US09132780B2
A ladder rack includes: a frame assembly mountable on a vehicle, the frame assembly having at least two cross bows each including a principal length extending between opposite first and second ends; a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the first ends of each cross bow, each pivot bracket adapted to support one side rail of a ladder, and each pivot bracket being pivotally moveable between a first position corresponding to the stowage position and a second position corresponding to the loading/unloading position; a stationary bracket disposed on each cross bow intermediate the first and second ends thereof, each stationary bracket adapted to abut another side rail of a ladder in the stowage position; a torsion bar interconnecting the pivot brackets; and a manually operable handle coupled to one of the torsion bar or a pivot bracket for moving the pivot brackets between the stowage position and the loading/unloading position.
US09132776B2
A side mirror control system and method for a vehicle includes a first mirror module and driving unit driving a first side mirror on one side of the vehicle; a second mirror module and driving unit for driving a second side mirror on the other side of the vehicle; and a driver door module controlling the first mirror module and driving unit and the second mirror module and driving unit so that folding finish points of time of the first side mirror and the second side mirror are coincident with each other.
US09132762B1
A livestock trailer arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes an enclosure defining a first sidewall and a spaced-apart second sidewall and a side opening defined on the first sidewall for allowing ingress of a livestock. A first divider has a first position in which the divider extends at an angle from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and a second position in which the divider is pivoted about the second sidewall to define a passageway for ingress of a livestock through the side opening. An accessory assembly is pivotable about a rearward portion of the first sidewall such that the accessory assembly may be pivoted outwardly of the enclosure. A second divider has a position in which the divider is pivoted about the first sidewall to define a passageway for egress of a livestock through a rearward portion of the enclosure.
US09132759B2
Embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat having a cushion pad, a surface member, and a rigid member. The cushion pad may be equipped with a main portion for supporting an occupant, and a side support portion provided on a side of the main portion. The side support portion may protrude from the main portion so as to support the occupant. The surface member is provided on a surface of the cushion pad. The rigid member is provided inside the side support portion of the cushion pad. The rigid member is of higher rigidity than the cushion pad, and protrudes in the same direction in which the side support portion protrudes. The rigid member has an end portion contacting the surface member.
US09132756B1
A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support configured to mount the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support, the limit of the first and second directions of movement defining fully forward and fully upright positions, respectively, of the bun assembly; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism configured to permit the pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions.
US09132740B2
An automotive vehicle capable of receiving power from a remote power source includes an exterior lamp assembly integrated with the vehicle. The lamp assembly includes an illumination source, and an electrical port configured to be electrically connected with the remote power source.
US09132734B2
A device for connection 3 of a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a first terminal 2a of the battery and at least one output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises: a device for measuring the voltage 7 between the first terminal 2a of the battery and a reference potential 15, and a control unit 14 capable of receiving the voltage values measured by the voltage-measuring device 7, capable of determining an insulation resistance between the first terminal 2a of the battery and the reference potential 15, and capable of connecting or keeping connected the first terminal 2a of the battery and the first terminal of the electrical circuit if said insulation resistance is greater than a determined threshold.
US09132733B2
An insulation failure diagnosis apparatus is provided which diagnoses presence/absence of insulation failure between a body of a vehicle and a connection path to a power supply for a traction unit. The apparatus includes a power converter circuit connected to the power supply and supplying power to an in-vehicle auxiliary unit, an outputting unit outputting an AC signal to the connection path, and a diagnosis unit diagnosing presence/absence of the insulation failure based on a current flowing through the connection path when the AC signal is outputted. The diagnosis unit includes a storage unit storing a determination value for determining the insulation failure or information for setting the determination value. The determination value or the information is obtained by measuring an electrical state quantity of the connection path depending on stray capacitance and is dielectric resistance of the connection path obtained when an AC signal is outputted to the connection path.
US09132732B2
A straddled vehicle is equipped with a charging port structure in which a charging port is fixedly disposed within a recess provided in a wall member. A base end part of a cover member capable of closing the charging port is pivotably supported at a position adjacent to the charging port, and a lid is capable of closing the recess so as to cover the cover member from the outside is pivotably supported on the wall member. A retaining member retains a closed state of the lid in response to the lid being closed. A releasing member is operable so as to release the retention of the closed state of the lid by the retaining member. A coupling member is operable in association with the operation of the retaining member when closing the lid, and pivots the cover member toward the closing side.
US09132725B2
One embodiment is a unique vehicle having a hybrid drive system. Other embodiments include unique hybrid drive systems. Still other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US09132718B2
A shading device for a glass surface region of a motor vehicle having a flexible shading formation movably supported between a rest position compactly stored in a vehicle interior and a tensioned shading position. The shading device includes a dimensionally stable draw-out profile member movable by a linearly movable lifting rod into the shading position or the rest position. A drive unit for lifting or lowering the lifting rod is associated with the lifting rod.The draw-out profile member has a support receiving member, which is closed upwards in the lifting direction and which is open downwards, for receiving and releasing the lifting rod in accordance with the movement direction of the lifting rod. A locking device is associated with the draw-out profile member and secures the draw-out profile member in the shading position so as to be fixed to a vehicle.
US09132715B2
A vehicle communication method comprises receiving a first wireless communication that is transmitted from a first remote device and managing a transmission of the first wireless communication over a vehicle network using a configurable message list. The receiving a first wireless communication is performed by a connectivity device coupled to a communication port of the vehicle network. The managing a transmission of the first wireless communication is performed by a message manager module of the connectivity device.
US09132714B2
A capacity control valve for increasing the ability to drain liquid refrigerant from a control chamber during startup of a variable-capacity compressor without changing the control valve characteristics has a spring acting in the direction of valve opening provided between an adapter and a free end of a pressure-sensitive body in the extension and contraction direction thereof and having an annular seat surface, and a third valve part having an annular engaging surface for opening and closing a suction-side passage by engaging and disengaging with the seat surface of the adapter.
US09132710B2
Disclosed is a damping force control device for a vehicle that controls the damping coefficient of a damping force generation device on the basis of a final target control amount that is based on the target control amount for attitude control, which suppresses changes in the vehicle body attitude in at least the rolling direction, and the target control amount for riding comfort control, which increases riding comfort with regards to vehicle body vibrations in at least the rolling direction. The target control amount for riding comfort control is a control amount calculated as the total of a fixed basic control amount and a variable control amount. The target control amount and the variable control amount for attitude control are calculated, a post-correction basic control amount, which is nearer to the target control amount for attitude control than the basic control amount, is calculated, and the total of the post-correction basic control amount and the variable control amount is set as the final target control amount, thereby excellently achieving both the suppression of attitude changes and an increase in riding comfort.
US09132700B2
In tread-width-direction cross section under a standard internal pressure and no load condition, a point B is an outermost point of overlapping area in tread-width-direction, a line CC is a line passing through an outermost point CT of carcass layer in tread-width-direction and extending along tread-width-direction, a point C is a point of tire surface through the line CC, a line segment BW is a line segment extending in tread-width-direction from an equator center line to point B, a line segment CW is a line segment extending along tread-width-direction from equator center line to point C, and a line segment BC is a line segment connecting between point B and C. A ratio BW/CW between a length of BW and CW is not less than 0.6 and not more than 0.8. An angle θ formed by BC and CW is not less than 50° and not more than 70°.
US09132695B2
A quick release device includes an axle tube, a pressing unit, and a driving unit. The axle tube extends through a bicycle frame, and has a plurality of through holes. The pressing unit includes a plurality of pressing members disposed respectively and movably within the through holes in the axle tube, and a pushing member movable axially in the axle tube. The driving unit includes a movable shaft. When the driving unit is changed to a locking state, the movable shaft moves the pushing member such that the pushing member pushes and moves the pressing member to press against the bicycle frame. When the driving unit is changed to a release state, the movable shaft moves the pushing member away from the pressing members to allow the pressing members to move radially away from the bicycle frame.
US09132694B2
A tire/wheel assembly includes a wheel having an attaching portion for attaching the wheel to a vehicle and a pneumatic tire that is fit on a periphery of the wheel. The pneumatic tire includes a plurality of tire protrusions and/or a plurality of tire recesses of a tire side portion that constitutes a vehicle outer side, and the wheel includes a plurality of wheel recesses in a surface that constitutes the vehicle outer side.
US09132692B2
In order to provide a writing instrument in which a writing direction can be visually recognized in a broad range at a visual part of a pen tip and which can surely write to end of writing, the writing instrument is endowed with a constitution in which a pen tip is equipped with a porous member as a writing part and a holding member holding the above porous member and having at least one ink guiding part through which an ink contained in a barrel is provided to a writing part held by the holding member which is a visible part enabling to visually recognize a writing direction, wherein an area ratio of the visible part is 40% or more of the pen tip protruding from a tip part of the writing instrument.
US09132691B2
Mass customization of articles with a customized composite or dimensional image created from one or more custom images, such as photographs, text, and the like. The customized composite image is automatically generated by interlacing, or otherwise combining, the one or more custom or personalized images, and is automatically placed or imposed in a digital template to form a print ready file. The print file is then digitally printed on a substrate and a lens is married thereto such that the composite image is viewable through the lens. Alternatively, the print ready file, or at least the customized composite image, is printed directly on the back of a lens such that the composite image is viewable through the lens.
US09132688B2
Bookbinding unit eliminating the necessity of a user, in placing collated inner leaves onto a tray, pre-measuring the bundle thickness, and the danger of fingers getting pinched during the placement. Furnished with: inner-leaf tray; coversheet tray; gripping conveyor gripping and transporting bundles of leaf-tray sheets; coversheet conveyor feeding coversheet-tray covers and placing them in a binding location; adhesive applicator applying adhesive to bundle spine-portion endfaces; cover binder binding bundles and covers together; and controller encasing bundles in covers to form booklets. A first detector, in the inner-leaf tray, detects thickness of bundles therein, and a second detector, in the gripping conveyor, detects thickness of the gripped bundles. The controller prohibits the gripping conveyor from conveying inner leaves out from the inner-leaf tray when the thickness of a sheet bundle detected by the first detector is more than a predetermined thickness.
US09132686B2
An inkjet printable article includes an ink receptive layer bonded to a paper substrate. The ink receiving layer includes particles, polymeric binder and colorant durability enhancer. From about 60% to about 95% by total dry weight of the ink receiving layer is particles selected from the group consisting of clay, kaolin, and combinations thereof. The polymeric binder is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, styrene butadiene, acrylonithle-butadiene latex, and combinations thereof. The colorant durability enhancer is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, borax, phenyl boronic acid, butyl boronic acid, sodium tetraborate, and combinations thereof.
US09132678B2
A recording device has a recording unit that records on a recording medium; a control unit that controls the recording unit; a storage unit that stores management information related to control by the control unit, and report information corresponding to the management information; an input unit that inputs information to change the report information; and an output unit that outputs the report information stored in the storage unit.
US09132674B2
Waste of time and consumables is reduced and efficiency is improved by printing to near the end of the medium in a device that prints on media. A printer 1 has a conveyance unit that conveys label paper 100 with one or more labels 103, a printhead 40 disposed to the conveyance path 110, and a paper detector 61 and label detector 63. When the trailing end of the label paper 100 is detected, the printer 1 identifies the position of the trailing end of the label paper 100, and determines if printing on the label 103 can be completed based on the identified position of the trailing end of the label paper 100. If printing cannot be completed, printing by the printhead 40 stops or the label paper 100 is conveyed without printing on the label 103.
US09132660B2
Systems and methods for pre-aligning print head(s) to alignment adapter(s) to increase print resolution of printed matter, and to reduce offline time of a printing system due to print head alignment, include the use of an alignment adapter to which a print head is pre-aligned and which includes precision alignment features which precisely engage cooperating precision alignment features on the print head carriage mounting plate of the print head carriage. Print head(s) can be pre-aligned and fine-tuned to alignment adapter(s) even while the printing system is still in print production. Pre-aligned print head/alignment adapter assemblies can then be quickly mounted on the print head carriage using the cooperating precision alignment features of the adapter and print head carriage mounting plate. Duplicate sets of print head mounting sockets can include print heads aligned at different relative offsets (e.g., half a pixel) to increase the print resolution.
US09132658B2
A printing apparatus includes a head and a control unit. The head discharges an imaging liquid for forming an image, and a supplementary liquid for supplementing formation of the image onto a printing medium. The control unit controls the head to execute a first operation, in which the imaging liquid is discharged onto a first region and a second operation, in which the supplementary liquid is discharged onto a region of the printing medium onto which the imaging liquid is not discharged. The control unit controls the head such that the discharge amount of the supplementary liquid on a second region, which is adjacent to the first region, is less than the discharge amount of the supplementary liquid on a third region, which is a region onto which the imaging liquid is not discharged and is not adjacent to the first region.
US09132653B2
An ink containing device comprises an ink cartridge and an adaptor. The ink cartridge comprises a first main body comprising a chamber configured to store ink, an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the first main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the first main body wherein the first surface faces a first direction, and an electrical interface disposed on the first main body. The adaptor is configured to be in an attached state with the ink cartridge. The adaptor comprises a second main body comprising a first contact disposed on a particular surface facing a particular direction, and a second contact disposed on a further surface and electrically connected to the first contact, wherein the second contact is electrically connected to the electrical interface in the attached state.
US09132652B2
A liquid container includes a liquid storage part with which one end portion is constituted of a plurality of film members, and a liquid supply part for supplying a liquid stored in the liquid storage part to a liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid supply part has a bonded part that is bonded to the film member at the one end portion of the liquid storage part, and a liquid supply tube part at which is formed a liquid supply port oriented in a direction intersecting with a bonding surface of the bonded part. The liquid supply tube part is provided so that at least one part of the liquid supply port overlaps with the bonded part as viewed in an axial direction of the liquid supply tube part from a side of the liquid supply port.
US09132651B2
A seal member configured to seal a supply port for supplying ink contained in an ink tank to an outside of the ink tank is provided. The seal member includes a first area corresponding to the supply port and an ink absorbing member disposed in a second area located outside the first area.
US09132640B2
A cap assembly is usable with a print head device having nozzles to eject fluid there through. The cap assembly includes an outer cap member, a sealing member, an intermediate cap member, and at least one resilient member. The outer cap member includes a main portion, at least one hinge portion to engage with the print head device to allow movement of the outer cap member toward the print head device to place the nozzles in a cap state, at least one latch portion to engage the print head device in the cap state, and at least one pedestal support portion extending outward from the main portion. The sealing member may seal the nozzles of the print head device in the cap state. The intermediate cap member may be disposed between the sealing member and the outer cap member. The intermediate cap member may support the sealing member. The at least one resilient member may be disposed between the sealing member and the intermediate cap member to provide a sealing force on the sealing member to seal the nozzles of the print head device in the cap state. Additionally, the at least one pedestal support portion may be configured to contact an external surface to support the print head device in the cap state.
US09132632B2
When dot data indicating whether or not a dot is to be formed is formed based on the gradation value for each pixel forming an image, dots belonging to a plurality of pixel groups are printed in a common region in an overlapping manner, and the distribution of dots formed in the common region has a noise characteristic possessing a peak in the spatial frequency region on the high-frequency side. In a case where first and second pixels belonging, respectively, to two pixel groups are proximal pixels in the common region in a predetermined gradation range in which probabilities k1 and k2 at which a dot is formed in the first and second pixels are such that k1<0.5 and k2<0.5, a probability K of a dot being formed in both of the proximal pixels is set to be close to k1·k2.
US09132629B2
A liquid dispensing device (10), including a drop ejection device (12) including an orifice (18) adapted for ejecting drops therefrom, a single detection device (28) positioned to receive drop information from the ejected drops of the drop ejection device, and a controller (40) that receives the drop information and uses the drop information to determine a number of drops ejected from the drop ejection device.
US09132627B2
A liquid ejecting device ejects a liquid using a driving element driven through application of a drive signal. The liquid ejecting device comprises a detector electrically connected to a plurality of driving elements via a common electrical path. The detector detects electrical signals output from each of the plurality of driving elements.
US09132616B2
Composite membrane materials and process for their production. The process entails the use of at least first and second porous membranes formed of a polymeric material and at least a third porous membrane formed of the same polymeric material, but having larger pores than the first and second porous membranes. The first, second and third porous membranes are laminated together by applying heat and pressure to the first, second and third porous membranes without applying a separate adhesive material therebetween. The laminated first, second and third porous membranes form a composite membrane in which the third porous membrane is between the first and second porous membranes.
US09132615B2
Retortable, flexible essentially polyolefin composition, mono- or multi-layer structures including at least one layer comprising such a composition, containers made from such structures and specific applications thereof.
US09132610B2
A Ni-containing-surface-treated steel sheet for a can, which is formed by stamping, includes a steel sheet having a first surface which becomes an outer surface of the can after the stamping; a Ni containing layer arranged on the first surface of the steel sheet; and a Ni—W alloy plating layer arranged on the Ni containing layer. The Ni containing layer includes a Fe—Ni diffusion alloy layer; a Ni content included in the Ni containing layer is from 5 g/m2 to 89 g/m2; a thickness of the Ni—W alloy plating layer is from 0.02 μm to 2 μm; and a W concentration in the Ni—W alloy plating layer is from 10% to 65% by mass %.
US09132609B2
A method for fixation, onto a layer comprising an amorphous carbon film and provided on a base material, of a layer comprising a material condensation-reacting with hydroxyl groups on a surface of the amorphous carbon film, whereby, in the layer comprising an amorphous carbon film and provided on the base material, the amorphous carbon film can have a holding power which is strong enough to fix the layer comprising a material condensation-reacting with a hydroxyl group on the surface of the amorphous carbon film and can have uniformity of the holding power. Si and O are added into the layer comprising an amorphous carbon film to thereby improve adhesion durability and binding uniformity of the layer comprising a material condensation-reacting with a hydroxyl group. Particularly, by using a fluorine-based silane coupling agent, it is possible to impart high functions such as water repellency/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, low friction properties and non-tackiness to the amorphous carbon film.
US09132599B2
A system and method of printing an image on corrugated material may include receiving a digital representation of an image. A print target may be printed on a first corrugated material with respect to a print location. It may be determined whether an error distance between the print target and a die cut target is less than a threshold. The print location may be automatically adjusted based on the error distance. The image may be printed on a second corrugated material based on the adjusted print location.
US09132584B2
A polypropylene molded article has a crystallinity degree of 48% or more by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement. The half width of an orientation peak in an azimuth angular distribution obtained by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement on the polypropylene molded article is 5.5° or less, and the long period of the polypropylene molded article obtained by small-angle X-ray scattering measurement is 12 nm or more and 16 nm or less.
US09132581B2
An injection blow molding (IBM) system and method for forming a plurality of parisons and molded articles. The IBM system includes an injection station having upper and lower die sets and a plurality of upper and lower mold half blocks each attached to a respective die set. Each of the upper mold half blocks has a corresponding lower mold half block with which it cooperatively defines one or more cavities for forming the exterior shape of the body of one or more of the parisons. The individual, independent attachment of the mold half blocks to the die sets allows easy individual replacement of faulty or worn mold blocks. Further, such an independent attachment configuration also permits the mold half blocks of each die set to be spaced from one another, so as to reduce thermal expansion problems and ease dimensional tolerances required for the width of the mold half blocks.
US09132579B2
A feed throat for an extruder device includes a body having an inlet defined by a longitudinal opening along a side of the body and an outlet positioned at an end of the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical interior surface which has a plurality of raised surfaces which extend radially inward from and longitudinally along the interior surface. One or more hardened tiles are secured to one or more of the raised surfaces.
US09132577B2
A melt-delivery assembly (200), comprising: a frame assembly (202) being positioned outside of a platen envelope (153) being defined by a platen assembly (150), the frame assembly (202) being configured to receive a melt from a melt-preparation assembly (110), and the frame assembly (202), including: a multiple-outlet assembly (204) being configured to fluidly deliver the melt to multiple conduits (207) toward the platen envelope (153).
US09132571B2
In a rotary drill, the drill is provided with at least one groove, which has a center lying on the axis of rotation of the drill. The two end points of the groove define a groove width, and the drill is provided with two or more cutting edges. Two cutting angles are defined. The groove has a left side and a right side. The rotary drill can be used in a rotary drilling machine. The drill can be provided with a drill bit.
US09132569B2
The present invention provides an aqueous fire retardant composition comprising phosphoric acid, ammonium, diammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, urea, and a complexing agent. The present invention also provides a method for treating wood, and wood obtained by said method.
US09132566B2
An automated book punch includes a base, a positioning mechanism, a punching mechanism, a conveying mechanism, a transfer mechanism and a paper straightening/collection mechanism: the base has a paper tray; the positioning mechanism at a fixed position (an open position) locates a book held in the paper tray (allows the book to pass); the punching mechanism is used to punch a book held in the paper tray; the conveying mechanism conveys a book in the paper tray; the transfer mechanism is able to shift a punched book from the conveying mechanism to a predetermined position; the paper straightening/collection mechanism collects and straightens a book from the transfer mechanism.
US09132563B2
A food loaf is advanced toward a cutting device by a feed apparatus and the loaf is cut into slices, strips or cubes by the cutting device such that the loaf is fixed during the feed movement by a vacuum gripper that is advanced together with the loaf and a negative pressure is generated within an interior of a contact element of the vacuum gripper and acts upon a fixing region of the surface of the loaf in a suction region of the contact element. In order to avoid a vacuum loss, it is proposed that the suction region is divided into at least two separate partial suction regions and the interior of the contact element is accordingly divided into at least two partial interiors, wherein the partial suction regions respectively adjoin one another, are separated from by a contact line and form separate partial fixing regions.
US09132562B2
An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.
US09132556B2
A robot arm link comprises a base, a first section rotationally coupled to the base, a second section pivotally coupled to the first section and a third section attached to the second section and having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion coupled to the fixed portion for movement between first and second portions, the movable portion having an attachment plate for attachment to another robot arm link. The links can be used to construct an arm with multiples of three degrees of movement. For example, three links are joined together and mounted on a rotation base and terminated with a pivot or wrist joint to provide a total of 11 degrees of movement.
US09132545B2
In an apparatus for controlling a mobile robot having leg locomotion mechanisms for traveling and walking and work mechanisms both connected to a body, actuators for driving them, and a controller for controlling the operation of the locomotion mechanisms and work mechanisms by supplying the actuators with a control value calculated by multiplying a deviation between a detected value and a desired value by a gain and to control operation of a speech input/output unit to recognize a human voice inputted through a microphone and utter a generated response to the human voice from a speaker, the controller calculates the gain of the control value to be supplied to at least one of the actuators at a minimum value when controlling only the operation of the speech input/output unit.
US09132544B2
A handheld grasper is provided that is adapted for collecting items from the ground. The grasper comprises an elongate member having a handled end and a working end. The grasper further has a pivoting arm having a proximal and distal end. A distal end of the pivot arm is pivotally connected to the elongate member. The handle further comprise a trigger and a tension cable. A distal end of the tension cable is operably connected to the trigger, whereas the proximal end is located within the elongate member and thereafter is connected to the pivot arm. Actuation of the trigger pulls on the tension cable, thereby bringing the working end and distal pivot arm ends together. The distal pivot arm and distal working ends comprise box half receiving members that support removable, interlocking box halves that lock together when mated by the actuation of the trigger.
US09132536B2
A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities. The shaft may include a lumen extending there through, and through which a variety of devices and materials may be delivered to a workpiece.
US09132535B2
An angle adjusting structure of a ratchet wrench includes a shank, a driving head, a located member, a spring and a detent member. The shank includes a pivot socket and a limiting portion. The pivot socket has a first pivoting portion and a bottom surface, the limiting portion is adjoined to the pivot socket and includes a limiting hole. The driving head includes a second pivoting portion which is pivotally connected to the first pivoting portion and has a plurality of meshing teeth. The located member is slidably located on the bottom surface. The located member includes a plurality of engagement teeth and a sliding rail, the engagement teeth is for meshing the meshing teeth, the sliding rail is correspondingly located on an outside of the limiting hole. The spring is located in the limiting hole. The detent member is connected to the spring and the sliding rail.
US09132525B2
To provide a polishing apparatus capable of more accurately determining a polishing end point. The polishing apparatus includes a turntable 12, a first electric motor 14 configured to rotationally drive the turntable, a top ring 20 configured to hold a workpiece together with the turntable, and a second electric motor 22 configured to rotationally drive the top ring. The polishing apparatus further includes a weighting unit configured to perform weighting so as to make the current ratios of the respective phases different from each other, and a torque variation detecting unit configured to detect a change in a phase current greatly weighted by the weighting unit and thereby detects a change in torque of the electric motor, the change being generated by performing the polishing.
US09132511B2
Various techniques are disclosed for an apparatus and a method to remove a layer from a substrate having a pattern formed on the layer. In one example, the apparatus comprises a stage configured to receive and hold the substrate. The apparatus may further comprise an irradiating device comprising a projection lens and configured to irradiate the surface of the substrate with pulses of laser light having a selected fluence to remove an interstitial portion of the layer between the pattern without removing the pattern for corresponding irradiated areas of the substrate. The pulses of laser light may be focused through the projection lens, and the stage and the projection lens may be configured to move continuously relative each other to irradiate a plurality of areas of the substrate with the pulses of laser light.
US09132510B2
One embodiment includes a method for creating a recessed pattern in a substrate. The method includes laser ablating the substrate to form a recessed complex edge geometry in the substrate. The recessed complex edge geometry forms at least a portion of the pattern. The method also includes machining a remainder of the pattern with a mechanical cutter.
US09132509B2
A method and a device for engraving a flexible strip, the device including a drive device for moving a flexible strip in a longitudinal direction of the flexible strip; a support device for supporting the strip in a circumferential direction of a cylinder on a surface segment of the cylinder acting as a support surface; a processing head oriented towards the support surface for engraving the strip with at least one tool oriented towards the support surface; and a drive device for moving the processing head, wherein the processing head is pivotable through the drive device about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In order to engrave a closed loop with a single processing head it is proposed that the processing head is pivotable through a drive device about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
US09132505B2
The invention relates to a friction stir welding apparatus for joining workpieces 1, 2, having a welding pin 3, which is rotatable about its center axis 9 by means of a drive, and having at least one clamping apparatus for clamping the workpieces 1, 2 to be joined, characterized in that the clamping apparatus comprises at least two clamping elements 10, 11, which respectively have an undercut guideway 12, the guideways 12 being arranged parallel to one another and parallel to a joining region 8, in that between the clamping elements 10, 11 is arranged a sliding element 13, which is secured by the guideways 12 against the workpieces 1, 2 and is translatorily displaceable along the guideways 12, and in that the sliding element 12 is provided with an opening 14 for the lead-through of the welding pin 3, and further relates to a method for friction stir welding, using the above-stated apparatus.
US09132489B2
A method of machining a workpiece using a rotary milling cutter is disclosed. The method includes rotating a tool head with a shaft, rough cutting a workpiece with a rough cutting edge of a first partial body to remove a first amount of material from the workpiece, and finish cutting a rough-cut surface of the workpiece with a finishing edge of a second partial body to remove a second amount of material from the workpiece, the second amount of material being smaller than the first amount of material. Both the rough cutting edge of the first partial body and the finishing edge of the second partial body simultaneously engage the workpiece to perform both rough cutting and said finish cutting of the workpiece in a single cutting operation.
US09132488B2
A cutting tool assembly having a tool holder and a cutting tool. The cutting tool has a shank that is matingly received within an axial bore in the lower end of the tool holder. The shank includes an eccentrically-shaped driver portion. The tool holder's axial bore includes an enlarged eccentrically-shaped drive opening which is complementary in shape to, but slightly larger than, the driver portion. When the shank is inserted into the axial bore, the driver portion and drive opening are aligned allowing the cutting tool to be partially rotated relative to the tool holder. This partial rotation abuts a portion of the eccentric driver portion against the drive opening wall to provide rigid support of the cutting tool against further rotation as the tool assembly cuts. A cammed fastener releasably interlocks the partially rotated cutting tool within the tool holder.
US09132487B2
A guide for drilling holes into broken threaded fasteners includes an application-specific template having surface features and holes situated to allow the template to be secured to the workpiece using remaining unbroken fasteners, and a drill guide that can be secured to the template and adjusted to lock into position over the broken fastener. The guide helps ensure that a drilling operation aligns with the center (and the centerline) of the broken fastener, so that the fragment can be removed with less risk of damage to the threaded hole.
US09132486B2
A tapping unit (1) includes a protection device (12) for permitting an axial retraction movement of a master screw (4) towards the interior of a casing (2) from a reference position into a first proximal backward position with a first defined penetration stroke during which a first elastic return device (13) constantly returns the master screw (4) to its reference position. The protection device (12) furthermore permits an additional axial retraction movement of the master screw (4) towards the interior of the casing (2) from the proximal backward position into a second proximal backward position with a defined penetration stroke during which the master screw (4) is no longer returned towards the exterior of the casing (2).
US09132484B2
A cutting tool including a base, a TiN layer on the base, a TiCN layer on the TiN layer, and an Al2O3 layer on the TiCN layer. The base contains a cemented carbide. The TiN layer and the TiCN layer contain Nb. A Nb content in the TiCN layer at a middle portion of the TiCN layer in a thickness direction is 0.1% by mass or more, and the Nb content in the Al2O3 layer at a middle portion of the Al2O3 layer in the thickness direction is 0.05% by mass or less.
US09132477B2
A quality management device and a die-cast molding machine capable of suitably inspecting quality in relation to the amount of blowholes of a die-cast product which is cast according to a PF die casting method are provided. A quality management device 3 performs the quality management of the die-cast product formed according to the pore free die casting method of supplying oxygen to a cavity Ca and an injection sleeve 27 communicated with the cavity Ca and, in that state, ejecting a melt in the injection sleeve 27 into the cavity Ca. Further, the quality management device 3 has a vacuum sensor 51 which detects the air pressure in the cavity Ca and a control device 70 which makes good/defective judgment of quality of the die-cast product in relation to the amount of blowholes based on the air pressure detected by the vacuum sensor 51 during injection.
US09132466B2
Disclosed is a roller hemming device, which is capable of excellent hemming even when a subject to be hemmed is located in a relatively narrow place, and reducing maintenance frequency. Specifically disclosed is a roller hemming device, which includes a preliminary bending roller for performing preliminary bending of a work, a final bending roller for performing final bending of the work, and an arm for setting attitudes of the preliminary bending roller and the final bending roller at desired positions and angles. The preliminary bending roller has an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal direction and is arranged at such a position not to come in contact with the work during the final bending. The final bending roller is formed in a circular truncated cone, has an axis which is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that, during the final bending, a large diameter surface thereof faces toward the work and a processing surface thereof is horizontally positioned, and is arranged at such a position not to come in contact with the work during the preliminary bending. The preliminary bending roller and the final bending roller are arranged along a top-bottom direction, each having a processing point located in a vicinity of an axis of the arm.
US09132453B1
Devices, method, and systems are described for separating metallic objects, such as bullets, from non-metallic objects, such as rubber pieces. In one embodiment, a separator includes a first conveyor, a blower, and a collector. A mixture of metallic and rubber objects are loaded onto the first conveyor and dropped in front of the blower. The blower directs forced air at the rubber and metal mixture, wherein due to the differing physical properties of the two materials, the rubber objects may be laterally displaced, while the metal objects drop into the collector. Metal objects collected in the collector can be transported to a container via a second conveyor.
US09132451B1
An apparatus for generating ultra-high frequency sound waves with frequencies between (1 GHz-10 GHz) is proposed. The apparatus comprises a magnetic phonon-gain medium configured to generate high frequency non-equilibrium phonons by non-equilibrium magnons having the magnon velocity exceeding the sound velocity in the magnetic phonon-gain medium. The non-equilibrium magnons having the magnon velocity exceeding the sound velocity in the magnetic phonon-gain medium are generated by injected via a tunnel junction non-equilibrium electrons having spin opposite to the direction of magnetization of the magnetic phonon-gain medium.
US09132441B2
A trigger pump dispenser has a dispensing passage, an outlet nozzle movable between an “on” position and an “off” position, and a shroud. First and second indicator tabs project from the outlet nozzle and correspond with first and second indicator windows in the shroud. When the outlet nozzle is in the “on” position, the first indicator tab resides in the first indicator window and the second indicator tab is hidden by the shroud, and when the outlet nozzle is in the “off” position, the second indicator tab resides in the second indicator window and the first indicator tab is hidden by the shroud.
US09132439B2
An atomizing electrode includes: a trunk unit made to be tabular-shaped and almost rectangular-shaped for receiving water dropped from water supply means in a direction of gravitational force and delivering the water; and a top end atomizing unit which is a plate-shaped projection formed so as to be projected from a side surface of the trunk unit and formed unitedly with the trunk unit. The trunk unit of the atomizing electrode extends a long-side direction in a horizontal direction, is provided below the cooling unit with a space of a predetermined distance so as not to contact the cooling unit, and is arranged so that when the cooling unit is projected in the direction of gravitational force, a width of the cooling unit in a horizontal direction should be included in a width of a long-side direction of a top surface of the trunk unit exposed to the cooling unit.
US09132434B2
The disclosure relates to an electrostatic precipitator unit with at least two individual power supplies (11) for pulsed operation of electrostatic static precipitators, wherein the power supplies (11) are powered by a common feeding (1), wherein each power supply (11) comprises a control unit (23), and wherein the control units are at least indirectly connected by communication lines (32) allowing for a controlled relative scheduling of the pulsed operation of the individual power supplies (11).
US09132427B2
Apparatus, systems, chips, and methods of performing a large number of simultaneous chemical reactions are provided herein. The chips of the invention comprise addressable units that can be addressed according to the temperature of the reaction to be run. The subject apparatus, systems, and chips are particularly suited for performing polymerase chain reactions on thousands of nucleic acid sequences, up to and including sequences of an entire genome of an organism of interest.
US09132425B2
Electronic-fluidic hybrid form dividers, constructed by a simple planer droplet generation structure, a pair of signal electrodes, and a responsive control valve, which is programmed to respond to only certain signal droplets, by a basic electronic principle: change of voltage share between impedances. Detected fluidic information is addressed in both electronic and fluidic forms, and the fluidic pathway is well-confined in a simple planar structure, although its control valve is in a second layer, thereby minimizing any fluidic disturbance. Various configurations comprise a plurality of identical structures, which can alter their cumulative function by re-assignment of required voltage share. The hybrid divider can be assembled into a fluidic universal logic gate, of a simple two inlet and one outlet signal channels structure, and switch between sixteen functions by re-assigning voltage share.
US09132420B2
Provided is a method for easily manufacturing large volumes of a metallic glass nanowire with an extremely small diameter. This metallic glass nanowire manufacturing method is characterized in that a melted metallic glass or a master alloy thereof is gas-atomized in a supercooled state.
US09132419B2
[Problem] The present invention provides a NOx purification catalyst which utilizes Ag as one of the catalyst components and exhibits NOx purification performance without adjustment to a special exhaust gas composition, as well as a method of producing the same.[Means for Solution] The present invention provides a nitrogen oxide purification catalyst in which particulates are supported on a metal oxide carrier, wherein the aforementioned particulates consist of Ag and Ni and the aforementioned Ag and Ni are at least partially alloyed. Also provided is a method of producing the aforementioned catalyst, comprising the step of preparing a colloidal suspension in which the ratio of Ag is 10 to 90 at % with respect to the total amount of Ag and Ni.
US09132418B2
The present disclosure relates generally to catalyst support materials, catalysts and methods for using them, such as methods for converting sugars, sugar alcohols, glycerol, and bio-renewable organic acids to commercially-valuable chemicals and intermediates. One aspect of the invention is catalyst support material including ZrO2 and one or more oxides of manganese (MnOx), the catalyst support material being at least about 50 wt % ZrO2 and MnOx. In certain embodiments, the weight ratio of ZrO2 to MnOx is within the range of about 1:1 to about 30:1; and/or the catalyst support material is substantially free of any binder, extrusion aid or additional stabilizing agent.
US09132408B2
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying radio frequency (RF) energy to an object in an energy application zone. At least one processor may be configured to cause RF energy to be applied at a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the object in the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine an amount of power dissipated in the energy application zone, for each of the plurality of field patterns. The processor may also be configured to determine a spatial distribution of energy absorption characteristics across at least a portion of the energy application zone based on the amounts of power dissipated when the plurality of field patterns are applied to the energy application zone.
US09132401B2
Systems and methods for producing synthetic gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of an oxidant within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be cooled within a cooler to provide a cooled syngas. The cooled syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas. The purification system can include a saturator adapted to increase a moisture content of the cooled syngas. The treated syngas and a first heat transfer medium can be introduced to a methanator to provide a synthetic gas, a second heat transfer medium, and a methanation condensate. At least a portion of the methanation condensate can be recycled from the methanator to the saturator.
US09132399B2
A pellet mill is disclosed having a ring die and a powered extrusion roll with external bearings. The ring die may be powered or free rotating. Pressure and temperature at the pinch gap between the die and roll may be monitored and the mill rotation drives and the pinch gap size may be adjusted during operation. The operational parameters may be monitored and controlled by a computer based system in real time.
US09132395B2
An apparatus for mixing a powdery medium with a fluid includes a mixing vessel which can be filled with the fluid and which has a feed for the fluid, an inlet for the powdery medium and an outlet for the fluid mixed with the powdery medium, and at least one mixing screw arranged inside the mixing vessel and driven by a rotary drive.
US09132392B2
The invention is a column contact apparatus for contacting gas with liquid in an upflow in a column container, containing two or more stages of honeycomb structural bodies in the column container in a vertical direction, a space portion formed between the respective stages of the honeycomb structural bodies and a flow-aligning portion as back-flow prevention means provided in the space portion between the respective stages such that the flow-aligning portion is not brought into contact with the honeycomb structural bodies, the flow-aligning portion including a plurality of holes with hole diameters of 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
US09132391B2
An air pollution control device is an air pollution control device for reducing the amounts of NOx and Hg contained in flue gas 12 from a boiler 11. The air pollution control device includes: NH4Cl solution supply means 16 for spraying an NH4Cl solution 14 by a spray nozzle 15 into a flue gas duct 13 at the downstream of the boiler 11; a mixer 17 provided on the downstream side of a region where NH4Cl is gasified, for promoting mixing, with the flue gas 12, HCl and NH3 which are generated when NH4Cl is gasified; a reduction-denitration device 18 including a denitration catalyst for reducing NOx in the flue gas 12 with NH3 and for oxidizing Hg under the coexistence with HCl; and a wet desulfurization device 22 for reducing the amount of Hg oxidized in the reduction-denitration device 18 using a limestone-gypsum slurry 21.
US09132386B2
An exhaust system includes a first SCR catalyst and a second SCR catalyst positioned downstream of the first SCR catalyst. A first injector is provided upstream of the first SCR catalyst, and a second injector is provided upstream of the second SCR catalyst. The exhaust system further includes a gaseous ammonia supply device fluidly connected to the first injector for supplying gaseous ammonia to the exhaust gas by the first injector, and an ammonia-containing reductant reservoir fluidly connected to the second injector for supplying a fluid ammonia-containing reductant, such as urea, to the exhaust gas by the second injector. The first SCR catalyst has a smaller volume than the second SCR catalyst for a fast warm-up of the first SCR catalyst.
US09132383B2
The invention provides a method for the removal of a gaseous fluid comprising (a) applying an electric field between a first electrode arranged to generate a corona discharge and a second electrode, comprising a haze-permeable electrically conductive sieve of a plurality of conductive strands, (b) atomizing a liquid to providing a liquid haze between the first and the second electrode, wherein the liquid is a solvent for the gaseous fluid, and (c) arranging a substrate behind, relative to the first electrode, the second electrode.
US09132376B2
A gas purification system for cleaning a carbon dioxide rich flue gas generated in a boiler combusting a fuel in the presence of a gas containing oxygen. The gas purification system includes a compressor for compressing the carbon dioxide rich flue gas, a first gas cooler for cooling the compressed carbon dioxide rich flue gas, a mercury adsorber arranged downstream of the first gas cooler for removing at least a portion of a mercury content of the cooled compressed carbon dioxide rich flue gas, a second gas cooler arranged downstream of the mercury adsorber for further cooling the compressed carbon dioxide rich flue gas, and a gas drier for removing at least a portion of a water content of the further cooled compressed carbon dioxide rich flue gas.
US09132373B2
A clean screen air filtration system for increasing the filtration of allergens, dust particles, and airborne pollutants from air exiting an air duct. In a preferred embodiment, a user may removably attach a clean screen air filtration system assembly to an existing air duct via a magnetic fastening strip affixed along a backside of an air filter frame. The magnetic fastening strip may provide an efficient means for removably attaching the clean screen air filtration system assembly to the outside of an existing air duct manufactured from a metallic material. The clean screen air filtration system assembly may comprise at least one replaceable air filter. The air filter may comprise a ventilation screen having a plurality of miniature, slatted filter apertures, a flexible air filter frame, and an air filter handle/tab. The user may slidably insert air filter via the filter handle/tab into a filter track located inside a gap region integrated within the air filter frame. The gap region may comprise a width and depth just large enough to receive the air filter such that only the filter handle/tab extends beyond the air filter frame for ease of replacement.
US09132372B2
A filtering body, in particular for a rotary separator, which extends about an axis, has two opposite axial faces and is provided with a filtering net constituted by filaments defining a plurality of pores between them and with a frame, which is defined by non-porous solid elements, supports the filtering net and is made in one piece with the filtering net; at least some of the filaments of the filtering net extend from one of the axial faces along respective longitudinal axes, which are parallel.
US09132365B2
The present invention has as an object to render a photochromic coating layer free from air bubbles and obtain a uniform layer without film thickness unevenness in the coating layer. In the prevent invention, entrained air in a coating fluid stored in a vessel of a coating unit comprising the vessel, a check valve for preventing back-flow of the coating fluid connected to the vessel, and optionally an ejection nozzle connected to the check valve; air existing inside of the check valve; and optionally air existing inside of the ejection nozzle are removed by plugging an outlet of the coating fluid existing downstream of the check valve and then rotating the coating unit on an axis of the vessel and orbiting the coating unit on a revolution axis simultaneously.
US09132364B2
The present invention provides a new design for high capacity stationary phases for chromatography, for example, ion chromatography. The stationary phases include a first polymer layer in contact with and at least partially coating the substrate of the stationary phase. The first polymer layer serves as a foundation for the attachment, and in various embodiments, the growth and attachment, of a highly hyperbranched polymer structure, typically based on one or more products of condensation polymerization. Multiple components are of use in forming the first polymer layer and the hyperbranched polymer structure, thereby providing a stationary phase that can be engineered to have a desired property such as ion capacity, ion selectivity, and the like. Exemplary condensation polymers are formed by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional compound with at least one compound of complimentary reactivity, e.g., a nucleophilic polyfunctional compound reacting with an electrophilic compound.
US09132362B2
A mixer settler [1] comprises a settling tank [30], an organic launder [40] provided within the settling tank [30], an aqueous launder [50] provided within the settling tank [30], and an isolated aqueous weir box [70] which is positioned internally or externally relative to an outer profile of the mixer settler [1], the isolated aqueous weir box [70] being at least partially operatively isolated from the settling tank [30] by the aqueous launder [50]. The isolated aqueous weir box [70] comprises an adjustable weir [76] which separates a recycle chamber [72] from an advance chamber [74] therein. The organic launder [40] is operably connected to an organic advance effluent pipe [80], and the aqueous launder [50] is operably connected to the isolated aqueous weir box [70]. The organic launder [40] may be operably connected to an isolated organic weir box [60] which is separate from the isolated aqueous weir box [70], and may further comprise an adjustable weir [66] which separates a collection chamber [62] from an advance chamber [64]. Also disclosed, is a kit for modifying or fabricating a mixer settler [1], as well as a solvent extraction process.
US09132360B2
The invention is a light up toy with two or more lights manipulated by one or more strings to create patterns of light and light shows. The lights have covers to protect the lights from breaking and can protect the user or a bystander from the impact of the lights as well. The toy can be made with battery sections so that a dead battery can be changed and the toy can continue to be used with fresh batteries.
US09132355B2
To provide a game device which enables a user to relatively easily know of the existence of a player character suitable as a pass target or an area suitable as a movement destination. A display control unit (72) displays a partial area of a game space on a game screen based on a position of a reference player character selected from among player characters belonging to a first team and a second team or a position of a moving object. An acquiring unit (72a) acquires, in a case where the first team is in possession of the moving object, a movement destination candidate or a pass target candidate of a player character belonging to the first team based on the positions of the player characters belonging to the second team. A control unit (72c) controls the partial area based on the position of the reference player character or the position of the moving object, and the movement destination candidate or the pass target candidate acquired by the acquiring unit (72a).
US09132350B2
Technologies are generally described for a player matching scheme for a game system. In some examples, a player matching system may include an access pattern analysis unit configured to analyze access patterns of a plurality of players of a game provided by a game server, and a player recommendation unit configured to recommend to one player of the plurality of players at least some others of the plurality of players with whom the one player can compatibly play the game, based at least in part on the analyzed access patterns.
US09132342B2
A multi dynamic environment and location based active augmented/mixed reality (AR) gaming system having means to utilize its surrounding environment and locations of other systems and devices in conjunction with computer based advanced calculation and graphics to dynamically change the gaming environment to any location and environment of a game play.
US09132340B2
A toy figure including one or more appendages each made of a coil spring and a magnet disposed at an end portion of each of the one or more appendages. A plurality of such toy figures may be used in a board game that requires players to position a respective one of the toy figures relative to a game board.
US09132327B1
The present invention provides a basketball hoop including a frame having a cavity for releasably holding a plurality of backboard pieces therein to form a planar backboard, a basketball hoop pivotally attached to the frame, and a projector assembly coupled to the basketball hoop. When a slam-dunk force is applied to the basketball hoop, the force rotates the hoop downward, causing a projector to pivotally swing forward. The projector applies an ejection force to a rear surface of the plurality of backboard pieces ejecting the backboard pieces from the cavity of the frame, simulating a shattering backboard caused by a slam-dunk. The backboard pieces are preferably fabricated of a safety material, such as foam, rubber, and the like. The arrangement pattern of the backboard pieces may be applied upon the frame to aid in reassembly thereof.
US09132323B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of adjustable golf clubs comprising features which allow for the adjustment of a lie angle, a loft angle, or both a lie angle and a loft angle of the golf club. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes a body and a hosel, the hosel including an adjustment screw which can be tightened or loosened to adjust the lie and/or loft angles of a golf club head. In some embodiments, certain angles of a golf club head's geometry can be continuously adjustable through a predetermined range of angles.
US09132313B2
A portable bench press safety device for preventing injury to a weight lifter's head, face or neck which can be easily attached and removed without the need for tools from weight lifting benches of various sizes and dimensions.
US09132289B2
A non-aerosol two-layer separate type hair cosmetic composition containing components (A) and (B) at a mass ratio (A)/(B) of from 0.2 to 10: (A) a silicone with a number-average degree of polymerization of from 300 to 20,000 having a number-average particle diameter of from 0.05 to 20 μm, selected from the group consisting of dimethicone, dimethiconol, and amino-modified silicone and in an amount of from 0.1 to 6 mass % (B) a water-soluble cationic polymer with a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000, selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-16, and polyquaternium-22, wherein the composition consists of an oil-in-water emulsion layer and an aqueous layer.
US09132288B2
The present disclosure provides an agent for coloring keratinic fibers comprising, in a cosmetic carrier, (a) at least one compound of formula (I) and (b) at least one anionic polymer. The present disclosure also provides a method of using such an agent to produce increased shine, an intense color result with improved fastness properties, or reduced selectivity.
US09132287B2
A system and method for medical treatment of tissue using ultrasound. The system comprises a probe having an array of transducer elements, an ultrasound waveform generator adapted to generate at least one electrical ultrasound signal, and a plurality of phase controls, each coupled to the ultrasound waveform generator and adapted to generate from the electrical ultrasound signal a phase-shifted drive signal that is coupled to an associated transducer element. The drive signal is effective to control grating lobe foci emitted by the array. The method employs the system.
US09132285B2
A radiation measuring device having a plurality of sensors configured to generate charges in response to the radiation includes a signal processing device. The signal processing device uses an signal generated by a proton beam irradiation device upon changing of beam energy and causes accumulation values of charges output from the sensors to be separately stored in a main control device for each value of the energy. The main control device calculates depth dose profiles for values of the beam energy from the accumulation values stored in the main control device and representing the charges. The main control device calculates a range of the beam for each of the values of the beam energy from the depth dose profiles, corrects the depth dose profiles for the values of the beam energy using a correction coefficient that depends on the range and sums the corrected depth dose profiles.
US09132280B2
A method of photodynamic therapy to treat diseased cells in an animal is generally provided. According to the method, 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof is administered to the animal such that the 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof accumulates in the diseased cells. Then, the diseased cells containing 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof is exposed to light energy (e.g., ultraviolet light).
US09132278B2
A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.
US09132275B2
An apparatus comprises an implantable cardiac signal sensing circuit that provides an electrical cardiac signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject, an implantable therapy circuit that delivers electrical pacing stimulation energy to a heart of a subject, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit includes a chronotropic incompetence detection circuit that initiates pacing of an atrium of the subject at a rate higher than a device-indicated rate or a sensed intrinsic rate, monitor the AV interval, initiates an increase in the pacing rate while continuing the monitoring of the AV interval, calculates a change in AV intervals between a highest paced rate used in the monitoring and a lowest paced rate used in the monitoring, and indicates that the AV intervals are evidence of chronotropic incompetence when the calculated change in the AV intervals exceeds a specified threshold AV interval change value.
US09132273B2
A positionally sensitive spinal cord stimulation apparatus and method using near-infrared (NIR) reflectometry are provided for automatic adjustments of spinal cord stimulation. The system comprises an electrode assembly with an integrated optical fiber sensor for sensing spinal cord position. The integrated optical fiber sensor, comprising a set of optical elements for emitting light from a set of IR emitters and for collecting reflected light into a set of IR photodetectors, determines a set of measured optical intensities. As the spinal cord changes position, the angles of incidence for light from the IR emitter and the measured optical intensities change. A ratio of measured optical intensities in combination with a total measured optical intensity is used to interpolate a set of electrode stimulation settings from a calibration table. Electrode pulse characteristics are adjusted in real time to minimize changes in stimulation perceived by the patient during motion.
US09132270B2
Cochlear implant headpieces with improved moisture resistance. The headpiece comprises a housing (102) including a housing microphone aperture (124), a microphone (108) within the housing, a membrane (148) between the housing microphone aperture and the microphone, a cap (104) including a sound port (158) and a shield (168), the cap being removably connectable to the housing and the headpiece being protected from particulate and moisture ingress.
US09132266B2
A protector includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube includes an outer tube main body including an outer tube lumen for housing a puncture device, a holding part for holding a hub, and an extended part extended from the holding part. The inner tube includes an inner tube main body and a lumen inclined part. The inner tube main body is held in a proximal end side of the outer tube lumen and is movable in a proximal end direction of the outer tube lumen. The inner tube main body includes an inner tube lumen into which a tube is inserted. By moving the inner tube in a distal end direction, the inner surface of the lumen inclined part is abutted against the extended part, and the extended part is biased by the lumen inclined part in a direction in which a diameter of the tube is reduced.
US09132265B2
A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject using a modular fluid delivery apparatus is described. The method comprises taking a subject having a first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted therein, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and a second end being connected to one or more catheters implanted within the brain of the subject. The method also comprises taking a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, the second part comprising a third end comprising a second fluid connector portion. The method further comprises making an incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, and connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion.
US09132260B2
The present disclosure generally provides a multiple balloon assembly used as part of the distal region of a medical device that is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent into a body vessel having bodily fluid. The multiple balloon assembly comprises an inner balloon and an outer balloon. The outer balloon further comprises a proximal taper region, a middle region, and a distal taper region. The inflation of the inner balloon causes the middle region of the outer balloon to contact the inner wall of the body vessel, thereby, occluding the flow of fluid through the body vessel. The proximal taper region and the distal taper region are configured such that they do not touch the inner wall of the body vessel. One of the distal taper and proximal taper regions has a plurality of apertures configured to allow for the therapeutic agent to be delivered into the body vessel at a predetermined rate. A medical device that incorporates the multiple balloon assembly of the present disclosure, as well as a method for using the medical device and multiple balloon assembly are further disclosed.
US09132259B2
Multilayer balloon for a catheter comprises a first layer made of a first polymer material having a first Shore durometer hardness, a second layer made of a second polymer material having a second Shore durometer hardness greater than the first Shore durometer hardness, wherein the second layer is an inner layer relative to the first layer, and a third layer made of a third polymer material having a third Shore durometer hardness less the first Shore durometer hardness, wherein the third layer is an inner layer relative to the second layer. Method of making a multilayer balloon for a catheter and a balloon catheter are also provided.
US09132241B2
An injection device comprising a medicament container, a needle attached to the container, and a mechanism for automatic penetration of the needle, injection of medicament and withdrawal of the needle. The device operates by initiating a penetration sequence, followed by an injection sequence and followed by a withdrawal sequence. A previous sequence can trigger a subsequent sequence. The device further comprises a dampening mechanism arranged and designed to dampen the movement of the injection mechanism during an injection sequence.
US09132239B2
The present invention relates to a dial-down mechanism for an injection device comprising a torsion spring for assisting injection of a dose of medicament from the injection device, the dial-down mechanism comprising a ratchet arm (21) engaging a ring element (10) and a reset element (30) which acts on a knob located on the periphery of the ratchet arm (21) to move the ratchet arm (21) out of engagement with the ring element (10) in order to allow the set dose to be reduced.
US09132238B2
A single use pre-filled delivery device comprising a deformable container, a one-way valve, and male luer connector is described. Also described are methods of flushing vascular access devices using a single use pre-filled delivery device as described herein is also disclosed.
US09132228B2
The disclosure is directed to a fluid delivery device and a removable cartridge system, and methods of use thereof.
US09132223B1
The peritoneal dialysis catheter includes a thin, flexible tube, a catheter connector at a distal end of the tube, and a cylindrical cover surrounding at least a portion of the catheter connector. The catheter connector includes a tip that is configured to attach to a dialysis tubing assembly. The tip can include an externally threaded surface. A peripheral wall of the cover can surround or shield the externally threaded surface of the tip. The peritoneal dialysis catheter can include a cap, which can be removably attached to the tip.
US09132218B2
A medical blood-treating apparatus for the extra-corporeal treatment of blood has an extra-corporeal blood circuit. An arrangement for the extra-corporeal treatment of blood and an arrangement for electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) with which muscles of the patient can be stimulated in a targeted fashion during the dialysis treatment are provided. For this purpose, the arrangement for EMS has a means of generating electrical pulses, and has one or more electrodes connected to the means of generating electrical pulses. To enable targeted stimulation, the electrodes are applied to the patient's skin, e.g., the legs, during the blood treatment. Muscle stimulation during blood treatment may result in the dialysis treatment being more tolerable for the patient and increase the efficiency of the blood treatment. The blood-treating apparatus according to the invention allows an improvement in the efficiency of the blood treatment without any active sporting activity or exercise by the patient.
US09132211B2
A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which comprises poly(HEMA) complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.
US09132210B2
A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.
US09132207B2
A composition suitable for use as replacement material for all or part of a disc nucleus during percutaneous injection, the composition comprising: an injectable, curable, cross-linkable, non-immunogenic non-toxic protein hydrogel that (i) the protein component of the protein hydrogel contains at least one crosslinkable amino acid (ii) has a static compressive modulus of at least about 10 kPa, and (iii) has a dynamic compressive modulus of at least about 10 kPa; an iodinated contrast solution comprising an amount of an iodine compound sufficient to increase radiopacity to a discernable level, wherein the solution causes a decrease in the static and/or dynamic compressive modulus; and an amount of a crosslinker sufficient to restore at least about 100% of the decrease in static and/or dynamic compressive modulus caused by addition of the iodinated contrast solution.
US09132198B2
There is described herein compounds comprising a mitochondrial penetrating peptide (MPP) conjugated to an anticancer compound, and their method of use.
US09132190B2
Improved DLL4 binding proteins are described, including antibodies, CDR-grafted antibodies, human antibodies, and DLL4 binding fragments thereof, proteins that bind DLL4 with high affinity, and DLL4 binding proteins that neutralize DLL4 activity. The DLL4 binding proteins are useful for treating or preventing cancers and tumors and especially for treating or preventing tumor angiogenesis, and/or other angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as ocular neovascularization, or angiogenesis-independent diseases characterized by aberrant DLL4 expression or activity such as autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis.
US09132188B2
Provided herein is a method for chemically programmed vaccination. Methods include inducing a covalent-binding polyclonal antibody response in a subject and programming the polyclonal response with a targeting compound.
US09132181B2
The invention especially relates to multivalent vaccine compositions that can treat or prevent at least 60, preferably 75% of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis especially of serogroup B. To this end, the invention in particular provides a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of N. meningitidis in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an α chain of L6 or L8 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 and in position O-6 or O-7 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent, and also to the construction of the strain of N. meningitidis that is capable of expressing such an LOS. The invention also relates to a strain of N. meningitidis of serogroup A that bears a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an α chain of L6 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent and does not bear a PEA substituent in positions O-6 and O-7. The LOSs cited or originating from the mentioned strains may be used as vaccine antigens, especially in multivalent, e.g. divalent compositions, so as to offer protection against the major epidemiological complexes of N. meningitidis, especially of serogroup B.
US09132177B2
The present invention relates to immunotherapeutic peptides and their use in immunotherapy, in particular the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention discloses tumor-associated T-helper cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions which stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. In particular, the composition of the peptides of the present invention can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses against gastric cancers (GC).
US09132172B2
A method of retarding cellular senescence comprising (i) providing an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition comprising ECM from an adolescent tissue source, the ECM comprising an exogenously added cytokine, and (ii) administering ECM composition to an organ with cells exhibiting cellular senescence, wherein, the cytokine interacts with at least one molecule in the ECM composition and modulates ROS production of the cells, whereby, the cellular senescence is abated.
US09132169B2
Methods and compositions for treating obesity and related disorders. The methods include the use of BMP-2, -4, -6 and -7.
US09132164B2
A pharmaceutical composition is provided having an effective amount of angiotensin-(1-9) and at least one pharmaceutical acceptable carrier, excipient, stabilizer, diluent, and/or adjuvant. Also provided is a method of using the pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting and/or reducing cardiovascular remodeling.
US09132144B2
The present invention provides a clear depot comprising at least one hydrophilic water-soluble pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of vancomycin, gentamicin, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a mixture thereof, water, a phospholipid, an oil, optionally a pH adjusting agent, and a viscosity modifying agent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol, and a mixture thereof, wherein the water present in the depot is no more than about 4 wt % relative to the total weight of the depot and the depot has a pH of between about 3 and about 6, method of making and administering same.
US09132143B2
An individual at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis and related disorders can be identified by measuring the level of at least one secretor antigen in a biological sample from the individual and comparing the measured level of the at least one secretor antigen to a predetermined value or a predetermined range of values. Among the secretor antigens which can be measured are: the H-1, H-2, Lewisb and Lewisy antigens and derivatives thereof (e.g., a sialylated form of Lewis a, Lewis x, Lewis b, Lewis y; H-1, H-2, Lewis a, Lewis x, Lewis b or Lewis y).
US09132138B2
A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of 2ME2 or a derivative thereof.
US09132134B2
Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of an enteric nervous system disorder. Such methods may comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a phenothiazine compound, a peripherally restricted dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor, and/or a peripherally restricted dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that does not substantially inhibit hERG channels.
US09132131B2
A method of treating neuropathic pain in a subject is provided. The method comprises administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an A3AR agonist, optionally further including administering an analgesic.
US09132127B2
The present invention provides heterocyclic derivatives which activate the IP receptor. Activating the IP receptor signaling pathway is useful to treat many forms of PAH, pulmonary fibrosis and exert beneficial effects in fibrotic conditions of various organs in animal models and in patients. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed. Examples of compounds of the invention include the compounds according to Formula Ia, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the compounds of the examples.
US09132126B2
Disclosed are a phenyl-isoxazol derivative compound, which is useful as a treatment material for virus infection, especially, infection of an influenza virus, or its pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, a preparation method thereof, and an illness treatment pharmaceutical composition including the compound as an active ingredient.
US09132121B2
Pharmaceutical formulations in the form of inhalable dry powder comprising particles of a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor as active ingredient are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD.
US09132119B2
Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. The treatments include the administration of one or more drug depots at or near a target site wherein the drug depots include an effective amount of clonidine formulated within a polyorthoester. By administration of one or more drug depots at or near the target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days or at least one hundred and thirty-five days.
US09132113B2
Methods and compositions containing a phorbol ester or a derivative of a phorbol ester are provided for the treatment of cytopathic diseases. Cytopathic diseases may be caused by a variety means such as viral infections like HIV and AIDS in a mammalian subject. The methods and compositions of the invention are effective for inhibiting de novo HIV infection, upregulating viral expression from latent provirus, inhibiting HIV-induced cytopathic effects, down regulating the HIV receptor, increasing ThI cytokine expression, and decreasing Th2 cytokine expression. Additional compositions and methods are provided which employ a phorbol ester or derivative compound in combination with at least one additional agent such as those used in HAART protocols or therapeutic agents used to treat opportunistic infections due to HIV in mammalian subjects.
US09132110B2
The field involves compositions useful for pain relief, including diclofenac solution and gel formulations, in particular methods of use thereof, articles of manufacture and kits that provide novel preclinical, clinical and other information to users.
US09132107B2
Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising mixed salts of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Also provided herein are methods of making the pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, and methods of their use for the treatment of sleep disorders such as apnea, sleep time disturbances, narcolepsy, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucination, sleep arousal, insomnia, and nocturnal myoclonus.
US09132105B2
Disclosed herein are naphthoquinone analogs, such as plumbagin, pharmaceutical compositions that include naphthoquinone analogs, such as plumbagin, and methods of treating diseases and/or conditions such as cancer with naphthoquinone analogs, such as plumbagin. Also included are combination therapies wherein a naphthoquinone analog, such as plumbagin, and a hormone therapy agent are provided to a subject suffering from a condition such as cancer.
US09132102B2
Stilbene analogs and pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for the treatment of various cancers, including without limitation, colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer are disclosed. The halogenated stilbene analogs include nitrogen heteroaryl groups and/or amino groups on the stilbene ring.
US09132101B2
The invention relates to a film-shaped administration form for surface administration of at least one active ingredient and/or foodstuff to a living thing. Said administration form comprises at least one layer containing an active ingredient and/or foodstuff, said layer being based on cross-linked hydrophilic polymers and containing 20 wt.-% glycerine as a softener, in relation to the total amount of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers.
US09132096B1
The present invention relates to a composition comprising pharmaceutical active ingredients which are susceptible to, or have potential for, abuse. The invention provides an oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a first population of beads and a second population of beads. The first bead population comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient susceptible to, or having the potential for, abuse. The second bead population comprises a gelling agent and a coating substantially surrounding the gelling agent, but containing no pharmaceutically active ingredient. The first bead population and the second bead population are physically separable, but visually indistinguishable to the naked eye. Upon ingress of water into the second population of beads, the gelling agent is caused to swell forming a viscous mass inhibiting or preventing the extraction of the active ingredient.
US09132095B2
A multiparticulate formulation includes a plurality of individual spheroidal enteric coated cores containing L-menthol from an at least 80% pure L-menthol source. A subcoat is beneath the enteric coat. The enteric coated cores have a diameter of not more than 3 mm. The multiparticulate formulation may be used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
US09132083B2
A composition comprising nanoparticles of a hydrolysable silicon-contain material for use as a delivery system for a bioactive ingredient, wherein surface of the silicon-containing material is associated with a stabilizing agent which modifies the rate of hydrolysis of the silicon-contain material and/or inhibits the rate of orthosilicic acid polymerization and a method of promoting the controlled release of orthosilicic acid on degradation of a composition comprising nanoparticles of a hydrolysable silicon-contain material, the method involving the treatment of the surface of the silicon-containing material with a stabilizing agent to modify the rate of hydrolysis of the silicon-containing material and/or inhibit the rate of orthosilicic acid polymerization.
US09132080B2
The present invention provides for a formulation manufactured by a process comprising: admixing at least one elastomer with a first dispersant to form a gel; admixing a second dispersant with the gel; and admixing at least one active, such as ascorbic acid, with the gel to form a delivery system with an active in the formulation retains its stability, functionality and aesthetics.
US09132077B2
A cosmetic agent particularly useful for the styling of keratin fibers such as human hair is disclosed. The cosmetic agent of the present invention contains a unique combination of specific amphoteric polymers with an amphiphilic anionic polymer that imparts optimized properties to the agent without additional active ingredients. Styling agents containing this inventive polymer combination provide a very high degree of hold and moisture resistance to keratinous fibers without compromising flexibility.
US09132076B2
A cleansing composition comprising (A) an anion surfactant, (B) a glyceryl ether having an alkyl group or alkenyl group with from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, (C) a cationized hydroxypropyl cellulose represented by the following formula (1) wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a substituent having a cationized ethyleneoxy group and a propyleneoxy group and n represents a number of from 20 to 5000, which represents an average polymerization degree of anhydroglucose, and wherein the substitution degree of the cationized ethyleneoxy group is from 0.01 to 3, and the substitution degree of the propyleneoxy group is from 0.01 to 5, and (D) water.
US09132070B2
Provided is a manicure composition of a French nail type which has less disturbance of the lines brought about by a base color and a topcoat and is quickly dried, which does not cause dew condensation on the coating film under a moist environment for coating and has less leveling and less irregular color and which is excellent in a drying property, an adhesive property, flexibility, a masking property, a finished property, a discharge performance and a restirring property. The above manicure composition comprises at least ethanol and propylene glycol monomethyl ether as a solvent, titanium oxide A having an average primary particle diameter of 200 to 400 nm, titanium oxide B having an average primary particle diameter of 10 to 80 nm, an acrylic resin, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane and a plasticizer.
US09132069B2
The invention relates to a one-component self-adhesive composition for dental use comprising radically polymerizable component(s) with an acidic moiety as component A, radically polymerizable component(s) without an acidic moiety as component (B), an oxidizing agent comprising persulfate(s) as component (C), transition metal component(s) as component (D), photoinitiator system(s) as component (E), optionally non acid-reactive filler(s) as component (F), and optionally additive(s) as component (G).
US09132054B2
A casket comprises a casket shell including at least one keyhole groove in an exterior surface thereof, a casket lid closeable on the shell, the lid including a magnetic cap panel mounted therein, a universal ornament base having a front side and a rear side, the rear side including at least one magnet mounted thereon and at least one fastener secured thereto, the fastener having a head thereon, and an ornament insert secured to the front side of the ornament base. The ornament base and ornament insert can be removably secured to the shell by inserting the head of the fastener in the keyhole groove of the shell and seating the head of the fastener in the keyhole groove, or the ornament base and ornament insert can be removably secured to the lid by positioning the magnet on the magnetic cap panel, as desired.
US09132041B2
Front and back flaps 3F and 3B are protruding past a crotch portion 22 to a same position in the girth direction X; a back member 4b is attached to the back flap 3B, the back member 4b protruding in the girth direction X from an edge of the back flap 3B; a front member 4f protruding in the girth direction X from an edge of the front flap 3F is detachably touch-fastened to a non-skin-contact surface of the front flap 3F which does not contact a skin of the wearer; the crotch portion 22 is folded along a virtual first line L1 parallel to the girth direction X so that a front girth portion 3F and a back girth portion 3B are laid on each other and so that the back member 4b and the front member 4f are facing each other and in contact with each other; and the back member 4b and the front member 4f facing each other are secured to each other in an area where the back member 4b and the front member 4f are in contact with each other.
US09132034B2
An IOP control device for implantation in an eye of a patient is disclosed, including a housing with an entrance port and an exit port, a membrane anchored within the housing in a manner forming a flow control chamber on a first side of the membrane and a fluid flow passageway on a second opposing side of the membrane, and a position sensor system. The flow control chamber is arranged to contain a gas creating a flow control chamber pressure, and the membrane is configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway from the entrance port to the exit port by deflecting in response to changes in the flow control chamber pressure. The position sensor system includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion positioned to selectively contact the first conductive portion to indicate the position of the membrane relative to the fluid flow passageway.
US09132024B2
An actuation assembly having at least one lever operably connected to one or more trigger wires which are operably connected to a stent retaining device for a stent graft introducer is disclosed. The lever or levers can be extended or detached from the introducer to remove the trigger wires.
US09132006B2
A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure.
US09132005B2
A prosthesis capable of being worn on the eye of a wearer having a convex surface and a concave surface. The prosthesis has an aperture widening zone for widening the natural palpebral fissure of the wearer's eye. The prosthesis widens the natural palpebral fissure (aperture) of the wearer's eye by at least 1 mm. A method of widening the natural palpebral fissure of a wearer's eye by at least 1 mm is also provided.
US09132004B2
The present invention relates to a silicon breast implant which minimizes stress concentration applied thereto after being inserted into the human body to maximize the resistance of same to fatigue-induced rupture, thereby improving the durability of the implant. The breast implant may include an elegant patch-adhesion portion having a thin thickness so as to provide superior overall feel and improve the appearance of the product. Further, the breast implant has a silicon shell defining an outer wall thereof and the patch adhesion portion for closing, from the outside, a hole formed in a bottom surface of the silicon shell so that the patch adhesion portion is increased in strength to maximize adhesion durability, safety of use, and effectiveness. The silicon shell has a uniform overall thickness, and the patch adhesion portion comprises a patch hole through which a patch adheres to a lower end of the silicon shell using an adhesive material.
US09132002B2
Systems, method, and devices related to surgically implantable supportive slings are presented herein. More specifically, in various embodiments, the systems, devices and methods relate to a surgically implantable supportive sling adapted to anchor in patient tissue.
US09131999B2
A vena cava filter is described, having one or more frame members or an elongated member arranged in helical fashion. A plurality of filaments connect frame members or portions of the elongated member. The filaments may be made of suture material. Hooks may be placed on a free end of the filaments, along the length thereof, or on one or more frame members to engage the blood vessel wall and anchor the filter. A retrieval member may be positioned on the filter to facilitate withdrawal of the filter from the blood vessel.
US09131991B2
A dispensing device for a dental material includes a cartridge having an outlet nozzle which forms a passageway for the dental material. The dispensing device further includes a closure which is placeable on the outlet nozzle for sealing the cartridge. The closure includes a pin for extending into the passageway, and is further adapted to seal with an outer surface of the outlet nozzle. The dispensing device is further adapted such that the pin is displaceable from the passageway by dental material dispensed from the cartridge, where the displacement causes the closure to release from the outlet nozzle. The invention may provide for relatively easy operation of the dental dispensing device.
US09131971B2
A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element having a shank and a head, a head receiving part having a first end, an open second end, and a hollow interior portion in communication with the open second end for receiving the head therein, the head receiving part being flexible for clamping the head, a locking ring configured to be mounted around the head receiving part and having a rod receiving portion, a cap configured to be connected to the head receiving part, and a locking element configured to extend from the cap to engage an inserted rod, wherein the head is pivotable in and the cap and the locking ring are rotatable relative to the head receiving part, and wherein when the locking element is tightened, an inserted rod and an angular position of the bone anchoring element are locked relative to the head receiving part.
US09131968B2
A system, devices and methods are provided for facilitating stabilization of periarticular fractures. The system includes a compression plate and one or more of a cerclage cable for encircling the bone and securing the compression plate to the bone, a crimp lug for securing the cable in tension relative to the bone and/or a plate, and a supplemental plate coupled to the compression plate and adapted to receive bicortical or unicortical bone screws to further secure the compression plate relative to the bone. In addition, the system includes a cable tensioner for temporarily retaining the cable in tension and then applying a tension to the cable until a desired compression is effected between a plate and bone and while a cable retaining structure is secured to the cable to retain the applied tension on the cable. Also provided is a jig for use with plates for minimally invasive fracture stabilization.
US09131965B2
A swellable, resilient interspinous implant is provided that includes a swellable polymeric medium, said polymeric medium being dispersed throughout the implant, the implant being dimensioned and configured to fit between two spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae and buttress the space between the two adjacent vertebrae. In embodiments, the implant has a first configuration of reduced size such that it can be inserted into the patient in a minimally invasive manner. Once inserted to an application point within the patient, the implant expands in size to dynamically maintain the adjacent spinous processes in beneficial alignment. Also provided is a method of making a swellable, resilient interspinous implant as described herein. Also provided is a method of treating a degenerative condition of a spine which includes creating an incision and inserting, through the incision, between two spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae, a swellable, resilient interspinous implant as described herein.
US09131960B2
A safety neural injection system includes at least a partially hollow cannula having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, a first length, a side port located coaxially along the hollow cannula for fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the hollow cannula, and an open distal end. The safety neural injection system also includes a flexible stylet with a shaped tip. The flexible stylet is capable of being releasably locked in a position within the hollow cannula and extends at least the first length of the hollow cannula. The hollow cannula proximate to the distal end includes a rigid bend so as to facilitate placement of the distal end at the treatment site.
US09131957B2
Surgical apparatus, including a trocar having a tubular member with a tubular member distal end and a tubular member proximal end. The apparatus further includes a tool having a tool proximal end and a tool distal end. The tool is insertably disposed within the tubular member with the tool distal end projecting beyond the tubular member distal end. The apparatus further includes an indicator indicating the tool distal end while the tool distal end projects beyond the tubular member distal end.
US09131956B2
A tubing assembly having a signal generator placement control device for use in conjunction with electronic catheter guidance systems. The control device facilitates control of the position the guidance systems' signal generator relative to the end of the tubing assembly. The tubing assembly includes a tubular insulator coupled to one end of the control device, and the tubing assembly includes a tubular connector attached to the other end of control device. Also, the tubing assembly includes a catheter attached to the tubular connector and an end member attached to the catheter.
US09131955B2
A medical needle, kit, and pharmacological composition of matter comprising a local anesthetic pertaining to inserting a needle percutaneously in a patient is disclosed. A method is disclosed with the needle having a leading apex that is dulled to restrict penetration through articular cartilage, advancing the needle leading apex into a bone joint and stopping said needle leading apex short of substantially penetrating bone joint articular cartilage, and injecting through the needle lumen a pharmacological composition of matter comprising a local anesthetic and out of said opening and into the bone joint to contribute to the anesthetizing of nerves near said bone joint.
US09131944B2
Disclosed is a device for exsanguinating a portion of an extremity, the device comprising a torus having a variable circumferential diameter, the torus configured to encircle an extremity portion and apply exsanguination pressure thereto, and a transducer operatively associated with the torus, the transducer, while the torus is encircling the extremity portion, being configured to control at least one of a diameter of the variable circumferential diameter, a tension in the torus and a pressure applied by the torus.
US09131942B2
Methods, systems and devices are provided for performing lung volume reduction in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other conditions where isolation of a lung segment or reduction of lung volume is desired. The methods are minimally invasive with instruments being introduced through the mouth (endotracheally) and rely on isolating the target lung tissue segment from other regions of the lung and occluding various lung passageways with the use of occlusal stents. The occlusal stents are delivered with the use of an occlusal stent delivery system which is loaded with the occlusal stent with the use of an occlusal stent loading system.
US09131940B2
A staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staples positioned within a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body can comprise a tissue-contacting deck and a plurality of ridges extending from the tissue-contacting deck. The ridges can be configured to prevent, or reduce the possibility of, tissue from moving relative to the staple cartridge during use. The staple cartridge can further comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity can comprise an opening in the deck which is at least partially surrounded by a ridge. The ridges can comprise a uniform height or a height which varies along the length thereof. The height can vary relative to a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body and/or between the center of the cartridge body and the side.
US09131935B2
A retractor for use in spinal procedures is disclosed. The retractor includes a first frame member defining a first recess and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member. The second frame member defines a second recess. The retractor further includes a first blade assembly operably received within the first recess and a second blade assembly operably received within the second recess. The first blade assembly includes a first blade configured to pivot relative to the first frame member and a first blade extender selectively extendable from the first blade. The second blade assembly includes a second blade configured to translate within the second recess and a second blade extender selectively extendable from the second blade.
US09131933B2
A retractor includes a first wall extending from the base. The first wall has a longitudinal axis and extends between a first end and a second end. The first wall includes at least a portion of a longitudinal cavity. A rotatable shaft includes an outer surface that defines a groove. At least a portion of the shaft is disposed in the longitudinal cavity. A blade is disposed for movement along the longitudinal cavity. A post is connected with the blade and is disposed with the groove such that rotation of the shaft causes axial translation of the blade relative to the first wall between a first orientation and a second orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.
US09131932B2
A vascular closure device includes a carrier tube and a sleeve. The carrier tube includes at least first and second lumens, the first lumen being configured to hold a sealing member, the second lumen being configured to provide blood flow from a distal opening thereof to a proximal opening thereof. The sleeve is positioned on the carrier tube and movable from a first position wherein blood flow through the second lumen is unobstructed, and a second position covering the distal and proximal openings to block blood flow through the second lumen.
US09131923B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic device and image display method display an inflow time map representing relative differences in blood flow dynamics such as inflow of a contrast agent, including extracting a vessel and constructing a noise-less inflow time map, and, in the comparison of differences in color between the constructed inflow time map and the past inflow time map, unifying the color of regions as a base. A TIC analysis unit calculates a parameter (tα) indicating an inflow starting time of a contrast agent and a difference of brightness ΔI due to the contrast agent using image data in a range designated by an image detection unit. A first pixel selection unit extracts a pixel and removes a non-contrast-enhanced region. An image construction unit constructs an inflow time map colored according to tα, and a second pixel selection unit extracts a vessel using a histogram based on ΔI.
US09131919B2
Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus (1202) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly (1208). The compression/scanning assembly (1208) comprises an ultrasound transducer (1304) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane (1218) in a substantially taut state, the membrane (1218) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly (1208) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer (1304) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners (1208, 1508) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.
US09131914B2
A compression plate for tomosynthesis images using an X-ray apparatus designed to take the tomosynthesis images is provided. The compression plate includes an upper area. The width of the upper area is dimensioned such that, for all X-ray images taken during tomosynthesis of a female breast compressed by the compression plate, X-rays substantially penetrate the compression plate. The compression plate also includes a lower area. An average width of the lower area is smaller than an average width of the upper area. The lower area includes a surface of smaller width than the width of the upper area for the compression of the female breast.
US09131910B2
3D reconstructions can be calculated from grayscale X-ray images taken at different angular positions of an X-ray source and detector rotatable about a common axis. In the present case, X-ray radiation is applied to the object to be imaged such that one half of the X-ray detector receives radiation which differs in one characteristic from the radiation received by the second half of the detector via the object. A kind of dual-energy imaging can then be carried out in a single pass through the angular positions, enabling two 3D reconstructions to be generated simultaneously and then merged.
US09131907B2
Systems and a computer-readable medium is provided. In one embodiment, an integrated pull-up system is provided which includes an electric hoist adapted for mounting in one of an upper portion of a medical imaging device, at a base of said medical imaging device, integrated in said medical imaging device, and on a patient handling system (“PHS”). One end of a cable/strap is attached to the hoist. The other end of the cable/strap includes a grab-bar attached thereto. When actuated, the cable/strap retracts and extends to move a patient, holding the grab-bar, towards/from a supine position towards/from a seated position on the PHS.
US09131901B2
A wearable therapeutic device to facilitate care of a subject is provided. The wearable therapeutic device can include a garment having a sensing electrode. The garment includes at least one of an inductive element and a capacitive element, and a controller identifies an inductance of the inductive element or a capacitance of the capacitive element, and determines a confidence level of information received from the sensing electrode based on the inductance or the capacitance. The wearable therapeutic device also includes an alarm module coupled with the controller and configured to provide a notification to a subject based on the confidence level.
US09131888B2
A muscle assessment method utilizing a computing system, surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors, and other sensors to gather data for one or more subjects engaged in an activity through operably coupling the one or more sensors to the computing system, and directing a computing system to select one or more muscle assessment protocols related to a number of different metrics. For a user subject engaged in a physical activity, assessing muscle condition, the muscle activity, and statistically related averages provide information to the user and about muscle and whole body fitness.
US09131887B2
Disclosed is an system for measuring mood states, which calculate and views high-accurate mood indices from brain activation signals obtained by a non-invasive biospectrometric technology, taking account into differences among individuals, for example cognitive capacity using methods supporting the measurement of mood states of individuals. The system of the present invention stores a plurality of different mood index calculation formulae, selects one of the plurality of mood index calculation formulae based on a personal trait, for example the working memory task performance or working memory capacity of a subject, and substitutes the brain activation data of the subject for the selected calculation formula to calculate and view mood indices.
US09131885B2
Analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing same are provided, including analyte sensors comprising multi-axis flexibility. For example, a multi-electrode sensor system 800 comprising two working electrodes and at least one reference/counter electrode is provided. The sensor system 800 comprises first and second elongated bodies E1, E2, each formed of a conductive core or of a core with a conductive layer deposited thereon, insulating layer 810 that separates the conductive layer 820 from the elongated body, a membrane layer deposited on top of the elongated bodies E1, E2, and working electrodes 802′, 802″ formed by removing portions of the conductive layer 820 and the insulating layer 810, thereby exposing electroactive surface of the elongated bodies E1, E2.
US09131879B2
Adjusting a pulse qualification criterion includes receiving a signal representing a plurality of pulses, where the signal is generated in response to detecting light scattered from blood perfused tissue. A characteristic is determined. A pulse qualification criterion used for qualifying a pulse is adjusted in accordance with the characteristic. The pulses are evaluated according to the pulse qualification criterion.
US09131873B2
A foot pad device includes a foot pad, force sensors that provide force data, sensor electronics coupled to the force sensors, and a processor. The foot pad includes a ball region configured to be located under a ball of the foot of the user or a heel region configured to be located under a heel of the foot of the user. At least a portion of the force sensors is located in the ball region or the heel region of the foot pad. The sensor electronics include a flexible circuit with force sensor connection paths adapted to transmit force data from the force sensors and are configured to condition the force data to be within a conditioned force data range. The processor is configured to calculate a weight value based on the conditioned force data, a gain value, and an offset value.
US09131862B2
The present invention discloses a method for extracting AIF and an application thereof to DCE-MRI. The method comprises steps: contacting a target tissue with a contrast agent to obtain a plurality of images; using the plurality of images to work out the tissue concentration curve of the contrast agent in each voxel; calculating the purity of the tissue concentration curve of each voxel according to the tissue concentration curves; and extracting the voxel having the highest purity as the optimized arterial location; and extracting the tissue concentration curve of the voxel having the highest purity as the arterial input function. The extracted AIF is applied to a pharmacokinetic model to obtain associated pharmacokinetic parameters. The present invention not only improves the accuracy and reliability of the derived quantitative indexes but also promotes the efficiency of the quantitative analysis.
US09131860B2
A method for identifying the level of fetal risk during labor comprises monitoring at least each of the concurrent clinical parameters of (a) FHR, (b) baseline FHR variability, (c) FHR accelerations, (d) FHR decelerations, and (e) maternal uterine activity, to determine whether each parameter independently exhibits at least one non-reassuring characteristic, and indicating a present level of risk to the fetus corresponding to the number of the concurrent clinical parameters (a) through (e) that are simultaneously, independently non-reassuring. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises at least one computer operative to receive input signals indicative of at least FHR and maternal uterine activity in a patient. The computer is operative to determine from the FHR baseline FHR variability, FHR accelerations, and FHR decelerations, to determine when any one or more of the parameters (a) through (e) each exhibit at least one non-reassuring characteristic, and to determine a present level of risk to the fetus corresponding to the number of the parameters (a) through (e) that are simultaneously, independently non-reassuring. At least one output operatively connected to the at least one computer indicates the determined present level of risk to the fetus.
US09131859B2
A blood pressure measurement apparatus includes a derivation control unit that performs derivation control to derive a blood pressure of a measured person. The derivation control unit includes an envelope extracting unit to extract an envelope of a volume pulse wave based on an arterial volume signal, a differential processing unit to differentiate the envelope with respect to a cuff pressure, a maximum value extracting unit to extract a maximum value of a differential value of the envelope, and a blood pressure decision unit that decides the cuff pressure used for the differential of the maximum value as a blood pressure.
US09131852B2
A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof. For example, a thermo-dilution indicator and/or a hemo-dilution indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters. In a further example, an isotonic indicator and a hypertonic indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters of the subject.
US09131851B2
There are provided a biological information imaging apparatus that can measure ultrasound generated from an optical absorber in a deep part of a subject living body with high sensitivity, and a method for analyzing biological information using the biological information imaging apparatus. The biological information imaging apparatus that detects ultrasound and images biological information, includes: a light source that irradiates the subject with light for generating ultrasound from an optical absorber existing in the subject; an ultrasound transmission unit that transmits focused ultrasound to a specific region where the optical absorber exists; and an ultrasound detection unit that detects an ultrasound synthesized signal due to interaction between ultrasound generated from the optical absorber that absorbs the light and the focused ultrasound transmitted to the specific region.
US09131845B2
The invention relates an optical probe (1) suitable for non-linear optics such as two-photon imaging for medical purposes. The probe has an optical guide (2) and a lens system (6) positioned rigidly at an end portion (2a) of the optical guide. Additionally, a housing (3) with a cavity for the optical guide (2) and the lens system (6), the housing having at its distal end a transparent window (4), is comprised in the probe. The optical guide (2) with the lens system (6) is displaceably mounted within the housing, preferably in a transverse direction. Also, the housing (3) has an auxiliary, peripheral optical guide (5) optically connected to the transparent window (4). The invention is advantageous for obtaining an optical probe with a significantly larger collection efficiency. The optical probe may advantageous be applied in connection with two-photon spectroscopy where both ballisitic photons and diffusing fluorescence photons can be used in the detection of an event.
US09131844B2
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for pressure sore detection. A modulated optical signal based on a digital code sequence is transmitted to human tissue. A temporal transfer characteristic is derived from the modulated optical signal. Tissue characteristics is determined based on the temporal transfer characteristic.
US09131839B2
Provided are an apparatus for obtaining status information of a crystalline lens and equipment including the same. The apparatus generates a reference light and directs the reference light to be perpendicularly incident to the crystalline lens. At least one light receiving unit that is disposed beyond a visual field of the eyeball is configured to directly receive scattered lights generated when the reference light incident from the light source unit to the crystalline lens is scattered against the crystalline lens. The apparatus calculates thickness information of the crystalline lens using information about the scattered lights received by the at least one light receiving unit.
US09131831B2
Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.
US09131830B2
Pleural empyema removal devices are provided and enable the removal of empyema from the pleural cavity of a human or veterinary patient. The pleural empyema removal devices may be coupled with one or more additional devices, such as suction source, gas source, light source and/or camera source, and monitor. The devices and systems including the devices facilitate the removal of empyema from the pleural cavity of a patient while providing protections from damage to untargeted tissues. The devices, systems, and methods can be used in the treatment process to treat pleural empyema resulting from pleural effusions and infections stemming from various illnesses and disorders, such as pneumonia.
US09131827B2
The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the items to be washed are emplaced, an odor detector (3) for measuring the odor level of the interior air (H-in) containing the gasses emanating from the dishes in the tub (2) that generate bad odor and a housing (4) wherein the odor detector (3) is disposed and the odor detector (3) effectively measures the interior air (H-in) in the housing (4) thereby performing an adaptive washing program depending on the detected odor level.
US09131826B2
A water-conducting household appliance and a method for disinfecting a conduit system of a water-conducting household appliance. The method feeds a gaseous disinfectant into a liquid circulating in the conduit system. The water-conducting household appliance includes a conduit system for circulating liquid, and a disinfector with a gas injector for injecting a gaseous disinfectant into a liquid circulating in the conduit system.
US09131822B1
A cleaning device has a frame with a generally U-shaped member. The U-shaped member has a first leg forming an applicator portion. A second leg of the U-shaped member is spaced apart from the first leg and forms an arm. A fabric retainer is proximate the applicator portion. The applicator portion is cantilevered from the frame.
US09131820B2
A vacuum cleaner and a method for controlling the motor power of a vacuum cleaner are disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises an electric motor and an electric power supply for providing electric power to the electric motor. Furthermore, a voltage measuring means for measuring a motor voltage over the electric motor and a current measuring means for measuring a motor current flowing through the electric motor are provided. The vacuum cleaner further comprises a control means for controlling, based on the measured voltage and the measured current, the electric power provided to the electric motor from the electric power supply towards a target motor power value.
US09131819B2
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a motor housing provided with an inlet and an outlet, a motor and suction fan unit, which is arranged in the motor housing and which is arranged to create a suction flow in through the inlet of the housing, through the motor and suction fan unit and out through the outlet of the motor housing. The vacuum cleaner further comprise holding means for holding the motor and suction fan unit at the motor housing and sealing means arranged to guide the suction flow from the inlet of the motor housing and into the motor and suction fan unit in a sealingly manner. The holding means is arranged to prevent propagation of vibrations originated in the motor and suction fan unit from the motor housing by the holding means responding resiliently to forces from the motor and suction fan unit, and the holding means carries the motor and suction fan unit at the housing. The sealing means is arranged to prevent propagation of vibrations originated in the motor and suction fan unit from the motor housing by yielding to forces from the motor and suction fan unit.
US09131818B2
A separating apparatus comprises a first cyclonic separating unit and a second cyclonic separating unit located fluidly downstream therefrom and including a plurality of second cyclones arranged fluidly in parallel about a first axis and grouped into at least a first and second set of second cyclones arranged about the first axis. Each cyclone in the first and second sets of second cyclones defines a longitudinal axis and includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlets of the first set of second cyclones are spaced along the first axis from the fluid inlets of the second set of second cyclones, and each outlet of the cyclones in the first and second sets of second cyclones is in fluid communication with an outlet duct, wherein the outlet duct includes a first portion which extends between two of the cyclones of at least the first set of second cyclones.
US09131814B2
The impeller of an electric blower includes a front shroud, a rear shroud, sheet-metal blades, a hub part, and an inducer having a plurality of blade parts. The inducer is configured to be divided into two parts: a first inducer composed of a first hub part and first blade parts; and a second inducer composed of a second hub part and second blade parts. The first inducer is disposed such that outer-peripheral blade-tips of the first blade parts are disposed in the proximity of the front shroud, and that the upper surface of the first hub part is proximally covered by the lower surface of a fastener.
US09131813B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a laminate toilet lid with display cavity and a method of manufacturing thereof. The toilet lid includes a core structural layer having an aperture through a middle portion and having a shape and size associated with the toilet lid. The toilet lid also includes a first exterior layer disposed on a first surface of the core structural layer and configured to cover the aperture. The toilet lid further includes a second exterior layer disposed on a second surface of the core structural layer opposite the first decorative graphic layer, the second exterior layer configured to cover the aperture such that the first and second exterior layers enclose the aperture to form a cavity.
US09131807B2
A robotic cooking apparatus that can cook dishes using a computer recipe provided by a user and ingredients stored in it. Able to adjust the recipe based on user preference data. Cooking apparatus comprises of ingredient input section, cooking stations, pre-processing and post-processing station. Input section has trays and can be at room temperature or refrigerated for storing perishable ingredients. Robot head assembly is able to transfer ingredients, identify and measure as well as take inventory periodically. Cooking apparatus is connected to a network and can be operated remotely by a fixed or handheld device and monitor its operation remotely.
US09131802B2
This invention refers to a spinning food grill characterized because it is mainly constituted by a base upon which an electric engine is mounted, which moves a main shaft which is held in a vertical position by a post that is placed parallel to it. This main shaft is held by oarlocks located over crossbars that are perpendicular to a post. The oarlocks allow the main shaft to spin freely; additionally it is provided with a height regulator which allows the modification of the height of a circular grill located in the upper extreme of such main shaft. In such way, the distance of the circular grill is controlled, allowing it to come near or move away from the heat source, in this case ignited charcoal, to roast foods. Also, this grill is accompanied by a pair of frames that allow its use in open spaces such as gardens or patios.
US09131799B2
A system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The system comprises a first exchangeable capsule, being a closed capsule, having a bottom; a second exchangeable capsule, being an open capsule, having a bottom comprising an entrance filter; a first apparatus comprising a receptacle with a support surface for holding a first capsule, the first apparatus having bottom piercing means intended for piercing the bottom of the first capsule, and having a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the first capsule; a second apparatus comprising a receptacle with a support surface for holding a second capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the second capsule.
US09131795B2
An adjustable rod assembly includes first and second tubes having first and second arcuate portions, third and fourth tubes of generally straight configurations, first and second end supports, and a tension rod mechanism secured within the third tube. The first tube has a first end, a second opposing end, and a planar surface extending from the second end toward the first end. The first tube is telescopingly received within the third tube and the second tube. The third tube is rotatable relative to the first tube and is rotatably secured within the fourth tube. The fourth tube is secured to the first end support and the second tube is secured to the second end support. The tension rod mechanism rotates with the third tube and has a threaded portion configured to extend from an interior of the third tube to an interior of the first tube.
US09131788B2
A portable foldable display includes a pair of end sections and a plurality of intermediate sections. The intermediate sections are joined together in a manner which permits the intermediate sections to be rotated with respect to each other for folding and unfolding of the display. The display also includes a plurality of shelves which may extend from the front or back of any of the intermediate sections and outwardly from the end sections. The vertical spacing between the shelves is adjustable. The display is on wheels to permit easy transport.
US09131777B2
A variable lumbar support including a frame and a support extending between an upper end and a lower end wherein the support bracket includes a first longitudinal direction. A pad having a first surface is provided within the assembly. The first surface of the pad contacts the lumbar portion of the seat assembly. The pad is positioned between the lumbar portion and the seat back cushion. Upon a sliding movement of the lumbar member along the support while in contact with the pad, a curved surface of the pad is displaced in the first longitudinal direction and a second direction normal to the first direction. As the lumbar member contacts the curved areas of the pad, the foam is displaced and pushed towards (a bulge) the seat back cushion so that the user of the vehicle seat feels a fore-and-aft movement of the lumbar member.
US09131761B2
The present disclosure is directed to a multi-compartment container with a number of separate compartments, each of which is opened by depressing a separate button. The compartments may be used to hold any number of things, including, solids, gels, pastes, cosmetics or any other non liquid substance. In the present disclosure, the compartments may be opened independently or simultaneously. In addition to containing the desired substance, each compartment also comprises a reflective surface or mirror.
US09131759B2
A method for dyeing/bleaching hair, includes the steps of applying to the hair at least one strip of adhesive material in a direction which is longitudinal to the hair, in such a way to form and retain by means of adhesion a random lock of hair; lifting the lock of hair to be dyed/bleached so as to isolate it from the rest of the hair; turning over the strip with the lock of hair adhering to it; dyeing/bleaching the lock of hair; protecting the dyed/bleached lock of hair; waiting for the color to develop; and removing the strip.
US09131755B1
An umbrella shank is provided with a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) inner tube (10); an FRP outer tube (20); a spring biased moving mechanism (30) including a three-step diameter upper member (31) having a longitudinal groove (315), and a three-step diameter lower member (32) wherein the lower member (32) is inserted into the inner tube (10), the upper member (31) is complementarily disposed in the lower member (32), and the lower member (32) is in the outer tube (20); a fixing mechanism (40) in an upper portion of the outer tube (20); and a linking mechanism (60) in the outer tube (20) and including a rod (62) secured between the fixing mechanism (40) and a lower part (313) of the upper member (31), and a spring (65) put on the rod (62) and biased between the fixing mechanism (40) and tops of the upper member (31) and the lower member (32).
US09131751B1
Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps. In one representative embodiment, a shoe includes: (a) a sole; (b) an upper, extending above the sole, that includes a front section, a left side, a right side, a rear section, and a tongue that originates from the front section and extends rearwardly between the left side and the right side; (c) a left elastic strap that extends from a left side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the left side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the left side of the upper; and (d) a right elastic strap that extends from a right side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the right side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the right side of the upper, with the left elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the left side of the tongue and the right elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the right side of the tongue.
US09131743B2
Presently disclosed is a protective helmet, which may include a shell defining a shell exterior and a shell interior, and being configured to receive a wearer's head and extend to protectively cover the head circumferentially and vertically over the top of a wearer's skull; a first cushioning member disposed within the shell interior and configured for cushioning the skull; and a plurality of columnar cushioning members configured for supporting the shell on the skull and being configured for bending to allow rotational movement of the shell with respect to the skull, the columnar cushioning members having inner surfaces disposed further inwardly with respect to the shell than the first cushioning member surface to position the columnar member inner surfaces for resting against the skull and leaving a space between the first cushioning member inner surfaces and the skull.
US09131739B1
An article including a first section of material, a second section of material, and a magnetic button assembly comprising a first component and a second component. The first component has a ring magnet and a body portion with the body portion having a fastening region with a first thread disposed therethrough for coupling the first component to the first section. A second thread passes though the second component for coupling the second component to the second section, and comprises at least one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material to couple the second component to the first component thereby coupling the second section to the first section. The fastening region is formed of a polymeric material to minimize frictional wear of the first thread to prevent separation of the first component from the first section.
US09131736B2
A medical clothing item, includes a body covering section having first and second side edges delimiting an opening of the body covering section and at least one closure for closing the opening, wherein the closure includes a first closure element arranged on the first side edge, and a second closure element, arranged on the second side edge and/or in a region bordering the second side edge, wherein the first closure element has a fastening section for permanent fastening on the body covering section, a release section non-detachably connected with the body covering section, and a coupling section connected with the fastening section, wherein the coupling section is coverable when not interacting with the second closure element, wherein the coupling section has first mechanical coupling means for coupling to the second closure element, wherein the second closure element has second mechanical coupling means formed by a surface of the medical clothing item.
US09131725B2
This disclosure concerns specific naturally-occurring mutant maize cad2 genes, which altered genes contribute to the bm1 maize phenotype in particular maize lines. In some embodiments, compositions and methods are provided that utilize a nucleic acid molecule comprising a mutant cad2 gene, and/or markers linked to a mutant cad2gene.
US09131720B2
The present invention relates generally to functional sweetener compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different functional sweetener compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and at least one functional ingredient, such as phytosterols, phytostanols, esters thereof, or combinations thereof. The present invention also relates to functional sweetener compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the functional sweetener compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.
US09131717B2
A shelf-stable, non-refrigerated reduced-calorie beverage that contains about 8 to about 12% fruit juice by volume is provided. The beverage contains at least one nutritive sweetener and at least one non-nutritive sweetener. Preferably, the equivalent sucrose sweetness ratio of the at least one non-nutritive sweetener to all of the total sweeteners is from about 0.35 to about 0.45. Preferably, the at least one non-nutritive sweetener comprises aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
US09131716B2
The present invention relates primarily to the use of one or a plurality of neoflavonoids of formula (I) and/or one or a plurality of physiologically acceptable salts of one or a plurality of neoflavonoids of formula (I) for flavor modification, in particular for altering or masking a bitter, astringent and/or metallic flavor impression of a bitter, astringent and/or metallic tasting substance and a corresponding method of flavor modification. The present invention further relates to certain mixtures and certain preparations fit for consumption containing one or a plurality of neoflavonoids of formula (I) and/or one or a plurality of physiologically acceptable salts of one or a plurality of neoflavonoids of formula (I).
US09131715B2
Grain-based hot cereal compositions having reduced foam capacity are disclosed. The compositions can include wheat farina, oat groats, rolled oats, and steel cut oats. The compositions comprise a stearyl antifoam agent that prevents boil over of the compositions during stove top or microwave cooking without adversely affecting the taste, texture, or appearance of the finished product.
US09131700B2
A bio-stimulant composition for obtaining improved plant growth, either combined or uncombined with urea and/or other agricultural compounds, as well of methods of producing and using said composition.
US09131699B2
To provide a method for inhibiting the proliferation of a plant pathogenic bacterium. A method for inhibiting the proliferation of a plant pathogenic bacterium, including culturing a microorganism having an ability to inhibit the proliferation of a plant pathogenic bacterium and belonging to the genus Collimonas, and seeding the cultured microorganism to a plant soil.
US09131698B2
Provided are biocidal compositions comprising: a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound and a polymeric biguanide. The compositions are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems.
US09131678B1
By using visual cue agents that exhibit spectral characteristics sufficiently similar to a previously-applied repellent treatment, the amount of the repellent agents used in subsequent or repeat applications may be significantly reduced while still effectively repelling birds. The method for repelling birds from a target includes the application of a first treatment of a bird repellent agent to the target in an amount effective to repel the birds of interest. Subsequently, one or more additional treatment(s) is/are applied to the target including a visual cue agent that exhibits an ultraviolet absorbance spectrum or color which is sufficiently similar to the previously-applied repellent treatment. In these subsequent applications, the bird repellent agent may be applied at a significantly lower amount than the first treatment.
US09131676B1
The present improved animal trap and unique catch eliminates substantial eating or removal of the bait without the trap activating. This is accomplished by an improved catch which supports a piece of bait, and in turn, the bait blocks the movement of the holding arm bar. Only upon disturbance of the bait, will the holding arm bar be permitted to release from the catch due to the bait no longer blocking the movement of the holding arm bar. One embodiment accomplishes this action through a bait gap formed in the catch. The holding arm bar is aligned with the bait gap, such that the holding arm bar should pass through the bait gap in order for the pivoting kill bar hammer to snap closed against the top surface of the platform.
US09131672B1
The remote-controlled fishing boat having fishing lines with lures extended there from includes a remote controlled air-driven boat to drive at least one baited hook or lure around within a body of water. The remote-controlled fishing boat includes at least one clothespin that grabs onto a fishing line, and pulls the fishing line and lure behind said boat while a fishing rod and reel is located outside of a body of water and adjacent to an end user. Once a fish is hooked, the corresponding clothespin shall release the fishing line, and said end user shall reel in the hooked fish. The remote-controlled fishing boat includes two fans rotatable engaged atop of poles, and which rotate to steer and propel said boat. The remote control may include a bracket that supports the remote control on the fishing rod.
US09131671B2
Disclosed are methods, compositions, and systems for transforming silkworms to produce spider silk and analogs of spider silk. In certain embodiments, the method may include inserting a DNA sequence coding for at least a portion of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, positioned between at least a portion of the 5′ and 3′ ends of a silkworm fibroin gene to generate a fusion gene construct having a sequence that encodes for a polypeptide comprising both spider silk fibroin and silkworm silk fibroin sequences. In certain embodiments, the fused gene is able to replace a native gene present in the silkworm such that the transformed silkworm expresses a polypeptide comprising a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog thereof, and expresses significantly less of the native silkworm silk.
US09131668B2
The present invention relates to a method of developing a Tumor Model System. The invention deals with a tumor model system with adhesion deprived cells. This observation provides a new method for primary detection of transformation of adhesion-deprived cells and tumorigenicity. The adhesion-deprived cells are capable of metastasizing at distant sites and the model system includes both the tumor formation and metastasis.
US09131664B2
An excrement detection system of this disclosure includes: an excretion information acquiring apparatus acquiring excretion information indicating whether a pet in a living space has performed excretion; a toilet observing apparatus observing inside of a pet toilet to acquire toilet information regarding inside of the pet toilet; an excretion information processing unit determining whether the pet has performed excretion based on the excretion information; a toilet information processing unit determining whether the pet is in the pet toilet based on the toilet information; an excretion position determining unit determining that the pet has performed excretion outside of the pet toilet when determined that the pet has performed excretion and that the pet is absent from the pet toilet; and a notifying unit notifying a pet's owner that the pet has performed excretion outside of the pet toilet when determined that the pet has performed excretion outside of the pet toilet.
US09131663B2
An extensible cord lead comprising a casing (11) containing a winding wheel (13) equipped with housings (15) intercepted by a pushbutton (16) to allow the partial or total blocking of the cord, the pushbutton (16) being equipped with a forward position blocking device consisting of a cursor (20) which slides or rotates in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the pushbutton (16) in which it is inserted, said cursor (20) being activated by a thumb-turn (21) located on the head of the pushbutton (16), said cursor (20) being able to move from a blocked position to free sliding of the pushbutton, entering and exiting transversally to the sliding axis of the pushbutton (16), in a housing (22) in the box-like casing (11) of the winding device.
US09131657B1
A soybean cultivar designated S130095 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S130095, to the plants of soybean cultivar S130095, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S130095, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S130095. 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 S130095. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S130095, 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 S130095 with another soybean cultivar.
US09131652B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH735504. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH735504, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH735504 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH735504.
US09131651B2
The present application relates an insect resistant transgenic cotton plant. In particular, it relates to a specific event, designated CE43-67B. The application also relates to polynucleotides which are characteristic of the CE43-67B event, plants comprising said polynucleotides, and methods of detecting the CE43-67B event.
US09131647B1
A field sawbuck having a tree gripper forming a top side fulcrum for holding an end of a felled tree and a tree engaging arm for pivoting the felled tree about the fulcrum to bring the felled tree to an elevated condition whereby the limbs can be removed and the tree can be conveniently cut into desired length without concern for pinching or binding the saw or having the saw blade accidentally contact a support soil for the felled tree as well a method for delivering a felled tree to a field sawbuck that can cantileverly support the felled tree during the process of removing limbs from the tree or during the process of field cutting of the felled tree into firewood lengths.
US09131643B2
A cord retainer and cord wrap system for use with a portable (e.g., handheld) electric blower, and a blower incorporating the same. The system may allow for storage of the cord onboard the blower when the latter is not in use. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a portion of the blower housing to form one winding surface for the cord. A second winding surface may be provided by a cord retainer that may be secured in place along the extension tube of the blower, e.g., via interference fit. Other embodiments may include two or more nozzles that may be selectively inserted into the extension tube to permit selective tuning of blower performance.
US09131639B1
A device for supporting a weed eater is provided. The device comprises a grasping unit, a central body, a lower support unit, and at least one wheel. The grasping unit is configured for grasping a shaft of the weed eater. The central body has an upper hand and a lower end, the upper end being joined to the grasping unit. The lower support unit is joined to the lower end of the central body. The at least one wheel is joined to the lower support unit and configured for supporting the lower support unit.
US09131638B2
A wheel lift assembly lockout mechanism for an agricultural mower having a lift cylinder for moving the mower frame between raised and lowered positions. The lockout mechanism is positioned adjacent to a rod end of a lift cylinder and is pivotable between generally opposing lockout and free positions. First and second stops interact with the lift cylinder depending upon the position of the lockout mechanism to provide at least two stop positions allowing minimum mower heights in each stop position to be established. The lockout mechanism further includes a bias apparatus and a lockout limiter to enable a specific lockout height to be imposed with minimal impact other operational aspects of the wheel lift assembly.
US09137928B2
The instant disclosure relates to a planar heat dissipation structure, which comprises a first electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer having a thermal conductivity coefficient greater than 0.5 W/mK and a metal layer chemically bonded to and in thermal contact with the first electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer. The planar heat dissipation structure forms a one-piece structure that is configurable from a substantially planar collapsed state to a folded three-dimensional state, and defines a base portion and at least one flap portion configured to be foldable with respect to the base portion thereon, such that the first electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer constitutes an inner surface of the planar heat dissipation structure to define a covering space. The instant disclosure also discloses an electronic device that utilizes said foldable planar heat dissipation structure.
US09137925B2
An electrical contactor assembly is provided including an electrical contactor, an electrical bus bar, and a panel formed from an electrically insulating material. At least one post protrudes through the panel and is in contact with the electrical bus bar. The at least one post is constructed from an electrically and thermally conductive material. A first end of the at least one post is configured to electrically and thermally connect to the electrical contactor. A heat sink is removably coupled to a second end of the at least one post. The heat sink includes a body having a plurality of fins extending radially outward. A first portion of the plurality of fins extends around a circumference of the body. A second portion of the plurality of fins extends around only a portion of the circumference of the body.
US09137921B2
An assembled module and an electronic apparatus having the same are disclosed. The assembled module is disposed in a case of the electronic apparatus. The assembled module includes a backplane and an actuating unit. The backplane is disposed on the case and used to be moved between a first position and a second position. The actuating unit is disposed on the backplane and used to be operated so as to drive the backplane moving relative to the first position and the second position. The actuating unit includes a first rack, a complex gear, and a second rack; wherein when the first rack is operated to move along a first direction, the complex gear is carried by the first rack to allow the second rack to move along a second direction, such that the assembled module is able to move between the first position and the second position.
US09137920B2
An electronic assembly has a plurality of functional units each including a board element populated with electronic modules, which board element has in each case a number of contact locations arranged in at least one row, and a contact board, which has for each board element at least one row of contact receptacles that are directly electrically connected to the contact locations of the associated board element. These rows point toward a side of the contact board in their longitudinal direction. A plurality of similar assemblies are produced compactly and cost-effectively by providing a communication unit separate from the contact board and serving for communication with modules of the board elements. The communication unit is connected to the contact board via a plurality of data lines which are contact-connected to the contact board on the side to which the rows point.
US09137915B2
A protective case (1) for electronic devices (5) having a slidable and pivotally attached lid (2) on a raised rear portion (13) of the protective case that covers a storage compartment (2). An attachment accessory (4), such as a finger grip (27) is located on a rear surface (23) of the lid. The lid may be flipped over to reveal a smooth front surface (22) for when an individual wants to carry the protective case and electronic device in his or her pocket or to reveal the rear surface and attachment accessory for attaching the protective case to the individual's fingers or to a flat surface.
US09137910B2
An electrical junction box includes: a sliding member slidable between a second position where a first connector is allowed to be inserted into a first connector fitting portion, and a first position where the first connector regularly fitted to the first connector fitting portion is held between the sliding member and the first connector fitting portion, and a second connector is allowed to be inserted into a second connector fitting portion; and a locking projection with which a locking arm of the sliding member is locked. The locking projection includes: a first inclined wall inclined in a direction away from the first connector fitting portion as extended toward the first connector fitting portion from the second connector fitting portion; a second inclined wall inclined in a direction approaching the first connector fitting portion; and a third wall perpendicular to an outer surface of the first connector fitting portion.
US09137904B2
A module includes a circuit board, a resin layer, an external connection conductor, a solder bump. The resin layer is disposed on a first principal surface of the circuit board. The external connection conductor is arranged in the resin layer, has a first end connected to the circuit board and a second end protruding through the surface of the resin layer and includes a projection extending along the surface of the resin layer in a portion that protrudes through the surface of the resin layer. The solder bump is disposed on the second end of the external connection conductor.
US09137899B2
A process of electronic structure is provided. First, a carrier board is provided, in which the carrier board has a first surface. Next, a first release layer is formed on the first surface of the carrier board. The first release layer has property of withstanding high-temperature and temporary adhesion capability and the first release layer entirely or mostly overlays the first surface. Then, a built-up structure is formed on the first release layer. Finally, a separating process is performed so that the built-up structure is separated from the carrier board to form an electronic structure.
US09137897B2
An electronic device includes a glass substrate, an electronic element mounted on one surface of the glass substrate, a cover body covering the electronic element and bonded to the glass substrate and a through electrode penetrating from one surface to the other surface of the glass substrate. The through electrode is composed of an iron-nickel based alloy and; and a nickel film is formed on an end face of the through electrode exposing on the other surface of the glass substrate and on the other surface of the glass substrate located in the vicinity of the end face.
US09137895B2
An embodiment of a micro-electro-mechanical system of the MEMS type comprising at least one micro-electro-mechanical device of the MEMS type and one junction with a duct suitable to being associated with an external apparatus. Said junction being a printed circuit board PCB comprising at least two layers with juxtaposed faces, a channel being present in at least one face of at least one of said at least two layers suitable for realizing the duct with the juxtaposition of the other face of at least another one of at least two layers.
US09137891B2
An electronic device may have a conductive housing. A dielectric structure may be mounted in the conductive housing to form an antenna window. An electrical component such as a camera, light sensor, or other device may press against a conductive foam structure. A printed circuit may have conductive traces that form an antenna ground and antenna resonating element. The printed circuit may be wrapped around a support structure. The electrical component, the conductive foam structure, and the printed circuit wrapped around the support structure may be compressed between a display cover layer and the antenna window. A camera window may be attached to a camera window trim using multiple adhesives. The trim may have a curved exterior surface that matches a curved housing surface. A flexible printed circuit cable may have a folded portion. A band structure may surround the folded portion to form a service loop.
US09137890B2
There is provided a wiring board. The wiring board includes: a first insulating layer; a plurality of wiring patterns on the first insulating layer so as to be spaced apart from each other; a plating layer on at least one of the wiring patterns; a second insulating layer containing silicone therein and having an opening, wherein an outermost surface of the plating layer is exposed from the opening and serves as a connection pad; and a silica film on the outermost surface of the plating layer.
US09137883B2
Robust, flexible, lightweight, low profile enhanced performance dielectric barrier discharge actuators (plasma actuators) based on aerogels/nanofoams with controlled pore size and size distribution as well as pore shape. The plasma actuators offer high body force as well as high force to weight ratios (thrust density). The flexibility and mechanical robustness of the actuators allows them to be shaped to conform to the surface to which they are applied. Carbon nanotube (CNT) based electrodes serve to further decrease the weight and profile of the actuators while maintaining flexibility while insulating nano-inclusions in the matrix enable tailoring of the mechanical properties. Such actuators are required for flow control in aeronautics and moving machinery such as wind turbines, noise abatement in landing gear and rotary wing aircraft and other applications.
US09137878B2
Dynamic lighting techniques are disclosed that consider activity within a given area so as to provide lighting to that area with a high degree of context awareness. In some embodiments, the techniques not only consider physical activity within a given area, but further consider emotional activity within that area, and provide lighting geared toward or otherwise appropriate for such specific activity. In some embodiments, physical activity is divided into general activity and specific activity; emotional activity may be subdivided in a similar fashion. Other factors may be considered as well, including the layout of the area being illuminated and/or any user provided lighting preferences. In some embodiments, user preferences can be used to override general physical and/or emotional activity, and specific physical and/or emotional activity can override the user preferences. Numerous variations and lighting systems will be apparent in light of this disclosure.
US09137869B2
An illumination apparatus includes a light emitting unit having at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element connected in series with each other. Further, the illumination apparatus includes a keying circuit for electrically closing a first power supply path which passes through both the first and the second light emitting element from the power supply circuit or the capacitive element or a second power supply path which passes through the first light emitting element without passing through the second light emitting element from the capacitive element. The keying circuit is set in a state in which the first power supply path is electrically closed during a power supply, and is set in a state in which the second power supply path is electrically closed when a reduction in quantity of charges of the capacitive element is detected after the power supply is stopped.
US09137864B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide light emitting diode (LED) lighting devices, and methods to drive the LED lighting devices. An LED lighting device includes a transformer having a primary winding on a receiving path to receive electric energy from an energy source and a secondary winding on a driving path. A terminal of the receiving path and a terminal of the driving path have a same voltage level, such as ground. Further, the LED lighting device includes a primary switch configured to switch on the receiving path to receive and store the electric energy in the transformer, and to switch off the receiving path to allow the driving path to deliver the stored electric energy. The LED lighting device also includes an LED array coupled to the driving path to emit light in response to the delivered electric energy.
US09137858B2
Electric heating device with a radiant tube and an electrical heating element arranged in the radiant tube as well as a protective insert of electrically conductive material. The protective insert is arranged between the radiant tube and the electrical heating element. The device allows the use of higher element power.
US09137855B2
When a partial pressure exceeding a Zener voltage of a Zener diode is applied to a first limiting circuit by a positive voltage applied to input terminals by an AC power supply, the first limiting circuit allows a current such that a photo transistor of the first detection circuit is turned on. When a partial pressure exceeding a total value of Zener voltages of Zener diodes is applied to a second limiting circuit by a negative voltage applied to the input terminals, the second limiting circuit allows a current such that a photo transistor of a second detection circuit is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to detect a voltage input from the AC power supply by turning on and off the photo transistors and to detect a voltage input from the AC power supply using a simpler circuit configuration.
US09137853B2
A multi-mode base station and a method for sending signals thereof are provided. In the base station, each base-band single-board is connected to a corresponding radio frequency (RF) unit through an exchange bus, and the base-band single-boards of different modes are intermixed by using the compatibility of the exchange bus.
US09137850B2
A wired/wireless converged media access control (MAC) adaptor and a method for transmitting a frame using the same. The wired/wireless converged MAC adaptor may include a service network interface (SNI) to transmit a MAC frame corresponding to a wired or wireless service, or common public radio interface (CPRI) data, a frame conversion unit to convert, into an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame, a wired/wireless converged MAC frame having a common frame structure of the MAC frame corresponding to the wired or wireless service or the CPRI data, and an OFDM interface configured to transmit the OFDM frame to an optical OFDM modem by dynamically allocating sub-carriers based on data transmission characteristics.
US09137841B2
A method for scheduling request triggering based on traffic condition is provided. The method supports detecting a traffic condition, determining a modified scheduling request (SR) trigger based on the traffic condition and transmitting a scheduling request to a base station based on the modified SR trigger. In one embodiment, the modified SR trigger is a data buffer or a data generation rate exceeding a threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold is related to a prioritized Bit Rate (PBR) or a bucket Size Duration (BSD) or both. In another embodiment, the threshold is configured by the base station based on a size of the smallest grant under the traffic condition. In one embodiment, the threshold is updated when DRX state changes. In another embodiment, during DRX sleep state, the SR period is longer or SR is stopped.
US09137839B2
Aspects describe a separate domain selection function that is utilized as the first function in a communication path for a communication that is to be connected to a user device registered in a first network or a second network. If a result of the domain selection function indicates call control should be maintained by first network (e.g., user device is registered with first network or a network with which first network has a control relationship), call control of the communication remains with first network. If the result of the domain selection function indicates the user device is registered with second network, call control is suspended by the first network, which allows the communication to bypass the first network.
US09137837B1
Proxy mobile IP provides mobility to a mobile device that is not equipped to perform client mobile IP by moving the mobile IP signaling responsibility from the mobile device into the network. A network element performs the mobile IP signaling on behalf of the mobile device. In one scenario, the mobile device establishes a PPP session with a foreign agent, with no mobile IP signaling on top of the PPP session. The foreign agent then performs mobile IP signaling with the mobile device's home agent to negotiate a proxy mobile IP session for the device. Once the session registration lifetime has been established by the foreign agent and the home agent, the foreign agent communicates the registration lifetime to the mobile device by way of a PPP vendor-specific packet.
US09137832B2
A provided apparatus is caused to direct establishment of a connection of the apparatus with a core network via a wide area radio access network (RAN), where the core network is coupled to an external network. The apparatus is also caused to select or receive selection of a local area network that is coupled to the same or different external network via one or more local gateways (L-GWs). The apparatus is caused to request selection of a L-GW of the one or more L-GWs from the core network via the wide area RAN, and in response, receive an identity of a selected L-GW. Further, the apparatus is caused to direct contact with the selected L-GW based on the identity, and establishment of a connection of the apparatus with the selected L-GW. The apparatus may thereby be connected to the external network via the local area network and selected L-GW.
US09137830B2
Integrated circuitry for use in a mobile radio station includes a receiver that receives control information and a data processor coupled to the receiver. The data processor provides a number of different sequences that are derived from a base sequence. The different derived sequences are respectively associated with different amounts of data or reception qualities, have different cyclic shifts, and are arranged in an increasing order of the cyclic shifts. The data processor randomly selects a sequence from a subset of the derived sequences. The subset of derived sequences depends on the control information.
US09137828B2
A method of enabling a user equipment to perform a contention based random access, includes maintaining a set of non-dedicated random access preambles for contention-free random access and a set dedicated random access preambles for contention-based random access. The method also includes determining a random access preamble identifier and transmitting a message to the user equipment containing the determined random access preamble identifier. Additionally, the method includes receiving from the user equipment a non-dedicated random access preamble that is selected by the user equipment based on the random access preamble identifier comprised in the transmitted message.
US09137826B2
A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for an RTS/CTS system that utilizes a plurality of channels for data transfer, includes sending, by a first device, an RTS frame over the plurality of channels; receiving, by a second device, the RTS frame and outputting a CTS frame to the first device based on receipt of the RTS frame, the CTS frame being output over at least one of the plurality of channels; setting, by each device within a network that receives the RTS frame, a network allocation vector (NAV) to a time duration that is based in part on information included in the RTS frame; and transmitting, by the first device, data to the second device within the time duration set by the NAV using the at least one of the plurality of channels.
US09137824B2
A method for a user equipment (UE) to receive a downlink signal, the method including receiving a first downlink control channel identified by a temporary cell identifier (Temporary C-RNTI) from a base station, the first downlink control channel including a first downlink assignment signal having a new data indicator (NDI) with a first value; receiving a second downlink control channel identified by a cell identifier (C-RNTI) from the base station, the second downlink control channel including a second downlink assignment signal having the NDI with a second value; and determining if the NDI has been toggled compared to the NDI previously received from the base station. Further, the UE ignores the NDI with the first value received through the first downlink control channel identified by the temporary cell identifier (Temporary C-RNTI). The method also includes receiving the downlink signal based on the determining.
US09137822B2
An apparatus and method for transmitting an indicator of channel quality while minimizing the use of a broadcast channel is described. A metric of forward link geometry of observed transmission signals is determined. An indicator of channel quality value is determined as a function of the observed transmission signals. An access sequence is selected, randomly, from one group of a plurality of groups of access sequences, wherein each of the plurality of groups of access sequences correspond to different ranges of channel quality values.
US09137820B2
A method for transmitting scheduling information in a mobile communication system and a femtocell base station apparatus using the same are provided. Scheduling information can be transmitted using a hierarchical scheduling scheme in which a femtocell base station is allocated resources from a macrocell base station and the femtocell base station then allocates resources to femto users within its own resource region.
US09137818B2
Example embodiments are directed toward a system and a method for downlink scheduling in a multi-user, multiple-input and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) network with a central controller employing a scheduling scheme pre-selecting user equipment according to probabilities obtained from a large-system analysis. Only pre-selected user equipment is requested to feedback channel state information, thereby reducing cluster interference and increasing throughput while greatly reducing the required feedback channel state information generally required to schedule transmissions.
US09137815B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for enhanced multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) wireless communications. The proposed method may reduce and/or eliminate stringent frequency and time synchronization requirements for stations (STAs) to participate in a downlink MU-MIMO transaction by utilizing deterministic scheduling.
US09137813B2
A user equipment (UE) includes circuitry configured to receive control information on a downlink control channel from a base station. The control information indicates an allocation of an uplink channel and the control information is sent in response to the base station determining that the UE is to send an adaptive modulation and coding report. The circuitry is further configured in response to the control information to transmit a communication in the allocated uplink channel in a time interval including at least one time slot. The communication includes an adaptive modulation and coding report, and a transmission power level of the communication is derived from the control information and a pathloss measured by the UE.
US09137800B2
The invention relates to a method for communicating with a user equipment using a plurality of transmit antennas being capable of generating transmission beams in a communication network. The method includes deciding whether to generate either a first transmission beam using a first beamforming approach or to generate a second transmission beam using a second beamforming approach in dependency on a network condition. Based upon a result of the deciding, the first transmission beam or the second transmission beam is transmitted towards the user equipment.
US09137789B2
To suppress and minimize changes from the method of transmitting an uplink control information in the LTE system, while supporting increases in the system band and increases in the transmission layer when there is a PUSCH signal transmitted in the same subframe, provided is a configuration for generating a UCI signal for a base station apparatus (20) in a mobile communication system having a system band comprised of a plurality of component carriers, multiplexing the UCI signal into a PUSCH signal transmitted in the same subframe as the UCI signal in a user specific component carrier used in transmission of a PUCCH signal, and transmitting the PUSCH signal into which the UCI signal is multiplexed to the base station apparatus (20).
US09137786B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transceiving channel availability query and response in a wireless communication system. According to the present invention, a scheme is provided to enable devices which operate in TVWS to request/response information on an available channel in a plurality of geographical locations in a more accurate and efficient manner.
US09137784B2
A resource distribution method for throughput maximization in a cooperative cognitive SIMO network. The primary user sends data after receiving a cooperation confirmation message, and the cognitive network keeps silent, receives the information data of the primary user and simultaneously decodes the data. The cognitive users which successfully decode the data send the data of themselves to the cognitive base station and forward the data of the primary user; the cognitive users which cannot successfully decode the data only send the data of themselves and do not forward the data of the primary user. The cognitive base station eliminates the interference of the data of primary user and performs beamforming for the signals. According to the combined adjustment the maximum throughput performance can be realized in the cognitive network.
US09137782B2
A wireless communication method in a cognitive radio (CR) environment, and a wireless communication device and a wireless communication system using the same are provided. A communication method includes receiving channel information indicating a channel used by an external device, searching for available channels, and performing communication through the available channel. Accordingly, interference between devices can be avoided, available channels can be found more rapidly, and wireless resources can be used more efficiently.
US09137780B1
A computing device that is configured for synchronizing multicast data distribution is described. The computing device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The computing device reads a block of data and sends the block of data via multicast. It is determined whether a packet in the block of data requires a new mapped file view. This determination is based on the capacity of a current mapped file view on a target node. The computing device delays sending more data if the new mapped file view is required.
US09137775B2
A communications apparatus is disclosed. A receiving module receives an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) request and a search list of cells provided by a network at a second time point. A comparing module compares the received search list to a stored search list of cells which is received at a first time point and stored in a database. A searching module searches at least one of the cells from the received search list by using different search ranges adjusted according to the comparison result, and stores the at least one of the cells in the database. A measuring module performs OTDOA measurements by detecting positioning reference signals (PRS) from the at least one of the cells.
US09137766B2
Methods, devices, and computer program products for synchronization of wireless devices in a peer-to-peer network are described herein. In one aspect, a method for synchronizing a wireless communication apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving, at the wireless communication apparatus, one or more messages including one or more received time values. The method further includes updating a time value of a clock signal of the wireless communication apparatus to a value derived from the received time values in response to determining that a magnitude of a difference between the time value and the derived time value is greater than a threshold.
US09137764B2
A method of managing timing alignment (TA) functionality in multiple component carriers for a communication device of a wireless communication system, which includes separately managing TA functionality of a plurality of component carriers or jointly managing TA functionality of component carriers belonging to the same cell.
US09137760B2
A method and corresponding equipment for use by a mobile station and/or a radio access network, for altering one or more characteristics of transmissions of the mobile station to a base transceiver station of the radio access network in respect to power and/or modulation and/or coding of the transmissions, based on monitoring broadcast transmissions from other base transceiver stations of the radio access network and determining an estimate of the likelihood of transmissions by the mobile station interfering with communication between the other base transceiver stations and the mobile stations in communication with those other base transceiver stations.
US09137758B2
A process for controlling the power transmission in the uplink of the User Equipment communicating with a Base Station in a GSM wireless communication system, said process including the steps of: initializing an audio/speech/data transmission channel; monitoring the power control commands generated by said Base station, said command determining a power transmission strength to be used by the UE, said power transmission strength being within a power transmission window; determining for each block to be transmitted whether it includes a control channel or a traffic/idle channel; applying, in response to said determination, a first power transmission level in case of a control block or a second power transmission level in case of a traffic/idle block, both power transmission levels being included within said range transmission window and the first power transmission level being higher for FACCH blocks than the second power transmission level used for traffic data; and transmitting said block and repeating the preceding step until the receipt of a new power control command.
US09137757B2
A wireless communication device includes: an antenna for receiving inbound signals on dual receive channels and transmitting outbound signals on dual transmit channels; a transceiver coupled to the antenna to receive the inbound signals from the antenna and convey the outbound signals; a power controller coupled to the transceiver to control power levels of the outbound signals so a maximum nominal power level of the outbound signals is a first power level; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and the antenna to cause the power controller to control the power levels of the outbound signals so if a power level of a received one of the inbound signals is below a threshold value, then the maximum nominal power level of the outbound signals is a second power level lower than the first power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.
US09137755B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate utilizing power control preambles with closed loop power control techniques in a wireless communication environment. An uplink grant can be transferred over a downlink (e.g., a first uplink grant after uplink inactivity), and a power control preamble can be sent over an uplink in response to the uplink grant. According to an example, transmission of the power control preamble can be explicitly scheduled and/or implicitly scheduled. The power control preamble can be transmitted at a power level determined by an access terminal utilizing an open loop power control mechanism. A base station can analyze the power control preamble and generate a power control command based thereupon to correct the power level employed by the access terminal. The access terminal can thereafter utilize the power control command to adjust the power level for uplink data transmission.
US09137748B2
A connection close-related packet transmission method and apparatus is provided for improving power saving efficiency of a power-constrained mobile terminal. The connection close-related packet transmission method includes establishing a radio connection with a server; determining whether a preconfigured connection close timeout elapses without connection activity after the connection establishment; buffering, when the connection close timeout elapses, a connection close-related packet; and transmitting, when another packet transmission is predicted, the connection-related packet to the server. The connection close-related packet transmission method and apparatus is advantageous in power saving efficiency of a power-constrained mobile terminal.
US09137733B2
Providing for dynamic cell resource management in wireless networking is described herein. By way of example, user terminal access parameters can be dynamically modified based on changing load conditions at one or more cells of a wireless network. For instance, resource capacity of a wireless network cell can be monitored over time to identify a potential resource overload condition. If such a condition occurs, a load management algorithm can be executed that progressively restricts or de-restricts user terminal access parameters based on changing load conditions. In particular aspects, the load management algorithm can analyze relative cell load of neighboring cells to implement coordinated load sharing. By dynamically modifying user access parameters, traffic can be directed toward or away from cells operating at low or high capacity, respectively.
US09137730B2
A system, apparatus and method for configuring a wireless sound reinforcement system detects a controller and two or more wireless adapters using a router. The controller has a plurality of input channels and output channels. Each wireless adapter is associated with an entertainment device. Channel information about each input channel and output channel is obtained from the controller. Device information is obtained from each entertainment device via the wireless adapter. A network address is assigned to each input channel, output channel and wireless adapter. Each entertainment device is mapped to at least one of the input channels and/or output channels. The device information and channel mappings for the entertainment devices are provided to the controller. Data packets are received from the wireless adapters and the controller. A destination network address of each received data packet is identified and each received data packet is sent to the identified destination network address.
US09137728B2
Methods and apparatuses for predicting candidates for cell reselection are presented. In some embodiments, such a method may include determining, by a mobile device, a current direction of motion of the mobile device; determining, by the mobile device, based on network topology information, that at least two cells of a plurality of cells are located in the current direction of motion of the mobile device; prioritizing, by the mobile device, the at least two cells of the plurality of cells for reselection; measuring, by the mobile device, signal properties of the at least two prioritized cells based on the prioritizing; and selecting, by the mobile device, a first cell of the at least two prioritized cells for reselection, based on: a location of the first cell and the signal properties of the first cell.
US09137725B2
A method for user distribution in a wireless communication system is provided by generating a screen for showing information regarding a lower-traffic region and displaying the screen by using a display element, wherein the generated screen includes at least one of an advertisement of a shop in the lower-traffic region, an indicator for indicating a per-cell traffic usage amount corresponding to a usage level, and a notice for recommending a medium change.
US09137723B2
In one embodiment, a portable, networked, computing device comprises a processor, a plurality of radios, and a memory. The device may be operable to pair, by at least one of the radios, with a device associated with a user. The device may then monitor, by one of the radios, a signal for a connection established with a first network. When the device determines that the signal for the first network has dropped below a threshold level of quality, it may enable access point mode for at least one of the paired devices by turning on a radio to establish a connection with a second network and thereby providing connectivity to the second network for the at least one of the paired devices. If multiple networks are available, the device may select an optimal network based on an assessment of one or more factors.
US09137709B2
User Equipment (UE) receiving non-voice packet switched services in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestial Radio Access Network (eUTRAN) cell undergoes handover to a circuit switched GSM/Edge Radio Access Network (GERAN)/UTRAN cell in response to a voice service page. An eNodeB of the active eUTRAN cell uses a measurement report history for the UE to select an available circuit switched cell for handover. The voice service is established in the circuit switched domain of a GERAN/UTRAN cell to ensure service continuity regardless of UE mobility that would otherwise not be possible if the voice service was established in the eUTRAN cell. A Gs-like interface between a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the CS Core Network and the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the Evolved Packet Core provides an interface for page requests and location update procedures to be performed.
US09137707B2
A method for use in a wireless communications system in which there is at least a first mode which controls the traffic to and from user terminals in a cell within the system, so that there is downlink traffic in the system. The first node transmits downlink traffic in radio frames, each of which comprises sub-frames. The first node performs measurements on pre-defined system indicators in at least said first cell, and based on the results of said measurements, the first node is allowed to autonomously decide to vary the number of available down link sub-frames used for down link traffic in said down link radio frames and also to vary the content of the down link sub frames which are used, said decision being valid for a time which is specified by the first node.
US09137699B2
A method for controlling an antenna is provided. The antenna can rotate in a signal area and point to one of a plurality of scanning sectors of the signal area. The method includes: (a) measuring an environment identification data in an initial scanning sector of the scanning sectors and determining if the environment identification data matches an operation identification data; (b) if the environment identification data matches the operation identification data, measuring an environment evaluation signal, wherein the environment evaluation signal corresponds to the environment identification data; (c) comparing the environment evaluation signal with an operation evaluation signal, wherein the operation identification data corresponds to the operation evaluation signal; and (d) maintaining the antenna in the initial scanning sector and recording the environment evaluation signal if the environment evaluation signal is larger than or equal to the operation evaluation signal.
US09137683B1
A first cell is selected as a center cell for testing. Downlink transmissions from a one or more surrounding cells are loaded with test load levels. The downlink transmissions, when loaded with test load levels, include a selected amount(s) of the data portions of their transmission frames carrying orthogonal channel noise (OCN). A performance indicator of the center cell is measured/determined while the surrounding cell(s) are transmitting test load levels and while the center cell is communicating user traffic between the center cell and a first plurality of wireless devices. The test load levels of the surrounding cells may also include user traffic in addition to the OCN.
US09137681B2
An appliance facilitates localization of a station (STA) in a network, for example, a short-range wireless network. An automatic response to a request for a measurement related communication is provided. The appliance can include a radio frequency (RF) interface and a media access control (MAC) section. The MAC section can receive the request and generate the automatic response immediately after a uniform period that is uniform among any such appliance within the network. The appliance performs only the generation of the automatic response, though the response can include additional information such as (x, y) coordinates of the appliance.
US09137680B2
A method and apparatus for locationing using differential phase measurements of IEEE 802.11 preambles. A first step includes providing a local clock at the same frequency as the IEEE 802.11 preambles. This step includes synchronizing the local clocks at multiple receivers with a reference clock, for example, using Synchronous Ethernet. A next step includes receiving IEEE 802.11 packets from a transmitter by at least three fixed receivers. A next step includes determining a phase offset between the local clock and any nearest cycle of a preamble in the received packets in each of the receivers. A next step includes locating the transmitter using each of the phase offsets.
US09137673B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling signal interference between networks in a personal area network. In one embodiment, an interference control apparatus may include: a cooperation determining unit configured to determine whether to perform a wireless cooperation with a neighboring mobile hub that manages a neighboring sensor node, based on a magnitude of an interference signal from the neighboring sensor node; a transmitter configured to transmit, to the neighboring mobile hub via a first communication link, first information received from a target sensor node; a receiver configured to receive the first information from the target sensor node via a second communication link, and to receive second information from the neighboring mobile hub via the first communication link; and a decoding unit configured to perform wireless cooperative multi-user decoding based on the first information and the second information.
US09137668B2
A method and mobile electronic device are provided which automatically adjust settings based on the environment of the mobile electronic device. The settings of the mobile electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the mobile electronic device.
US09137658B2
An offline immobilizer ECU reads an encryption key generation code from an offline additional electronic key and generates an electronic key encryption key for the offline additional electronic key using the encryption key generation code and a communication subject key encryption key held by the immobilizer ECU. The immobilizer ECU stores, in a memory, the generated electronic key encryption key and a key ID code that is read from the offline additional electronic key.
US09137643B2
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. In an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a data processing method including receiving a broadcast signal in which main service data and mobile service data are multiplexed, demodulating the received broadcast signal, outputting demodulation time information of a specific position of a broadcast signal frame, and acquiring reference time information contained in the mobile service data frame, setting the reference time information to a system time clock at a specific time based on the demodulation time information and decoding the mobile service data according to the system time clock.
US09137639B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided which may be implemented in various devices to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobile station with regard to at least one of a plurality of different indoor regions. For example, a computing platform of a map inference device may establish encoded metadata for at least a portion of an indoor region based, at least in part, on an electronic map, an access point locator, or some combination thereof, and provide such encoded metadata to a repository device that may provide at least a portion of the encoded metadata to a mobile station.
US09137637B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for monitoring tracking devices capable of seamless indoor and outdoor tracking transitions. A tracking device may comprise, for example, printable circuitry and antennas combined with one or more receivers/transceivers on a substrate. The tracking device may be configured, for example, to localize the tracking device via GPS or an alternative localization strategy based on a determination of whether GPS communication is available. A modified RSSI fingerprinting methodology may be used to accurately determine a location of the tracking device using Wi-Fi access points. A device monitoring service may communicate with internal and/or external mapping API's to render a device monitoring user interface comprising a visual representation of the location of the tracking device.
US09137636B2
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.
US09137632B2
A method of setting an initial location of a user terminal via an interaction with a user and a user terminal is provided. The method includes measuring a magnetic field at a current location of the user terminal, and estimating a candidate initial location of the user terminal based on the magnetic field. The method further includes displaying the candidate initial location, and selecting the candidate initial location. The method further includes setting the initial location based on the selection.
US09137625B2
The invention relates to a telecommunications network for wirelessly establishing a connection with a terminal located at a location in said network by a server. The terminal is identified by a terminal identifier in the telecommunications network. The telecommunications network contains a first network node and a second network node. The first network node is configured for receiving a data unit for the terminal from the server, that is preferably located outside the telecommunications network. The data unit comprises the terminal identifier. The first network node is being configured for receiving a location identifier indicative of the location of the terminal from the server and for deriving an address of the second network node using the location identifier. The derived address of the second network node is then used for transmitting a first connection request for establishing a connection with the derived second network node.
US09137624B2
A method and device for performing wireless communication ranging are provided. A machine-to-machine (M2M) device receives a paging message from a base station, transmits a bandwidth request (BR) preamble sequence to the base station, receives a first UL grant to allocate an uplink (UL) resource for the transmission of a BR header, transmits the BR header including a ranging request indication parameter to the base station through a UL resource allocated by the first UL grant, receives a second UL grant to allocated a UL resource for transmission of a ranging request message from the bases station, and transmits the ranging request message to the base station through a UL resource allocated by the second UL grant.
US09137620B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for analyzing conformity to restrictions on the use of a wireless communication device to allow a user to make application usage decisions based on cost and application performance. In a particular embodiment, a method provides identifying restrictions on the use of a wireless communication device having applications available to the wireless communication device. The method further provides identifying a first application of the applications available to the wireless communication device that uses resources of a wireless communication network. The method further provides determining a first measure of conformity by the first application to the restrictions on the use of the wireless communication device and generating an instruction to display to a user an indication of the first measure of conformity by the first application to the restrictions on the use of the wireless communication device.
US09137619B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of processing an audio signal to optimize audio for a room environment. One example method of operation may include recording the audio signal generated within a particular room environment and processing the audio signal to create an original frequency response based on the audio signal. The method may also include creating at least two iterative filters based on at least two separate frequency ranges of the original frequency response, calculating an error difference between the frequency response modified by the at least two iterative filters and the original frequency response, and applying the error difference to the audio signal.
US09137618B1
A multi-dimensional audio processor receives as an input either a single channel signal or a two channel signal from an audio signal source; for example a musical instrument or an audio mixer. The processor is programmable to divide the input among at least 3 output channels in a user-defined manner. The processor is also user programmable to provide a variety of effect and mixing functions for the output channel signals.
US09137617B2
An encoding apparatus includes a down-mixing unit for down-mixing first and second input signals, and controlling a spatial parameter comprising or not comprising a first parameter which indicates a correlation between the first and second input signals to be transmitted to a decoding apparatus according to whether any one of the first and second input signals has a magnitude that is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the spatial parameter to the decoding apparatus.
US09137610B2
An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.
US09137604B2
A pre-out terminal that outputs the audio signal is fixed. One of a surround back left audio signal SBL, a left outside audio signal LW, and a left upside audio signal LH is selected by a user operation, and output to a pre-out terminal 11c. A determination which one of two signals except the pre-out terminal in the signals SBL, LW, and LH is included in multichannel audio data is made. When it is determined that the signal SBL is included, the signal SBL amplified by an amplifier 12a is supplied to an SBL speaker terminal 14a. When it is determined that the signal LW is included, the signal LW amplified by the amplifier 12a is supplied to an LW speaker terminal 14b. When it is determined that the signal LH is included, the signal LH amplified by the amplifier 12a is supplied to an LH speaker terminal 14c.
US09137590B2
A method and system are disclosed in which a link state advertisement message (LSA) conforming to a Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) routing protocol is generated and transmitted. The LSA is associated with a TE Link between a transmit node and a receive node in a network. The transmit node supplies a plurality of optical signals, each of which has a plurality of frequencies, the frequencies being allocated among a plurality of spectral portions such that the plurality of spectral portions are grouped into a plurality of frequency slots. The LSA may include information indicative of a number of spectral portions, e.g., spectral slices, which correspond to frequencies of selected ones of the plurality of optical signals, said selected ones of the plurality of optical signals being available to carry data from the transmit node to the receive node.
US09137582B2
A system for performing closed captioning enables a caption prepared remotely by a captioner to be repositioned by someone other than the captioner, such as by a program originator. This capability is particularly useful when, for example, the program originator wishes to include a banner in a video but also wishes to avoid having a closed caption interfere with the banner. In one illustrative system, the program originator is a broadcast station that includes a conventional encoder and a broadcast station computer. In one arrangement, control data generated at the station computer is incorporated into the caption data by the station computer. In another arrangement, the control data is sent from the station computer to the captioner computer, which incorporates the control data into the caption data.
US09137579B2
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program.
US09137576B2
A television is interfaced to one or more on-line stores through a network connection. The television has purchasing data stored in a configuration file. Upon execution of a “one-button buy” function, metadata from a content stream and the purchasing data is used to find a purchase item related to the content stream, decide upon an on-line store and purchase the purchase item from the on-line store. In some embodiments, the a “one-button buy” function is a dedicated “buy” button on a remote control that is associated with the television. In some embodiments, without any further interaction, the purchase item is billed to the viewer and shipped to the viewer as if the viewer found the purchase item through the on-line store from a personal computer.
US09137568B2
A method and system for logo identification based on automatic content recognition (ACR) are described in which a connected television (TV) or other end-user device may be provided with instructions to fingerprint certain regions in a video frame to identify the source of the content being displayed. Such instructions may be provided when, for example, fingerprint matching is able to identify content that is provided by multiple sources but is unable to identify the particular source of the content. In those instances, one or more additional locations may be determined for taking fingerprints in the video frame. These locations correspond to region of the video frame in which a graphical item that represents the network television station is typically displayed. A profile with these locations is generated and sent to the connected TV to take additional fingerprints to enable the identification of the network television station providing content.
US09137567B2
Systems and methods are provided for cross-platform rendering of video content on a user-computing platform that is one type of a plurality of different user-computing platform types. A script is transmitted to the user-computing platform and is interpreted by an application program compiled to operate on any one of the plurality of user-computing platform types. The script is configured to cause the script to be interpreted by the application program operating on the user-computing platform to: render the video data by displaying frame images which make up the video data; playback the associated audio data; ascertain an audio playback time reference associated with the playback of the associated audio data; and directly synchronize the displaying of the frame images with the playback of the associated audio data based on the audio playback time reference.
US09137566B2
A distribution system and reception apparatus, and methods thereof, are provided for broadcasting and receiving a plurality of non-backwards-compatible services. The broadcasting method includes receiving, by a first service provider, a plurality of first services, which include a first service from each of the first and second service providers. The first service provider generates a first broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of first services, and broadcasts the first broadcast multiplex on a first broadcast channel allocated to the first service provider. A second service provider receives a plurality of second services, which include a second service from each of the first and second service providers. The second service provider generates a second broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of second services, and broadcasts the second broadcast multiplex on a second broadcast channel allocated to the second service provider.
US09137563B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing an emergency alert message (e.g., a national warning system message e.g., an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message). The methods may comprise a digital media server receiving the message. The digital media server may notify client devices (that are connected to that server via a residential Local Area Network) that it has received such a message. The client devices notified may be those that have requested (e.g., to the digital media server) that they are notified if the digital media server receives such a message. The digital media server may convert the message from being in a first format to being in a second format. The digital media server may acquire, and provide for use by the client device, information that may be used a client device to ascertain whether the message is a new, an updated, or a duplicate message.
US09137562B2
The invention discloses a method of viewing audiovisual documents on a playback device, comprising a step for reading or receiving a document and a display step for viewing the images of this document on a screen. The method further comprises a step for reading or receiving an attribute associated with a time band of the document. A predetermined value of the attribute triggers on the device the enlargement of a part of the image on playback during said time band, because of which this image part occupies a larger area on screen.
US09137560B2
Exemplary methods and systems for providing access to content during the presentation of a media content instance are disclosed herein. As described in more detail below, a content presentation system may detect a predefined motion of a mobile device during a presentation of a media content instance by a media content access device, identify the media content instance, and provide access to the identified media content instance by way of the mobile device in response to the predefined motion. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US09137552B2
A system, method and various user interfaces enable association of advertising content with requested shared video content for access via a web-based video player. Advertising content is provided selectively in conjunction with playback of video content. Selection of how and where advertising is displayed is based on a flexibly managed balance between providing sufficiently noticeable opportunities to access advertising information and preserving a satisfying viewer experience in watching requested video content.
US09137546B2
A motion vector encoding apparatus includes: an optimum motion vector determiner for determining optimum motion vectors for multiple reference pictures with respect to a current motion vector of a current block; a motion vector encoding mode determiner for determining a motion vector encoding mode according to whether a motion vector decoding apparatus can predict the optimum motion vectors for the multiple reference pictures; and a motion vector encoder for generating and encoding motion information on the multiple reference pictures by using the optimum motion vectors for the multiple reference pictures or preset default motion vectors for the multiple reference pictures according to the motion vector encoding mode, and generating motion vector encoded data by encoding the motion vector encoding mode. The motion vector encoding apparatus can more accurately predict a predicted motion vector of the current motion vector for multiple reference pictures, so as to improve the compression efficiency.
US09137535B2
Method For Implementing A Quantizer In A Multimedia Compression And Encoding System is disclosed. In the Quantizer system of the present invention, several new quantization ideas are disclosed. In one embodiment, adjacent macroblocks are grouped together into macroblock groups. The macroblock groups are then assigned a common quantizer value. The common quantizer value may be selected based upon how the macroblocks are encoded, the type of macroblocks within the macroblock group (intra-blocks or inter-blocks), the history of the motion vectors associated with the macroblocks in the macroblock group, the residuals of the macroblocks in the macroblock group, and the energy of the macroblocks in the macroblock group. The quantizer value may be adjusted in a manner that is dependent on the current quantizer value. Specifically, if the quantizer value is at the low end of the quantizer scale, then only small adjustments are made. If the quantizer value is at the high end then larger adjustments may be made to the quantizer. Finally, in one embodiment, the quantizer is implemented along with an inverse quantizer for efficient operation.
US09137533B2
A video encoding method and apparatus and a video decoding method and apparatus are provided. The video encoding method includes: prediction encoding in units of a coding unit as a data unit for encoding a picture, by using partitions determined based on a first partition mode and a partition level, so as to select a partition for outputting an encoding result from among the determined partitions; and encoding and outputting partition information representing a first partition mode and a partition level of the selected partition. The first partition mode represents a shape and directionality of a partition as a data unit for performing the prediction encoding on the coding unit, and the partition level represents a degree to which the coding unit is split into partitions for detailed motion prediction.
US09137518B2
Methods and Systems are provided for converting a two-dimensional image sequence into a three-dimensional image. In one embodiment, a method for converting a two-dimensional image sequence into a three-dimensional image includes determining camera motion parameters between consecutive images in a monoscopic sequence of reference 2D images, wherein the consecutive images comprise a current reference image and an adjacent image, determining a horizontal disparity map for a target image using the camera motion parameters, determining a disparity probability value for each disparity vector of the disparity map, and determining a target image as a weighted average of pixel values in the current reference image using the disparity probability values, such that the target image and current reference image comprise a stereoscopic image pair.
US09137511B1
Devices and techniques are described for generating three-dimensional (3D) models of objects. Depth data acquired from a depth camera system is used with data about surface normals to generate a 3D model of the object. The depth camera system may use cameras or projectors with different baseline distances to generate depth data. The use of different baseline distances may improve accuracy of the depth data. The data about surface normals may be calculated from images acquired when the object is illuminated from different angles. By using the depth data and relative depth changes from the surface normal data, high resolution spatial data may be generated at high frame rates. Data from multiple baseline distances may also be combined to improve performance.
US09137506B2
A User Interface (UI) providing method and a photographing apparatus using the UI providing method are provided. The UI providing method includes capturing an image, calculating a “hand shake” value of the captured image by comparing the captured image with a pre-capture image corresponding to the captured image, and displaying a UI corresponding to the calculated “hand shake” value of the captured image along with the captured image. A user can decide whether to delete or edit a captured image based on “hand shake” information relating to the captured image.
US09137504B2
One form of the present invention provides a method of displaying multiple image streams that includes providing a first plurality of image streams, processing the plurality of image streams, thereby generating at least one processed image stream, and projecting the at least one processed image stream onto a non-planar surface with at least one projector, thereby generating a plurality of different projected image streams at a corresponding plurality of different positions on the non-planar surface.
US09137498B1
Embodiments for the detection of mobile device use in a motor vehicle are disclosed. As one example, a system and method are disclosed in which an image of a scene is captured via a camera. The presence of a graphical display of a mobile device is detected within the scene by processing the image to identify a signature pixel characteristic indicative of a graphical display in a portion of the scene corresponding to a driver's position within a vehicle frame of reference. An indication of a positive detection of the graphical display is output by the system.
US09137484B2
There is described a device for providing a media content item to a user, the device comprising: a media content item receiver operable to receive the media content item as a data stream, the data stream comprising identifying data which identifies the media content item; a memory operable to store user profile information associated with the user of the device; a supplementary information requester operable to transmit the identifying data which identifies the media content item, the user profile information, and a request for supplementary information related to the media content item to a server over a network; a supplementary information receiver operable to receive supplementary information related to the media content item from the server over the network, the supplementary information being determined by the server on the basis of the transmitted identifying data which identifies the media content item and the transmitted user profile information; and a supplementary information transmitter operable to transmit the received supplementary information to a separate personal user device specified by the stored user profile information.
US09137481B2
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores an image processing program executable by a processor to reproduce images from an imaging signal supplied from an imaging sensor that captures subject light. The program includes instructions to (i) generate a first movie image focused to a first region set in a through-image displayed on a display unit based on the imaging signal supplied from the imaging sensor, and subsequently generate a second movie image focused to a second region, different from the first region, set in the through-image displayed on the display unit based on the imaging signal; (ii) perform image processing in linking portions of each of the first and second movie images in order to link the first movie image and the second movie image in time sequence of each movie image to generate compiled movie images; and (iii) control the display unit to display the compiled movie images.
US09137474B2
A disclosed remote control, suitable for use with a set top box or other form of multimedia handling device, includes a processor, a user input device, and a display. The user input device and the display are communicatively coupled to the processor. A communication adapter is configured to place the processor in bi-directional communication with the multimedia handling device. The remote control further includes a storage medium that may include a unique identifier of the user and a user profile indicative of the user's channel preferences and viewing permissions. The storage medium may further include software instructions to synchronize the user profile with a corresponding user profile on the multimedia handling device, receive input from the user via the user input device, the input including commands from the user to manipulate the multimedia handling device, and display output on the display screen in response to the user's commands.
US09137472B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.
US09137468B2
An output impedance of a drive unit configured to drive a drive line is set to be varied during a period in which a drive pulse for setting each transfer transistor to be in a conductive state is supplied and during a period in which a drive pulse for setting each transfer transistor to be in a non-conductive state is supplied.
US09137464B2
A low-resolution image having a low resolution and low frequency band is generated from an image sensed by using a single board color image sensor, and pseudo color suppression and color noise suppression are performed on each of the image and low-resolution image. The resolution of the low-resolution image is then restored, and weighted combination is performed on this image and the former image. If it is determined that a pixel of interest belongs to a region where a pseudo color is generated, a MIX ratio calculator (205, 225) for calculating a ratio coefficient for combination calculates a ratio coefficient by which a color signal of a pixel of the low-resolution image having the restored resolution is the result of the weighted combination. This makes it possible to effectively suppress both a pseudo color and color noise.
US09137457B2
A digital photographing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit that obtains first image data from an input image and generates second image data using the first image data according to a condition that is previously set. A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes obtaining first image data from an input image and generating second image data using the first image data according to a condition that is previously set.
US09137454B2
The present invention discloses a method of filming a high dynamic range video. The method includes: using an image sensor to capture an original frame which is interlaced by a plurality of long exposure areas and a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a long exposure field via a plurality of long exposure areas and forming a short exposure field via a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a reconstructed long exposure field and a reconstructed short exposure field having the same resolution as the original frame via a reconstruction process by a pixel value of each pixel in the long exposure field and the short exposure field; and forming a high dynamic range image based on the pixel value of each pixel of the reconstructed long exposure field and the reconstructed short exposure field via a merging process.
US09137452B2
An image sensor includes a pixel unit configured to output a bayer pattern by converting an optical signal of a subject into an electrical signal; and a vertical interpolation unit configured to generate a vertical binning image by adding or averaging values of vertical pixels of the bayer pattern based on weight information set for each row region of the bayer pattern. Further, the image sensor includes a horizontal interpolation unit configured to generate a horizontal binning image by adding or averaging values of horizontal pixels of the bayer pattern based on weight information set for each column region of the bayer pattern; and an image composition unit configured to generate a weight-based binning image by composing the vertical and horizontal binning images.
US09137450B2
An image sensing apparatus obtains the weighted average luminance of an image sensing target that puts weight on a main subject in an obtained luminance distribution of the image sensing target. The image sensing apparatus decides exposure control values based on the average luminance of a region that is lower than the weighted average luminance, out of regions each of a predetermined size contained in the image sensing target, and the weighted average luminance.
US09137448B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an optical system configured to form an image of an object; an imaging unit configured to image an image of the object and generate image data; a first image generating unit configured to generate a first image data based on image data from a first area of the image data; a second image generating unit configured to generate a second image data based on image data from a second area of the image data; and a controller which (A) detects a setting operation and then sets the first area in the second area, and (B) detects a zooming operation and then performs zooming of the optical system, wherein a zooming range of the optical system is limited based on a setting of the second area.
US09137431B2
A camera having an internal antenna includes a metal body portion forming an external surface of the camera, excluding one side surface. A non-metallic injection grip portion comprises the one side surface and is fastened to the metal body portion. An antenna portion having at least one radiator is disposed within the injection grip portion. The configuration can allow for a more efficient arrangement of radiators and other components, reduce interference between the antenna and metal components of the camera, and can exhibit an aesthetic appearance.
US09137425B2
A method and device for detecting a potential defect in an image comprises acquiring a digital image at a time; storing image acquisition data, wherein the image acquisition data includes at least one of a position of a source of light relative to a lens, a distance from the source of light to the lens, a focal length of the lens, a distance from a point on a digital image acquisition device to a subject, an amount of ambient light, or flash intensity; determining dynamic anthropometric data, wherein the dynamic anthropometric data includes one or more dynamically changing human body measurements, of one or more humans represented in the image, captured at the time; and determining a course of corrective action based, at least in part, on the image acquisition data and the dynamic anthropometric data.
US09137412B2
An illuminator, a scanner module and an apparatus are provided. The scanner module includes an illuminator that includes a light source, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light from the light source, a guide holder recessed with a light guide mounting portion in which the light guide is mounted, and at least one supporting protrusion protruding from an entrance of the light guide mounting portion into the light guide mounting portion to support the light guide received in the light guide mounting portion. As the light guide is supported by the supporting protrusion formed at the entrance of the light guide mounting portion, it is possible to reduce deformation of the light guide and/or to prevent the light guide from being falling out of the light guide mounting portion when subjected to, e.g., a shock.
US09137408B2
A total-current control unit is configured to add a fuser current of a fuser unit to a load current of the load to thereby obtain a total current to be supplied from a commercial power supply to the image forming apparatus, the total-current control unit being configured to control the total current to be at a predetermined limit value or less. An auxiliary power supply is configured to supply an auxiliary current to the load. The total-current control unit is further configured to provide first control to control the total current to be at the limit value or less and allow the auxiliary power supply to supply the auxiliary current to the load, thereby supplying, to the load, a current obtained by adding the auxiliary current to the load current, if an increase in the load current causes the total current to exceed the limit value.
US09137404B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a document size detecting section, a recording medium size selecting section, and a control section. When one of a pair of image data sets to be placed on both sides of a common recording medium by image formation of the image forming section is greater in length of the document size detected by the document size detecting section than the other, the recording medium size selecting section selects, as a size of the recording medium for the pair of image data sets, a size greater in length than the other image data set. When the other image data set is to be formed as an image on a page preceding the one image data set, the control section allows the image forming section to form the image on an area from a leading edge to a middle of the recording medium.
US09137401B2
An electronic apparatus includes: a touch panel, a content storage unit that stores content to be displayed on the touch panel in different languages; a selected language storage unit that stores a selected language; a content display unit that displays, on the touch panel, content in the selected language stored in the selected language storage unit, from pieces of content stored in the content storage unit in the languages; and a language setting unit that displays a language selection screen on the touch panel if a particular operation is accepted in a non-explicit area, which is not explicitly indicated as being ready for accepting an operation, the language selection screen being one of screens displayed on the touch panel, and also stores, in the selected language storage unit, a language selected by an operation accepted on the language selection screen.
US09137397B2
An image sensing and printing digital camera device includes a housing defining a slot for receiving a printed instruction card having printed thereon an array of dots representing a programming script, the housing further storing therein a roll of print media; an area image sensor for sensing an image and generating pixel data representing the image; a linear image sensor for scanning the array of dots on the card and converting the array of dots into a data signal; a microcontroller provided in the housing, the microcontroller for decoding the data signal into the programming script and applying the programming script on the pixel data; and a printing mechanism for printing the pixel data, having applied thereto the programming script, on the roll of print media. The microcontroller integrates on a single chip a VLIW processor, a printhead interface, and an output buffer effecting communication between the VLIW processor and the printhead interface.
US09137396B2
A facsimile apparatus which makes it possible to certainly perform facsimile communication via an IP network. The facsimile makes connection with a communication destination according to Session Initiation Protocol to perform facsimile communication with the communication destination via an IP network. A first connection sequence of starting call connection using a session of performing image communication is executed, and then a second connection sequence of starting call connection using a session of performing voice communication is executed. When one of the first connection sequence and the second connection sequence fails in the call connection, the other of the first connection sequence and the second connection sequence executes the call connection.
US09137395B2
An image processing device may comprising a USB I/F and a control device. The USB I/F may be configured to receive USB data packets transmitted by a data processing device. The USB I/F may be configured to cause a specific buffer corresponding to one USB endpoint for reception to store content data included in the received USB data packets. The control device may be configured to: execute one or more processing on the basis of an HTTP command; execute image processing on the basis of a particular command other than the HTTP command; and execute content data allocation processing. The content data allocation processing may include: causing content data including the HTTP command to be processed in the execution of the one or more processing; and causing content data including the particular command to be processed in the execution of the image processing.
US09137391B2
Size information indicating sizes of a plurality of images is acquired from at least one server. Based on the sizes of the plurality of images indicated by the acquired size information, an image having a size corresponding to an output performance of an output device used to output the plurality of images is selected as an image to be output to the output device.
US09137388B2
A telephone with a card reader is disclosed. The telephone includes means for providing a first communication service. The card includes a memory, which stores information, where the telephone reads the information stored in the memory and provides a means for providing a second communication service based on the information. In providing the second communication service, the telephone obtains second communication service information from a datastore, which includes pairs of information and corresponding second communication service information. The telephone may include the datastore. The telephone may alternatively obtain the second communication service information from or a service server in response to a request. Alternatively, the information stored in the memory can be the second communication service information itself.
US09137383B2
Systems, apparatus, and methods for collaborative and distributed emergency multimedia data management are described. In one aspect, a system includes a packet data reception interface. The system further includes a rules engine coupled with the packet data reception interface and configured to select a processing profile for packet data received, the rules engine further configured to associate packet data received with stored packet data. The system also includes a policy engine coupled with the rules engine and configured to execute the processing profile for packet data received.
US09137378B2
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party. Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list. A party to a call may be offered one or more payment mechanisms for completing a purchase in an on-line or real-world transaction.
US09137372B2
The methods, apparatus, and systems described herein are designed to route customer communications to the best available agent. The methods include predicting a personality type of the customer, determining the occupancy level of agents to provide a list of available agents, providing a routing recommendation based on the predicted personality type of the customer and agent data such as proficiency in handling customers with the predicted personality type, and/or analyzing real-time customer-agent interactions.
US09137370B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods that provide for maintenance of the status of availability of call-center agents through the use of local arbitration between processes and applications that may interact with more than one resource of telephone contacts between differing activities or work for these call-center agents. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US09137367B1
Described herein are systems and methods for generating and ascribing credit to customer representatives for facilitating conversations between the customer and other customer representatives. A representative may store notes regarding an interaction with a customer. Subsequently, a different representative may utilize those notes to facilitate a future interaction with the customer, and accordingly and concurrently indicate that the notes were useful. As a result of this indication, a rating related to the original representative may be positively influenced. This information may also be used to measure the relationship between the company and the customer and/or as a measure of how some or all customer representatives are performing.
US09137365B2
Methods and apparatus for improving a contact with a customer in a contact handling system are disclosed. The method can include receiving communication from the customer via the first media. The method can include transitioning serially from a first media to a second media. The method can include abandoning the first media during the transition. The method can include receiving communication from the customer via the second media at the contact handling system.
US09137359B2
Provided are a terminal and a method for managing a call function of a terminal, including a call termination and call retransmission function based on a state of a terminal using a voice recognition or a sensor. The method for managing a call function of a terminal includes sequentially acquiring at least one input voice during a phone call, extracting a finally acquired voice from the at least one voice when call termination is requested, and storing information about the finally acquired voice in a database under a call termination command.
US09137349B2
The present disclosure provides a multi-antenna mobile phone data card and method for reducing a specific absorption rate, where the data card includes: a radio frequency (RF) substrate, antennas configured to transmit and receive signals, and a feed source, connected between the RF substrate and the antennas, configured to excite the antennas, the RF substrate has a rectangular shape, and the feed source is arranged at a first corner of the RF substrate, a first hollow portion is arranged at a second corner which is adjacent to the first corner and is located on a short side of the RF substrate on which the first corner is located, the first hollow portion is provided with a first metal strip, the first metal strip has an end connected with the short side, and another end as a free end, a first electrical length formed from the feed source to the free end of the first metal strip is equal to a second electrical length formed from the feed source to another short side along a long side on which the first corner is located. According to the present disclosure, through the method of changing the shape of the RF substrate, the same electrical lengths is obtained from the feed source respectively to several edge points on the RF substrate, and thus reducing the current peak and the SAR value on the RF substrate and saving the structure space, thereby reducing the radiation hazard of the data card to the human body.
US09137345B2
A communication terminal, system and method utilize a communication device that activates a speech to text application so that subsequent audio that is received from a caller is converted into text. A caller may then provide audio in response to a question. A caller may send input by pressing a button on a communication device for example, to activate the speech to text application, speak an answer, and then press a button to indicate that an answer to a question is complete. The spoken answer may be converted into text and may then be stored, parsed, and then assigned to an object representing the question posed to a caller. The stored text assigned to the object representing the question may then be used to populate different forms or databases for subsequent use or for displaying to a user via a display device of that person's computer device.
US09137340B2
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for adding, deleting, and modifying rules in one update from the perspective of an active search process for packet classification. While a search processor searches for one or more rules that match keys generated from received packets, there is a need to add, delete, or modify rules. By adding, deleting, and modifying rules in one update from the perspective of an active search process for packet classification, performance and functionality of the active search process may be maintained, thereby preventing packet loss and preserving throughput.
US09137335B2
M-PHY communications are provided over a mass storage-based interface. Related connectors, systems, and methods are also disclosed. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure take the M-PHY standard compliant signals and direct them through a memory card compliant connector so as to allow two M-PHY standard compliant devices having memory card based connectors to communicate.
US09137319B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, support a browser privacy mode in a plugin of the browser. In one aspect, a method includes applying a private browsing mode of a browser in a plugin program of the browser, the applying including: obtaining, in a process, an indication of the private browsing mode of the browser; specifying, in response to the indication, that an instance of the plugin program initiated within the process is set to run in a private data mode that cannot be exited; receiving, in the instance of the plugin program initiated within the process and set to run in the private data mode, information that results in locally cached data; and saving, in response to the receiving, the locally cached data entirely in volatile memory without saving to persistent storage.
US09137317B2
A method and apparatus for identifying information as protected information using a structure is described. A DLP system, incorporating a structure analyzer, monitors outbound data transfers performed by the computing system for violations of a DLP policy. The DLP system analyzes a structure of information contained in an outbound data transfer against a protected structure defined in a DLP policy. The DLP system identifies the information as protected information to be protected by the DLP policy based on the analysis, and, when the information is identified as protected, the DLP system detects a violation of the DLP policy. The protected structure may be derived from document templates, document forms, or from a set of training documents.
US09137315B2
A system including a location server configured to receive registration data from an IP device and a location database configured to store location information of the IP device, wherein the location server queries the location database to determine whether the registration data matches the location information stored at the location database.
US09137313B2
Provided are a data transmission system and method of using a relay server. In the data transmission method using the relay server, the relay server transmits a registration result message to a client after registering the client through a registration packet when the client transmits the registration packet to the relay server. The relay server transmits registration information of the client to a location server. The location server stores client registration information according to each client.
US09137309B2
Improved techniques and systems to calibrate an electronic device that is providing activity sensing are disclosed. The activity being sensed can, for example, correspond to walking or running by a user. In one embodiment, calibration can be performed by a portable electronic device so that activity data it receives from a remote sensor device can be more accurately processed. The improved techniques and systems to calibrate can be used to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor. The portable electronic device can also offer a convenient user interface that can be visual and/or audio based, customized to a particular application, user-friendly and/or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a portable media player and thus also provide media playback.
US09137304B2
A distributed cloud storage system includes a cloud storage broker logically residing between a client platform and a plurality of remote cloud storage platforms. The cloud storage broker mediates execution of a cloud storage process that involves dividing a data item into multiple portions and allocating the portions to multiple selected cloud storage platforms according to first and second rules defining a key known only to the cloud storage broker or to the client. At some later time when it is desired to retrieve the data item, the key is retrieved from storage and the rules are executed in a reverse fashion to retrieve and reassemble the data item.
US09137302B1
Systems and methods for content delivery are disclosed. A content delivery system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of content delivery networks, and at least one network selector, wherein the at least one network selector analyzes a content delivery request, determines which content delivery networks in the plurality of content delivery networks are suitable for fulfilling the content delivery request, and selects one of the suitable content delivery networks to fulfill the content delivery request.
US09137300B1
When a client requests content from a Content Delivery Network based system (or other system), that content is typically provided from a source capable of providing high performance to that client. However, if the system determines that the client is using a slow connection, then the content is transmitted to the client from a source that provides a lower performance to that client, with a minimal or no performance penalty observable by the user of the client.
US09137299B2
The invention provides a system, a method and a computer program product that facilitate access to one or more applications by a computing device. The invention includes determining one or more contexts associated with at least one of the computing device and a user of the computing device, such that the one or more contexts describe at least one of an environment and an activity of the at least one of the user and the computing device. Thereafter at least one contextual tag corresponding to the one or more contexts is generated. Subsequently, the one or more applications associated with the at least one contextual tag are identified and the computing device is enabled to access the one or more applications.
US09137293B2
A method of transferring a file via a network includes following steps: transmitting a read request packet from a client to a server, the read request packet having multiple-packets-transmission information, wherein the multiple-packets-transmission information is labeled with an amount index, and transmitting a plurality of data packets corresponding to the file from the server to the client continuously according to an amount index of the multiple-packets-transmission information after the server receives the read request packet. The client receives the plurality of data packets from the server without replying any acknowledgement packet to the server within the continuous transmission of the plurality of data packets.
US09137289B2
A method for facilitating a stateless transmission of data between data sources and client devices may be provided. A message is received from each of the data sources. The message includes data obtained by the respective data source and data indicative of a destination address for the data. The destination address is associated with a client device of the client devices. For each message, the data is stored based on the destination address for the data. A request for data is received from one of the client devices. The request includes data indicative of an address associated with the one of the plurality of client devices. When the address associated with the one of the plurality of client devices corresponds to the destination address for any of the stored data, the stored data with the corresponding destination address is transmitted to the one of the client devices.
US09137281B2
A media system includes a computer network, a plurality of media devices coupled to the computer network, and a system controller coupled to the computer network. The computer network allows a guest device supporting a network-based media sharing protocol to be coupled thereto. The computer network by default prevents the guest device from utilizing the network-based media sharing protocol to share media content with the media devices. The system controller selects a subset of the media devices for which media sharing is to be enabled for the guest device, the subset including at least one of the media devices but not all of the media devices. The system controller dynamically reconfigures components of the computer network in response to an event occurrence to enable the guest device to utilize the network-based media sharing protocol to share media over the computer network with only the subset of the media devices.
US09137279B2
A method for transporting multimedia information, wherein the multimedia information has several data streams. At least two of the data streams represent at least partially alternative contents of the multimedia information. The multimedia information includes at least one forking point for selecting one of at least two of the data streams. One of the data streams is selected based on a trigger provided by at least one decentralized component. An item of control information is provided for the data stream thus selected. A corresponding device is configured for processing the multimedia information accordingly.
US09137277B2
A communication apparatus going to acquire transmission right accepts input of specifying a communication apparatus as a main target of output among other communication apparatuses, and then performs multi-address calling of output data to the other communication apparatuses. At executing output processing on the basis of the output data, the specified communication apparatus executes output processing such as image output and voice output for notifying the fact of being specified. In a system of PoC service or the like where one communication apparatus among a plurality of communication apparatuses acquires transmission right of transmitting voice data, and then performs multi-address calling of voice data to a plurality of the other communication apparatuses, it is avoided that a target person of speech who is a main target of transmission of voice data among all users operating the other communication apparatuses fails to listen to a speech.
US09137275B2
Recording a first user's preference for a content contribution submitted by a second user is disclosed. In response to only a single action taken by the first user interacting with a web page, an indication is received that a preference event occurred. The preference event is associated with the content contribution. Information associated with the first user's profile is updated. At least a portion of the web page is continued to be displayed to the user after receiving the preference event.
US09137268B2
The present invention provides a method, a terminal, and a server for obtaining a heartbeat period. According to the present invention, the terminal sends a first heartbeat message that includes location information of the terminal to the server and obtains a heartbeat period which corresponds to the foregoing location information directly from the server. This avoids each terminal needing to perform multiple heartbeat message interactions with the server when determining a heartbeat period that best matches a current network, thereby reducing power consumption of the terminal and signaling loads of a device at the network side.
US09137256B2
Method and apparatus for packet source validation architechure system for enhanced internet security
A router in a global computer network for enhanced Internet security provides for an adaptation of major routers of the global computer network with a packet source validation function. The validation function checks the presence of a source validation code in the header of a packet and routs only those packets that have the source validation code. The validation function after checking the presence of the source validation code, verifies the source validation code with reference to a key server.
US09137254B2
Certain embodiments may take the form of a method of operating an electronic device to find and determine an identity of other local devices. The method includes transmitting electromagnetic signals from a first electronic device to find devices within a prescribed distance of the first device and receiving electromagnetic response signals from a second electronic device within the prescribed distance from the first electronic device. The method also includes identifying the second electronic device using information received in the electromagnetic response signals. Additionally, the method includes determining if the second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices and, if the second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices, obtaining identifying information of the other devices from the second electronic device.
US09137244B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include generating a random number to be associated with an information handling resource. The method may also include generating a challenge string based at least on the random number. The method may additionally include encrypting the challenge string using a first shared secret. The method may further include receiving a one-time password generated by a vendor associated with the information handling resource, the one-time password generated by decrypting the challenge string using the first shared secret, parsing the random number from the decrypted challenge string, and digitally signing the decrypted challenge string with a digital signature using a second shared secret. The method may also include granting user access to the information handling resource in response to verifying, using the second shared secret, that the digital signature matches the random number.
US09137243B2
An authentication system 1 that uses sound to transmit one-time password(s) may be equipped with portable terminal(s) 10, authentication terminal(s) 30, and authentication server(s) 50. Portable terminal 10 may be equipped with password generating unit(s) 21 which encrypt information including password generation user identifier(s) issued by authentication server(s) 50 and generate one-time password(s), encoding unit(s) 22 which encode one-time password(s) and generate baseband signal(s), carrier wave generating unit(s) 23 which generate carrier wave(s) in audible band(s), modulating unit(s) 25 which use baseband signal(s) to modulate carrier wave(s) and generate modulated signal(s), and speaker(s) 17 which transmit modulated signal(s) in the form of sound wave(s). One-time password(s) may be input as sound wave(s) from portable terminal(s) 10 to authentication terminal(s) 30.
US09137237B2
A certification application automatically generates a certification document associated with a service. A transformation module retrieves a component information associated with a status of a service from a data store maintaining the component information. The component security data and component metadata is included within the component information. The component information is transformed for insertion into a certification information. Risk analysis, phraseology, and localization data is used to transform the component information. The certification document is generated based on the certification template by inserting the component information into the certification template.
US09137234B2
Provided is a system and method for providing a certificate, and more specifically a certificate for network access upon a second system based on at least one criteria and an established identity with a first system. The method includes receiving criteria, such as at least one predefined attribute. Also received from a user known to a first system is a request for network access to a second system, the request having at least one identifier. The first system is then queried with the identifier for attributes associated with the user. The attributes associated with the user are evaluated to the predefined attribute(s). In response to at least one attribute associated with the user correlating to the predefined attribute(s), providing a certificate with at least one characteristic for network access on the second system to the user. An associated system for providing a Certificate is also provided.
US09137230B2
An information processing apparatus includes a request information reception unit that receives a request for information processing from a client apparatus, an inquiry information transmission unit that inquires about the presence of authentication information for the information processing, first and second determination units, a prompt information transmission unit, an acquisition information reception unit, and a process start unit. If the first determination unit determines that any piece of the authentication information is missing, using a response to the inquiry, the second determination unit determines whether a second apparatus is to be prompted to obtain the missing authentication information, based on predetermined information. If the determination result is positive, the prompt information transmission unit transmits a prompt to the second apparatus. When the acquisition information reception unit receives an acquisition notification of the missing authentication information from the second apparatus, the process start unit starts the information processing.
US09137226B2
An authentication method and device, authentication centre and system are provided. The method comprises: receiving at least one access request and obtaining sub-key information from the access request; generating a group key according to the obtained sub-key information, and interacting with the network side according to the group key to perform the group authentication. The solution can solve the problem that the one-to-one authentication causes network load in the present art, implement the authentication of multiple nodes at one time, reduce network resources and the network load of the server, and can be appropriate for the authentication of the terminal nodes in the internet of things, and can greatly improve the availability of services in the internet of things.
US09137215B2
Methods and Systems for non-intrusive real-time analysis of secure communications between a first application and a second application, wherein the first and second applications communicate through a communication channel. A plurality of secure communications between the first application and the second application is non-intrusively and securely captured. The plurality of communications is processed to process communications from a physical layer to a network layer. The plurality of communications is grouped into a plurality of streams and connection meta information is added to each stream, wherein each stream represents a single network connection. A plurality of transactions is created from the communications included in the plurality of streams, wherein a stream within the plurality of streams is encrypted, and the encrypted stream is decrypted.
US09137208B2
Systems, apparatus and methods are described for providing information access to network devices. A directory server registers identification information about a first network device coupled to a first network. The first network and the directory server may be coupled to a second network, which may include a wide area network, public network, or the Internet. The identification information may include a network address of the first network device on the first network, or a network address of the first network on the second network. The directory server may receive and process requests for identification information about registered network devices, and may selectively reply to the requests based on status information of the first network device.
US09137206B2
An ordered sequence of two or more facet provider objects are associated and each is configured to select successive subsets of data in a registry via a database upon a user request to create and configure a faceted selection. Upon a user selection of a save feature, each associated facet provider object is serialized in the ordered sequence, and each serialization is collected into an ordered list of serializations and saved. The serialization of each facet provider object is performed by one of the respective facet provider object and a facet provider object of a same type as the respective facet provider object. A selection statement is constructed from the associated facet provider objects in the ordered sequence. A difference between the constructed selection statement and an actual selection statement is calculated and the selection statement difference is appended to the saved ordered list of serializations.
US09137200B2
An originating P-CSCF node receives a SIP INVITE request from first user equipment (UE) that originates a call to a second UE. If a relay candidate address for the first UE is not present in the SIP INVITE request, the SIP INVITE request is modified to include a first address provided by an originating IMS-AGW node as a relay candidate for the first UE and forwarded to the second UE. The originating P-CSDF node receives a SIP INVITE response message from the second UE in response to the SIP INVITE request. If a relay candidate address for the second UE is not present in the SIP INVITE response, the SIP invite response is modified to include a second address provided by an originating IMS-AGW node as a relay candidate for the second UE and forwarded t the first UE. The address information is used by both UEs in ICE operations.
US09137194B1
A system and method for associating users with a micro-community that is relevant to an object reference. The object reference is anything that can be perceived either physically or conceptually, such as a location, a document, a calendar entry, a document, a news feed, a biometric key, an image, a news feed, etc. A micro-community engine identifies users who are associated explicitly with the object reference as well as people who would be interested in the object implicitly and associates them with a micro-community. The micro-community engine provides an intuitive and flexible means for communication between members of the micro-community.
US09137186B2
[Object] To provide a means that enables information exchange with more fun by reducing dull and uninteresting impression in the information exchanged via a network.[Solution] Each member of an instant messaging system 1 connects an aroma emitting adapter 13 to a terminal device 12 and loads an aroma cartridge 14 containing aroma liquid in the aroma emitting adapter 13, whereby the member can log on a messaging server device 11. The terminal device 12 of the member who logs onto displays names of the members with whom the message exchange or conversation can be made among the other members who are currently logged on. Upon the reception of the message or voice calling from another member, the terminal device 12 instructs the aroma emitting adapter 13 to emit the aroma and the aroma emitting adapter 13 thus emits aroma by releasing the aroma liquid contained in the aroma cartridge 14. As a result, the message or conversation can be accompanied by the aroma.
US09137183B2
A system for flexible and scalable automated chat-based contact center testing, comprising a test case management platform, “chat cruncher”, contact center manager, chat classifier, and desktop automation engine, and method for using such a system for automated testing of a contact center's chat-based interactions environment and reporting of test results.
US09137178B2
A device, of a cloud computing environment, receives an instruction to create a virtual packet tracker from a user device associated with a user, and implements the virtual packet tracker in the device based on the instruction. The virtual packet tracker: receives a packet that includes a unique value used to track the packet in a portion of the cloud computing environment associated with the user; provides the packet for routing through the portion; receives an indication that the packet is dropped at a particular resource of the portion; determines whether a problem causing the packet to be dropped can be corrected; and processes the problem based on whether the problem can be corrected. The problem is corrected when it is determined that the problem can be corrected. Information associated with the packet is transmitted to the user device when it is determined that the problem cannot be corrected.
US09137171B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes providing a multi-radio connectivity service to a mobile subscriber, and managing the multi-radio connectivity service for the mobile subscriber. The managing can include: providing admission control; providing privileged subscriber access at a plurality of WiFi access points; providing signaling for quality of service (QoS) equivalence across a WiFi network and a mobile network; and distributing certain traffic based on a policy.
US09137166B2
One embodiment provides a system that performs in-order traffic aggregation from a number of low-speed ports to a high-speed port. During operation, the system receives at a low-speed port a packet, stores it in a store-and-forward FIFO associated with the low-speed port, extracts a sequence number associated with the stored packet, and stores the extracted sequence number in a sequence-number FIFO associated with the low-speed port. The system further generates an expected sequence number, which maintains a linear order with respect to sequence numbers associated with previously forwarded packets, and determines whether a front end of the sequence-number FIFO matches the expected sequence number. If so, the system removes the front end of the sequence-number FIFO buffer, retrieves a packet associated with it, forwards the retrieved packet on the high-speed port, and updates the expected sequence number by adding 1 to the packet number of the retrieved packet.
US09137163B2
Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.
US09137155B2
A method, system and computer readable medium for advertising and interoperating Layer 2 VPN services from an access node to a core network. The method can include executing, using one or more processors, a routing protocol on an access node to establish adjacency with a core network node in an access mode. The method can also include mapping, using the one or more processors, an access network Layer 2 service identifier to a core network service identifier. The method can further include advertising, using the one or more processors, a mapping for the L2VPN service to the core network node. The method can also include sending, using the one or more processors, network traffic from the access node to the core network node without core network encapsulation.
US09137154B2
Techniques are provided for managing a routing table in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks, that may share a routing table. The shared routing table is configured with counters and thresholds to control utilization of the routing table on a per-logical network basis. When counters exceed certain threshold, the routing table is modified to reduce routing entries within the routing table or pause insertion of new routing entries.
US09137153B2
A network bridge configured to convey customer traffic between a customer equipment and any of an MPLS network and an Ethernet network is disclosed. The network bridge comprises a C-VLAN component, an S-VLAN component and an MPLS component. The C-VLAN component can receive an Ethernet frame that carries the customer traffic, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component or to the MPLS component in dependence of a C-VID value of the Ethernet frame. The MPLS component can, when the Ethernet frame is received from the C-VLAN component, add MPLS information to the Ethernet frame, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component. The S-VLAN component then forwards the Ethernet frame to any of the MPLS network and the Ethernet network. A related network core bridge, methods and computer-readable medium are also described.
US09137150B2
A chassis type switch is provided which can shorten a time required for switching-over to a backup route when a failure has occurred in a line card. In a chassis type switch including a plurality of line cards within a chassis, the switch further includes a failure detection unit for detecting a failure in each of the plural line cards, and a forced flooding processing unit included in each of the plural line cards and operating such that when, in trying to transfer a received unicast frame to another line card, a failure is detected in the relevant line card at a transfer destination, the received unicast frame is forcibly transferred to all ports of the own line card other than a reception port thereof and to all other line cards.
US09137145B2
Provided is a communication method of a hub that selects a transmission route from the hub to a receiving terminal of a receiving virtual group based on interface information about at least one interface which is available for use by the receiving terminal and is received from the receiving terminal and interface information about at least one interface which is available for use by a transmitting terminal of a transmitting virtual group and is received from the transmitting terminal.
US09137134B2
A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.
US09137127B2
A system and method that includes executing communication processes in an application platform, which comprises on behalf of outside entities, negotiating communications between a set of internal resources and at least one external resource using at least a first communication protocol and a second protocol; capturing internal log information during execution of the application platform; receiving a request to access log information by an outside entity; synthesizing the internal log information of the first protocol and at least a second protocol into a unified communication report; and transmitting the unified communication report.
US09137122B2
The present invention involves retrieving edges that do not constitute a designated network model which is a network model designated by a user and are linked to nodes that constitute the designated network model, displaying retrieval results that include the retrieved edges and network model IDs corresponding to the edges in a selectable manner, and generating an integrated network model in which, when the retrieval results are selected by the user, the edges that are included in the selected retrieval results and the nodes that do not constitute the designated network model and are linked to the edges, are integrated into the designated network model.
US09137121B1
Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of changes to a hosted network. In one aspect, a resource optimization manager obtains an identification of one or more changes to be implemented on a hosted network. The network validation manager component simulates the implementation of the identified changes and records state information associated with the monitored simulation. The network validation manager component generates a network change template that includes the information recorded from the simulation of the change to the hosted network. In another aspect, the network validation manager component can utilize network change templates to monitor the implementation of changes to the hosted network. The network change templates can then be utilized to determine whether to proceed with implementation of the change to the hosted network or whether to revert the hosted network to a condition prior to the implementation of the identified change.
US09137110B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, determining whether some or all portions of an application stack implemented on a distributed system are vulnerable to availability issues. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on comparing one or more customer graphs with one or more model, curated, or best practice graphs of a distributed system, availability risks and/or deployment recommendations may be provided. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation and/or migration operations may be performed automatically or provided as recommendations.
US09137104B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of remotely communicating with a managed machine. One example method of operation may include selecting the managed machine operating in a communication network, transmitting a connection request message to the managed machine and establishing a secure connection between the managed machine and an administrator machine. The example method may also include responsive to connecting with the managed machine, executing a host service on the managed machine, and connecting to the host service over the communication network via an application client operating on the administrator machine.
US09137102B1
Techniques are described for providing managed virtual computer networks whose configured logical network topology may have one or more virtual networking devices, such as by a network-accessible configurable network service, with corresponding networking functionality provided for communications between multiple computing nodes of a virtual computer network by emulating functionality that would be provided by the networking devices if they were physically present. The networking functionality provided for a managed computer network may include supporting a connection between that managed computer network and one or more other managed computer networks, such as via a provided virtual peering router to which each of the managed computer networks may connect, with the functionality of the virtual peering router being emulated by modules of the configurable network service without physically providing the virtual peering router, including to manage routing communications between the inter-connected managed computer networks in accordance with client-specified configuration information.
US09137101B2
A network management and monitoring application employs diagnostic messages for confirming network path connectivity and identifying and locating connectivity faults. Diagnostic messages similar to conventional “ping” and “traceroute” messages traverse the network along a prescribed path for which diagnostic feedback is desired. The application receives and analyzes return messages sent from network entities along the path to ascertain connectivity issues on the path. The application receives layer 3 identifiers such as IP addresses, however performs diagnostic operations such as continuity checks based on layer 2 identifiers such as MAC (Media Access Control) identifiers because certain network entities operate on L2 identifiers and would otherwise evade a continuity check based on layer 3 identifiers. The monitoring application therefore performs continuity diagnostics such as ping and traceroute operations using L2 identifiers, therefore pinpointing problems with an L2 network forwarding entity such as a bridge that lies between L3 entities such as routers.
US09137099B2
A method for link aggregation failure protection includes: receiving failure information including a failure location and an identity of more than one corresponding logical link, a failed physical link and more than one physical link form an LAG, each physical link in the LAG corresponds to logical links with a same identity, and the logical links with the same identity in the LAG correspond to an RSP device of a backbone layer and a receiving device of an access layer and forward data separately through more than two aggregation devices at an aggregation layer locating between the backbone layer and the access layer; according to the failure information, bundling a logical link corresponding to the failed physical link with a logical link corresponding to a physical link without failure in the LAG to form a logical LAG; and transmitting, through the logical LAG, data sent to the failed physical link.
US09137096B1
A network compliance application performs a method of coalescing violation data based on rule and policy violations by retrieving network event data indicative of compliance with a set of policies, in which each of the policies has a set of rules. Policy definition includes a template of rules, definition of rule severity, and a compliance threshold specifying a number of rules of a severity that render the policy non-compliant. The compliance application computes, for each of the policies, violations, each violation indicative of a deviation from a particular rule, and displays a series of views indicative of a plurality of policies in the set of policies, each of the views indicative of violations attributable to each of the policies. From the displayed view, the application receives a detail selection corresponding to a subset of the displayed violations for detailed report display.
US09137094B1
A method includes receiving a request to associate a user-specified domain name with an application function, identifying a registrar system based on the user-specified domain name, and generating a domain record file including domain record information that, when processed by the registrar system, is operable to cause association of the user-specified domain name with the application function. The method also includes identifying a configuration URL based on the user-specified domain name. The configuration URL includes a configuration hostname associated with the registrar system and a configuration pathname that corresponds to a record-setting API that is operable to modify one or more domain name records that are associated with the user-specified domain name. The method also includes transmitting the domain record file to the registrar system using the configuration URL.
US09137088B2
A method and system for processing data packets is described within. The method executed by the system includes the steps of receiving a first data packet, determining if the first data packet is a first expected data packet, determining if the first data packet is a next expected date packet, storing the first data patent if the first data packet is the next expected data packet and waiting a period of time for a second data packet.
US09137086B1
A method for social media session access includes, by a computing device, receiving a user request to join a social media session. If the social media session has less than a predetermined quantity of current users, the user is granted access to the session. If the social media session has the predetermined quantity of current users, information about the user is stored user in a list of users waiting to join the session. As slots in the session become available, users are selected from the waitlist. An owner of the session may determine the criteria used in selecting from among multiple users in the waitlist.
US09137081B2
The application relates to the satellite navigation signal, generating method, generating device, receiving method and receiving device. The navigation satellite signal generating device includes a baseband signal generator, a multiplexed signal generator and a modulator. The baseband signal generator is provided to generate a first baseband signal S1, a second baseband signal S2, a third baseband signal S3, and a fourth baseband signal S4. The multiplexed signal generator is provided to set an amplitude and a phase of an in-phase baseband component and an amplitude and a phase of a quadrature-phase baseband component of a signal into which the first baseband signal S1, the second baseband signal S2, the third baseband signal S3 and the fourth baseband signal S4 are multiplexed, so as to generate a multiplexed signal with constant envelope. The modulator is provided to modulate the multiplexed signal with constant envelope to a radio frequency, so as to generate the navigation satellite signal. The first baseband signal S1 and the second baseband signal S2 are modulated to a first carrier frequency f1 with carrier phases orthogonal to each other, and the third baseband signal S3 and the fourth baseband signal S4 are modulated to a second carrier frequency f2 with carrier phases orthogonal to each other.
US09137079B2
A radio communication system using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system, including: a baseband unit; and one or plural remote radio units coupled with the baseband unit through an interface; wherein the baseband unit includes a first sample frequency conversion part that performs a first sample frequency conversion processing that down-samples a transmitting signal transmitted through the interface, wherein the remote radio unit includes a second sample frequency conversion part that performs a second sample frequency conversion processing that up-samples a signal received through the interface, and wherein the baseband unit further includes an inverse fast fourier transform part that generates the transmitting signal by an inverse fast fourier transform, and a transmitter characteristic compensation part that conducts frequency characteristic compensation of the first sample frequency conversion processing and the second sample frequency conversion processing for a signal that has not been subjected to the inverse fast fourier transform.
US09137078B2
The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a DAS utilizing one or more Daisy-Chained Rings of Remote Units. The present invention enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as Flexible Simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present invention can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network.
US09137076B2
Techniques for efficiently multiplexing a reference signal and data on different sets of subcarriers in the same symbol period are described. In one design, a user equipment (UE) performs a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on a set of modulation symbols for data to obtain data symbols. The UE also obtains reference symbols generated based on a reference signal sequence corresponding to a cyclic shift of a base sequence. The UE maps the reference symbols to a first set of subcarriers and maps the data symbols to a second set of subcarriers. The UE then generates a transmission symbol based on the mapped reference symbols and the mapped data symbols. The UE may also transmit reference signals and data (i) in multiple symbol periods of a slot or a subframe and/or (ii) from multiple antennas using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or code division multiplexing (CDM).
US09137059B2
In a method for removing interferential signals of a mobile device, a differential signal waveform corresponding to a signal frame of an original communication signal waveform of the mobile device is generated, and a DPPPV of the differential signal waveform is acquired. The differential signal is determined to be an interferential signal, in response to that the DPPPV is not less than a preset differential threshold value, and a DNPPV at a target time point is not less than a preset ratio of the DPPPV. A signal interference section is determined and compensation values corresponding to the signal interference section is calculated, to generate a differential compensation waveform of the signal frame. An integrated differential compensation waveform of all signal frames and the original communication signal waveform are incorporated to obtain a processed signal waveform without interferential signals.
US09137055B2
A technique for performing channel tracking and/or channel estimation in a wireless communication device includes receiving a reference signal and one or more non-error propagation physical channel signals. In general, the one or more non-error propagation physical channel signals must be correctly decoded before a data channel can be decoded. Channel tracking and/or channel estimation are/is then performed based on the reference signal and at least one of the one or more non-error propagation physical channel signals.
US09137053B2
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method of estimating a channel in consideration of a residual synchronization offset. The apparatus of estimating a channel in consideration of a residual synchronization offset includes: a channel estimating unit estimating the channel using pilots scattered over a plurality of OFDM symbols and calculating a first channel estimated value as the estimation result, in the case in which an OFDM symbol estimating the channel and an OFDM symbol compensating for the channel are different from each other; and a phase reflecting unit calculating a phase generated by the residual synchronization offset in proportion to a difference between a channel estimation time and a channel compensation time, reflecting the calculated phase in the first channel estimated value, and calculating a second channel estimated value as the reflection result.
US09137044B2
Systems and methods for interoperating between a time-sensitive (TS) network and a non-time-sensitive (NTS) network. The system may include a TS network switch and a TS network interface controller (NIC). Each may have a functional unit. A first port of the TS switch may be coupled to an NTS node of the NTS network and its functional unit may be configured to manage insertion and removal of tags associating packets received from the NTS network with the NTS network. The tagged packets may be forwarded on to the TS NIC via a second port. The functional unit of the TS NIC may be configured to queue tagged packets received from the TS network switch and queue and tag packets destined for the NTS network via the TS network switch.
US09137042B2
The invention relates to a cluster coupler in a time triggered network for connecting clusters operating on the same protocol. Further, it relates to a triggered network having a plurality of clusters, which are coupled via the cluster coupler. It also relates to a method for communicating between different clusters. To provide a cluster coupling means, a network and a method for communicating between clusters which are able to couple a plurality of clusters operating on the same time triggered protocol to achieve a selectively forwarding of data without message buffering or frame delay a cluster cluster (10) in a network is proposed operating on a time triggered protocol using time slots, wherein the cluster coupler (10) is coupled to at least two clusters (A, B, X), a cluster includes at least one node (11), wherein the same protocol is used within the clusters, the cluster coupler (10) comprises: a protocol engine (12), a switch (20) and a switch control unit (21), wherein the switch control unit (21) includes an interconnection schedule indicating which input port of the switch (20) is connected to which output port of the switch (20) at a predetermined time slot.
US09137031B2
A method produces a data stream. The data stream is subdivided into at least one data segment. A key which is associated unambiguously with that data segment is created. A node is selected from a set of nodes in a network for that data segment on the basis of the key associated with that data segment, and the data segment is transmitted to the node selected for that data segment. Furthermore, a method calls at least one data segment in a data stream by a receiver node. A key which is associated unambiguously with that data segment is produced. A node is selected from a set of nodes in the network for the data segment on the basis of the key associated with that data segment. A request message is sent to the selected node to transmit the data segment associated with the key, and the data segment is received by the receiver.
US09137029B1
A system and method are described for providing support services via a virtual production environment. The system may include a help center interface, an agent interface, and a communications server running in association with a contact center manager application. The system may further include a reflector. The contact center manager application matches customers with suitable agents in the virtual production environment in the context of providing customer support in response to customer support requests. The method may include transmitting a customer support request to the contact center manager application, wherein a determination of whether a suitable agent is available is made by the contact center manager application; and connecting to a communications session corresponding to a session address provided by the contact center manager application for the customer device based on the determination.
US09137027B2
A joining peer is bootstrapped into in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network in the presence of network address translators (NAT). A bootstrap peer is contact by the joining peer to establish a connection between the joining peer and an admitting peer in the peer-to-peer network. The joining peer receives an indication from the bootstrap peer that the connection between the joining peer and the admitting peer has been established with a message path through the bootstrap peer. The indication includes contact information for the admitting peer. The connection is them modified to remove all proxies therefrom.
US09137019B2
A wireless charging apparatus and method utilizing a secure element is disclosed. Illustratively, a receiver containing a secure element securely communicates with a charging pad also equipped with a secure element. The communication can be used to establish the identity of the receiver and facilitate billing for the wireless charging. The charging pad may further communicate in a secure manner with a server to authenticate the identity and other information about the receiver before providing wireless charging. Direct communication between the receiver and server is also contemplated.
US09137018B2
A system and method for providing program guide data includes a partner service provider generating a request for a first encrypted token using a partner site identifier and a primary service provider having an authentication web service receiving the request for the first encrypted token. The primary service provider validates the partner site identifier, generates a first encrypted token at the authentication web service when the partner site identifier is valid and communicates the encrypted token to the partner service provider. The partner service provider requests program guide data from the primary service provider with the first encrypted token. The primary service provider communicates program guide data to the partner service provider. A user network device requests program guide data from the partner service provider. The partner service provider communicates the program guide data through the network. The user network device displays the program guide data on a display.
US09137017B2
A method and system for key recovery for a private key of a digital certificate for a client.
US09137016B2
Example embodiments relate to updating key pairs based on digital signature states. In example embodiments, first credentials that are generated using a first private key may be sent to a user computing device, where the first private key is associated with a first public key. At some stage, second credentials that are generated using the first private key and a second private key are sent to the user computing device, where the second credentials specify that the first private key is deprecated, and where the user computing device authenticates the second credentials using the first public key. In response to receiving confirmation that a firmware upgrade is installed a number of user computing devices such that an upgrade threshold is satisfied, the first private key may be deactivated. The firmware upgrade may be provided in response to receiving a firmware upgrade request from the user computing device.
US09137011B2
Technologies are generally described for providing rapid data encryption and decryption for secure communication over an open channel with plausible deniability. In some examples, a single bit of information may be encoded by many alternative combinations of bits thus providing high security as well as enabling a single ciphertext to encrypt several different plaintexts of the same length simultaneously. The ability to encrypt several different plaintexts of the same length simultaneously may allow plausible deniability of messages. Encryption speed may be enhanced through accumulation of useful bit sets with desired properties in advance for later use. When the need arises, several plaintexts of the same size may be encrypted into a single ciphertext using accumulated bit combinations corresponding to different secret keys.
US09137007B2
A method of synchronizing optronic systems, of the type operating simultaneously on one and the same scene, each optronic system being intended to emit and/or receive light of a target of the scene and each optronic system having an internal precision clock and a module suitable for synchronizing the internal clock with a reference time signal, the method being characterized in that it has the following steps of receiving and generating a reference time signal by each synchronization module, the reference time signal being independent of the optronic systems and emanating from an item of equipment different from the optronic systems, and synchronizing the internal clock of each optronic system with the reference time signal by the synchronization module.
US09137000B2
Wireless communication apparatus capable of increasing transmission efficiency by selecting data for scheduling according to data type, and capable of achieving low power consumption and high-speed signal processing is disclosed. With this apparatus, a control section allocates transmission data sequence 1 to subcarriers of superior quality by carrying out scheduling for the transmission data sequence 1 based on CQI sent from communication terminal apparatus and required transmission rate information for each communication terminal apparatus, and allocates transmission data sequence 2 to preassigned subcarriers. Channel allocation section allocates data for transmission data sequence 1 to subcarriers designated by control section. Channel allocation section allocates data for transmission data sequence 2 to subcarriers designated by control section.
US09136996B2
A user device for a mobile communication system employing a multicarrier scheme is disclosed. The user device includes a control signal generating unit for generating a control signal. The user device also includes a transmitting unit for transmitting the control signal to a base station. The control signal sent by the user device is mapped to multiple frequency bands throughout a time period of a subframe but separated from each other in a frequency domain. Each of the frequency bands includes subcarriers used in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.
US09136991B2
There are provided a power amplifying circuit and a front end module including the same. The power amplifying circuit includes a signal amplifying unit amplifying and outputting a plurality of wireless signals having different frequency bands, and a diplexer circuit transferring at least one of the plurality of wireless signals output from the signal amplifying unit to an antenna, wherein the signal amplifying unit and the diplexer circuit include impedance matching circuits having different impedance matching ranges, respectively, and the impedance matching range of the diplexer circuit is continuous with that of the signal amplifying unit.
US09136990B2
Methods and apparatus for multiple carrier utilization in wireless communications are disclosed. These methods include multiple carrier activation/deactivation, multiple carrier discontinuous transmission (DTX) and discontinuous reception (DRX) activation/deactivation and operations, and multiple carrier acknowledgment/negative acknowledgement feedback. The methods include provisions for joint multiple carrier activation and deactivation and joint DTX and DRX activation and deactivation of multiple carriers.
US09136980B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for low-complexity encoding (compression) of broad class of signals, which are typically not well modeled as sparse signals in either time-domain or frequency-domain. First, the signal can be split in time-segments that may be either sparse in time domain or sparse in frequency domain, for example by using absolute second order differential operator on the input signal. Next, different encoding strategies can be applied for each of these time-segments depending in which domain the sparsity is present.
US09136978B2
A communication system configured to enhance communication spectral efficiency while maintaining an acceptable level of system robustness. Various combinations of modulation, code rate, and antenna usage scheme, are combined to create a hierarchy of modulation and communication schemes (MCS), such that each higher MCS level represents an enhanced degree of spectral efficiency, traded off for a lowered degree of system robustness. Included also are embodiments of methods testing the quality of data transmission and reception at difference MCS levels, and then raising or lowering MCS levels in order to enhance communication spectral efficiency while not falling below the minimally acceptable level of system robustness.
US09136973B2
A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize signaling to modify previously made reservations. In other embodiments, reservation adjustment is performed without using signaling. Preemption can also be used to allow flexible reservation adjustment.
US09136966B2
Methods (500, 800) and corresponding systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 900) for generating a pilot symbol (330) include providing an M-point parallel transform sequence that is a discrete Fourier transform of a CAZAC sequence (312, 504-508). The M-point parallel transform sequence (312) is distributed (316, 510) to a set of M subcarriers among N subcarriers to form an N-point frequency-domain sequence (318) wherein the M subcarriers are evenly spaced apart. An N-point inverse fast Fourier transform (320, 512) is performed to convert the N-point frequency-domain sequence to an N-point time-domain sequence (322). The N-point time-domain sequence is converted (324, 514) to a serial sequence (326), and a cyclic prefix is added (328, 516) to the serial sequence to form a pilot symbol (330).
US09136956B2
A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
US09136944B2
A measurement device includes a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a first power ratio that indicates a ratio of optical signal power of a first wavelength in a first spectrum at a reception device to optical signal power of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength in the first spectrum; a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a second power ratio that indicates a ratio of optical signal power of the first wavelength in a second spectrum at a transmission device to optical signal power of the second wavelength in the second spectrum; a calculation unit configured to calculate an OSNR of the optical signal at the reception device using the first power ratio obtained by the first obtaining unit and the second power ratio obtained by the second obtaining unit; and an output unit configured to output the OSNR calculated by the calculation unit.
US09136942B2
A receiver for a communications link includes a receiver module and a host receiver. These two components can be tested independently. In one embodiment, the receiver module is characterized with respect to noise and distortion. The noise performance can be determined by comparing input and output signals of the receiver module, to determine the relative noise of the receiver module. The distortion performance can be determined by comparing the distortion of input and output signals of the receiver module, using a reference host receiver that includes an equalizer. The host receiver can be tested by using a reference receiver module.
US09136941B2
An optical layer monitoring apparatus and method thereof are provided. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical layer monitoring apparatus including an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) function so as to monitor an optical path of a passive optical network (PON), and a method for improving accuracy of measured monitoring results using the optical layer monitoring apparatus are provided. Therefore, it is possible to enable a user to continuously detect distortion or attenuation along the optical path, and to quickly recover from the distortion or attenuation along the optical path when distortion or attenuation is detected.
US09136935B2
In a cellular wide-area radio communications system, comprising a plurality of base stations, a plurality of relay stations, and a plurality of mobile stations, wherein each of the relay stations is associated with at least one of the base stations, each of the mobile stations is associated with at least one of the base stations or one of the relay stations, wireless data transmissions between mobile stations and base stations take place either as single-hop data transmissions between the mobile stations and their associated base stations, or as multi-hop data transmissions between the mobile stations and their associated relay stations and a data transmission between the relay stations and the base stations associated with the relay stations, wherein an average number of multi-hop data transmissions in the radio communications system equals at least an average number of single-hop data transmissions.
US09136929B2
Provided is a precoding method for generating, from a plurality of baseband signals, a plurality of precoded signals to be transmitted over the same frequency bandwidth at the same time, including the steps of selecting a matrix F[i] from among N matrices, which define precoding performed on the plurality of baseband signals, while switching between the N matrices, i being an integer from 0 to N−1, and N being an integer at least two, generating a first precoded signal z1 and a second precoded signal z2, generating a first encoded block and a second encoded block using a predetermined error correction block encoding method, generating a baseband signal with M symbols from the first encoded block and a baseband signal with M symbols the second encoded block, and precoding a combination of the generated baseband signals to generate a precoded signal having M slots.
US09136927B2
All data symbols used in data transmission of a modulated signal are precoded by hopping between precoding matrices so that the precoding matrix used to precode each data symbol and the precoding matrices used to precode data symbols that are adjacent to the data symbol in the frequency domain and the time domain all differ. A modulated signal with such data symbols arranged therein is transmitted.
US09136925B1
The two-path amplify-and-forward relaying method for bandwidth efficient cognitive radios utilizes a primary user (PU) transmitter cooperating with a secondary user (SU) transmitter and receiver to relay PU data to the PU receiver. The present algorithm makes use of the inter-relay interference (IRI) between the two relay nodes to transmit SU data and cancel this IRI at the PU receiver node. The SU transmission power and the relaying amplifying factors are optimized to minimize the probability of error. Lagrangian multiplier method is used to obtain the optimal solution for the problem. Simulation results show that the present algorithm outperforms the single data transmission and gets closer to the performance of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system of diversity 3 for PU network and 2 for SU network when a maximum likelihood decoder (MLD) is used.
US09136921B2
The disclosure provides a method for channel information feedback and a terminal, applied in an 8 antennae system, comprising: a terminal acquires the channel information which comprises PMI1 information and RI information; the terminal jointly encodes the PMI1 information and RI information into a 5 bit Report Type; the terminal feeds back the Report Type on a physical uplink control channel. The disclosure solves the poor transmission performance of the system caused by high overhead of channel information feedback in the related arts, thus improving the performance of the terminal to feed back information and improving the transmission performance of the system.
US09136919B2
A system for extending coverage of a wireless Internet service by using a mobile communication network is provided. The system includes a wireless access point, a combiner, and a distributor. The combiner is connected to the wireless access point. The combiner includes a filter that isolates a signal band of a wireless Internet signal corresponding to the wireless access point and a signal band of a mobile communication signal corresponding to the mobile communication network. After isolation, the combiner outputs the wireless Internet signal or the mobile communication signal. The distributor is connected to the combiner and at least one antenna. The distributor receives the wireless Internet signal from the combiner and outputs the received wireless Internet signal via the antenna.
US09136908B2
Long preamble and duty cycle based coexistence mechanism for power line communication (PLC) networks
Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together.
US09136905B2
Disclosed is a method and system for multi-receiving terminal echo cancellation Echo filters performs echo filtering on receiving terminal signals in M channels to obtain filtered receiving terminal signals in M channels. The filtered receiving terminal signals in M channels are subtracted from a transmitting terminal signal to obtain a system output signal in which receiving terminal echoes have been cancelled. The receiving terminal signals in M channels are buffered. A decorrelation matrix according to each of the receiving terminal signals in M channels is calculated. The decorrelation matrix decomposes the buffered receiving terminal signals in M channels into decorrelated receiving terminal signals in M channels. Update amounts of the echo filters are calculated according to the decorrelation matrix, the decorrelated receiving terminal signals in M channels and the system output signal that is fed back.
US09136903B2
There is provided a method for resizing a network connection in an optical transport network that supports protection switching and receives a flexible Optical channel Data Unit (ODUflex(GFP)) signal. In addition, at nodes located on a protection path for protection switching, only a Link Connection Resize (LCR) protocol, except for a Bandwidth Resize (BWR) protocol, of Hitless Adjustment of ODUflex(GFP) (HAO) procedure is executed. On the other hand, both the LCR protocol and the BWR protocol are executed at nodes located on a working path for protection switching.
US09136888B2
A spectrum analyzer is configured to display, on a display, reception signal intensity of each of multiple frequencies. A smoothing unit is configured to smooth signal intensity data of each of the multiple frequencies to produce smoothed data. A peak frequency detection unit is configured to detect, as a peak frequency, a frequency at a position indicating a maximum value in the smoothed data closest to a contact position that a touch sensor detects. A reception frequency determination unit is configured to determine a reception frequency of a radio wave that a receiver for a voice call receives based on the peak frequency.
US09136879B2
A method for data storage includes encoding each of multiple data items individually using a first Error Correction Code (ECC) to produce respective encoded data items. The encoded data items are stored in a memory. The multiple data items are encoded jointly using a second ECC, so as to produce a code word of the second ECC, and only a part of the code word is stored in the memory. The stored encoded data items are recalled from the memory and the first ECC is decoded in order to reconstruct the data items. Upon a failure to reconstruct a given data item from a respective given encoded data item by decoding the first ECC, the given data item is reconstructed based on the part of the code word of the second ECC and on the encoded data items other than the given encoded data item.
US09136873B2
Uncorrectable memory errors may be reduced by determining a logical array address for a set of memory arrays and transforming the logical array address to at least two unique array addresses based, at least in part, on logical locations of at least two memory arrays within the set of memory arrays. The at least two memory arrays are then accessed using the at least two unique array addresses, respectively.
US09136871B2
Methods for Error Correction Code (ECC) decoding include producing syndromes from a set of bits, which represent data that has been encoded with the ECC. An Error Locator Polynomial (ELP) is generated based on the syndromes. At least some of the ELP roots are identified, and the errors indicated by these roots are corrected. Each syndrome may be produced by applying to the bits vector operations in a vector space. Each syndrome is produced by applying vector operations using a different basis of the vector space. The ELP may be evaluated on a given field element by operating on ELP coefficients using serial multipliers, wherein each serial multiplier performs a sequence of multiplication cycles and produces an interim result in each cycle. Responsively to detecting at least one interim result indicating that the given element is not an ELP root, the multiplication cycles are terminated before completion of the sequence.
US09136864B1
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system includes a DAC and a current trimming module. The DAC includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of drivers. Each of the plurality of segments receives driver signals from a respective one of the plurality of drivers, receives segment currents from a respective one of a plurality of segment current sources, and generates an output current based on the driver signals and the segment currents. The current trimming module stores a plurality of trim coefficients and adjusts respective threshold voltages associated with the plurality of segment current sources based on the plurality of trim coefficients.
US09136862B2
In one embodiment the quantizer includes a signal-to-phase converter configured to generate a phase signal according to an input signal and a phase difference digitization block configured to generate a quantization output according to differentiated samples of the phase signal, where the phase signal generated by the signal-to-phase converter has a sinusoidal shape.
US09136858B2
A method for digitalizing scintillation pulses includes: defining n threshold voltages V_th, forming a voltage comparison unit by n low-voltage differential signaling receiving ports, outputting, by the voltage comparison unit, a state-flip and a threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip when one scintillation pulse to be sampled exceeds any one of the thresholds; and sampling digitally a time when the state-flip in step (2) occurs by a time-to-digit converter and identifying the threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip, to acquire the voltage and the time for the scintillation pulse. The method can be performed using a device for digitalizing scintillation pulses.
US09136853B2
An analog to digital converter including a low pass filter element, a quantizer, and a digital to analog converter provide in a feedback path. The low pass filter element is configured to filter an analog input signal. The quantizer is configured to receive an analog output signal that is based on the filtered analog input signal and convert the analog output signal to a digital output signal. The digital to analog converter is configured to generate an analog feedback signal based on the digital output signal and selectively inject or absorb current associated with the feedback path to reduce noise associated with the digital to analog converter. The analog feedback signal is combined with the analog input signal at an input of the low pass filter element.
US09136850B2
A phase alignment circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a register configured to capture and store, in parallel from a delay unit, a plurality of samples of a first signal, responsive to a change of state of a second signal. The circuit further includes a detection circuit configured to detect a bit position in the register at which a state change of the first signal occurs based on a concurrent evaluation of all samples of the first signal. Selection circuitry in the phase alignment circuit is configured to select an output from a one of a plurality of delay elements of the delay unit based on in the bit position at which the state change was detected. The selection circuitry is configured to output a third signal that is a delayed version of the first signal.
US09136839B2
A switch assembly includes a switch cover and a switch base. The switch cover fixedly couples to the switch base with engagement protrusions integrally defined in the switch cover and corresponding apertures defined within the switch base without fasteners or requiring tools. From a disassembled configuration, the cover couples to the switch base by aligning cover protrusions with corresponding base apertures, pressing the cover against the base, sliding the cover in a first engagement direction, and locking the cover protrusions into the apertures by applying a threshold level of engagement force in an engagement direction. From an assembled configuration, the cover de-couples from the switch base by applying a threshold level of disengagement force in disengagement direction oppositely oriented with respect to the engagement direction, thereby unlocking the cover protrusions from the base apertures.
US09136833B2
There is provided a power source connection circuit, when a switch having a low dielectric strength is employed, capable of preventing excessive power consumption when the switch between an input terminal and an output terminal is turned off, and also discharging electric charges accumulated in a gate of the switch. A power source connection circuit includes a MOS switch connected to an output terminal; a step-up circuit for supplying electric charges to a gate of the MOS switch; an electric-charge discharging unit coupled between the gate and a ground terminal; and a comparator for comparing a voltage of the output terminal with a reference voltage, wherein the electric-charge discharging unit includes a rectifier unit coupled between the gate and the ground terminal, and a switch coupled in series with the rectifier unit between the gate and the ground terminal to receive an output signal of the comparator at a gate.
US09136832B2
A level shift circuit includes a first pair of transistors of the first conductive type (M1, M4) with sources coupled to a pair of input nodes (in, inB) and gates coupled to the first power supply (GND) in common; a second pair of transistors of the second conductive type (M2, M5) with drains coupled to the drains of the first pair of the transistors and the gates coupled to the first power supply in common; a third pair of transistors of the second conductive type (M3, M6) with cross-coupled gates and drains coupled to the sources of the second pair of transistors and the sources coupled to the second power supply (V2) in common; and a pair of capacitative elements (C1, C2) with one ends coupled to the pair of input nodes and the other ends coupled to the drains of the third pair of transistors.
US09136829B2
A system and method for controlling a power converter includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and ramp generator for generating a reference current command. The DAC is configured to decrement (or increment) to a next state after a fixed number of clock pulses have occurred. The reference current command controls an output of the power converter. Means are provided for delaying an output of the DAC for a number of clock pulses less than the fixed number to increase a resolution of the DAC.
US09136824B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first receiver path with a first digitizer to digitize an incoming signal obtained from a radio frequency signal including at least a first desired channel into samples, the first digitizer to operate at a first sampling frequency, a first sample rate converter coupled to an output of the first digitizer to receive the samples at the first sampling frequency and to output the samples at a fixed sampling frequency, and a first digital processor to receive and process the samples at the fixed sampling frequency. The apparatus may further include a controller to receive a frequency change indication and to dynamically control the first sample rate converter to accommodate a change in the first sampling frequency from a first rate to a second rate.
US09136819B2
A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure includes a first electrode disposed over a substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode and a second electrode disposed over the first piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is formed of a piezoelectric material doped with multiple rare earth elements for improving piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric layer.
US09136816B2
A wide-band common mode filtering apparatus includes at least two cascaded common mode filters with different noise-filtering responses, wherein the cut-off frequency of the wide-band common mode filtering apparatus is at the lowest cut-off frequency of the common mode filters, and the noise-filtering response of the wide-band common mode filtering apparatus is the superposition of the noise-filtering responses of the common mode filters. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wide-band common mode filtering apparatus includes a first common mode filter having a first filtering band, and a second common mode filter having a second filtering band different from the first filtering band. The disclosure of the present technique allows the cascaded common mode filters with different filtering bands to form the wide-band common mode filtering apparatus having an overall filtering band to meeting a new demand.
US09136815B2
A variable bandwidth filter includes a first filter branch in parallel with a second filter branch. The first filter branch includes a first resistance in series with an input and a first output, and N parallel paths across the first output. The second filter branch includes a second resistance in series with the input and a second output, and N parallel paths across the second output. A clock tunes the first and second filter branches to a center frequency. A combiner produces a difference signal including a difference between the output of the first filter branch and the output of the second filter branch to provide a filter output having an adjustable bandwidth with reference to a center frequency. The bandwidth is adjusted by changing a value of at least one resistor or at least one capacitor in one or more of the first filter branch or the second filter branch.
US09136813B2
A wireless network receiver includes a detection module that uses preamble data in a data frame for signal processing functions and the detection module is configured to adjust the number of preamble data bits that are used based on the power of a received signal.
US09136812B2
A device for the automatic adjustment of a gain and/or attenuation factor of several amplification or attenuation elements connected in a cascade comprises respectively a detector for measuring a signal level of a signal disposed at the input of the respective amplification or attenuation element and respectively a downstream control unit for determining the gain and/or attenuation factor respectively associated with each amplification or attenuation element. The control unit is a forward control unit for determining the gain and/or attenuation factor respectively associated with each amplification or attenuation element dependent upon the measured signal level of the signal disposed at the input of each amplification or attenuation element.
US09136810B2
In one disclosed aspect, dynamic gain modifications are applied to an audio signal at least partly in response to auditory events and/or the degree of change in signal characteristics associated with said auditory event boundaries. In another aspect, an audio signal is divided into auditory events by comparing the difference in specific loudness between successive time blocks of the audio signal.
US09136805B2
A multi-level amplifier including a converter circuit being supplied with a supply voltage and operable to generate at least two output voltages, a voltage comparator circuit adapted to compare each of the output voltages with the supply voltage to generate a driving signal, and an amplifier circuit being supplied with an analog input signal, the amplifier circuit including an analog-to-digital converter coupled to a power stage driver and power stage, wherein the power stage driver receives the driving signal from the voltage comparator.
US09136804B2
A device includes a Doherty amplifier. The Doherty amplifier has a carrier path and a peaking path. The Doherty amplifier includes a carrier amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the carrier path and a peaking amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the peaking path. The device includes a resistive switch having a first terminal connected to the peaking path and a second terminal connected to a voltage reference, and a controller configured to set the resistive switch to a first resistance value when a power input of the Doherty amplifier is below a threshold and to a second resistance value when the power input of the Doherty amplifier is above the threshold.
US09136803B2
Apparatus and methods for biasing a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of biasing a power amplifier includes shaping an enable signal using a time-dependent signal generator to generate a control current, amplifying the control current using a current amplifier to generate a correction current, and generating a bias current for a power amplifier using a primary biasing circuit. The primary biasing circuit is configured to use the correction current to correct for a variation in gain of the power amplifier when the power amplifier is enabled.
US09136786B2
A measurement circuit in a motor circuit generates signals for use in a motor control strategy for an electric motor. The measurement circuit comprises a first current sensing means which produces an output signal indicative of the current flowing in a di/dt path connecting the phases of the motor to a ground or a common positive supply voltage, and further comprises a second current sensing means which produces an output signal indicative of the rate of change of current flowing in the ground line, and in which the second current sensing means comprises a Rogowski coil.
US09136772B2
A phase shift transformer in a multi-level medium voltage inverter is disclosed, wherein structure is modularized to provide layout freedom and to reduce volume and weight of an entire system, and a continuous operation of a motor is enabled, even if one module is faulted.
US09136769B2
A pulse scheme is used for load change detection in a switching mode power supply with low no-load power consumption. The pulse scheme includes a measurement pulse for determining a load condition or a no-load condition at the output. Generation of the measurement pulse results in sufficient energy transfer to the secondary side to accurately measure the output voltage via a reflected voltage on the primary side. Once in no-load operation mode, a reference pulse having a lower energy transfer than the measurement pulse is used to determine a baseline reflected voltage value that corresponds to a no-load condition. Successive detection pulses are then generated and corresponding reflected voltage measured and compared to the baseline reflected voltage. A change in the reflected value that exceeds a threshold value is indicative of a change in the no-load condition.
US09136758B2
A Voltage Converting LED Circuit with Switched Capacitor Network contains a 2-way MOSFET switch that connects a capacitor network to the output of an error amplifier, thereby enabling the error amplifier to resume operation quickly after the off-time segment of a PWM cycle. The switch is controlled synchronously with current sinks controlling brightness and color levels. In a preferred embodiment, multiple serially connected strings of LED's can be controlled simultaneously via one switch.
US09136753B2
An electrical device, particularly having at least one lighting system having light emitting diodes, such as a television having LED backlighting (57), which has a stand-by mode (ZPM) with very low power consumption in which only one control unit (3) is supplied with power via a capacitive voltage divider. For this purpose, alongside parts of the power supply unit (2), the interference suppression capacitor (6) is also switched off.
US09136752B1
There is provided a closed-loop electrical energy regenerative system comprising (i) a regenerative electric motor for receiving a load of electrical energy for the purpose of conversion into kinetic energy; (ii) an alternator for generating an output load of electrical energy; (iii) a rotating shaft and at least one flywheel, the rotating shaft being configured to be connected to the regenerative electric motor, to the alternator and to the at least one flywheel for transferring a first portion of the kinetic energy from the regenerative electric motor to the alternator for the purpose of generating the output load of electrical energy and for transferring a second portion of the kinetic energy to the at least one flywheel for storage for the purpose of assisting in rotating the rotating shaft through subsequent cycles; (iv) a first electrical output for directing a first portion of the output load of electrical energy outside the system for consumption by an electric power system; and a second electrical output for directing a second portion of the output load of electrical energy back to the regenerative electric motor for operation through the subsequent cycles. There is also provided a closed-loop electrical energy regenerative network and method.
US09136749B1
An electrical power system for generating electrical power in a building is provided. The building has an elevator with the elevator having at least one elevator car and the at least one elevator car within an elevator shaft. The electrical power system comprises at least one magnet counterweight connected to the at least one elevator car and at least one coil mounted within the elevator shaft. The at least one magnet counterweight moves in a downward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in an upward direction and the at least one magnet counterweight moves in an upward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in a downward direction. The magnet counterweight passes through the at least one coil thereby generating electrical current.
US09136746B2
A stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core comprised of a plurality of stator core segments, a stator coil mounted on the stator core, and an outer cylinder that is fitted on the radially outer surfaces of the stator core segments so as to fasten the stator core segments together. The stator core has a recess formed in the radially outer surface of one of the stator core segments. The outer cylinder has a slit that radially penetrates the outer cylinder to connect the radially outer and inner surfaces of the outer cylinder and an engaging portion that adjoins the slit. The engaging portion of the outer cylinder is plastically deformed radially inward into the recess of the stator core so as to abut and thereby engage with side walls of the recess which face the engaging portion.
US09136739B2
A rotary electric machine includes a stator around which coil conductor wires for a plurality of phases are wound, a housing that contains the stator, and a terminal block that is mounted on the housing and connects end portions of the coil conductor wires for the respective phases led from the stator to corresponding external power supply lines. A coolant is supplied to the stator in the housing. The terminal block includes: a plurality of relay conductors, each relay conductor having one end connected to an external power supply line and the other end connected to an end portion of the coil conductor wires for 10 the respective phases, and a terminal block body that is made of an insulating material and holds the plurality of relay conductors.
US09136728B2
Implantable devices and related systems utilize a single coil for both inductive telemetry at one telemetry signal frequency and recharge at another recharge energy frequency. The coil is included in a tank circuit that may have a variable reactance. During telemetry, particularly outside of a recharge period, the reactance may be set so that the tank circuit is tuned to the telemetry frequency. During recharge, the reactance is set so that the tank circuit is tuned to the recharge frequency. Furthermore, the tank circuit may have a Q that is sufficiently small that the tank circuit receives telemetry frequency signals that can be decoded by a receiver while the tank is tuned to the recharge frequency so that telemetry for recharge status purposes may be done during the recharge period without changing the tuning of the tank circuit.
US09136724B2
A power supply system includes a rechargeable battery to deliver a supply current to a load and a circuit to limit a discharge current when the rechargeable battery is supplying power to the load. The power supply system may further include an integrator for integrating a discharge voltage representing the discharge current that exceeds a predetermined limit, a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) circuit for producing a control signal having a PWM duty cycle representing the discharge voltage, and a driver circuit for delivering the supply current to said load according to said control signal. In one embodiment, a digital register is used to set the battery discharging current limit, in another embodiment an analog circuit is used to set the battery discharging current limit, and in yet another embodiment or a combination of the digital register and analog circuit is used to set the battery discharging current limit.
US09136722B2
An interconnect device for connecting the charging system of an electric wheelchair with the charging system of at least one portable electronic device through a USB cable to charge the portable device from the stored electric charge within the electric wheelchair battery system. The interconnect device includes an XLR type connector for connecting to the standard XLR type connector found on most electrical wheelchairs and scooters. The XLR connector is structured into a circuit housing or connected to the circuit housing through a short length of cable. The circuit housing holds the circuit electronics for the device. One or more USB jacks are provided to which standard USB cables may be connected. The interconnect circuitry includes a fuse or circuit breaker, as well as one or more step down voltage regulators and one or more voltage divider circuits. LED indicators show the charging status of a particular USB jack.
US09136715B2
A rechargeable battery includes two or more series-connected rechargeable battery cells, a balancing rechargeable battery cell, and controllable switches with the same number as the rechargeable battery cells, a drive module for the controllable switches, a voltage detection module for detecting a voltage at two ends of the rechargeable battery cells, and a controller. The balancing rechargeable battery cell is connected in parallel to the rechargeable battery cells. The controllable switches control the turn on/off of the connection in parallel between the balancing rechargeable battery cell and each of the rechargeable battery cells independently. The drive module for the controllable switches and the voltage detection module are connected to the controller. A battery pack including the rechargeable battery and a method for real-time charge/discharge equalizing of the rechargeable battery are also provided.
US09136713B1
An apparatus for actively balancing a cell group in a battery power system comprises a main cell unit further comprising a first local cell module and a second local cell module in parallel creating a parallel cell module. The main cell unit is electrically coupled to a system control unit and the system control unit is communicatively coupled to the first local cell module and the second local cell module. A compensation cell and a power switch unit is communicatively connected to the main cell unit and communicatively connected to the system control unit. The compensation cell and the power switch unit further comprise a plurality of compensation cells. The plurality of compensation cells is paired with the parallel cell module to become the cell group with optimized total capacity.
US09136706B2
A power management system includes: customer terminals; and a power management apparatus connected to the customer terminals, wherein each of the customer terminals includes a weather forecast acquisition unit that acquires a local weather forecast for a corresponding customer terminal, and a power prediction unit that predicts a power consumption and an amount of power that can be reduced for a predetermined period based on the weather forecast, and the power management apparatus includes an integration processing unit that integrates the power consumptions and the amounts of power that can be reduced that are predicted for the respective customer terminals to calculate a total power consumption and a total amount of power that can be reduced for all of the customer terminals.
US09136703B2
A string and load balancer system that provides the ability to boost the string voltage in low-light or reduced-power conditions so that the inverter may continue to operate. The boost operation can be achieved by addition of a single substantially D.C. switch. The DC switch may be rated for the maximum intended voltage boost, not the maximum bus voltage. A string and load balancer provided herein may allow photovoltaic arrays to be productive in mornings, evenings, and in clouded or otherwise sub-nominal conditions.
US09136701B2
A high voltage discharge protective device for an RF device having a signal port, includes a blocking capacitor arranged at the signal port of the RF device, a circuit board for mounting the blocking capacitor, and a metal conductor grounded and partially bare. The blocking capacitor includes a main body and two leads connected to the main body and secured to the circuit board. The bottom portion of the main body is bare to form an exposed portion. The exposed portion is spaced apart from the circuit board to form an interval. The metal conductor is disposed within the interval and corresponds to the exposed portion of the blocking capacitor. When the passing voltage within the blocking capacitor reaches a predetermined value, the exposed portion of the blocking capacitor sparkly discharges to the metal conductor. An RF device is also provided.
US09136700B2
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit and a display apparatus are provided. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit adapted to the display apparatus having a display panel which has a signal line and a common voltage line. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first switching unit and a second switching unit. The first switching unit is electrically coupled to the signal line. The second switching unit is electronically coupled between the first switching unit and the common voltage line. When the display apparatus is shut down, the first switching unit and the second switching unit form a conductive path. When the display apparatus is turned on, the first switching unit receives a first control signal, and the second switching unit receives a second control signal, so that at least one of the first switching unit and the second switching unit is turned off at the same time.
US09136693B1
A generator which is self-configurable to selectively bond the neutral lead to the ground lead of the generator. The generator includes a sensor configured to detect current flow on the ground lead of the generator. The sensor generates a signal corresponding to the current flow which is, in turn, provided to a controller present on the generator. A switch device, such as a relay selectively connects the neutral conductor to the ground conductor at the generator. The controller outputs a signal to control the switch device in response to the signal from the current sensor. If the controller detects current flowing on the ground lead, it opens the switch between the neutral and ground conductors; however, if the controller detects no current on the ground lead, it closes the switch between the neutral and ground conductors.
US09136688B2
The method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes determining a first signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is determined and analyzing the first signal to determine whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. In case the first signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit, means for suppressing an electric arc are activated. A second signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is then determined and analyzed. An occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled if the second signal does not indicate the presence of an electric arc. The system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a corresponding method.
US09136671B2
An edge emitting semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor body including a waveguide region, wherein the waveguide region includes a first waveguide layer, a second waveguide layer and an active layer arranged between the first and second waveguide layers and generates laser radiation, the waveguide region is arranged between first and second cladding layers disposed downstream of the waveguide region in a growth direction of the semiconductor body, a phase structure is formed in the semiconductor body and includes at least one cutout extending from a top side of the semiconductor body into the second cladding layer, at least one first intermediate layer including a semiconductor material different from the semiconductor material of the second cladding layer is embedded into the second cladding layer, and the cutout extends from a top side of the semiconductor body at least partly into the first intermediate layer.
US09136669B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser light source that includes a laser element and an optical element that are optically coupled efficiently and directly. A laser light source includes, a laser element which has a ridge part and emits laser light from a light emission part, an optical element which has a waveguide for guiding the laser light that is incident on an incidence part; and a substrate for joining the laser element and the optical element close so as to be optically coupled directly, and, in this laser light source, the laser element and the optical element are joined to the substrate in a state in which a position of the incidence part is shifted a predetermined distance upward or downward with respect to a position of the light emission part.
US09136666B1
Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses to utilize a laser device comprising a gain section, a wavelength filter, a first reflector, and a second reflector to form a laser cavity with the first reflector, the laser cavity to include the gain section and the wavelength filter. The wavelength filter is temperature stabilized to a predetermined temperature range and the remaining portions of the laser cavity are not temperature stabilized. The wavelength filter, when at the predetermined temperature range, comprises a plurality of adjacent longitudinal modes such that a difference in modal gain values associated with each of the adjacent longitudinal modes is within a predetermined delta. Thus, the cavity of the laser device is designed to experience some mode hops when the device temperature changes; however, because the wavelength filter is stabilized in temperature, the cavity drift due to these mode hops is within a limited range.
US09136664B2
A method is for operating a pump light source having a diode laser, which provides a pump light, in particular for optical pumping of a laser device. The pump light source is activated in a first mode of operation such that the diode laser assumes a predefinable target temperature, which lies in a range of a maximum of the coefficient of absorption of the laser-active solid of the laser device. In a second mode of operation, following the first mode of operation, the pump light source is activated such that it generates pump light to build up a population inversion in the laser-active solid of the laser device. In a third mode of operation, following the second mode of operation, the pump light source is activated such that it generates pump light to activate a laser operation in the laser device.
