (iii) storing the updated map data on a mobile computer attached to the industrial vehicle or on a central computer coupled to the industrial vehicle via a network; and (iv) operating the industrial vehicle based on a navigational position determined from sensor data and the updated map data by navigating the industrial vehicle along a path within the physical environment.
US09056753B2
An auto-arresting safety device, comprising a housing; a fall arrest system supported by the housing, and having a first component moveable with respect to a second component, the fall arrest system being actuatable in response to a load to arrest movement of the first component relative to the second component, the fall arrest system being resettable to restore movement of the first component relative to the second component upon the load being at least partially removed; and a disabling system operable to prevent resetting of the fall arrest system upon the load exceeding a threshold load, such that, when actuated, the disabling system renders the safety device inoperable.
US09056750B2
A handrail assembly for an escalator system includes a handrail movable along a length of the escalator and a handrail guide assembly defining a travel path for the handrail. The handrail guide assembly includes a handrail guide and a plurality of sliding bearing supports interconnected to form a handrail chain and secured to the handrail guide. One or more sliding bearings extend at least partially through each sliding bearing support of the handrail chain. A shaft extends through each sliding bearing support and is in sliding contact with the one or more sliding bearings. One or more rollers are secured to at least one end of the shaft and is in rolling contact with the handrail.
US09056749B2
A control device of an elevator door includes moving quantity detector which detects the moving quantity of a driving device of the door for opening and closing, and a driving force detector which detects a driving torque or driving force of the driving device. An equivalent stiffness calculator estimates the equivalent stiffness of an object in contact from an output signal of the moving quantity detector and an output signal of the driving force detector. The door is reversed or stopped by comparing the estimated equivalent stiffness of an object in contact as a contact determination parameter with a threshold value.
US09056745B2
A supporting portion is provided to project from an upper surface of a side regulating member which is provided in a sheet feeding cassette which is detachably attached to a color laser beam printer body, and which regulates a position of a sheet in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction, and this supporting portion regulates downward deformation of a conveyance guiding member which is positioned above the sheet feeding cassette and which forms a sheet conveying path R which guides the sheet.
US09056744B2
A mechanism for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The mechanism further includes a solenoid that is activated locally or remotely by a switch.
US09056742B2
Processes for initiating a web winding process, more particularly a processes for initiating a web winding process that doesn't require the use of a threading rope or manually threading a tail of the web like known processes are provided.
US09056724B2
Provided is an apparatus for handling containers. The apparatus comprises a moveable carrier, a plurality of treatment stations arranged on the moveable carrier for treating the containers, each treatment station having at least one element that is moveable in relation to the carrier, and a stationary guide curve. The elements are temporarily coupled to the guide curve. A movement between a treatment station of the plurality of treatment stations and the guide curve translates to a movement of the at least one element. A coupling device comprises at least one guide roller which at least temporarily contacts the guide curve. At least one of the guide roller or the guide curve includes an imidized polymer material.
US09056722B2
A thrust chain link of a conveyor chain of a conveyor system for conveying articles suspended from retaining adapters, in particular of a sorter, includes a base body with a thrust unit arranged on its bottom side and spaced-apart coupling sections formed on its ends for pivotal connection to an adjacent link. The thrust unit includes two tappets protruding from the bottom side of the base body, wherein a front first tappet in the conveying direction is shorter than a rear second tappet. The two tappets are spaced apart such that a head portion of the retaining adapter can be received between the two tappets without play or largely without play. A conveyor chain, a conveyor system and a method for positioning a retaining adapter on a conveyor chain of a conveyor system are also described.
US09056715B2
A bag stand includes at least two side panels, each side panel having a top end, a bottom end, and two adjacent side ends, each side panel connected to at least one adjacent side panel to form a bag stand including a top end, a bottom end, and an interior and defining an opening at the top end.
US09056712B2
A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a thermally expandable material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.
US09056703B2
A container, comprising: a body; and, a closure; wherein the closure has a lid hinged to a ring mounted on the body, the lid moveable from an open position to a closed position; wherein the lid has a tab hinged thereto for: inserting into and engaging a slot formed in the ring as the lid is moved to the closed position from the open position to thereby lock the lid in the closed position; or, receiving and engaging a pin head of a pin mounted on the ring in a hole formed in the tab to thereby hold the lid in the closed position, the pin configured to detach from the ring when the tab and lid are returned to the opened position.
US09056689B2
A method of filling a canister containing activated carbon having a first temperature with a propellant gas, wherein the method includes (a) providing a volume of liquefied propellant gas at a second temperature and a first elevated pressure that prevents it from evaporating; (b) evacuating the canister to create a vacuum within the canister, thereby cooling the activated carbon to a third temperature lower than the second temperature; (c) injecting the volume of liquefied propellant gas into the canister at a second elevated pressure that prevents it from evaporating; and (d) allowing the liquefied propellant gas to evaporate, consuming energy as evaporation heat, the energy being generated due to the propellant gas being adsorbed by the activated carbon, thereby reducing the heating of the activated carbon.
US09056688B1
An apparatus and method for reducing noise from aircraft high power ground run-ups. The ground run-up enclosure includes a vented tall rear noise attenuating wall and a separate jet blast deflector to direct the jet blast up and out of a facility. The vented rear wall is positioned behind the jet blast deflector and extends above a discharge lip of the deflecting surface of the jet blast deflector surface. An exit port of the rear vent channel allows airflow moving through the rear vent to exit and combine with the airflow deflected along the jet blast deflecting surface discharge lip. The vent opening in the rear wall is located in the back of the rear noise attenuating wall.
US09056685B2
A method for mounting interior components in an aircraft includes premounting a first interior component and premounting a second interior component. At least one of the first and the second interior component is secured to a mounting device and the first and second interior components are connected to form an individual module. A plurality of individual modules secured to the mounting device are interconnected to form a large module which is secured to the mounting device. The large module is detached from the mounting device and transported to a final-mounting position in an aircraft fuselage element. The detached large module is then mounted in the aircraft fuselage element.
US09056682B2
A monument is provided for an aircraft. The monument includes, but is not limited to several system components with identical, substantially identical or similar functions that can be connected by way of a single system connection arrangement to the supply in the aircraft. Distribution of the supply media, received by the aircraft, to the individual system components takes place within the monument. The system connections can thus be identical to the system connections of a single monument.
US09056672B2
An electromechanical actuator comprising an electric motor (11) for driving an output shaft (4) in rotation via a reduction gear (20) and passive regulation stage (30) allowing for control of the speed of rotation of the output shaft. A braking member is arranged between an output of the reduction gear and the output shaft to be driven, the braking member being arranged to ensure two different braking levels depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft. The braking member is of hydraulic type and comprises a paddle (33) for transferring fluid between two chambers (34, 35) under the effect of the rotation of the output shaft, transferred fluid passing through a selective drawing member (41) which, depending on the direction of rotation of the actuator, opposes two distinct resistances to the decantation of the fluid from one chamber to the other.
US09056665B2
An aircraft exterior door installation with a door attached to an airframe. A damper is arranged to damp motion of the door as it is opened by rotating it away from the airframe. A coupling mechanism couples the damper with the door over an opening damping range and decouples the damper from the door at the end of the opening damping range. The damper does not damp the motion of the door as it opens beyond the opening damping range. Instead of damping the door over its full range of motion, it is only damped over a limited inner range of its motion. A further advantage of decoupling the door and the damper is that the damper does not need to extend into the airflow to the same extent as the door, thus minimizing aerodynamic drag.
US09056662B2
A wetsuit for aquatic activities may include a wetsuit material having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The wetsuit may also include a chest pad located on the first surface in an anterior portion of the wetsuit corresponding with a portion of the wetsuit associated with the chest region of a wearer of the wetsuit. The chest pad may include a left-angled superior surface and a right-angled superior surface that intersect at a prow disposed at a superior portion of the chest pad, each of the left-angled superior surface and the right-angled superior surface being configured to route water from the chest region in a lateral direction.
US09056661B2
A system is disclosed which incorporates a projectile delivery launcher which may assume numerous forms and perform numerous functions, including launching a water rescue preservation device such as a life jacket, military supplies, survival supplies, fire extinguishing supplies, or the like. The device includes a unique barrel having a low friction chrome plated inner surface which provides maximum range deployment of a safety projectile. In one embodiment a unique clutch-type crank is mounted below the barrel and houses a thin stainless high strength steel ribbon to provide deployment of a projectile, and retrieval of a victim, supplies or the like. A CO2 cartridge system, which incorporates a novel explosive chamber is also used. In another embodiment a compressed gas tank is connected to the launcher for selective release of the gas to deploy the projectile. A method and apparatus for rescuing a victim or for delivering supplies in emergency situations, or even establishing a line contact, is also disclosed.
US09056658B2
A vessel and method for breaking ice drifting in a predominant direction relative to an offshore installation such as a drilling vessel. The vessel is used to deploy an anchor in a position at a distance from the offshore installation and in a direction which, seen from the offshore installation, is substantially in parallel with the direction of movement of the ice. By means of the machinery of the vessel, the direction of the anchor line is adjusted and so is the orientation of the vessel relative to the anchor line to the effect that the propellers can be used to crush and dispose of the ice without using motive energy to hold the vessel against the pressure of the ice.
US09056651B2
A bicycle control device includes a base member, an operating member, a detecting member and a switching member. The operating member is movably mounted relative to the base member along an operating path. The detecting member detects operation of the operating member. The switching member is electrically connected to the detecting member so that the detecting member is switched from a power-off state to a power-on state in response to operation of the operating member.
US09056648B2
A bicycle component positioning device is provided with a support member, a positioning element, a position maintaining member, a winding element, a release member and a spring member. The winding element is movably between a winding position and a disengaging position. The release member is movably between a neutral position and a position releasing position. The spring member is arranged with respect to the support member to move the winding element from the winding position to the disengaging position in response to movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position and to return the release member to the neutral position after movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position. The spring member applies a biasing force to the release member without the biasing force being transmitted through the position maintaining member.
US09056641B2
A hooking system for a motorcycle bag is described, comprising a framework, intended to be constrained to a fixed structure of a motorcycle, and a hooking plate, intended to be constrained to the bag. The hooking plate is provided with first fixed hook-shaped hooking means, suitable to hold a first portion of the framework, and second fixed support means, suitable to receive a second portion of the framework opposite to such a first portion. The system comprises moveable hooking means positioned at the second fixed support means and able to be rotatably actuated, by means of a lock mechanism, between a first operative position, to hold the second portion of the framework and keep such a framework hooked to the hooking plate, and a second non-operative position, to release the second portion of the framework and, thus, obtain the disengagement of the bag from the motorcycle.
US09056640B2
The invention (10), Retractable Vertical Mount Bicycle Storage Rack, is a manufactured mechanical assembly that serves as a stationary bicycle storage device, where a bicycle is conveniently stored in a vertical configuration. The invention is a mechanical mechanism that extends outward away from its mounting surface (example=wall, post, etc.) creating an articulating cradle-like assembly for allowing a bicycle to be stored vertically, and may be retracted towards its mounting surface when not in use. The invention utilizes mechanical geometry to maintain its position in both positions, extended and retracted. The bicycle maintains its position with gravity and only contacts the invention with its front tire, thus protecting any delicate bicycle components from physical contact with the storage rack.
US09056639B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for a folding vehicle trailer. The trailer design is able to be made of various lengths and widths from as well as multiple axle configurations. This trifold design is compact and allows for vertical stacking of sectionalized components to minimize space, while maintaining great flexibility and simplicity for the end user.
US09056635B2
A substructure for a motor vehicle has a first side member including an upper shell and a lower shell, which crosses a rear axle and extends at least as far as to under a passenger cell. In a transition region between the rear axle and the passenger cell, the side member includes at least one wall part which is fastened to the upper and the lower shell in a material-doubling manner.
US09056633B2
The invention relates to a car body structure, especially a substructure, for a motor vehicle, with beam components that create defined load paths in collision situations. According to the invention, the beam components situated in the area of at least one defined load path—especially a head-on collision load path and/or a side collision load path and/or a rear-end collision load path—at least partially comprise high-strength beam components, preferably completely through-hardened or at least partially through-hardened high-strength beam components, made out of a hot-worked or press-hardened steel sheet, said beam components being joined to each other directly or indirectly, preferably directly, especially being joined to each other positively or non-positively and/or by bonding.
US09056631B2
A battery case comprises: a battery tray formed from a resin, the battery tray having a bottom wall on which batteries are mounted, and a peripheral side wall which surrounds the periphery of the bottom wall; and a battery cover which covers the battery tray. A flange portion is provided on the upper surface of the peripheral side wall, and a metallic housing-shaped frame is provided beside the outer wall of the battery tray. The flange portion and the battery cover are fixed onto the upper surface of the metallic housing-shaped frame by fastening members.
US09056623B1
A game animal transporting apparatus having a support tube attachable to the rear hitch of a transport vehicle and a support frame attachable to the support tube to function as an exterior cargo carrier. The support frame is rotatable in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction for ease of loading objects onto the support frame. The support frame is lockable in a horizontal position for transport. The support frame is detachable from the support tube. A handle and wheel assembly are attachable to the support frame to form a mobile utility cart. The cart can be wheeled to a remote location to retrieve a game animal and then returned to the transport vehicle, after which, the support frame can be secured to the support tube, the handle and wheel assembly can be detached, and the game animal can be transported to another location.
US09056619B2
A system is configured to provide functionality of a stroller, a bag and a backpack to transport a child and equipment. The system has a frame with front legs, back legs and support handles connected to a central hub on the right and left sides. The push handles are each connected to an adjustable strap and a cushioned strap which can be used to carry the system as a backpack. A backrest is attached to the push handles and a seat is connected to the backrest in order to rotate the legs and handles together to be a backpack or apart to be a stroller. An upper compartment can be attached to the backrest which is used as a bag in either configuration.
US09056618B2
A railcar coupler includes a coupler head portion extending from a shank portion. The coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler head portion comprises a nose portion and a gathering face extending from the nose portion for engaging a second coupler knuckle coupled to the second railcar coupler. The coupler head portion comprises a guard arm portion extending from the nose portion towards the shank portion. The coupler head portion comprises a horn portion having a back surface. A distance between the back surface of the horn portion and a nose end of the guard arm portion is less than 11 inches. The coupler head portion comprises a locklifter shelf less than 2 inches above a bottom edge of the coupler.
US09056610B2
In a powertrain for motor vehicle that includes an engine, an electric machine able to function alternately as a motor and a generator, and a transmission whose input is driveably connected to the engine and the electric machine, a method for controlling transmission input torque during an downshift including using the engine to produce torque transmitted to the transmission input, during the ratio change phase of the downshift, operating the electric machine as a motor, and controlling a net torque transmitted to the transmission input by using the engine to drive the transmission and the electric machine concurrently, and during the torque transfer phase of the downshift, operating the electric machine as a generator.
US09056591B2
In a present side airbag device for a vehicle, a side airbag has a main bag and an inner bag that is disposed within the main bag. When gas for inflation and expansion is supplied from an inflator to an interior of the inner bag, the inner bag, while inflating and expanding, supplies supplied gas to the main bag. Due thereto, the main bag inflates and expands. At a time of this inflation and expansion, internal pressure of the inner bag becomes higher than internal pressure of the main bag. However, the inner bag is structured so as to be positioned further toward a vehicle rear side than a front edge portion of a door-side side portion of a seat back as seen in side view.
US09056588B2
A control apparatus configured to control communication between an on-vehicle device and a device coupled to the on-vehicle device via a cable, the control apparatus including a cable length detecting part configured to detect a length of the cable and a power supply voltage controlling part configured to control, based on the length of the cable detected by the cable length detecting part, a power supply voltage in a connector connected to the device by changing a power supply voltage applied to a power supply line of the cable.
US09056585B2
A protective golf cart bag strap sleeve system which includes a sleeve and a golf cart bag strap, wherein the sleeve comprises a first layer of durable material; a second layer of padding; and a third layer of durable material, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are folded over to form a folded edge, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are fastened opposite the folded edge to form a sleeve having a first open end and a second open end, wherein the sleeve receives the golf cart bag strap between the first open end and the second open end of the sleeve.
US09056582B2
A visual indication system for a machine is provided. The visual indication system includes an output module configured to be displayed at an external location relative to an internal portion of a cabin of the machine and configured to provide a visual indication viewable. The visual indication system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the output module. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a parking status and an implement status of the machine. Further, the controller is configured to determine a locked state associated with the parking status and the implement status. The controller is configured to transmit the visual indication of the determined locked state to the output module.
US09056577B2
A vehicle cargo space includes a rear lift gate moveable between opened and closed positions to allow movement of palletized containers into and out of the cargo space. The cargo space has a substantially horizontal floor with first and second sets of laterally spaced, parallel, longitudinal tracks. The tracks extend from the front to the lift gate at the rear of the cargo space. At least one set of tracks is positioned transverse to the longitudinal tracks. The tracks slidably support cargo container pallets. A system of actuators, guides and locks enable programmed movement of the pallets along the tracks into and out of the cargo space as well as within the cargo space.
US09056573B1
A towable cart. At least one axle is coupled to a frame. A bottom of a container is also attached to the frame. Each of a pair of wheels are rotatably attached to the axle. A tow bar has first and second ends, the first end of the tow bar being pivotably coupled to one of the frame and the axle. An arm has first and second opposing ends, the first end of the arm being attached to the container and the second end of the arm being selectably secured to the tow bar. The container is fixed in a loading condition when the arm is secured to the tow bar, the container and the frame further being pivotable to an unloading condition when the arm is not secured to the tow bar.
US09056564B2
An adjusting device is disclosed for performing at least one adjusting function, such as in a vehicle seat. The device comprises a drive having a drive means and an output, a braking device that generally prevents torque from the output acting on the drive means. At least one spring is arranged between the drive and the braking device.
US09056563B2
An adjustment device for a vehicle seat, by which the inclination angle of the backrest of the vehicle seat can be adjusted relative to the seating part, has an adjustment range that is adjustable by removable stops.
US09056561B2
A slide rail device for a vehicle is provided, which can increase the rotatable range of a handle that is connected to a lock operational lever, and the operational force that is necessary for carrying out a lock release operation can be reduced, even if the rotatable range of the lock operational lever is limited to a narrow range by an upper rail.The slide rail device includes a biaser 70 which rotatably biases the handle with respect to said lock operational lever in a direction so as to constantly maintain a supported state of a lower supported portion by a lower support portion and a supported state of an upper supported portion by an upper supporting portion.
US09056554B2
An assembly for electrically recharging vehicles, to which individual radio units are assigned, having a parking space for a vehicle, a recharging station assigned to the parking space for cable-connected recharging of a vehicle located therein, and a transceiver connecting to the recharging station for communication with a radio unit, wherein the transceiver clears the recharging station for the recharging process depending on the communication with the radio unit, and the transceiver has a communication zone, which is restricted to the region of the parking space or can locate a radio unit as being located in this restricted region.
US09056547B2
A work machine includes: a frame; an engine; an exhaust gas control device; a compartment cover; a compartment cover supporting member; an engine hood; an exhaust gas control device supporting member that suspends the exhaust gas control device downward through the opening and supports the exhaust gas control device in a suspended state; and an opening cover, wherein: the exhaust gas control device supporting member includes a mounting portion that is attached to the exhaust gas control device and a fastening portion that is supported by, and fastened to, the reinforcing member, and when the fastening portion is unfastened, the exhaust gas control device supporting member is removable above the opening together with the exhaust gas control device attached to the mounting portion.
US09056546B2
The invention relates to a fuel tank for a motor vehicle, which is made up of two shells which are complementary to one another, wherein the shells are supported against one another by at least one strut penetrating the tank (1), connecting opposing wall regions of the tank. The strut is configured as a two-part hollow strut (4), wherein the parts of the hollow strut are latched together via a plug connection and the latching connection is secured by at least one closure body (12) at least partially filling up the cross section of the hollow strut (4) at least level with the latching connection.
US09056537B2
When a vehicle decelerates quickly or otherwise experiences a hard brake event, the described systems and methods facilitate reducing load transfer between axles of a common set of axles (e.g. a tandem axle, a tridem axle, etc.). Transfer of suspension pressure from a dynamically unloaded axle to a more loaded axle is limited by a suspension control component such as a valve or solenoid or the like that closes upon detection of a hard brake event in order to lock air in the suspension components of the respective axles. This in turn limits the dynamically unloaded axle from lifting, thereby permitting it to contribute more significantly to the braking effort and improving stopping distance.
US09056521B2
A wheel spoke includes a shaft, a head at an axial end of the shaft, and a head rear surface on the face of the head which faces towards the shaft; the head rear surface has a plurality of alternating raised portions and recesses which can define a discontinuous contact surface.
US09056519B2
Solvent-based coatings having writable-erasable surfaces are provided. The coatings have many desirable attributes. For example, the coatings cure rapidly under ambient conditions, have low VOC emissions upon curing, and have reduced tendency to form ghost images, even after prolonged normal use.
US09056513B2
An ink ribbon cartridge holds an ink ribbon impregnated with ink. A casing includes two guide portions projecting from the casing. An ink ribbon formed in a Mobius loop, the ink ribbon including a width, the ink ribbon including a first half of the width and a second half of the width, the ink ribbon being housed in the casing and exiting the casing from a free end of one of the two guide portions and entering the casing from a free end of the other of the two guide portions. An ink supplying section supplies ink to the ink ribbon at an area in the first half of the width, the area being directly facing the casing between the two guide portions.
US09056510B2
An image forming apparatus A includes: a light irradiation device 3 which irradiates laser light; an image carrying body 1 which is exposed to the laser light to form a latent image on the exposed portion; and an abutting member 31 which is fastened to the light irradiation device in abutting contact with a stationary member F for defining a reference position. The abutting member 31 changes in volume due to temperature fluctuation, and the light irradiation device 3 moves with respect to the stationary member F, in an opposite direction to a focal point shift which has taken place along an irradiation direction of the laser light due to the temperature fluctuation.
US09056501B2
A control method that conveys a recording medium fed from a first conveyance unit a specific number of paper feed steps after the leading end is detected by a first detection unit, and stops conveyance after conveying the leading end of the recording medium passed the second conveyance unit, second detection unit, and print unit to an initial printing position has a reference distance acquisition step that gets a reference number of conveyance steps equal to the distance between the second detection unit and the initial printing position in the specific number of conveyance steps; an actual step count measurement step that measures an actual number of steps the recording medium is conveyed during actual conveyance from detection of the leading end by the second detection unit until conveyance stops; and an evaluation step that determines if paper feed error occurred when conveying the recording medium.
US09056499B2
A plurality of through holes are provided between upstream ejection ports and downstream ejection ports. Thereby, when a rear end portion and therearound of a paper sheet is opposed to the downstream ejection ports, gas sucked to suction holes exposed at an upstream side of the paper sheet can be absorbed from the through holes. This can suppress an airflow occurring between a housing and the paper sheet. As a result, deviation of ink droplets ejected from the downstream ejection ports can be suppressed.
US09056495B2
An inkjet printer is configured to apply a coating material to an imaging surface before an ink image is formed on the surface. At least one optical sensor generates image data of the coating on the imaging surface and identifies a thickness of the coating material. Components of the coating material applicator can be adjusted to keep the thickness of the coating material within a predetermined range.
US09056494B2
A tractor unit has first and second tractors with tractor pins that engage sprocket holes on opposites sides of continuous paper. A tractor support shaft supports the tractors movably in the device width direction. A frame supports the tractor support shaft movably in the device width direction. A clamping mechanism is provided for fixing the second tractor on the tractor support shaft. The first tractor 31 is disposed at a reference position in the device width direction. A biasing member biases the tractor support shaft in a second direction when the tractor support shaft moves in a first direction opposite to the second direction.
US09056486B1
An inkjet image forming apparatus includes ink heads, a drive voltage controller that adjusts density by controlling each drive voltage of the ink heads, a halftone processing controller that adjusts density by changing the number of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle of the ink heads, and a density adjustment controller that prints and scans a density adjustment pattern to calculate an adjustment value of each density level. The density adjustment controller adjusts density of a lowest density level so that the drive voltage controller controls each drive voltage based on the adjustment value of the lowest density level, and adjusts density of each density level other than the lowest density level so that the halftone processing controller changes the number of ink droplets based on the adjustment value of each density level other than the lowest density level and the adjustment result by the drive voltage controller.
US09056481B2
The invention provides a technique for raising the reliability of contact between contact members of a liquid ejection device and terminals of a cartridge. A cartridge is configured to be removably mounted to a liquid ejection device including a first engaging portion and a conductive contact member that has elastic force and that is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first engaging portion. The cartridge includes a terminal arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the conductive contact member, and a first hook that can be engaged with the first engaging portion.
US09056478B2
An elongate ink distribution member for mounting a printhead integrated circuit. The ink distribution member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ink supply channels and a mounting surface having a plurality of ink supply conduits defined therein. The ink supply conduits are arranged in sets with each set of ink supply conduits being in fluid communication with a respective one of the ink supply channels. The ink supply conduits extend generally transversely from an upstream outer region towards a downstream inner region of the mounting surface.
US09056473B2
A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module.
US09056465B2
An inkjet printer for producing graphic or functional products, the inkjet printer having integrated optical monitoring of the correct function of each of the nozzles that shoot the ink onto the substrate. For this purpose, the drops ejected from the nozzles are illuminated from the direction of the ejecting nozzles, and the light reflected backwards from the drop flying away is conducted onto light-sensitive sensors during the flight of the drop.
US09056464B2
An inkjet printer and method therefore including a detector to monitor a quantity of release agent applied to a spreader drum. The inkjet printer includes a drum maintenance unit which applies the release agent to the spreader drum with a metering device, such as a metering blade, and determines a flow rate of unused release agent returned to a release agent sump. The determined flow rate of release agent provides a determination of the quantity of release agent applied to the spreader drum. Upon the determination that too much release agent has been applied based on the flow rate, an alert signal is generated indicating that the metering blade should be inspected and replaced if necessary. Monitoring the amount of release agent applied to the spreader drum in this way enables a more robust printing and in-line coating system.
US09056448B2
Fiber reinforced composite structures having curved stepped surfaces are fabricated by laying up plies of fiber reinforced material over a tool having a stepped tool feature. The plies are rotated about a fixed axis as they are laid up to substantially form a fixed axis rosette pattern. The plies are angularly oriented such that at least certain of the plies have fiber orientations other than 0, +45, −45 and 90 degrees. Potential bridging of the fibers over the stepped tool features is reduced or eliminated by cutting slits in the plies in the area of the stepped features, so that the plies can be fully compacted.
US09056447B2
The invention relates to a tough, flexible multi-layer tube or other structure having a vinylidene fluoride contact layer. Such a tube is especially useful for high-purity contact applications, and contact where chemical resistance is needed. The vinylidene fluoride layer is melt-processible and may be a homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer.
US09056443B2
A brazing process, a braze arrangement, and a brazed article are disclosed. The brazing process includes brazing an article with a braze arrangement. The braze arrangement includes a first braze material and a second braze material, the first braze material having a first melting point and the second braze material having a second melting point, the first melting point differing from the second melting point. The brazed article includes a treatment region, a first brazed material positioned within the treatment region, and a second brazed material positioned distal from the article in comparison to the first brazed material. The first brazed material is formed by the first braze material and the second brazed material is formed by the second braze material.
US09056435B2
A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface.
US09056422B2
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a manufactured physical object includes surface features that encode information according to a code. Each respective surface feature consists of a bump on, or recess in, a surface of the object. Each respective surface feature by itself, regardless of any state of any other surface feature, encodes a sequence of multiple bits. The sequence is determined, at least in part, by a discrete elevation of the respective surface feature. At least three different discrete elevations of surface features are significant in the code. Also, one or more other parameters of the surface features may be significant in the code, such as discrete rotational orientation, discrete overall shape, discrete color, or presence or absence of the feature.
US09056421B2
A manufacturing method is adapted for materials that are susceptible to deformation during the manufacturing process, such as composite parts that change shape during curing. The method includes modifying a part design to compensate for changes in the shape of the part that occur during a curing phase of the manufacturing process. A manufacturing mold is created according to the modified part design, then a part is formed in the mold and cured in the mold. While the part is still in the mold after the curing phase, the part is finished according to the modified part design wherein excess material is removed and apertures are created. While the part is still in the mold after the finishing phase, the finished part is inspected using automated inspection equipment to confirm that the finished part conforms to the modified part design.
US09056412B2
A method for reducing the adherence of a High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) to belt surfaces in a multi-tiered curing oven is provided. The method comprises forming a High Internal Phase Emulsion from an oil phase comprising monomer, cross-linking agent, emulsifier, an aqueous phase and photoinitiator; depositing the High Internal Phase Emulsion on an extrusion belt; exposing the High Internal Phase Emulsion to an Ultraviolet light source to partially polymerize the top surface of the High Internal Phase Emulsion; moving the High Internal Phase Emulsion to a multi-tiered curing oven such that the partially polymerized top surface of the High Internal Phase Emulsion is contacted with a curing oven belt in the multi-tiered curing oven; and polymerizing the monomer component in the oil phase of the High Internal Phase Emulsion at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 150° C. for a time sufficient to from a High Internal Phase Emulsion foam.
US09056411B2
Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls.
US09056405B2
The average roughness Ra of a mold tool surface that comes into contact with a material to be molded measured for a measurement area 10 μm square or smaller is equal to or lower than 5 nm, and fine granular projection structures having diameters ranging from 10 to 80 nm and heights ranging from 10 to 40 nm are formed on the mold tool surface with a density of 400/μm2 or higher. The frictional force due to the anchoring effect or the digging effect is reduced, and the adhesive force due to meniscus is also reduced. The release resistance is significantly reduced without affecting the dimensional precision of a fine molded product.
US09056402B2
In one example, a machinery fence support system comprises a worktable having a recess therein and a cutting element protruding upwardly from the worktable. The system has a track which is slidably received within the recess of the worktable. A bracket connected to the track; and a sacrificial fence is adjustably connected to the bracket. A track system is connected to the sacrificial fence and a stop assembly connected to the track system. The track slides within the recess of the worktable such that the sacrificial fence passes over the cutting element such that a beaded face frame feature is cut into a workpiece.
US09056401B2
A method of trimming printed media, having a first dimension, a first edge parallel to the direction of the first dimension, and a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the first dimension, includes selecting printed media to be positioned on a conveyor based on predetermined delivery sequence data, positioning the printed media along a path on the conveyor, abutting the printed media with a stop to position the first edge of the printed media at a location along the path, receiving size data representative of the second dimension of the printed media to be trimmed, and electronically controlling at least one of the stop and a trimming device to adjust a distance between the stop and the trimming device, in a direction substantially parallel with the path, based on the received size data to adjust a location along the second dimension at which the printed media is to be trimmed.
US09056400B2
A process for use in an in-mold labeling application utilizes a rolled label sheet having a multiplicity of pre-printed non-adhesive labels and a pre-printed registration mark associated with each of the labels, the process detecting each of the registration marks to alignment the label sheet in a predetermined longitudinal position before labels are cut therefrom, conveying the rolled label sheet forward or backward, cutting one or more labels from the label sheet, forming a controlled loop in the label sheet, detecting each of the registration marks for aligning the label sheet in a position of registration, providing a hold down vacuum for maintaining the label sheet in a position of registration during conveyance to a predetermined label removal position, and releasing the hold down vacuum to permit removal, by an external pick and place device, of one or more of the previously-cut labels.
US09056399B2
The utility knife device generally comprises a sheath, covering a portion of the user's hand and a blade housing which attach together at a connection point. The blade housing is made up of a casing which preferably encloses the user's index finger, a blade housed within the casing and a trigger which extends out of the casing and manipulates the blade. The blade is capable of extending outward from the casing being held in place for use. The blade is also capable of automatically retracting within the casing so that the blade is not exposed.
US09056397B2
A robot according to an aspect of embodiments includes a motor and a hypoid gear. The motor is provided in a robot arm. The hypoid gear transmits the driving force of the motor to a leading-edge arm coupled to the robot arm to swing the leading-edge arm or to rotate an end effector.
US09056386B2
The present invention aims to provide a method of shot-peening treatment that substantially improves the durability (particularly, heat check resistance) of the treated surface of the steel products in the process of treating by shot peening (hereafter, “SP”) the surface of the steel product that is the work to be treated and that was treated by heat hardening.The SP treatment of the present invention that gives the SP treatment to the steel product that was heat-treated and that is a work to be treated comprises the first SP treatment that removes the compound layer (white layer) and a second SP treatment that gives compressive residual stress to the first SP treated surface that was treated by the first SP treatment where the second SP treatment is carried out only to the products where it has been proved by the non-destructive inspection that the compound layers are removed by the first SP treatment.
US09056375B2
When the column-shaped raw material 10 is subjected to an upsetting process, a simultaneous forward-backward extrusion process, a punching process, a rolling process and a finishing process in order, to obtain an outer ring 3 that constitutes a back-to back double-row angular ball bearing 3, in the simultaneous forward-backward extrusion process, using a floating die 31 having a bottom plate section 35 with a circular convex section 34 and a punch 33 having a punch side convex section 37 provided on an distal end thereof, the section closer to the center in the radial direction of the first intermediate material 11a is compressed in the axial direction, causing the metal material of the first intermediate material 11a to move outward in the radial direction and move approximately uniformly in both extrusion (forward and backward) direction of the punch 33, whereby the middle metal material 29 having a high degree of cleanliness of the column-shaped raw material 10 is exposed over the entire portion that will become the double-row outer-ring raceways 2.
US09056372B2
A method of extending the useable life of a gas turbine component fabricated from a cobalt-based alloy is disclosed. The method includes applying a rejuvenation process to the alloy where the alloy is placed in a protected atmosphere and heated to three different elevated temperatures and held at the elevated temperatures for approximately four hours each. Application of the rejuvenation process allows gas turbine components to be returned to service for at least one more service interval of approximately 24,000 operating hours.
US09056370B1
In one aspect of the disclosure, an article for filling an opening in an object includes a plug having a body, a first flange, and a second flange. The plug has a trailing end. The first flange is in contact with the body and extends away from the body. The second flange is in contact with the first flange and extends away from the first flange and the body. The second flange is configured to deform toward the body upon installation of the plug into the opening. This deformation of the second flange rotationally and translationally secures the plug in the opening and consolidates the plug in the opening.
US09056361B2
The liquid-quality adjusting apparatus of the present invention includes: a water purifying part that deionizes a machining liquid; an anticorrosive part that exchanges ions in the machining liquid with anticorrosive ions; a conductivity measuring part that measures a measured value of conductivity of the machining liquid; a storage part that stores in advance a first reference value and a second reference value which are an upper limit value and a lower limit value of conductivity applicable to machining, respectively, and a third reference value which is between the first reference value and the second reference value; and a control part that performs control on the basis of the reference values stored in the storage part and the measured value of the conductivity of the machining liquid measured by the conductivity measuring part.
US09056359B1
An apparatus for removing a lock bolt collar from an installed lock bolt extending from a joint surface. The apparatus has an outer sleeve with a tubular conduit, and a joint engagement surface for contacting a surface of said joint. The apparatus also has an inner sleeve disposed within the tubular conduit of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has teeth for gripping and pulling the lock bolt collar. When the inner sleeve is pulled into the outer sleeve, a ridge disposed on an exterior surface of the inner sleeve pushes the teeth in a radially inward direction to grip and pull the lock bolt collar off the lock bolt.
US09056356B2
A device for machining workpieces, in which a surface plate (1) that can be driven about a rotational axis (W) can be moved in a linear fashion along the rotational axis (W) and the rotational axis (W) is constructed as a hollow axis (H), on the outside diameter of which the surface plate is rotatably mounted, and in which two cross slides (2, 3) which can be displaced radially to the outside and inside perpendicular to the rotational axis (W) are provided on the surface plate (1), and in which the surface plate (1) can be driven by a first drive and the cross slides (2, 3) can be driven by a common second drive.
US09056355B2
A cylindrical core portion, at least a part of which is made of a noble metal alloy and which has a diameter larger than a maximum diameter of a shape obtained by lathe machining, and a hollow-cylindrical peripheral portion, which is made of a material different from the material of the core portion, are included. The core portion is arranged in a hollow portion of the peripheral portion with no space. The material applied to the peripheral portion is a free-cutting material selected from a group of, for example, free-cutting brass, free-cutting phosphor bronze, free cutting nickel silver, and free-cutting beryllium copper. The noble metal alloy applied to the core portion is, for example, alloy mainly consisting of silver, palladium, gold, platinum, zinc, copper, iron, and nickel, alloy mainly consisting of palladium, silver, and copper, or alloy mainly consisting of silver, platinum, zinc, gold, and copper.
US09056353B2
Described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock has a surface with an average roughness of at least 200 microns. Also described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock, when supported on a support during a melting process of the feedstock, has a contact area between the feedstock and the support up to 50% of a total area of the support. These feedstocks can be made by molding ingots of BMG into a mole with surface patterns, enclosing one or more cores into a sheath with a roughened surface, chemical etching, laser ablating, machining, grinding, sandblasting, or shot peening. The feedstocks can be used as starting materials in an injection molding process.
US09056344B2
In a method for producing hot-rolled sections of steel with a rectangular or square cross-section, a substantially round pipe blank produced seamlessly by hot rolling or cold finished and welded and having a defined nominal outside diameter is initially produced and then formed at a forming temperature into a hollow section having the required cross-section, with visible edges C1 and C2 of the hollow section having a value ≦1.5×t (t=wall thickness). The pipe blank has a nominal outer diameter determined from a reduction ratio of the pipe blank to be achieved and the hollow section dimensions to be achieved, wherein the reduction ration lies within a range of −2% to −13% and is determined according to the following formula: Reduction ratio R[%]=[(2×(H+B))−π×D]×100%/[2×(H+B)].
US09056334B2
A disc for releasable attachment to a shaft of a disc screen apparatus includes a hub having a bore and a single split defining a pair of opposing ends. The hub also has at least one flexible portion intermediate the opposing ends that permits the opposing ends of the hub to be separated a predetermined distance sufficient to allow the shaft of the disc screen apparatus to pass between the opposing ends into the bore. The hub has plurality of outer impacting portions configured for engaging materials to be classified and propelling the materials in a conveying direction when the hub is rotated. A mechanism is provided to secure the hub to the shaft so that the shaft extends through the bore.
US09056333B2
An ultrasound probe includes a backing member, inorganic piezoelectric elements arranged on a top surface of the backing member, an acoustic matching layer disposed on and extending over the inorganic piezoelectric elements, and organic piezoelectric elements arranged on the acoustic matching layer.
US09056332B2
The invention relates to the application of a coating to a substrate in which the coating includes a polymer material and the coating is selectively fluorinated and/or cured to improve the liquid repellance of the same. The invention also provides for the selective fluorination and/or curing of selected areas of the coating thus, when completed, providing a coating which has regions of improved liquid repellance with respect to the remaining regions and which remaining regions may be utilized as liquid collection areas.
US09056324B2
A spraying device includes a housing that has a spraying unit and a trigger assembly. The spraying unit is a removable insert within the housing. The spraying unit includes an air chamber that is coupled to a liquid tank. A front end portion of the air chamber has a nozzle. The air chamber receives a liquid tube that opens in the nozzle. The liquid tube receives a needle and the needle and the liquid tube are coaxial with each other. The trigger assembly controls the flow of liquid through the liquid tube by positioning a tapered front end of the needle. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a first position and a second position. In the first position, the opening of the liquid tube is closed by the needle. In a second position, the liquid tube is opened to discharge a liquid from an opening of the liquid tube.
US09056319B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US09056318B2
A device and method for the separation of a component in a liquid sample prior to the detection of an analyte in said sample, wherein a sample is added to a receiving zone on a substrate, said substrate further optionally comprising a reaction zone, a transport or incubation zone connecting the receiving and reaction zone, respectively, forming a flow path on a substrate, wherein said substrate is a non-porous substrate, and at least part of said flow path consists of areas of projections substantially vertical to said surface, and having a height (H), diameter (D) and reciprocal spacing (t1, t2) such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample in said zone is achieved, and where means for separation are provided adjacent to the zone for receiving the sample. Said means for separation are chosen among filter means, optionally enhanced by affinity binding and/or aggregation; magnetic means, also optionally enhanced by affinity binding and/or aggregation; and acoustic means.
US09056317B2
A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and/or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane.
US09056316B2
Semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks are described. More specifically, the semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks include at least two polymers that are closely associated. The first polymer is an ionic polymer that is not crosslinked. The second polymer is a cross-linked polymer that can be either another ionic polymer or a non-ionic polymer. Methods of making the semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks, articles containing the semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks, and methods of using the semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks are also described. The semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks can function as ion exchange resins.
US09056314B2
The invention relates to palladium(0)-tris{tri-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-phosphine} complex of formula (I), as well as to its preparation and use. This compound is outstandingly stable, and can be used as catalyst with excellent results.
US09056309B2
A method for preparing a ruthenium catalyst, including a step of reducing a ruthenium catalyst precursor by holding the ruthenium catalyst precursor in an aqueous solution containing a metal salt at a temperature within the range of more than 180° C. and 220° C. or less and a hydrogen partial pressure within the range of 0.6 MPa or more and 5 MPa or less. A method for producing a cycloolefin, including a step of preparing a ruthenium catalyst by the method including a step of reducing a ruthenium catalyst precursor in an aqueous solution containing a metal salt by holding the ruthenium catalyst precursor at a temperature within the range of more than 180° C. and 220° C. or less and a hydrogen partial pressure within the range of 0.6 MPa or more and 5 MPa or less, and a step of partially hydrogenating a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon by use of the ruthenium catalyst obtained.
US09056306B2
Two or more acidic gaseous species such as hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide from an adsorbent can be selectively removed from a feed gas by contacting the feed gas with an adsorbent for these acidic species, followed by: a. subjecting the adsorbent to a first purging gas, said first purging gas not containing said first acidic gaseous species and containing said second acidic gaseous species at a partial pressure which is at least the partial pressure of said second gaseous species in said feed gas; b. subsequently subjecting the adsorbent to a second purging gas, said second purging gas not containing said first gaseous species and, containing this second gaseous species at a partial pressure which is lower than the partial pressure of said second gaseous species in said feed gas.
US09056298B2
A system including an ultrasonic resonance chamber containing a cavitation reaction chamber therein is described. In some embodiments, the resonance chamber or resonator comprises a spherical metal shell having fluid and other couplings and containing a first liquid that carries an acoustic field within the resonator. A second fluid or material that can flow within the reaction chamber or reactor is disposed at a location in the resonator so that the two fluids do not mix but the acoustic field in the resonator can generate cavitation inside the reactor to cause a desired transformation or reaction in the second fluid or material.
US09056295B2
A method for installing a monitoring device with the simultaneous loading of a particulate catalyst into a vertical catalyst tube includes (i) introducing a monitoring device into the tube, (ii) introducing monitoring device alignment apparatus into the tube, (iii) introducing catalyst loading apparatus into the tube, (iv) loading catalyst particles into the top of the tube whereinafter they contact said catalyst loading apparatus as they pass down the tube, forming a uniform bed of catalyst beneath said catalyst loading apparatus and alignment apparatus and around said monitoring device, and (v) simultaneously removing the catalyst loading apparatus and alignment apparatus from the catalyst tube in timed relationship to the catalyst loading. The monitoring device alignment apparatus includes a ring member and two or more spacing members affixed to the ring member such that the ring member and the monitoring device are centrally positioned within the tube.
US09056294B2
Methods and devices are provided for transfer of particulate material, such as biomass feedstocks, into and out of pressurized reactors. Improved sluice devices have an L-shaped sluice chamber having an upper, vertical component in communication with a horizontal loading chamber and a lower component in communication with a vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Piston valves seal the sluice inlet and outlet by axial displacement across the vertical component of the sluice chamber and across the vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Relative to other methods for reactor unloading, these devices consume less steam and significantly reduce furfural content of unloaded, pretreated biomass. An optional hybrid plug/sluice method of biomass feeding using the devices permits biomass loading at sluice pressures intermediate between atmospheric and reactor pressure, thereby reducing “pump cycle” time and increasing biomass throughput capacity.
US09056291B2
A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and/or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and/or mix the fluids in the chamber.
US09056280B2
The present invention provides a method for sterilizing a blood purifier, which method is effective to decrease the amounts of extracts from the blood purifier attributed to the deterioration of the selectively permeable separation membranes with time during and after exposure to a radioactive ray or an electron ray, and which method is highly reliable in safety when employed for hemocatharsis therapy. The present invention also provides a blood purifier package.The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a blood purifier which comprises substantially dried selectively permeable separation membranes as a main component, by way of the exposure of the same blood purifier to a radioactive ray and/or an electron ray, and this method is characterized in that the blood purifier is sealed in a packaging bag, together with an oxygen scavenger and a humectant or together with an oxygen scavenger capable of releasing a moisture, and is then sterilized in such a sealed state by the above exposure.
US09056277B1
Disclosed herein are examples of open mesh style monolith filters utilizing an ozone-depleting catalyst. In addition, pairing of an ozone depletion coated filter with electrostatic filter is disclosed herein such that the electrostatic filter is provided upstream of the ozone depletion coated filter so as to reduce the volume of particulates encountered by the ozone depletion coated filter and thus extending the useful life of the ozone depletion coated filter. In addition, pairing of the treated filter as well as the combined treated filter and electrostatically charged filter with an air ionizer is disclosed herein so as to further reduce particulates in the air stream, reduce chemical contaminants in the air stream, and provide a low pressure airflow through the filter. A method for making an economical ozone depletion filter that is energy efficient (with open mesh monolith structure) with high air cleaning efficiency at ambient temperature.
US09056275B2
Carbon dioxide capture and release includes contacting a gas comprising carbon dioxide with a mixture comprising a precursor and a solvent and reducing the precursor to form a capture agent. The capture agent is reacted with the carbon dioxide to form a non-volatile species containing carbon dioxide. The non-volatile species is oxidized to regenerate the precursor and to release carbon dioxide. The mixture may be formed by combining the precursor and the solvent.
US09056272B2
A system and method for continuously separating different isotopes of a particular element, such as Uranium, Zirconium, or Hydrogen, in an electrolytic medium. The ions of the isotopes to be separated are moved in the electrolytic medium using electric field. As the lighter ions will move faster than the heavier ions, the separation will happen and the lighter ions will be ahead of the heavier ions by a separation distance. To improve the separation, other forces (either proportional to the mass or not) are generated on the ions in directions that add additional separation factors. These forces could be centrifugal, electromagnetic, resistive dragging, mechanical (flow), etc. The invented separation process and device is simple and less expensive than other comparable devices, providing outstanding separation at low cost, and could be built using the already available materials and technologies that exist in any country in the world.
US09056268B2
A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber (such as glass) and a binder fiber (such as bicomponent) that combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.
US09056262B2
The invention provides, in one aspect, a system for recirculating ozonated liquid. The system includes a contactor including at least two inlets and at least two outlets. The contactor is in fluid communication with a first liquid source at a first contactor inlet and a second liquid source at a second contactor inlet, and the second contactor inlet receives gas that purges at least a portion of gas from liquid received at the first contactor inlet. The purged gas exits the contactor at a first contactor outlet. The contactor is in fluid communication with the second liquid source at a second contactor outlet, and the contactor drains at least a portion of the liquid in the contactor, the drained liquid exiting the contactor at the second contactor outlet. The contactor includes a third inlet in fluid communication with the first liquid source, the third inlet allowing the first liquid source to release liquid at an ambient pressure.
US09056256B2
Techniques are described herein for automatically determining a play personality of a user. Play personalities develop from play type and play patterns, which may be automatically determined by computing devices based on that user/subject's information and actions. Furthermore, in a gaming environment, the play personality of the user/subject may be represented by an avatar, doppelganger, narrative, graphic or iconic depiction. The play personality may be determined based on the avatar or doppelganger's actions, which may include but are not limited to how they respond to questions posed by non-playing characters and/or the avatars or doppelgangers of other users. Once determined, the play personality may be used as a basis for identifying and integrating intrinsic motivators and integrating user-centric design which can alter some aspect of the game environment, such as the appearance of the avatar, or the nature of a quest, or means for identifying or exploring solutions in gamification.
US09056250B2
A method of establishing a communication event between a first user and a second user of a communication system; wherein the first user operates a user terminal executing an electronic game application; the method comprising the steps of: storing contact information for at least the second user of the communication system; associating the contact information of the second contact with one or more game objects in the electronic game application; receiving an input signal from the first user to interact with a game object displayed during execution of the electronic game application; and responsive to receiving the signal to interact with the game object, establishing a communication event between the first user of the game application and the second user of the communication system using the contact information associated with the game object.
US09056247B2
A system and method for producing realistic computer character based animation, for example for computer games, by decomposing each character into a plurality of elements, preparing low resolution approximations of at least some elements for constructing a three dimensional approximation of the character and then applying and transforming one or more sprites to the approximations of the elements.
US09056246B2
A computer-implemented method of reverse engineering items in a computer game, including: selecting a first loot item; selecting a reverse engineering tool; placing the first loot item in the reverse engineering tool; and implementing a reverse engineering function on the reverse engineering tool. Keywords include MMO, crafting, reverse engineer, and custom modifier.
US09056245B2
An electronic apparatus 1 includes a holder 50 arranged along the rear surface of a main board 20 and the front surface of a sub-board 30. The holder 50 includes a connector holder portion 51 that holds a connector 59 in a position offset in the thickness direction of the main board 20 and the sub-board 30 from a position on the rear surface of the main board 20 and a position on the front surface of the sub-board 30. The holder 50 includes a cable holder portion 52 that holds a cable 58. Consequently, it is possible to optimize the position of an electronic component such as a connector and prevent interference between a cable connected to the electronic component and other electronic components on a circuit board.
US09056241B2
A roller skate having enhanced durability and stability is disclosed. Furthermore, the roller skate is particularly adapted for affixing to a person's footwear, such as sneakers, boots or the like. The skate includes a platform for supporting a skater's foot. The platform includes a toe plate and heel plate connected by an adjustable connecting assembly. A front truck is affixed to the underside of the toe plate, while a rear truck is affixed to the underside of the heel plate. The front truck includes simple bracket arms for affixing a single front wheel which is capable of rotating, but not capable of tilting about the platform's longitudinal axis. Meanwhile, the rear wheel truck is mounted to the underside of the heel plate so as to permit both tilting movement about an inclined longitudinal axis, and also rotation about a transverse axis relative to the roller skate's platform. Preferably, the roller skate includes three wheels rotatably mounted to the rear wheel truck. A button projects upwardly from the roller skate's rear truck so as to engage a skater's heel when it is placed upon the roller skate's platform. The button is connected to the roller skate's connecting assembly so that depression of the button causes the platform to unlock from an extending condition to allow the skate to automatically contract to capture a skater's foot.
US09056238B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard construction having a shin guard and a strap. The strap may provide a number of adjustments, such as adjusting a vertical position of strap attachment to the shin guard, a length of the strap, and/or a position of a portion of the strap in both a horizontal and/or a vertical location on a wearer's leg. Further, the strap may have an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the shin guard. The orientation of the strap in an upward direction may be a result of a location and/or orientation of one or more fasteners. Additionally, the orientation of the strap may be a result of the size and/or shape of the strap.
US09056233B2
A lower corner connector for a modular sports goal comprises a first tube having a generally circular inner surface and a second tube extending substantially perpendicularly to the first tube. The first tube has an open end for receiving an upright and a base opposite the open end for resting on a surface. A retainer projects inwardly from the inner surface of the first tube for engaging and retaining the upright and permitting the upright to rock toward and away from the second tube within the first tube to assist in absorbing impact forces.
US09056232B2
A lightweight sports net frame assembly and anti-rebound system allowing straightforward assembly, enhanced rigidity, expedited replacement of the net and ease in retrieval of objects from the net frame assembly during usage of said assembly. The net frame assembly comprises substantially cylindrical cavities that allow for cables, rods or other tethering means to pass through said cavities and in turn securely fasten within the side frame members. The joints of the frame are comprised of various interlocking pieces, which provide smooth outer surface at the joints, reinforce the rigidity of the frame and diminish rotational moments on individual segments. A frame stability system is incorporated.
US09056229B2
The invention relates to a piece of sports equipment which is subject to a shock-like load. In a piece of sports equipment in accordance with the invention, an elongated support element is present which is at least regionally inwardly hollow. It can, for example, be an at least almost complete baseball bat or also only a part region at which a handle of a piece of sports equipment is present. At least one hollow space in which metallic and/or ceramic hollow bodies are present is present in the support element. In the piece of sports equipment, the support element can form the outer skin or at least a part thereof.
US09056220B2
Several embodiment of an exercycle which is suspended by floatation devices just below the surface of the water, requires the user to exercise both upper and lower body portions to work the cycle while maintaining balance in the water. The aquatic equilibrium cycle can be used for muscle toning, physical therapy or competition. Some embodiments employ a foot pedal having hinged wings which produce an octopus-type propulsion to move the cycle in a forward direction. Some embodiments allow the adjustment of the magnitude of floatation force to accommodate the body size of the particular end user.
US09056216B1
A weighted jump rope includes an elongated cord having a first end, an opposing second end, an intermediate portion and an axial bore extending from an opening on the first end to an opening on the second end. The axial bore is filled with a predetermined amount of weighted material, such as sand. A dowel received within each opening forms an expanded portion that retains a bearing disc on each end of the cord. Each bearing disc engages an internal bearing surface within a rotating handle assembly that prevents the cord from binding or contorting as it encircles an exerciser.
US09056213B2
Protective barriers are commonly installed beneath ceilings when construction work is performed either on these ceilings or on the roofs located above them. These protective barriers can be comprised entirely of one material or of different materials connected by seams. Some or all of these materials can be designed to fail when subjected to temperatures above a certain temperature range causing melting or some other destructive process to occur to these materials. These failures can create access points from the ceiling through the protective barrier to areas below being protected by the barrier, which can allow water from a fire suppression system, typically located near the ceiling, to reach a fire located below the protective barrier.
US09056200B2
A hazardous fluid transport container and a hazardous fluid delivery system are disclosed. The hazardous fluid transport container includes a housing enclosing an at least partially shielded enclosure. First and second fluid path elements are disposed within the housing, with the first fluid path element and second fluid path element fluidly coupled together. A pump unit may be provided for dispensing fluid from the first and second fluid path elements optionally into a third fluid path element. Also, methods for priming the hazardous fluid transport container and for mitigating laminar flow injection bolus spreading are disclosed. Additionally, disclosed is a radioactive fluid transport container for a syringe or other container. The radioactive fluid transport container allows the syringe or container to be used in an injection procedure without removal from the container.
US09056191B2
A tissue treatment apparatus for restoring patency in a body vessel is provided. The tissue treatment apparatus includes an elongated catheter dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel having an at least partial occlusion. Proximal and distal expandable segments are mounted to the elongated catheter and are positionable adjacent the occlusion and are configured to transition from a first condition to a second expanded condition. A mesh in operative engagement with the proximal and distal expandable segments is expandable radially outwardly from the catheter upon corresponding transition of the proximal and distal expandable segments to the second condition. The mesh includes a conductive material adapted to transmit electrosurgical energy to treat and facilitate removal of the occlusion, to thereby assist in restoring patency within the body vessel.
US09056179B2
Hose connection system for narially sensitive diagnostic devices. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including a test device and a nasal cannula. The test device includes a first port configured to sense an attribute of airflow, and a second port configured to sense an attribute of airflow. The nasal cannula includes a first hose configured to fluidly couple on a device-end to the first port (and the first hose configured to fluidly couple between the first port and a first naris of a patient), and a second hose configured to fluidly couple on a device-end to the second port (and the second hose configured to fluidly couple between the second port and a second naris of the patient). The nasal cannula is configured such that the first hose only couples to the first port and the second hose only couples to the second port.
US09056161B2
A system and a method for delivering fluid to and sensing analyte levels in the body of the patient are disclosed. The system includes a dispensing apparatus configured to infuse fluid into the body of the patient and a sensing apparatus configured to be in communication with the dispensing apparatus and further configured to detect a level of analyte concentration in the body of the patient.
US09056151B2
Purifying human derived collagen from human tissue includes treating harvested human tissue with an enzyme to form a collagen product, deactivating the enzyme with a non-alkaline enzyme deactivation solution, and collecting the collagen product resulting from the enzyme treatment, where the collected collagen product includes a preserved amount of its natural collagen constituents. Various medical implants can be formed using the isolated, enzymatically-treated human derived collagen having an amount of its natural collagen constituents preserved, and may include implantable sponges, patches, tubes, structural supports and coatings, and which may be used for repair, barrier, support and/or stabilization purposes.
US09056147B2
A device is presented for disinfecting needleless connectors. The device has a housing that contains a UV light source. The UV light source is operably connected to a power source. The housing has a receptacle configured to selectively receive a shield. The shield has an inner reflective chamber with an internal surface that reflects UV light. In use, the UV light source can illuminate a needleless connector inserted within the shield.
US09056144B1
A non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting device is disclosed in which a flat bonded porous fibrous mass is impregnated with a mass of air-scenting liquid not exceeding the dripping liquid mass of the extent of the bonded fibrous mass. The surface segments of the fibrous mass have at least one of i) higher capillary pressure, ii) higher mass density, and iii) lower average fiber denier than the interior body of the fibrous mass. The bonded fibrous mass is enclosed between two impermeable membranes sealed around their perimeter and having an opening covered with a removable impermeable liner.
US09056141B2
The present invention relates to linker molecules that readily conjugate cellular recognition ligand at one end and drug payload at the other, and are useful in treating or preventing cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory condition, a central nervous system disorder or an infection. The linker inker molecules of the invention are represented by Formula I, II and III; Linker-Drug compounds represented by Formula IV, V and VI; and Ligand-Linker-Drug conjugates represented by Formula VII, VIII and IX:
US09056131B2
The present invention aims at providing a novel indocyanine compound solving problems of conventionally used indocyanine green, such as solubility in water or physiological saline, a synthesis method and a purification method thereof, and a diagnostic composition including the novel indocyanine compound. Further, provided are a method for evaluating biokinetics of the novel indocyanine compound and a device for measuring biokinetics, and a method and a device for visualizing circulation of fluid such as blood in a living body, which utilize the diagnostic composition. Also, found are a novel indocyanine compound in which a hydrophobic moiety in a near-infrared fluorescent indocyanine molecule is included in a cavity of a cyclic sugar chain cyclodextrin to cover the hydrophobic moiety in the indocyanine molecule with the glucose, and a synthesis method and a purification method thereof. Furthermore, found are a method for fluorescence-imaging an organ other than liver by intravenous administration, a method for evaluating biokinetics of the novel indocyanine compound, a device for measuring biokinetics, and a method and a device for visualizing circulation of fluid such as blood in a living body, utilizing the diagnostic composition including the novel indocyanine compound.
US09056120B2
Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing myelodysplastic syndromes are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administrations of 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidin-2,6-dione in combination with 5-azacytidine.
US09056109B2
The invention described herein pertains to the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In particular, the invention described herein pertains to the treatment of multiple sclerosis using compounds that modulate the action of acrolein.
US09056106B2
The present invention relates unit dose formulations of antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.
US09056098B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for treating cancer, preventing recurrence and metastasis of cancerous tumor. The composition can be used alone or in combination with at least one chemotherapeutic agent such as 5FU, Bortezomib, doxorubicin, cisplatin, or any combination thereof. The hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier in the composition is capable of targeting a surface receptor expressed on cancerous cells and facilitating the uptake of both hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier and the chemotherapeutic agent by the cancerous cells via a receptor-mediated mechanism. The hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier inhibits the expression of hypoxic response elements such as HIF1 α, VEGF, ET1, VHL, etc. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is also useful for inducing the apoptosis or cell death of a type of self-renewing and tumor-initiating cells called cancer stem cells which are located in the hypoxic niche of a cancerous tumor.
US09056092B2
A hemostatic pad comprising a bioabsorbable scaffolding material; a lyophilized thrombin powder, a lyophilized fibrinogen powder, and a meltable binder powder, with all powders disposed on the bioabsorbable scaffolding material. A meltable binder such as PEG bonds the lyophilized thrombin powder and the lyophilized fibrinogen powder to the bioabsorbable scaffolding material for improved friability, wettability and performance in a use, such as for hemostatic treatment or sealing at a wound site.
US09056081B2
The invention relates to a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection, in particular an infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention further relates to the use of a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide, wherein the composition is for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection.
US09056075B2
Two or more Neisserial proteins are joined such that they are translated as a single polypeptide chain. Hybrid proteins are represented by the formula NH2-A-[-X-L-]n-B—COOH where X is an amino acid sequence, L is an optional linker amino acid sequence. A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence, B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence, and n is an integer greater than 1. Proteins where each of the n —X— moieties shares sequence identity to each other —X— moiety, the protein is a ‘tandem protein’.
US09056071B2
A compound is provided which has a structure I: A-B-C and a method for administering the compound is also provided for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a viral infection, and in particular for preventing and/or inhibiting viral replication, in which A is a quinoline or quinoline-like group, B is a sole amino acid or a peptide or polypeptide having a given amino acid sequence, and C is an O-phenoxy group. According to one embodiment, the compound is a protease inhibitor such as a caspase inhibitor, and the inhibitor can be Q-VD-OPh (N-(2-(quinolyl)valylaspartyl-(2,6-difluorophenoxy)methyl ketone), optionally in an O-methylated form. Antiviral compositions and kits are also provided.
US09056070B2
The present disclosure relates to an autologous biological cancer vaccine and to a method for preparing the same. The vaccine of the present application is a biological vaccine obtained from overexpressed proteins in the serum of cancer patients, proteins to which have been added immunological adjuvants such as an attenuated virus DNA and amino acids in order to cause an immune response, blocking tumor cells. The preparation method includes obtaining the antigen associated with the tumor as well as the vaccine preparation with attenuated virus DNA, combining the components under conditions that have been determined by experimentation, filtration and refrigeration.
US09056068B2
The polynucleotide encoding the SSIR gene from the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is provided, along with the polypeptide encoded by the SSIR gene. It was found that when mice were immunized with the SSIR polypeptide vaccine, it provided immunity to mice which were implanted with Strongyloides stercoralis L3 implants. Methods for making the SSIR protein, recombinant vectors encoding the SSIR gene, a vaccine made from the SSIR protein, and methods of use are also provided.
US09056066B2
An agent for suppressing elevation of blood GIP level, an agent for suppressing elevation of blood insulin level, an agent for lowering blood triglyceride level after meal ingestion and an agent for suppressing elevation of blood glucose level, these agents containing potassium polyglutamates as active ingredients.
US09056064B2
A composition that rejuvenates hair by providing numerous functions for healthy, beautiful hair. The conditioner composition works best after shampooing the hair, whereby oil, grime, and debris are removed and the conditioner can maximize contact with the hair. The composition includes moisturizers that help retain moisture in the hair. The composition also serves as a reconstructor, penetrating the outer cuticle layer of the hair to the cortex and medulla layers of the hair, strengthening its structure through polymer crosslinking. The composition works as an acidity regulator. The composition includes heat absorbing polymers for shielding the hair against excessive heat caused by blow-dryers, curling irons, and hot rollers. The composition includes a surfactant to provide an additional layer to the hair for glossiness. The composition includes vitamins and nutrients efficacious for nourishing the hair follicle and hair strand itself.
US09056060B2
An adhesive composition which lacks functional groups containing reactive hydrogen moieties and contains no post-polymerization chemical crosslinker finds use in transdermal drug delivery systems. The invention enables the administration of drugs containing a reactive functional group, which drugs have heretofore not been able to be administered by the transdermal route using conventional acrylic adhesives.
US09056052B1
A solid oral controlled-release dosage form of hydrocodone is disclosed, the dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of hydrocodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and controlled release material.
US09056044B2
Compositions and methods for the treatment of premature ejaculation are provided wherein a composition comprising a vasoactive prostaglandin, a topical anesthetic, a shear-thinning polymeric thickener, a lipophilic component that is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic C1 to C8 alcohol, an aliphatic C8 to C30 ester, a liquid polyol and a mixture thereof, water and a buffer system that provides a buffered pH value for the composition in the range of about 3 to about 7.4 is administered to the penile meatus.
US09056042B2
The invention features devices for positioning and supporting the limb (e.g., an arm or leg) of a patient. The devices provide adjustable support for, e.g., the upper and lower leg. In addition, the device provides unfettered access to the patient's extremities and joints (e.g., the knee and portions of the leg above and below the knee). The invention further features methods of using the devices during diagnostic review, surgery, and rehabilitation. In addition, the invention features methods of treating a patient having a bone or tissue defect by using a device described herein.
US09056037B1
A two layer air support apparatus having at least two preformed air node circuits, where a top layer is radio frequency welded to a bottom layer for providing cyclic support to periodically shift pressure between different parts of a user's anatomy. The periodic shifting of the area supported by a user's anatomy over a period of time improves comfort and blood circulation. It is well known that periodic redistribution of skin pressure can help prevent some of the negative effects experienced through extended usage of beds and chairs. Additionally, enhancement of health and cosmetic improvement to vigorous individuals is suggested by the periodic shifting of supported anatomy due to improved rest from the benefits of a cyclic air support apparatus that has reduced complexity and cost.
US09056035B2
A tractor assembly includes a connection unit which is connected between the tractor and the wheel chair. The connection unit includes a fixing member, a top link unit, a bottom link unit and a swing rod so as to form a four-link mechanism. The connection unit includes an engaging unit with an engaging section, and a position unit. The top link unit has a reception hole and the positioning unit has a push rod. When the push rod is located at the first position, the reception hole is closed. When the push rod is located at the second position, the push rod is retracted and the reception hole is exposed. The bottom link unit is pivoted about one end of the swing rod to move the other end of the swing rod to the position of the reception hole, the engaging section is inserted into the reception hole.
US09056031B2
A pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core area, a side, and an anchoring subsystem. The anchoring subsystem includes exactly one side anchoring member. The side anchoring member has a pathway with a front end and a back end. The front end, the back end, or both ends are disposed outside of the absorbent core area. The front end is disposed at a front end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end is disposed at a back end longitudinally outboard distance. The front end longitudinally outboard distance is about equal to the back end longitudinally outboard distance.
US09056027B2
The present invention relates to articles such as pants or pant-like structures, which comprise leg hoops which are folded over along a fold line and which encircle the legs of a wearer during use, and to the manufacturing of such articles. Such manufacturing is particularly suitable for the making of diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, or other absorbent articles exhibiting a particular good body-conforming fit. The leg hoops are manufactured by flipping a part of the material, thereby creating the hoop structure as well as a body conforming shape of the article.
US09056021B2
A device (1, 7) for separating a sleeve from an implant head, comprising a drive shaft (2) having a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4), the distal end having a cam (6), wherein the cam is disposed such that when, in use, a torque is applied to the drive shaft via the proximal end the cam acts in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the drive shaft. A method of separating a sleeve from an implant head using such a device.
US09056018B2
An artificial replacement disc includes a pair of substantially parallel plates formed to occupy a space defined by vertebral endplates, each of the plates including a plurality of spikes on a first surface and a concave trough formed on a second surface opposite of the first surface. A mobile core includes a core rim with opposing convex surfaces extending from opposite sides of the core rim, the mobile core being capable of being disposed between the pair of plates to permit the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another. The spikes on each of the plates extend substantially away from the mobile core and the convex surfaces are formed to integrally fit within the concave trough of at least one of the plates. The core rim limits lateral movement of the mobile core relative to the parallel plates. One or more insertion tools for inserting and implanting the replacement disc are also described.
US09056017B2
A method of designing, presenting, generating, and fabricating custom implants by obtaining a 3D image of a site to receive an implant, simulating volumetric changes of the site, generating a virtual 3D implant, and fabricating a real 3D implant. A method of implanting a custom implant in a patient, by obtaining a 3D image of a site to receive an implant, simulating volumetric changes of the site, generating a virtual 3D implant, fabricating a real 3D implant, and implanting the implant in the patient. A method of correcting disfigurement in a patient. A method of replacing a disc in a patient's back. The present invention also provides for an implant fabricated by this method.
US09056014B2
A fixation device comprises a first clamping member having an adjustable clamping collar and a first curved support portion attached to the adjustable clamping collar. The first clamping member is adapted to receive a digit. The first curved support portion is adapted to support an inferior surface of a proximal phalanx of the digit. A distal member is adjustably attachable to the first clamping member. The distal member has a second curved support surface adapted to support an inferior surface of a distal phalanx of the digit and a curved distal end adapted to apply a compressive force in a proximal direction to a distal end of the distal phalanx.
US09056012B2
Methods, systems, and devices for replacement of a joint with a prosthetic system that replicates the natural kinematics of the joint is disclosed. A prosthetic system according to one embodiment includes a tibial component having a tibial plateau and a tibial stem portion, the tibial plateau having a top side and a bottom side, a tibial insert, with a bearing surface, adapted to be positioned on the top side of the tibial plateau, a femoral component having a base portion and a central housing, the femoral component having an axis of extension-flexion rotation, the base portion having a pair of condyles, a mechanical linkage component linking the tibial component with the femoral component and with the tibial insert in between the tibial component and the femoral component, so that there is a center of contact between the condyles and the bearing surface, the mechanical linkage component adapted to allow the center of contact to move posteriorly during flexion, provide for the movement of the axis of extension-flexion rotation in the superior-inferior direction, and allow rotation of the tibial component, the bearing surface, and the femoral component about a superior-inferior axis in order to provide and control the natural kinematics of the knee joint.
US09056006B2
A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.
US09056005B2
Methods and devices for repositioning the arytenoid cartilage of a human subject are disclosed.
US09056003B2
A tissue graft fixation device including a body having an upper and lower surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, the intermediate portion comprising at least two tabs extending transverse to the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion defining at least one hole located between the at least two tabs, and each of the at least two tabs comprising a keel extending transverse to the intermediate portion and including a cutting edge.
US09055996B2
A compact retrievable blood clot filter has a filter section, a releasable lock and an alignment section connected to the filter section. Alignment ribs of the alignment section have releasable upstream ends that are locked to the filter by the releasable lock. The releasable upstream ends of the alignment ribs are capable of being released from the releasable lock so that during retrieval of the filter, the alignment ribs can slide through the endothelial tissue that may have grown around the alignment ribs.
US09055995B2
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. An artificial obstruction is introduced into the patient's gastrointestinal tract, and a tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects.
US09055986B1
An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate transition is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate transition, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which optionally may include one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The trailing end portion has second threads extending toward the head from the intermediate transition. The second threads of the trailing end portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate transition has one or more cutting grooves traversing the increasing diameter.
US09055982B2
A spinal implant includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for fixation with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. The second member extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for fixation with vertebral tissue adjacent the lamina. The second end is connected to the second end of the first member. The first end of the second member is disposed in a spaced apart relation to the first end of the first member. The second ends are relatively movable in a configuration such that the members are expandable and/or contractible. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.
US09055981B2
The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.
US09055980B2
A bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element having a shank and a head, a continuous one-piece receiver member, a continuous one-piece first locking element and a second locking element. The receiver member has a first chamber for receiving the head, the head being pivotable in the first chamber, and a second chamber with a channel for receiving the rod. A first locking element fixes the head in the first chamber at an angle, and a second locking element fixes the rod in the second chamber. The receiver member includes a body including both the first chamber and the second chamber. The head and the rod can be inserted and locked independently from each other. The head is fixed by exerting pressure onto it. The bone anchoring device is particularly applicable to the stabilization of the spine in the sacro-iliac and the cervical region.
US09055969B2
An apparatus and method for elongating a tendon including a cutting blade and a cutting guide supporting the cutting blade in such a way that the cutting blade is movable through at least a portion of a tendon in a helical path so as to make a helical cut in the tendon which allows elongation of the tendon.
US09055968B2
A liquid injection device includes: a chamber which supply of the liquid and connects with the injection nozzle; a chamber volume varying unit to which driving voltage is applied to reduce the volume of the chamber to a volume smaller than the volume of the chamber before the driving voltage is applied; a driving voltage applying unit which applies the driving voltage to the chamber volume varying unit with the liquid supplied to the chamber; a pseudo noise data memory unit which stores sound data of pseudo noise having audible frequency components contained in driving noise generated when the driving voltage is applied to the chamber volume varying unit; and a pseudo noise outputting unit which outputs the pseudo noise by using the sound data of the pseudo noise such that the sound pressure of the driving noise decreases within the audible frequency range when the driving voltage is applied.
US09055956B2
A catheter is usable to treat a hollow anatomical structure (HAS). The catheter comprises one or more shafts which extend away from a proximal end of the catheter toward a distal end thereof. The catheter further comprises an HAS constriction energy source located at or near the distal end of the catheter. The catheter further comprises at least one radially expandable transmural fluid delivery channel located in the catheter near the HAS constriction energy source.
US09055950B2
A balloon catheter system configured to deliver one or more stimulation signal to a tissue comprises an expandable balloon disposed around a distal portion of a catheter, a plurality of electrodes, and an external sheath having a lumen sized to slidably accommodate the expandable balloon, catheter and the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes are flexibly distributed along a balloon length and are configured to deliver the stimulation signals to the tissue. The plurality of electrodes may preferably be disposed on a flexible frame coupled externally of the expandable balloon and in sliding engagement to the balloon during inflation and deflation. The flexible frame may further comprise one or more sensors. The external sheath is made of a non-conductive material and is configured to prevent delivery of the stimulation signals by the electrodes disposed along an inoperable length of the expandable balloon when the balloon is inflated.
US09055937B2
A device, system, and method for providing access to, and sealing of, a body organ includes an implant device. An implant device has a main body having an internal access lumen, with a plurality of prongs extending from a distal end of the main body. The main body can include two lumens, one slidable within the other, to form a single continuous lumen with an adjustable length. The main body has an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter, and an unexpanded configuration with an unexpanded diameter. The prongs have a generally straight configuration where they extend distally of the distal end of the main body, and a bent configuration where the prongs bend around so that their tips extend proximally of the distal end of the main body. The device may include a hemostatic barrier to prevent fluid leakage therethrough when the main body is in the unexpanded configuration.
US09055935B2
An illuminated surgical retractor system includes a retractor and a light guide disposed over the retractor. The retractor has a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface adapted to engage tissue, a distal end, and a proximal end. The light guide conforms to the shape of the retractor and is removably secured to the retractor and conducts light through the front or rear surface of the retractor. The light guide has an input adaptor and one or more light emitting surfaces.
US09055932B2
A closure system for closing openings in tissue that includes a closure device and a fastener. The closure device includes shafts that are configured to deploy a fastener to close an opening in tissue. The closure device can deploy the fastener as a knot pusher to close the opening with sutures or as a knot replacement to close the opening with sutures.
US09055928B2
The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise.
US09055925B2
Systems and methods of reducing false alarms associated with a vital-sign monitor are disclosed. One or more data samples of a vital sign of a patient are generated at a first sampling rate in a normal mode of operation. Whether the one or more data samples satisfy an alert condition is determined. An alert mode of operation is entered into if the alert condition is satisfied. One or more additional data samples of the vital sign are generated at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate in the alert mode.
US09055922B2
When an AEC sensor is changed, the same AEC as before changing the AEC sensor is carried out without modifying an existing apparatus. A storage and search unit of a console acquires a source ID and searches for and extracts position information of a detection field of an old AEC sensor corresponding to the acquired source ID from source information of a storage device. An electronic cassette includes plural detection pixels as a new AEC sensor short-circuited to signal lines without passing through TFTs in the same imaging plane as pixels. A detection field selecting circuit of an AEC unit of the electronic cassette selects a detection signal from the detection pixel existing at the position of the detection field of the old AEC sensor among the detection signals of the plural detection pixels.
US09055919B2
A method includes concurrently modulating administration of at least two different contrast agents to a subject during an imaging procedure based on a modulation profile. The at least two different contrast agents exhibit different spectral characteristics. The method further includes performing a spectral decomposition of data indicative of the at least two different contrast agents, determining concentrations of the at least two different contrast agents based on the spectral reconstruction, and determining a perfusion parameter based on a ratio of the concentrations and the modulation profile.
US09055917B2
A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the left atrium of the patient's heart, and delivering an electrical stimulus to a location in the heart. The electrical stimulus is delivered based at least in part on the sensor signal. The method also includes the steps of generating a processor output indicative of a treatment to a signaling device. The processor output is based at least in part on the sensor signal. At least two treatment signals are provided to the medical patient. The treatment signals are distinguishable from one another by the patient, and are indicative of a therapeutic treatment. The treatment signals are based at least in part on the processor output.
US09055916B2
In a first embodiment, a portable, battery-operated, minimally invasive small fiber neuropathy testing and diagnostic device, microcontrolled and interfacing with wireless powering to a wireless communications device is being disclosed. Said device is constructed out of an intra-epidermal thermal stimulus consisting of an electronically heated temperature-controlled polymer covered semiconductor material 101 lowered inside the skin through a probe 108 configured with three miniaturized electrodes 109 while a nerve impulse response measurement system records and identifies nerve action potential pulses through a proprietary algorithm. The invention also discloses a detection and characterization method of action potential pulses from neuron cells with respect to their timing such as pulse repetition statistics and rates from a single-point of measurement as diagnostically relevant for determining neuropathies. In an alternate embodiment, a medical device is constructed for biological tissue treatment for achieving a collagen denaturing effect or thermal tissue ablation.
US09055910B2
The disclosed ultrasonic diagnosis device is provided with an attitude correction mechanism, between a tilt section and a display unit, for eliminating inclination of the display unit caused by drooping down of the end portion of an arm mechanism. The attitude correction mechanism has a shaft member and a bearing, and rotates the display unit about the normal of a display surface thereof. A prong enters a slit, thereby preventing the display unit from rotating more than necessary.
US09055909B2
A radiation imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a handle unit detachably attached to the imaging unit. The imaging unit includes a digital radiation detector including a detection area, a housing incorporating the digital radiation detector, a power arranged on one side surface of the housing, and a display unit arranged on the one side surface and configured to indicate a state of the digital radiation detector. The handle unit includes a frame unit covering at least part of each of three side surfaces other than the one side surface of the housing and a grasping portion forming an opening between the handle unit and at least part of the one side surface, with the handle unit attached to the imaging unit.
US09055905B2
A method of, and apparatus for, determining if a person operating equipment is experiencing an elevated cognitive load, wherein the person's use of a device at a first time is monitored so as to set a baseline signature. Then, at a later time, the person's use of the device is monitored to determine the person's performance at the second time, as represented by a performance signature. This performance signature can then be compared against the baseline signature to predict whether the person is experiencing an elevated cognitive load.
US09055900B2
A specimen measurement system simplifies the function of a measurement device and facilitates measurement under an appropriate condition. Use is made of a specimen measurement device suitable for the system. The specimen measurement device includes a measurement unit, a measurement condition decision unit, and a communication unit. The measurement unit measures a specific component contained in the specimen. The measurement condition decision unit decides suitability of measurement conditions necessary for the measurement, and generates measurement condition data including decision result about the suitability of the measurement conditions. The communication unit transmits the measurement condition data through wireless communication.
US09055894B2
An eye refractive power measuring apparatus includes a light projecting optical system, a light receiving optical system, a focusing unit, a calibration optical system, a focus control unit, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit, based on a relation of a control signal obtained when a calibration beam is projected and a calibration value that is an output of a light receiving unit, and a correlation of a calibration value obtained in advance and eye refractive power, calculates a correlation of the control signal and the eye refractive power, and, based on a control signal obtained when measuring beam is projected, a measured value that is an output of the light receiving unit, and the correlation, calculates the eye refractive power.
US09055893B2
For measuring hardness of an object, a measurement apparatus is pushed against the object and a degree of hardness calculation system calculates hardness based on information from the measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes an acceleration sensor which outputs first information of acceleration of a contact area of the measurement apparatus, and a second sensor, such as a magnetic sensor or a pressure sensor, which outputs second information based on pressure applied to the contact area. The degree of hardness calculation system generates a second-derivative waveform by twice differentiating a waveform based on the output of the second sensor, compares the second-derivative waveform and the information of acceleration from the acceleration sensor, and calculates hardness of the object based on the comparison result.
US09055891B2
An optical tomographic image photographing apparatus having a tracking function, capable of appropriately controlling a scan in acquiring a tomographic image. The optical tomographic image photographing apparatus according to the invention includes a fundus image photographing section which photographs fundus images of an eye to be inspected and a tomographic image photographing section which photographs tomographic images of the eye to be inspected. A control method of the optical tomographic image photographing apparatus includes the steps of: calculating coordinate values matching a plurality of previously-acquired characteristic areas in the fundus image; calculating a spatial variation between the plurality of coordinate values; and controlling the scan of a measuring light by the tomographic image photographing section for acquiring the tomographic images on the basis of a result of the calculation.
US09055888B2
A system for sampling exhaled breath and for supply of a gas, the system comprising: a gas delivery cannula comprising at least one nasal prong for insertion into a nostril, the nasal prong comprising a distal end; an exhaled breath sampling cannula for insertion into the nostril, the exhaled breath sampling cannula comprising a distal end; and a connector for coupling the gas delivery cannula to the exhaled breath sampling cannula, such that the distal end of the exhaled breath sampling cannula is disposed deeper in the nostril than the distal end of the nasal prong, to reduce dilution of sampled exhaled breath by delivered gas. The connected is configured to facilitate adjustability of an insertion depth of the exhaled breath sampling cannula into said nostril.
US09055886B1
Technologies pertaining to backscatter x-ray scanning systems are described herein. The backscatter x-ray scanning system includes an x-ray source, which directs collimated x-rays along a plurality of output vectors towards a target. A detector detects diffusely reflected x-rays subsequent to respective collimated x-rays impacting the target, and outputs signals indicative of parameters of the detected x-rays. An image processing system generates an x-ray image based upon parameters of the detected x-rays, wherein each pixel in the image corresponds to a respective output vector. A user selects a particular portion of the image, and a tool is positioned such that its directional axis is coincident with the output vector corresponding to at least one pixel in the portion of the image.
US09055873B2
A method of maintaining a constant iso-center point, while dynamically changing an area of interest during an imaging procedure is provided. The method comprises: allowing a user to move from an initial area of interest to new area of interest by allowing permissible axes motions; dynamically calculating the iso-center point while moving from the initial area of interest to the new area of interest as a function of relative distance between the initial area of interest and the new area of interest and as a function of parameters indicating relative motion of permissible axes; identifying the new area of interest by using at least one permissible axis motion; and calculating the iso-center point at the new area of interest after locking all the permissible axes motions except table tilt axis movement.
US09055871B2
Characteristics of a user's heart are detected. In accordance with an example embodiment, a ballistocardiogram (BCG) sensor is used to detect heart characteristics of a user, and provide a BCG output indicative of the detected heart characteristics. The BCG output is further processed using data from one or more additional sensors, such as to reduce noise and/or otherwise process the BCG signal to characterize the user's heart function.
US09055870B2
A device obtains a series of measurements of a physiological parameter of one or more patients. The device displays a monitoring workflow home screen when the device is operating within a monitoring workflow. The device displays a non-monitoring workflow home screen when the device is operating within a non-monitoring workflow. The device displays a continuous workflow home screen when the device is operating within a continuous workflow. The monitoring workflow home screen, the non-monitoring workflow home screen, and the continuous workflow home screen are each different.
US09055869B2
A physiological monitoring system may perform an optical measurement of a subject to assist a photoacoustic analysis of the subject. For example, an oblique-incidence diffuse reflectance measurement, photon density wave measurement, or other optical measurement may be used to determine one or more optical properties of a subject. Accordingly, the one or more optical properties may be used to determine an optical fluence at a region of the subject. In some arrangements, a physiological monitoring system may include an oximeter, and may use a calculated blood oxygen saturation value to assist a photoacoustic analysis. Photoacoustic analysis may include determining one or more physiological parameters based on a detected acoustic pressure response of a subject to a photonic signal via the photoacoustic effect.
US09055864B2
An endoscopic system includes a sheath having a flexible sheath body. A tip is attached to a distal end of the sheath body. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the sheath body. A steerable section may be provided in the sheath adjacent to the tip. Steering controls may then be provided on the handle for steering the steerable section. Lumens extend from the tip to the handle. The distal end of each lumen is sealed to the tip. Bodily fluids can only enter into the lumens and not other areas within the sheath. In some embodiments, a shapelock assembly has an elongated hollow body positionable within the sheath body. The shapelock body may be switched between generally rigid and flexible conditions. The sheath provides a sterile barrier around the shapelock body. The shapelock assembly can be readily reused and the sheath may be disposable. In other embodiments, the flexible sheath has a composite construction that provides improved torque transmission capabilities.
US09055863B2
Provided herein are water-tight, portable endoscopes that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed compartment (also referred to herein as sealed canister) within the endoscope handle. The description also features water-tight, endoscope handles that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed canister within the handle. In some embodiments, the sealed compartment contains all of the electronic components of the endoscope.
US09055859B2
A dishwasher and a method for operating a dishwasher, wherein a liquid is heated at least twice with a first heater, and wherein the first heater is an air heater.
US09055853B2
A steam appliance having a split handle with the upper part biased away from the handle base and an actuator for a water pump. When the appliance is pushed, the handle upper part is depressed and displaces a pump actuator to activate the pump. Use of a steam frame and steam towel allows an iron to be used as a steam cleaner. When a pole is mounted on the upper handle part, the appliance may be used as a steam mop that is activated by pushing the pole which depresses the handle to actuate the pump.
US09055846B2
A mounting driver for undermounting a sink to a support surface includes a support bar shaped and dimensioned for positioning between an underside of the sink and a wall of a cabinet at an angular orientation relative to the wall. The support bar includes a first end and a second end. The mounting driver also includes a mounting bracket shaped and dimensioned for fixed attachment to the wall of the cabinet, the mounting bracket including a recess shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of support bar. With the first end of the support bar pressed against the underside of the sink, the second end of the support bar is secured within the mounting bracket rigidly secured to the wall of the cabinet.
US09055840B2
An apparatus for heating an operating fluid, the apparatus comprising a closed circuit for a working fluid, the closed circuit having first and second heat exchangers and a compressor therebetween, the first heat exchanger having a heat input side for connection to an external fluid heat source and a heat output side for vaporizing working fluid within the closed circuit, the compressor being a vapor compressor adapted to compress the vaporized gaseous working fluid from the first heat exchanger to form a higher pressure gaseous working fluid, and the second heat exchanger having a heat input side for receiving and condensing the higher pressure gaseous working fluid from the compressor and a heat output side for heating an external operating fluid. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US09055837B2
A grilling device comprising an upper shell and a lower shell, an upper pan disposed under the bottom of the upper shell, and a lower pan disposed under the top of the lower shell, wherein the top surface of the lower pan is slant from the middle to both the front side and the rear sides, and the bottom surface of the upper pan is corresponding to the shape of the top surface of the lower pan. the oil can be discharged both from the front side and the rear side, thus the oils can be discharged more quickly; food with arc shape can be cooked because the pan is with arc shape too; the spice box can add the taste to the food; in cooking vegetable, water can be put in the spice box to maintain the water content of the vegetable, or maintain the other food not be too dry.
US09055833B2
A drinking mouthpiece comprising a resilient body through which fluid flows from a rear opening through to a front opening, the body having a contoured longitudinal upper profile for lying against a portion of the palate of a mouth and a contoured longitudinal lower profile for lying against a tongue; wherein a forward end of the mouthpiece near the front opening has a cross-sectional profile that tapers to two opposing sides of the mouthpiece, and also has a bulging area on the lower profile that provides a reference point against which the tongue can lie.
US09055830B2
A device designed to ensure a smooth and tight fit of the sheet over the mattress, which includes a locking pin or convex cap and a base comprising a horizontal, bottom plate and a vertical plate with a locking hole or protrusion, respectively, whereby the sheet may be fit smoothly and tightly over the base and the locking pin inserted into the locking hole, or the convex locking cap fit over the protrusion, thus ensuring a smooth and tight fit of the sheet over the mattress.
US09055823B1
A lift bed having a bed frame with a mattress-supporting platform pivotally mounted on a side wall of the frame so as to function as the lid for a storage compartment within the frame, which also includes pull-out side drawers alongside the storage compartment, and a unified locking mechanism capable of simultaneously locking the drawers and storage compartment. A bellcrank drives a locking member for the storage compartment and a locking member for the drawers, the latter locking member extending freely from the bellcrank to a wall separating the storage compartment from the side drawers. The bed frame includes multifunction corner brackets each of which interconnects perpendicular walls of the frame, hingedly supports the platform, and secures one end of a gas spring which assists in lifting the platform.
US09055817B2
An article of furniture, such as a chair, including a free-swinging seat and a free-swinging backrest. The chair includes a seat and backrest coupled to a chair frame, where the chair frame includes first and second laterally spaced apart components. The first and second components each have a floor strut and a pair of legs that may be arranged in a substantially triangular configuration for supporting the seat. The chair also includes a coupling device, which may include a spring element, coupled to the legs and configured to allow forward movement of the seat and backward movement of the backrest, where movement of the seat and backrest may occur independently of one another. In some embodiments, the maximum movement of the seat and backrest may be limited by restricting movement of the coupling device.
US09055810B2
An adjustable desk platform includes an upper platform defining a substantially planar work surface. A lower platform is located beneath the upper platform. At least one set of pivot arms connect the lower platform and the upper platform, the set of pivot arms including a primary pivot arm and a secondary pivot arm. The set of pivot arms is adapted to move the upper platform substantially in parallel with the lower platform between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position. A locking mechanism is associated with the set of pivot arms. The locking mechanism is adapted to releasably lock the upper platform in the fully raised position and in the fully lowered position. A keyboard tray is suspended below the upper platform, the keyboard tray adapted to support a computer keyboard.
US09055808B2
A device for attaching to a power line conductor includes a jaw assembly and at least one jaw slot formed on a portion of the jaw assembly configured to engage a stranded power line conductor. The at least one jaw slot extends at an angle on the jaw assembly configured to match a helical angle of strands on an outer surface of the stranded power line conductor and configured to space the jaw assembly from at least one strand of the stranded power line conductor.
US09055787B2
An improved cleat design is provided for article of footwear. At least one cleat is arranged on a bottom surface of the outsole, such that the cleat is disposed partially within the outsole and extends substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface of the outsole. The cleat is defined as a unitary member having two planar surface angled at a junction toward each other. The cleat further includes an aperture formed therein and extending across the junction as well as a bridge extending between the two planar surfaces and substantially spanning the aperture, where a portion of the outsole encases the bridge and extends through the aperture in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the outsole to retain the cleat in a desired position relative to the outsole.
US09055780B2
A knee implant includes a first implant part adapted for attachment to a femur and a second implant part adapted for attachment to a tibia. The knee implant includes a hydromagnetic joint having a first magnetic element with a first magnetically charged surface and a first buoyant element coupled with the first magnetic element, and a second magnetically charged surface that opposes the first magnetically charged surface of the first magnetic element and a second buoyant element coupled with the second magnetic element. A fluid body is disposed between the first and second buoyant elements, and the first and second buoyant elements are in fluid communication with one another through the fluid body. The hydromagnetic joint has an enclosure extending between the first and second buoyant elements for containing the fluid body therebetween, whereby the first and second buoyant elements are moveable relative to one another.
US09055778B1
The present invention is related to an article of footwear, namely an interactive activity integrated into the article of footwear. The interactive activity may be operated when the article of footwear is either in motion or stationary. The interactive activity instructs the user to respond. Upon a correct or incorrect response, the interactive activity will provide either further instruction or provide a signal that informs the user of the propriety of their response. The interactive activity may be a music tutorial, a game, or an educational tool.
US09055774B2
A sports glove that increases grip strength to enhance an athlete's performance in any sport. The increase in grip strength generated by the Vpower sports glove of the invention is brought about by sewing the index finger and middle finger together and the ring finger and pinky finger together so that the pairs of fingers act as one finger. Another embodiment of the Vpower glove employs a hook and loop tape arrangement to bind the pairs of fingers together so that they act as one to increase the gripping power of the glove. The Vpower glove forces the wearer to use the power of two fingers on every grip and immediately increases the gripping strength of the wearer without any additional effort and this increase in grip strength is permanent.
US09055773B2
A MOLLE system compatible garment has a lightweight attachment structure with a skeleton of horizontal bands connected by a few vertical bands. The horizontal bands are thus accessible from both the interior and the exterior permitting accessories to be attached to either side of the garment. The bands may be sewn with regularly spaced vertical seams to each other or to a plastic substrate. The horizontal bands are connected with supportive vertical bands which serve to retain the shape of the garment, and which do not interfere with the regularly spaced loops of the horizontal webbing bands. Conventional accessories can be attached to both the interior and the exterior of the garment.
US09055764B2
Systems and processes may be used for continuously processing a solid material at a non-atmospheric pressure. In some examples, the material is delivered to a process vessel at substantially the same non-atmospheric pressure condition as the process vessel so as to avoid shearing the material. In some examples, the solid material is continuously fed into a process vessel, continuously processed in the process vessel, and continuously discharged from the process vessel.
US09055759B2
Disclosed are sweetened consumables and methods of forming said sweetened consumables that comprise certain sweeteners and at least one sweetness enhancer in a concentration near its sweetness detection threshold. The sweeteners include sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, inositol, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, saccharine, or combinations thereof. The sweetness enhancer is selected from naringin dihydrochalcone, mogroside V, swingle extract, rubusoside, rubus extract, rebaudioside, and stevioside.
US09055744B2
The present invention reveals a nucleic acid sequence from Nicotiana megalosiphon encoding for an anti-pathogenic protein. The invention comprises the use of this nucleic acid molecule in transgenic plants of agricultural interest to confer resistance to pathogens. The invention also includes a bioproduct that comprises this anti-pathogenic protein to control plant pathogen agents.
US09055735B2
The reel unit includes a chassis, a lid member, a guard member, a tubular part, and a screw member. The chassis includes a mechanism attachment space at a lateral side thereof, a first opening extending through a front edge of the chassis, and a second opening extending through a rear edge of the chassis. The guard member includes a boss being inserted into the second opening from the rear edge of the chassis. The guard member is attached to the chassis and the lid member from behind to cover the chassis and the lid member. The tubular part is disposed between the first opening and the second opening within the mechanism attachment space and arranged to be liquid-tight. The screw member passes through the first opening and being screwed into the boss. The screw member includes a head being held inside the tubular part.
US09055726B1
A soybean cultivar designated 32292803 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 32292803, to the plants of soybean cultivar 32292803, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 32292803, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 32292803. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 32292803. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 32292803, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 32292803 with another soybean cultivar.
US09055721B2
A system, method and media formulation for high-quality and large-scale micropropagation of graminaceous plants such as M.×giganteus and switchgrass have been developed and include callus induction, callus propagation, plantlet regeneration, shoot multiplication, shoot quality improvement and rooting, resulting in high plant survival in the greenhouse and in the field. The systems and methods described herein are theoretically capable of producing more than 700 billion plants from one single shoot in one year.
US09055716B2
A crop harvesting system for continuous round baling is described that comprises a first and second bale chamber and a conveyor system in operable communication with the first and second bale chambers. The crop harvesting system can comprise at least three bale carriers, at least two serpentine systems to facilitate movement of the bale into and out of the first and second bale chambers. The crop harvesting system can be integrated into an agricultural harvester such as a baler or combine.
US09055712B2
An agricultural row unit includes a linkage assembly that is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the linkage assembly and applies pressure to the linkage assembly. A controller is mounted in the row unit such that is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder for controlling the pressure applied by the hydraulic cylinder.
US09060460B1
The present invention relates to an improved anti-static computer assembly mat having multiple grounding points between the mat and other bodies capable of transmitting or receiving electrostatic discharge (ESD) during the assembly process. The grounding points may be connected to a computer chassis, a system builder, or a grounded outlet to ground the assembly mat and components thereon. The assembly mat has a relatively large assembly area such that a system integrator or builder may be able to place multiple components on the anti-static work surface at the same time while simultaneously preventing surface blemishes to system components. Further, the present invention provides for a wide variety of computer component measurements to assist the system builder in selecting and installing components during the build process. Such measurements may include rulers, motherboard sizing, CPU socket sizing, hard drive thread spacing, fan hole spacing, tubing size, power supply connectors, among other items.
US09060453B2
An electronic component carrier and method for mounting the electronic component to a circuit board includes a frame including a header having opposing attachment arms extending outwardly therefrom for seating an electronic component within the frame. A latching mechanism of the frame includes latching members at a distal end of each of the attachment arms for releasably seating the electronic component between the attachment members. The attachment members are resiliently flexible such that the latching members bend to a release position and resiliently return to a grasping position. Handling levers extend upwardly from the header through an outer casing housing the circuit board when in an open position for manually removing the electronic component from the connector, and the handling levers are substantially parallel with a top surface of the header when in a closed position when the electronic component is mated to the connector.
US09060449B2
A system of computing assets arranges a plurality of backplanes to form a perimeter of a central region of a backplane structure. A plurality of computing assets are coupled to the backplanes and extend away from the central region of the backplane structure. A plurality of air intake openings are located along the perimeter of the backplane structure. An exhaust duct is coupled to an exhaust opening of the backplane structure and configured to direct air away from the backplane structure and is coupled to an air moving device. When the air moving device is operational, air flows across the computing assets through the air intake openings towards the central region of the backplane structure and into the exhaust duct, which directs the air away from the backplane structure.
US09060443B2
A mounting apparatus is used for mounting a backplane in a chassis. The backplane defines a number of locking slots in opposite sides and a through hole in a middle portion. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket and a locking member pivotably mounted to the chassis. The bracket includes a bottom plate fixed on the bottom wall, and a side plate and a flange extending up from the bottom plate. The bottom plate defines a slide slot. The side plate and the flange each form a number of retaining tabs. A post extends on the locking member and extends through the slide slot and the through hole. The circuit board is set on the bottom plate, with the locking slots aligned with the retaining tabs. The locking member is rotated, the post drives the circuit board to move, until the retaining tabs retain a top surface of the backplane.
US09060442B2
System for controlling electrical equipment units on an offshore structure comprising an explosion proof housing closable with a panel door, at least one controller module mountable in the housing, arranged for autonomously controlling an electrical equipment unit, wherein the panel door comprises an operating module arranged for operating the at least one controller module and for providing status indication of the at least one controller module.
US09060430B1
A method includes forming a patterned sacrificial layer on a first carrier and a patterned trace layer on the patterned sacrificial layer. The patterned sacrificial layer and the patterned trace layer are laminated to a dielectric material. The first carrier and the patterned sacrificial layer are removed creating sacrificial layer gaps above the patterned trace layer. The sacrificial layer gaps are filled with a trace layer isolation dielectric material. Shield trenches are laser-ablated within the dielectric material and on opposite sides of a signal trace of the patterned trace layer. The shield trenches are filled with an electrically conductive material to form shield walls. The electrically conductive material is patterned to form a shield top. The shield top, the shield walls, and a second carrier form a bias shield around the signal trace.
US09060427B2
An electronic device housing having a plug contact unit with contacts for making electrical contact with a connector which can be plug-mounted onto an associated plug contact unit is described. The plug contact unit has an ejector unit mounted to pivot about an axis and which has at least one ejector arm positionable in an intermediate space, which is provided in the plugged state of a plug connector on a plug contact unit, between the connector and the plug contact unit. The ejector unit has a strip extending along the axis and has a protruding cross section. The electronic device housing has a latching groove for pivotably mounting in each case one associated ejector unit, wherein the latching groove surrounds and pivotably mounts the associated strip over a circumference of more than 180°, the latching groove and the strip extending along the width of the ejector unit.
US09060425B2
An electronic device enclosure includes a casing, an air duct mounted in the casing, and a latching member. The air duct includes a receiving bracket formed on the air duct for receiving an uninterruptible power supply module. The latching member is covered on the receiving bracket to position the uninterruptible power supply module. A first side of the latching member is rotatably connected to the receiving bracket, and a second side of the latching member is detachably latched to the receiving bracket.
US09060422B2
A wiring seat includes an insulative base and a connecting member. The insulative base has a fixing hole and an engagement hole or a through hole beside the fixing hole. The connecting member has a conductive body. The conductive body is bendingly extended with a positioning sheet engaging with the engagement hole or a terminal pin passing the through hole. The conductive body has a passing hole corresponding to the fixing hole.
US09060420B2
A method of manufacturing a flex circuit is disclosed for a disk drive comprising a disk, a head actuated radially over the disk, and control circuitry. The flex circuit is for electrically coupling the head to the control circuitry and comprises a substrate. An electrical coating applied to a first side of the substrate is etched to form a first electrical lead. The first side of the substrate is irradiated with radiation such that the first electrical lead masks the radiation from passing through the substrate to prevent curing of a photoresist applied to the second side of the substrate to form an uncured photoresist and a cured photoresist on the second side of the substrate. The uncured photoresist is removed from the second side of the substrate to form a groove, and the groove is filled with electrically conductive material to form the second electrical lead.
US09060411B2
A hardware interlock system for monitoring operation of RF plasma sources. The hardware interlock system includes an RF generator operative to transmit a forward RF power used to generate plasma in a plasma chamber. A derivative based hardware interlock circuit is coupled in series with the RF generator. The derivative based hardware interlock circuit determines a reflected RF power derivative value indicative of the speed of change in reflected RF power values in the RF plasma ion source. An analog/digital (A/D) logic circuit is coupled with the derivative based hardware interlock circuit. The A/D logic circuit can shut down the RF generator output when the reflected RF power derivative value exceeds a threshold.
US09060409B2
A mobile application is disclosed that allows a user to configure an LED-based lamp. The LED-based lamp has the capability of color matching color spectrums and calibrating its correlated color temperatures, brightness, and hue based on a color model. The mobile application can send or schedule commands actively or passively to activate the color matching and calibration process on the LED-based lamp. The mobile application can further receive status information regarding the LED-based lamp including fault detection, estimated life time, temperature, power consumption, or any combination thereof.
US09060402B2
A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.
US09060401B2
Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs couplable to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through an overall series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the overall series LED current path at different current levels. The controller is configured to, in a first light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of LEDs to be parallel to one another and in the overall series LED current path. The controller is further configured to, in a second light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of light emitting diodes to be coupled in series and in the overall series light emitting diode current path.
US09060400B2
A lighting apparatus may comprise a voltage converter operable to supply a current to at least two LED channels coupled between a high voltage rail and a low voltage rail coupled to the voltage converter output. The LED channels may be operated to selectively allow a current to flow through them. The lighting apparatus may have a control module operable to control the total current from the voltage converter and the current through each of the LED channels. The control module may also be operable to set the respective control signals to maintain a constant total current from the voltage converter while permitting aspects of the light output including, the intensity, color, and color temperature to be set and varied. Additionally, the control module may be operable to synchronize the various control signals, obtain a representative sample of the current through the voltage converter, and operate in different modes.
US09060394B2
A lighting device which includes: a light source; a receiving unit which receives a control signal from outside the lighting device via wireless communication; and a control unit which causes the light source to emit light according to the control signal received by the receiving unit. When the receiving unit receives, from the outside the lighting device via the wireless communication, a test signal different from the control signal and for determining a state of the wireless communication, the control unit calculates a packet error rate of the test signal received by the receiving unit and causes the light source to emit light such that an emission state is changed according to a communication quality of the wireless communication determined based on at least the calculated packet error rate.
US09060393B1
The present invention relates to a lighting control system with a security function based on a CPTED, which is capable of acquiring detailed video information on a desired object in interlocking with a video device such as a DVR based on sensing information collected through sensors included a local lighting device and controlling a lighting adjacent to the object to strengthen a security function. Since lightings and cameras can be simultaneously controlled to direct a suspicious object in response to motion of the suspicious object without any separate video analysis module, the object's crime intention can be prevented and the object's video can be acquired without any shadow zone or deteriorated video quality, which can result in increased security in interlocking of the security function including CPTED-based crime prevention with the lighting control.
US09060392B2
Networked intelligent lighting devices and other elements connected to the network of a lighting system are readily adaptable to desirable networking arrangements as well as logical functional groups, for example by each storing communication provisioning data and/or configuration data for logically associating system elements into one or more groupings or sub-networks. The exemplary systems and system elements may also enable such enhanced network arrangement via autonomous discovery and device commissioning.
US09060389B2
An induction heating cooker includes a plurality of heating coils to heat a container, an inverter having a plurality of switching elements to be operated such that a high-frequency voltage is selectively supplied to the plurality of heating coils, and a control unit to control the operations of the plurality of switching elements such that the high-frequency voltage is time-divisionally supplied to a heating coil, on which the container is positioned, among the plurality of heating coils. By this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of inverters and manufacturing costs. In addition, since the thickness of the cooker is reduced, it is possible to reduce the overall size of the cooker.
US09060383B2
A method for deciding if a telecommunication device has to be switched in an operating mode which is different from the operating mode in which the telecommunication is operating. In an operating mode, the telecommunication device relays signals transferred between a terminal and an access node which handles the terminal. In another operating mode, the telecommunication device handles the terminal. The method includes: determining, from obtained information, if a predetermined event occurs, and if the predetermined event occurs, deciding that a handover of the terminal has to be conducted between the access node and the telecommunication device, and deciding that the telecommunication device has to switch in an operating mode which is different from the operating mode in which the telecommunication is operating.
US09060379B2
The disclosure relates to a method and device for processing an incoming message of a multimode controller, and a multimode controller, wherein the method includes: a multimode controller receives the incoming message from an abutting network element, and parsing the incoming message to construct an N-primitive message; a service standard type of the incoming message is obtained according to the N-primitive message; and the N-primitive message is processed according to the service standard type. By adding a protocol enhancement module, which obtains a service standard type of a message, between an SCCP protocol module and standard RNSAP protocol modules, the disclosure assists the SCCP protocol module and the RNSAP protocol modules in correctly and quickly establishing a corresponding relationship, saves software maintenance cost, makes up shortages of current SCCP and RNSAP protocols when supporting the multimode controller, and realizes to a function of processing signalling according to standards. Furthermore, when being only configured as a single mode or presenting in the manner of multimode, the multimode controller needs not to be modified functionally, and can accurately forward a signalling to a corresponding standard of wireless network control service layer to process.
US09060374B2
A mobile terminal (UE) used in a mobile communication network that includes a mobility management entity (MME) and a serving gateway (S-GW), receives paging from the mobile communication network, upon an arrival of an incoming call destined for the mobile terminal at the mobile communication network, in which if the mobility management entity has restarted, the serving gateway maintains a specific S5/S8 bearer for a preset time period prescribed by a timer, and deletes the specific S5/S8 bearer on timeout of the timer, and in response to the paging, re-attaches to the mobile communication network.
US09060370B2
The present invention provides a DRX control method and system in which power consumption of a mobile station can be reduced and an increase in the load of a network can be suppressed. A source base station forwards Dormancy Context, which is information for controlling the activity level of a mobile station that performs inter base station handover, to a target base station and, immediately after the mobile station completes handover, the target base station performs DRX control of the mobile station using the Dormancy Context.
US09060369B1
An approach is provided for minimizing co-channel interference in a communication system is disclosed. Non-header portions of frames, which are transmitted over the communication system, are scrambled according to respective different scrambling sequences. The above arrangement is particularly suited to a digital satellite broadcast and interactive system.
US09060367B2
There is provided a communication control apparatus including a parameter acquisition unit that acquires parameters to calculate coverage of secondary systems from a secondary usage node operating the secondary systems on a frequency channel allocated to a primary system, a calculation unit that calculates the coverage of the secondary systems using the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, and an interference control unit that notifies a detection node that detects neighboring secondary systems of the secondary systems, of coverage information representing the coverage of the secondary systems calculated by the calculation unit.
US09060358B2
A data communication method, a communication system, and related devices are configured to establish a transaction identifier (TI) in a user equipment (UE). The data communication method includes the following steps. A mobility management entity (MME) receives a request message and obtains ability information of the UE. If the UE has an ability to access a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network/GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (UTRAN/GERAN), the MME generates the TI. A communication system and related devices are also provided. Thus, the TI is effectively established in the UE, so as to ensure normal processing of the UE.
US09060353B2
An apparatus including a Mobile Termination (MT); a Terminal Equipment (TE); and a Terminal Adaptor (TA). The MT performs context activation. The MT receives, from the network, information indicating that the context activation of the dual-stack bearer is not granted. The MT transmits, to the TE, a response message including a reason parameter selected among a first parameter to a fourth parameter. The first parameter indicates that an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is only allowed, the second parameter indicates that an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is only allowed, the third parameter indicates that single address bearers only allowed, and the fourth parameter indicates that single address bearers only allowed and context activation of a second address type bearer was not successful. The response message further includes a context identifier allocated by the MT for an initiated context of the second address type considering three conditions.
US09060352B2
Techniques are provided for selecting channels for use by access points operating in a wireless local area network. Metrics are computed for at least one set of radio frequency (RF) channels, wherein the set of RF channels comprises at least two RF channels in a frequency band that are available for use by a wireless network for a wider bandwidth mode that combines bandwidth of two or more RF channels. Alignment of individual primary and secondary RF channels is determined in the set of RF channels for operation of at least first and second wireless networks. A bias is applied to the metrics for each RF channel that is a member of the set of RF channels for the primary channel depending on alignment of the primary and secondary channels of the respective first and second wireless networks to produce adjusted metrics, based on which RF channels are assigned.
US09060349B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling channel access in a WLAN system, comprising receiving, from an access point, a first channel access control message sent to stations located in some area through a directional antenna of the access point, and attempting to access a channel according to the first channel access control message. The method enables coexistence of several users and improves scalability of a wireless system.
US09060336B2
Apparatus and methods for low power sensing of wireless access technologies are disclosed. In particular, a mobile wireless device, such as an access terminal, may utilize a lower power circuitry portion that operates at a lower power than active circuitry, such as a primary transceiver. The lower power circuitry portion includes a configurable searcher that is capable of sensing if signals of one or more various wireless access technologies are present. When the wireless device utilizes sleep or idle modes for power savings, use of the lower power sensing circuitry to sense the presence of wireless access technologies, rather than using an awoken higher power primary transceiver for sensing, affords increased power savings. An added ability of the lower power circuitry to be put into sleep or idles modes achieves even greater power savings.
US09060333B2
A method for acquiring and maintaining Global Positioning System (GPS) synchronization is provided for use in the wireless communication system. The method includes receiving, by at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, GPS absolute time information and GPS information from at least one GPS satellite; transmitting, from the at least one GPS receiver, to a base station, reference time information generated based on the GPS absolute time information; and generating, by the base station, base station absolute time information based on the reference time information.
US09060313B2
An apparatus and method to facilitate provision of acknowledgement signals in a wireless communications network are disclosed herein. An evolved node B (eNodeB) transmits radio resource control (RRC) signals indicating inclusion of an enhanced physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) indicator channel (e-PHICH) in a radio frame. The eNodeB configures the radio frame including the e-PHICH. At least one subframe of the radio frame includes a first resource block (RB) associated with a first UE, a second RB associated with a second UE, and a third RB. The first RB includes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) control region in a Slot 0 of the subframe and a first enhanced PDCCH (e-PDCCH) allocation in the Slot 0 and in a Slot 1 of the subframe. The e-PHICH allocation is included in the third RB or at least the Slot 1 of the subframe of the first RB.
US09060305B2
A method for reporting radio bearer loss information is provided in an embodiment of this invention. The method comprises: receiving a User Equipment UE Context Release Request message or a Release Access Bearer Request message or an Iu interface release request message all carrying a release cause value; and if the release cause value indicates an abnormal release, reporting radio bearer loss information to a gateway while preserving non-GBR bearers. With the method and apparatus of embodiments of this invention, not only bearer reporting can be realized, but also problems caused by the release of Non-Guaranteed Bandwidth non-GBR bearers can be prevented.
US09060302B2
A data sending method and apparatus are provided. In an embodiment, the method includes: detecting whether a wireless terminal has data to be sent to a wireless network side, where the data to be sent includes signaling data or user data; when a result of detecting whether the wireless terminal has data to be sent to the wireless network side is that the wireless terminal has no data to be sent, confirming that a power amplifier of the wireless terminal is in a non-working state; and when the result of detecting whether the wireless terminal has data to be sent to the wireless network side is that the wireless terminal has data to be sent, confirming that the power amplifier of the wireless terminal is in a working state.
US09060297B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for providing an application label in a level two communication. In a particular embodiment, a wireless communication device provides a processing system configured to execute an application that requires application data to be communicated with a communication network. The wireless communication device further provides a layer two communication transceiver configured to label the application in a layer two communication header, and communicate to the communication network at least the layer two communication header and the application data.
US09060294B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes creating an initial sample set comprising a plurality of notification messages, where each of the notification messages is associated with one of a plurality of bearers each of which has a first parameter associated therewith. The method further comprises prioritizing the notification messages of the initial sample set according to a value of the first parameter of the associated bearer to create a prioritized sample set and optimizing the prioritized sample set to create an optimized sample set. The method further comprises applying a throttle factor to the optimized sample to remove a number of low priority notification messages from the prioritized sample set to create a final set of notification messages to be transmitted to a network element.
US09060285B2
A method is intended for computing online a feasible rates region in a network using a random access MAC protocol and comprising nodes having links there between. This method comprises the steps of i) determining, for each link, a primary extreme point corresponding to a maximum output rate when this link transmits alone at a maximum input rate, and ii) determining secondary extreme points by combining these primary extreme points with a chosen interference model, these primary and secondary extreme points defining a boundary of a feasible rates region.
US09060284B2
The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for estimating AP position using WLAN radiowave environment map. An embodiment includes filter for generating filtering radiowave map with data selected exclusively for having common MAC address from collected WLAN radiowave environment maps; grid-cell divisor for generating grid radiowave map with arbitrary grid cells from dividing the filtering radiowave map; representative-coordinate mapper for calculating centroid of each of grid cells constituting grid radiowave map and mapping each centroid as representative coordinate to each grid cell; representative-signal-strength mapper for calculating representative signal strengths based on data in grid cell and mapping each representative signal strength to grid cell; weight-value sorter for sorting out weight value corresponding to a range covering representative signal strength as received; and position estimator for estimating positional information of APs having common MAC address based on one or more of representative coordinate, representative signal strength, and weight value.
US09060283B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, discloses a method and a device for transmitting/receiving channel state information in a wireless communication system supporting multicarriers. The method for transmitting downlink channel state information in the wireless communication system supporting downlink multicarriers, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the following steps: receiving from at least one downlink carrier an uplink grant downlink control information (DCI) including a request for the channel state information; measuring the channel state information of at least one first type downlink carrier; and transmitting the measured channel state information on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource indicated by the uplink grant DCI, wherein the downlink multicarriers comprise the first type downlink carrier and a second type downlink carrier, wherein the channel state information on the second type downlink carrier may not be transmitted.
US09060279B2
The present disclosure discloses a network device and/or method for computing coverage set and resource allocations in wireless networks. The disclosed network device receives a radio frequency subdomain and a coverage set for the radio frequency subdomain in a wireless network. Furthermore, the disclosed network device selects a capacity mode or a coverage mode as an operating mode of the radio frequency subdomain in response to a measure of network activity satisfying a predetermined condition. In addition, the disclosed network device performs radio resource management in the radio frequency subdomain based on the selected operating mode.
US09060273B2
An authentication server and methods of generating a token for use by a mobile device to establish authorization for the mobile device to access a service provided by a service server, the method comprising receiving a request for the token from the mobile device, generating the token comprising location data identifying a location for the mobile device and authentication data indicating a level of access that the mobile device is permitted to have to the service provided by the service server, and transmitting the token to the mobile device.
US09060272B2
A method and non-transitory computer readable medium for providing entitlement control via an endpoint device are disclosed. For example, the method detects an attempt to access a non-network monitored service at an endpoint device, determines whether the endpoint device is authorized to access the non-network monitored service by sending a query to a service provider network, and provides an access to the non-network monitored service if the endpoint is authorized.
US09060260B2
A wireless communication device, such as a cellular handset, is configured to tailor its retrieval of electronic content, such as through a web feed, according to one or more capability parameters of the device. In one embodiment, a wireless communication device is configured, such as by including appropriate computer program instructions, to tailor its retrieval of electronic content based on maintaining device capability information in the wireless communication device, and filtering one or more electronic feeds received by the wireless communication device to identify electronic content having content characteristics commensurate with the device capability information.
US09060251B2
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a frame including control information in a broadcasting system. A frame for a broadcast service is generated using an in-band signaling scheme, and includes location information of control information in a next frame and indication information indicating a change/no-change in the control information in the next frame. The new frame structure minimizes power consumption of a receiver supporting the broadcast service.
US09060238B2
A method in which a user equipment processes data in a wireless mobile communication system is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a first data block from an upper layer, transferring a second data block including the first data block to a lower layer at a particular protocol layer, discarding the first and second data blocks present in the particular protocol layer if a certain period of time has passed, and transferring information associated with the discard of the second data block to the lower layer.
US09060234B2
Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal. The hearing device may include a hearing device core, with a battery, an acoustic assembly, a magnetically actuated switch, and a magnetic shield positioned between the battery and the magnetically actuated switch, and a seal apparatus on the hearing device core.
US09060229B2
An electret microphone having reduced noise due to reduced leakage current is provided. The microphone includes a flexible diaphragm, and sensor member disposed in opposing, spaced relation to the diaphragm and comprising a semi-conductor channel. At least one electret surface, comprised of a dielectric material having a permanently-embedded static electric charge, is disposed on one of the diaphragm and the sensor member. In turn, the semi-conductor channel of the sensor member has an electrical conductivity dependent upon relative movement of the diaphragm and support member responsive to acoustic signals incident upon the diaphragm, wherein the channel provides an output signal indicative of the acoustic signals. The electret surface may be disposed on the diaphragm. Alternatively, the electret surface may be disposed on the sensor member in spaced, face-to-face relation to an electrically conductive surface located on the diaphragm.
US09060228B2
An apparatus comprises a first connector, a second connector, a detection circuit and a logic circuit. The first connector and the second connector are configured for electrical communication with first and second conducting terminals, respectively, of an audio jack plug. The detection circuit is configured to apply a first value of current to the first connector, and apply a second value of current to the second connector. The logic circuit is configured to generate an indication that the audio jack plug is fully inserted according to a logic level detected at the second connector when electrical ground is detected at the first connector.
US09060225B2
A wireless earphone comprises a fixing module including a lower cover and a fixing element disposed at the center thereof; a rotating case having a rotating base and an upper cover fixed to the rotating base, the rotating base includes a cup portion and an annular plate extending therefrom, the fixing element passes through the cup portion, and the rotating case rotates about the fixing element; an electronic module disposed between the upper cover and the rotating base; a tape spring having one end attached to the cup portion and the other end to the fixing element; at least one earphone cable wound around the cup portion having one end connected to the circuit board and the other end passing through the lower cover; and a fastening module disposed between the rotating base and the lower cover, for retaining the relative position there-between.
US09060216B2
A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes a microphone having a first microphone element and a second microphone element. The system includes circuitry for processing signals output by the first and second microphone elements. The first microphone element is disposed at a first acoustic port and the second microphone element is disposed at a second acoustic port. The first acoustic port is at least partially isolated from the second acoustic port. When the microphone is normally mounted in an interior cabin of a vehicle, vocal signals emanating from an occupant of the vehicle pressurize the first microphone element at the first acoustic port ahead of pressurization by the vocal signals of the second microphone element at the second acoustic port. The voice acquisition system may include at least one of (i) discrimination of vocal signals from non-vocal signals, (ii) noise cancellation and (iii) filtering of noise.
US09060207B2
A system and method provides adaptively streaming a video over a content delivery network. A client sends a streaming request for a first portion of the video to a computer server, where the video has multiple video chunks, and each video chunk has one or more streaming parameters (e.g., priority and bitrate). The computer server retrieves the requested portion of the video and streams the first portion of the video over a content delivery network. The client monitors the video chunks received from the computer server and determines the video quality of the next portion of the video based on the monitoring. Responsive to the condition of the content delivery network being able to support streaming the next portion of the video with higher quality, the client updates the default video quality and requests the next portion of the video with the updated default video quality.
US09060205B2
Methods and arrangements for optimizing streaming of a group of videos. Throughput of video streams through a common link to at least two different destinations is permitted. An effective flow rate for each video stream is ascertained, and a playout lead for each video stream is estimated. The playout leads are equalized via dynamically changing the effective flow rates of the video streams.
US09060203B2
A method, system, and computer program product for personalized categorization of television content are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A subset of bookmarks is selected from a set of bookmarks saved in a browser application. The subset of bookmarks is analyzed according to a specification for constructing a categorization rule, to find information of a type corresponding to the bookmark. The categorization rule is constructed, to personalize a categorization of TV content according to a custom-categorization, by using the information as a component in the categorization rule according to the specification. The specification specifies the type, which is a type of information that can participate in the categorization rule. The rule is sent to a TV content provider system, wherein the sending causes the TV content to be organized and presented according to the custom-categorization.
US09060200B1
Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual “insert” of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.
US09060192B2
The present invention provides a method of and a system for providing buffer management mechanism in an on-Demand environment to keep the popular content sections in server memory so as to reduce the repeatable disk I/O and improve the server performance. The method comprises: setting the state of a buffer to be ACTIVE when a file section stored in the buffer is requested by any users; setting the state of the buffer to be INACTIVE when users no longer request the file section stored in the buffer, the buffer in INACTIVE state having a lifetime; changing the state of the buffer from INACTIVE to FREE when the lifetime decreases to zero. The system comprises at least one detector for detecting the number of the users requesting a file section stored in the buffer and providing the detection results for a processor, one processor for determining the state of the buffer according to the detection results and providing instructions for at least one state setting unit, and at least one state setting unit for setting the state of the buffer based on instructions from the processor.
US09060181B1
A signal adaptive filtering method for reducing blocking effect and ringing noise, a signal adaptive filter, and a computer readable medium. The signal adaptive filtering method capable of reducing blocking effect and ringing noise of image data when a frame is composed of blocks of a predetermined size includes the steps of: (a) generating blocking information for reducing the blocking effect and ringing information for reducing the ringing noise, from coefficients of predetermined pixels of the upper and left boundary regions of the data block when a frame obtained by deconstructing a bitstream image data for inverse quantization is an intraframe; and (b) adaptively filtering the image data passed through inverse quantization and inverse discrete cosine transform according to the generated blocking information and ringing information. Therefore, the blocking effect and ringing noise can be eliminated from the image restored from the block-based image, thereby enhancing the image restored from compression.
US09060173B2
A method for decoding a video frame includes receiving a slice in a video decoder, identifying the slice as one of at least a first predicted slice and a second predicted slice, receiving information used to determine a context initialization method corresponding to the slice, and initializing, based on the received information, one of a first context initialization method and a second context initialization method associated with the slice, and decoding the video frame using the slice and one of the first context initialization method and the second context initialization method. The first context initialization method is a method for initializing a context associated with the first predicted slice and the second context initialization method is a method for initializing a context associated with the second predicted slice.
US09060172B2
A method for encoding a frame of visual data which includes the steps of encoding an original full resolution frame, storing coded data for the encoded full resolution frame, reconstructing and storing encoded full resolution frame, downsampling the original full resolution frame to render it a reduced spatial resolution frame, encoding the reduced spatial resolution frame, storing coded data for the reduced spatial resolution frame, reconstructing and storing the reduced spatial resolution frame, upsampling and storing the reconstructed reduced spatial resolution frame, comparing a characteristic in the reconstructed full resolution frame with said characteristic in the original full resolution frame to determine the deviation of the reconstructed full resolution frame from the original full resolution frame with respect to said characteristic, comparing said characteristic in the upsampled reconstructed spatial reduced resolution frame with said characteristic in the original full resolution frame to determine the deviation of the upsampled reconstructed spatial reduced resolution frame from the original full resolution frame with respect to said characteristic, selecting the frame with the lesser deviation from the original full resolution frame with respect to said characteristic, and outputting the coded data corresponding to the frame with the lesser deviation from the original full resolution frame with respect to said characteristic to the bitstream.
US09060170B2
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus includes a photographing device for obtaining two images through photographing from different positions, a three-dimensional processing device for generating a stereoscopic image from the two images, a display device capable of both a two-dimensional display and a stereoscopic display, an input device for receiving an instruction to start changing a parallax level of the stereoscopic image and an instruction to change the parallax level, and a display control device for changing stereoscopic display of the stereoscopic image into two-dimensional display of the two images overlapped with each other in a response to the instruction to start changing the parallax level inputted when the stereoscopic image is stereoscopically displayed as a live view image, and two-dimensionally displaying the two images with changing the parallax level of the images in a response to the instruction to change the parallax level.
US09060167B2
Optimal resilience to errors in packetized streaming 3-D wireframe animation is achieved by partitioning the stream into layers and applying unequal error correction coding to each layer independently to maintain the same overall bitrate. The unequal error protection scheme for each of the layers combined with error concealment at the receiver achieves graceful degradation of streamed animation at higher packet loss rates than approaches that do not account for subjective parameters such as visual smoothness.
US09060160B2
An image generation device includes a video image generation means for generating a video image of a target photographic subject within a photographic subject on the basis of a plurality of captured images that are acquired by capturing images of the photographic subject in time series, and a background image generation means for generating a background image of the target photographic subject on the basis of the captured images.
US09060158B2
An image pickup apparatus capable of selecting an image more suited to a user from images that have been continuously taken. A face included in each of a plurality of images is chosen, and with respect to each of the images, an evaluation value for use in selecting one image from the plurality of images is calculated based on the face chosen in each of the images. An image with the highest evaluation value is selected, and when there are a plurality of images with the highest evaluation value, an image taken first is selected. The selected image is then recorded.
US09060157B2
An apparatus to decode an encoded bit stream obtained by dividing the moving image into a plurality of rectangular regions includes a rectangular region size determination unit for determining a variable size of the regions in a sequence (a set of continuous frames) based on region size information multiplexed in the encoded bit stream. The apparatus includes a decoding unit for decoding coding mode information multiplexed in the encoded bit stream for each of the regions, and a decoding unit. The coding mode information includes (1) prediction type information selected from information indicating either inter or intra prediction coding, and (2) intra prediction block size information indicating a size of a unit region for the intra prediction coding indicated by the prediction type information.
US09060155B2
An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for creating a personalized visualization of broadcasting stations that enables a user to quickly identify broadcasting stations that are in line with his or her tastes or preferences. Broadcasting stations may be plotted at specific locations within a personalized visualization based on the categories in which media objects broadcast by those broadcasting stations fall. This location may be continuously updated as the broadcasting stations continue to broadcast additional media objects falling within different categories. A user may similarly be plotted, and continuously updated, within the personalized visualization based on the categories in which media objects reproduced by the user fall. By viewing the personalized visualization, the user may be able to identify which of the broadcasting stations monitored are broadcasting media objects that are most in line with the media objects he or she has been reproducing.
US09060152B2
A remote control for a television is provided that can include at least one hotkey having an assigned function that depends on at least one of a currently selected silo and panel displayed by the television.
US09060148B2
An image forming apparatus includes low and high resolution imaging portions, a data generating portion, first and second reading portions, and a reading control portion. The first reading portion acquires, from the high resolution imaging portion, as output data for one pixel, data acquired by n-number of light receiving elements adjacent to each other in a main scanning direction in the high resolution imaging portion. The second reading portion acquires output data from light receiving elements arranged in the main scanning direction from a start position displaced by a distance corresponding to m times a second pitch in the main scanning direction from a first reference position in the high resolution imaging portion, where m is an integer. The reading control portion executes a reading operation for a document by the low and high resolution imaging portions, selecting the first reading portion or selecting both of the reading portions.
US09060134B2
There are provided an imaging apparatus and method which perform different exposure control in pixel group units. Brightness in the pixel group units obtained by dividing a plurality of pixels of an imaging area of the image sensor is evaluated, and pixel group unit exposure control values are calculated according to an evaluation result. The image sensor outputs a control signal matching the calculated pixel group unit exposure control value to each pixel group constituent pixel, and controls exposure in the pixel group units. For example, the exposure control signal including an identical pattern is sequentially output to a plurality of pixels in a pixel group in a time sequence, and exposure control which sets an identical exposure time for a plurality of pixels belonging to one pixel group is realized.
US09060128B2
A portable hand-held apparatus is provided having a memory for storing images, a motion sensor for detecting motion of the device, and a processor for receiving image manipulation instructions via encoded media. The processor processes the stored images based on the detected device motion and the received image manipulation instructions to produce output images.
US09060124B2
A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.
US09060115B2
An image capturing system includes an image capturing unit configured to photograph the medium on a medium installation face, a lighting configured to irradiate the medium installation face, a lighting control unit configured to control the lighting, and a non-readable area determining unit configured to determine whether there is a non-readable area from which the image capturing unit is unable to read information of the medium due to reflected light of the lighting. The non-readable area is determined based on an image acquired by photographing the medium in a turned-on state of the lighting. When the non-readable area determining unit determines that there is the non-readable area, the medium is photographed in different lighting states set by the lighting control unit, and among the image data generated in photographing process, image data corresponding to the medium is generated by synthesizing areas except an area corresponding to the non-readable area.
US09060110B2
Image capture using an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a spectral sensitivity tunable in accordance with a spectral capture mask, and imaging optics having a polarization filter tunable in accordance with a polarization control mask for projecting an image of a scene onto the imaging assembly. A default polarization control mask is applied to the imaging optics, and a default spectral capture mask is applied to the imaging assembly. An image of the scene is captured using the imaging assembly.
US09060106B1
Systems and methods for border detection on videos are disclosed herein. The system can include a refinement component that updates a variable as a function of a change in line number, wherein the change in line number is ascertained in response to a change in luminance values and/or chroma values associated with a border and a video area included in a frame associated with an original video. Further, the system also includes a trimming component that, as a function of the variable, crops the border from the frame that includes the video area of the resized original video.
US09060102B2
An integrated system for diving operations for use in turbid water by a remote operator comprising a surface console station that supports the receipt of tethered command and control of system components and display for received real-time video via a communications channel; a remote wearable information processing unit tethered to the surface console station and having integrated controls; a wearable human interface system connected to the remote wearable information processing unit and including a video display and two-way audio system; a viewing enhancing device tethered to the remote wearable information processing unit and the surface console station, including an image capture device; and a fluid clarification unit coupled to the viewing enhanced apparatus. The apparatus may be worn and operated by a diver, mounted on a remotely operated vehicle or manipulated remotely while mounted on the end of a pole and may include an array of viewing enhancing devices.
US09060098B2
Aspects of a method and system for data processing in a device with integrated set-top-box and femtocell functionality are provided. Data may be received via an integrated femtocell and set-top-box device and may be synchronously processed, utilizing a common clock, to perform one or more femtocell functions and/or set-top-box functions. The common clock may be derived from global navigation satellite system signals. The integrated femtocell and set-top-box device may convert the received data from a first to a second format. The converted data may be transmitted to a cellular enabled communication device via a cellular transmitter within said integrated femtocell and set-top-box device and/or to a multimedia device via a multimedia interface within said integrated femtocell and set-top-box device. The received data may comprise multimedia content. The integrated femtocell and set-top-box device may be operable to encode, decode, transcode, encrypt, decrypt, scramble, descramble, and present the received multimedia content.
US09060095B2
Implementations generally relate to modifying an appearance of a participant during a video conference. In some implementations, a method includes obtaining at least one frame from a media stream, where the at least one frame includes a first face, and where the first face is an image of a face associated with a user. The method also includes determining a plurality of coordinates within the at least one frame. The method also includes obtaining at least one media content item. The method also includes adding the at least one media content item to the at least one frame based on the plurality of coordinates.
US09060093B2
A mechanism is described for facilitating enhanced viewer perception of video images at computing devices according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes tracking, at a first computing device, movements associated with a first user within a camera range of one or more cameras coupled to the first computing device. Each movement of the first user may trigger an updated view of contents being displayed in real-time on the first computing device. The method may further include calculating a synthesized updated view of the contents in response to tracking a movement of the first user from a first position to a second position. The synthesized updated view may represent a realistic view of the contents in response to the movement of the first user from the first position to the second position. The method may further include displaying the synthesized updated view of the contents.
US09060086B2
An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit, a document conveyance unit, a sheet storage unit, a printing unit, a first and second determination unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads a document. The printing unit performs printing on a sheet fed from the sheet storage unit. The first determination unit determines a first size of the document based on a size of a sheet stored in the sheet storage unit. The control unit causes the document conveyance unit to convey the document and causes the reading unit to read the document based on the determined first size. The second determination unit determines a second size of the conveyed document. In response to the determined first size not matching the determined second size, the control unit causes the document to be conveyed again and causes the document to be read again based on the determined second size.
US09060069B2
An apparatus and method for connecting with Bluetooth devices in a terminal using an audio channel are provided. The method includes distinguishing an audio Bluetooth hands-free device and a non-audio Bluetooth hands-free device, performing a connection with two Bluetooth hands-free devices by connecting with the non-audio Bluetooth hands-free device and the audio Bluetooth hands-free device in a regular sequence, upon a change of a control state of the terminal, transmitting state information to the two Bluetooth hands-free devices, and, upon call connection, sending a request for a connection of an audio channel to the audio Bluetooth hands-free device.
US09060067B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for providing customized calling identification. A method for providing customized calling identification comprises receiving a request for initiating an outgoing call from a communication client, the communication client being registered in association with a network address and being associated with a communication client identifier. The method further comprises, based on the communication client identifier, determining an auxiliary identifier associated with the communication client. The method further comprises augmenting the request for initiating an outgoing call with the auxiliary identifier to generate an augmented request.
US09060060B2
The invention relates to an interactive voice response (IVR) system supplying functions and resources to services encompassing interactive voice response or output of announcements and three methods for dealing with resource bottlenecks of the IVR system. The IVR system supplies a pool of resources to several switching systems. Virtual, individually assigned IVR systems are created from the perspective of the switching systems by allocating the control interfaces and user data interfaces of the IVR system in an exclusive, disjunctive manner to the switching systems. Resource bottlenecks can be prevented when several switching systems access the IVR system by rejecting jobs for which the required resources cannot be reserved or by aborting jobs creating too substantial delays during processing due to the wait for resources. The invention has the advantage of efficiently utilizing the resources supplied by the IVR system.
US09060054B2
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for diagnosing and optimizing vectored DSL lines. For example, in one embodiment, such a system includes an interface to a first subset of a plurality of digital communication lines allocated to a vectored group and to a second subset of the plurality of digital communication lines which operate external to the vectored group; a Dynamic Spectral Management server (DSM server) to analyze the vectored group by performing the following operations for each of the plurality of digital communication lines in the vectored group: measuring a mitigated noise level for the digital communication line with crosstalk cancellation active, measuring a non-mitigated noise level for the digital communication line with crosstalk cancellation inactive, and comparing the mitigated noise level measured on the digital communication line with the non-mitigated noise level measured on the digital communication line. In such an embodiment, the DSM server of the system further issues optimization instructions based on the analysis. For example, by issuing optimization instructions for the vectored group, for lines external to the vectored group, or for both.
US09060046B2
A method (300) and apparatus (100) for transferring media data between devices is disclosed. The method may include receiving (320) media data transfer protocol data and splitting (330) the media data transfer protocol data into media data transfer protocol control data and a media data transfer protocol bulk data. The method may also include transferring (340) the media data transfer protocol control data over a first channel to a media data transfer protocol data synchronization application and transferring (350) the media data transfer protocol bulk data over a second channel substantially directly to memory (170) substantially simultaneously with transferring the media data transfer protocol control data over the first channel.
US09060040B2
An apparatus for playing signals received from the Internet or other information highway on one or more speakers and video displays has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; a user interface for choosing between a connection to a personal computer and the preselected address; and at least one sound emitting device and a display for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address.
US09060039B2
A server device may receive one or more event instruction schedules. Each of the one or more event instruction schedules may identify one or more events and corresponding instructions. The server may receive location information identifying a location of a user device; identify a particular schedule of the one or more event instruction schedules based on the location; identify an occurrence of an event of the one or more events identified by the particular schedule; identify a particular corresponding instruction for the event; and direct the user device to execute the corresponding instruction based on the occurrence of the of the one or more events. The server device may cause the user device to execute the corresponding instruction to function as a component in a combined display or in a combined sound outputting system having multiple user devices in addition to the user device.
US09060038B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for updating a domain name server are provided. A console may receive a first request to access the console. The console may verify first permission to access the console. The console may receive a second request to access the domain name server. The console may verify second permission to access the domain name server. The console may receive an instruction to modify an entry in the domain name server. The instruction may specify that a previous Internet Protocol address in the entry is replaced with a new Internet Protocol address. The console may transmit the instruction from the console to the domain name server. The domain name server may be configured to replace the previous Internet Protocol address with a new Internet Protocol address in the entry in response to the instruction.
US09060035B2
A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for identifying a subscriber home domain in a communication network are described. A national subscriber profile is partitioned into regions and a NAPTR resource record is modified to identify in which region a particular subscriber is located. In response to a calling party requesting that a connection to a called party be established, a database is queried to provide a modified NAPTR record which identifies the region in which the called party is located. A connection can then be established without polling each region.
US09060032B2
Selective data compression by a distributed traffic management system to reduce mobile and/or signaling traffic are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can include, for example: compressing an uncompressed data chunk in a data stream to be transmitted over the wireless network to generate a compressed data chunk, comparing sizes of the uncompressed data chunk with the compressed data chunk, transmitting an optimized data stream comprising of the uncompressed data chunk or the compressed data chunk over the wireless network, depending on which is smaller in size. In one embedment, a header can be included in the optimized data stream to indicate which of uncompressed data chunk and the compressed data chunk is transmitted.
US09060027B2
An example method for assigning location identifiers (IDs) to nodes in a distributed computer cluster network environment is provided and includes receiving notification of attachment of a compute node to a Top-of-Rack (ToR) switch in the distributed computer cluster network environment, retrieving compute node information from an inventory database in the ToR switch, calculating a location ID of the compute node as a function of at least a portion of the compute node information, and communicating the location ID from the ToR switch to the compute node. The location ID indicates an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model Layer 7 logical group associated with an OSI model Layer 1 physical location of the compute node in the distributed computer cluster network environment.
US09060026B2
Techniques for credential auditing are provided. Histories for credentials are evaluated against a principal credential policy for a user and an enterprise credential policy for an enterprise as a whole. An audit trail is produced within a report for the histories. The report indicates whether compliance with the principal and enterprise credential policies occurred and if not at least one reason is provided as to why compliance was not met within the histories.
US09060025B2
Systems and methods for configuring security policies based on cloud are provided. According to one embodiment, security parameters are shared on cloud by security devices. A first network appliance may fetch one or more security parameters shared by a second network appliance from a cloud account. Then the first network appliance automatically creates a security policy that controlling a connection between the first network appliance and the second network appliance based at least in part on the one or more security parameters.
US09060022B1
An embodiment of a method, system, and structure communicating messaging data in a header of a packet are provided. The data structure includes a data packet comprising a header and a payload, wherein part of the header includes first and second data portions, wherein the first data portion indicates a type of message encoded in the second data portion, and wherein the second data portion includes message data. An embodiment of a method includes encoding a communications message, which would otherwise be inclusive in a payload portion of a packet into a portion of a header of a packet, encoding an indication that indicates a type of messaging that said messaging is, and facilitating the communication of the packet to a destination.
US09060017B2
A method for detecting and manipulating a malicious actor/communication on a computer network or system. The method includes the steps of incorporating one or more synthetic vulnerabilities into the computer system at distinct locations, where each synthetic vulnerability presents an opportunity for exploitation by a malicious actor/communication, detecting an exploitation of one of the vulnerabilities by an actor, analyzing the actor to determine if the actor is a malicious actor/communication; and manipulating the malicious actor/communication. A computer program on a storage medium is also disclosed.
US09060015B2
Methods, apparatuses and computer programs for selecting a codec for use by a communications device for a session over a network, having a transcoding resource, are provided. It is determined whether the transcoding resource is available for the communications session and, if the transcoding resource is available, a subset of codecs available to the communications device is used in a signalling process used to determine a codec for the session. The subset is selected based on an operative condition affecting the communications device.
US09060012B2
Systems and methods for creating and analyzing computer tag information for the prevention or detection of potential fraud. Computers and other devices accessing the Web carry device tags with date and time information describing when they were issued by a security tag server. A server time stamp may be inserted into time based computer tags such as a cookies indicating when they were created. Such time stamp information can be encrypted and analyzed during future attempts to access a secure network such as a customer attempting to log into an online banking account. When the time stamp information from the tag is compared to other selected information about the user, device and/or account, including but not limited to last account log-in date/time or account creation date, the invention may be used to detect suspicious activity.
US09060004B1
A computer-implemented method may include 1) maintaining an application virtualization subsystem on a computing system having a base file system and base registry of a base operating system, 2) installing an application and/or data to a virtualization layer on the computing system without changing the base file system and/or base registry such that the virtualization layer is isolated from the base file system and/or base registry, 3) identifying a current geographical location of the computing system, and 4) determining, based on the current geographical location of the computing system, whether the virtualization layer should be enabled such that access attempts associated with the application and/or data are redirected to the virtualization layer or should be disabled such that access attempts associated with the application and/or data are allowed to pass through to the base file system and/or base registry. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09059994B2
A device includes a receiver configured to receive a request to perform a function. A secure element connected with the receiver, the secure element to verify the request to perform the function, where the secure element is configured to operate in either a report mode or a silent mode. Details about a status of the performance of the function are displayed when the device operates in the report mode, and no details about the status of the performance of the function are displayed when the device operates in the silent mode.
US09059992B2
Various embodiments of systems and methods for distributed mobile enterprise application platform (MEAP) are described herein. In one aspect, the method includes receiving a request to be executed from a mobile device. Based upon the request, one or more middleware components capable of executing the request are determined from one or more remotely located servers. A middleware component from the one or more middleware components is selected for executing the request. The request is sent to the selected middleware component for execution. Based upon the execution, an output is received from the selected middleware component. In one embodiment, the output is stored in a backend system or sent to a portable device from which the request is received. In another embodiment, the output is sent to another middleware component for further execution.
US09059989B2
Techniques for preventing unauthorized access to a server system using stolen passwords are provided. In one embodiment, the server system can store an ordered set of hash values for a user, where each hash value in the ordered set of hash values is generated by applying a hash function in an ordered set of hash functions to the user's password. The server system can further receive, from a client device, a login request for the user that includes a hashed version of the password, and can select a hash value in the ordered set of hash values using a server-side index that is synchronized with a client-side index on the client device. The server system can then grant the login request if the selected hash value matches the hashed version of the password.
US09059984B2
This document discusses, among other things, a method for authenticating a browser executing on an auxiliary device with a web service executing on a portable electronic device. The method includes receiving a request for a resource from the browser, determining whether the request identifies a protected resource, and selectively authenticating the request based on whether the request identifies a protected resource.
US09059972B2
Methods and systems of authenticating electronic identification (ID) documents may provide for receiving a decryption key and an encrypted ID document from a certificate authority server at a mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document includes a read only document having a photograph of an individual. Additionally, the decryption key may be applied to the encrypted ID document to obtain a decryption result in response to a display request. The decryption result can be output via a display of the mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document can be sent to a challenge terminal if a challenge request is received.
US09059968B2
A method and apparatus for brokering a transmission control protocol (TCP) session between two clients that are each situated behind a firewall that blocks incoming TCP session requests is described. Each of the two clients transmits a TCP session request to the other client in order to establish a TCP session between these clients. This brokering allows the two clients to establish the TCP session between the two clients.
US09059965B2
A computer readable medium that includes computer readable program code embodied therein. The computer readable medium causes the computer system to receive, by a data link rule enforcer, a packet from a packet source of the packets, and obtain a data link rule applying to a data link. The data link is operatively connected to the packet source, and the data link is associated with a media access control (MAC) address. The computer readable medium further causes the computer system to determine, by the data link rule enforcer, whether the packet complies with the data link rule, and drop, by the data link rule enforcer, the packet when the packet fails to comply with the data link rule.
US09059963B2
The method and system allow an owner of a collection of vehicles, such as a classic automobile collection, to upload and store public and private vehicle information. Public vehicle information is accessible by other users of the system desiring to learn about the user's vehicle collection. Private vehicle information is available only to those users whom the vehicle owner designates should receive an evaluation file containing the private information.
US09059950B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing a viral invitational content campaign. Invitational content is delivered with a user interface element that, upon selection, transmits a forwarding request to the content delivery server. The content delivery server generates a link with a unique identifier and creates a forwarding entry that includes the unique identifier and identifies the item of invitational content. The link is returned in response to the forwarding request. Upon selection of the link, a request including the unique identifier is transmitted to the content delivery server which accesses the corresponding forwarding entry to return the corresponding item of invitational content. A viral campaign dictates a target spend range and throttling methods are utilized to manage the spend. Invitational content forwarding, delivery cost, and content selection are variable to manage the spend. Calculated metrics are also used to manage spend.
