US09162794B2
A beverage delivery can may comprise various configurations. Such configurations may comprise various aperture shapes, sizes, and configurations and various shapes, textures, configurations, and dimensions of the lid and surface of the can. A beverage can may comprise various exterior shapes such as a tapered shape, a faceted shape, a pint glass shape and the like. In embodiments, the beverage can may comprise various types of nucleation devices. In embodiments, various external packaging may be used with one or more beverage delivery cans.
US09162790B2
A paper cup, including: a cup body including a surface, and a base. A plurality of uneven stiffeners are arranged on the surface of the cup body. A method for preparing the paper cup includes: 1) selecting polyethylene (PE) or polylactic acid (PLA) coated paper as a raw material, the PE or the PLA coated paper including: a coated side, and a printed side; 2) printing a figure on the printed side of the PE or the PLA coated paper; 3) embossing uneven stiffeners on the paper via an embossing device; 4) cutting the paper into a shape of a section as a cup body via a die cutting machine; 5) shaping the cup body and the base into the paper cup via a molding machine; and 6) sterilizing, and packaging the paper cups.
US09162788B2
A system for automatic positioning, wrapper and strap cutting, wrapper removal, wrapper and strap takeaway, and debundled stack positioning and delivery of bound mail pieces, magazines, catalogs, brochures and other similar flat items (collectively “bundles”) for subsequent sorting and processing, all without damaging the contents within the bundle. Incoming bundles are supported on two supporting plates configured to move horizontally toward and away from each other, and spaced to expose a portion of the bottom surface of the bundle. A cutting device cuts the wrapping and straps on the exposed bottom portion of the bundle, and the supporting plates are moved away from each other to increase the spacing. As the spacing is increased gripping devices atop both supporting plates grab and pull the cat edges of the wrapping, until the bundle falls through to a holding device.
US09162773B2
The invention concerns an aircraft comprising a reversible rotary electrical machine 30), a wheel (35) for imparting movement to a stream of air, linked to said machine (30), a first ventilation duct (10, 15) configured to supply said wheel (35) with air, an electricity distribution network (70), a reversible power converter (40) connected to said machine (30) and to said network (70), and a control circuit (50) configured to control said converter (40) for, in a motor operating mode of said machine (30), taking a supply current from said network (70) to supply said machine (30) and drive said wheel (35), and, in an alternator operating mode of said machine (30), in which a stream of air flows in said first ventilation duct (15) and imparts movement to said wheel (35), to provide supply power to said network (70) which is generated by said machine (30) driven by said wheel (35).
US09162770B2
The invention relates to a drive device for an aircraft, at least comprising a battery for storing electrical energy, an electric motor for driving a propeller, a conducting means for transferring the electrical energy from the battery to the electric motor, and a first control means for controlling the electric motor. The invention is characterized in that: the battery is a lithium-air battery; the electric motor is a high-temperature superconductor motor; at least one store is provided for a coolant and a cooling system which is connected to the store for cooling the high-temperature superconductor motor, the cooling system comprising a second control means for controlling the cooling system; a first means is provided for variably arranging the lithium-air battery and/or a second means is provided for variably arranging the store in the aircraft; and a third control means is provided for controlling the first and/or the second means.
US09162749B2
A blade (1) for a tail anti-torque device of a helicopter, said device comprising a ducted rotor (13). The blade (1) has an assembly of sections, a leading edge (2) and a trailing edge (3); a stacking line (4) of the profiles extending at a distance lying in the range 25% to 50% of the chord (C). The stacking line (4) presents a shape that is curved having successively from the root (5) to the end (6) of the blade a back sweep, a forward sweep, and a last back sweep; and a chord (C) that becomes larger going towards the end (6) of the blade (1) over at least the end profile (1a).
US09162745B2
Aircraft with an integrated energy-absorbing deformation structure and aircraft with such a fuselage
An aircraft fuselage has an integrated energy-absorbing deformation structure. The fuselage includes annular frames, longitudinal fuselage beams interconnecting the annular frames, and a covering forming a fuselage skin. A lower floor structure is disposed in an interior of the fuselage. The lower floor structure includes a plurality of transverse beams connected to an assigned frame and longitudinal floor beams which interconnect said transverse beams. The deformation structure is formed in a lower fuselage region disposed below the lower floor structure. The deformation structure includes a first inelastically deformable central region and, on a left-hand side and a right-hand side, respective second inelastically deformable regions of greater stiffness in the vertical direction than the central region.
US09162744B2
A ship maneuvering device rotates a propeller at a lower rotational frequency than the rotational frequency of the minimum idling speed of an engine. A control device has a crawling speed navigation mode. A crawling speed navigation mode button that selects whether or not to execute the crawling speed navigation mode is connected to the control device. When the crawling speed navigation mode is selected, and the amount of operation of a joystick lever is at or beneath a baseline amount of operation Ms, the control device causes the rotational frequency N of the engine to be the rotational frequency Nlow of the minimum idling speed, and in accordance with the amount of operation of the joystick lever, varies the duty ratio D, which is the fraction of time T1 that a main clutch is engaged in a predetermined cycle T, within a range of no greater than 100%.
US09162738B1
An inflatable life raft having one or more air channels forming a generally rectangular shaped body when the raft is unfolded and inflated. Valves in fluid communication with the air channels for inflating and deflating the life raft. A storage carrier is integrally constructed with the life raft for storing the folded normally deflated life raft so that the raft can be easily carried, transported, and automatically deployed. The inflatable raft includes a waterproof pouch releasably attached to the raft for storing items such as a rope, flare launcher, strobe light, glow sticks, and whistle. A tether couples the life raft to a user, and a plurality of reflectors is attached to the surface of the inflatable life raft. A replaceable gas cylinder, and manual hand pump are operatively coupled to the valves for automatically or manually inflating the life raft.
US09162736B2
A wide, flat-bottom, buoyant, amphibious hull with a powered articulating member mounted on the deck. The hull has a shallow draft and distributes its weight over a large area and is propelled by at least one engine-driven propeller rotating above the hull. These features cooperatively provide a vehicle capable of performing overhead work, such as installing or servicing power transmission poles, towers, or other structures located in environmentally sensitive wetlands, swamps, marshes, shallow water, or terrain which is not efficiently accessible by other means.
US09162735B2
An inflatable evacuation slide includes a base, one or more top tubes, a first lateral side, including a series of alternately upright and inverted generally triangular inflatable frames, each frame being coupled to neighboring frames in the series, a first common side of the base and at least one of said top tubes, and a second lateral side including a series of alternately upright and inverted generally triangular inflatable frames, each frame being coupled to neighboring frames in the series, a second common side of the base and at least one of said top tubes. The first common side of the base is opposite the second common side of the base so that the slide is generally triangular in cross-section, and the angles of the triangular frames combine to form an upwardly directed arcuate bend in the uninflated slide which straightens under the weight of the slide when inflated and deployed.
US09162734B2
A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.
US09162731B2
A snowmobile (100) has a frame (106) comprising a tunnel (108) and an engine cradle (110) containing an engine (114). A drive track (126) is operatively connected to the tunnel. A front drive axle (127) connected to the engine engages the drive track. A front (102) of the snowmobile comprises a hull connected to the frame and to front telescopic suspension struts (112). The snowmobile also comprises front skis (116) connected at attachment points (150) to the front telescopic suspension struts. The drive track has a front portion (125) defining a track angle (B) between 20 and 40 degrees from horizontal. A horizontal distance (C) between the attachment points and the front drive axle is between 600 mm and 900 mm. The hull has a bottom surface (160) wherein at least a portion has an average hull angle (A) between 10 and 30 degrees from horizontal.
US09162713B2
A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity.
US09162703B2
A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.
US09162701B2
A rake lock assembly for a steering column assembly includes a component operatively associated with a rake bracket, the component including a trigger element, and a locking cam configured to be disposed within the rake bracket and to rotate about a rotational axis. The locking cam includes a first contact surface configured to interact with the trigger element, and a second contact surface having a plurality of teeth configured to interact with rake teeth. When an impact force acts on the steering column assembly and a rake bolt is shuttled in a first direction, the trigger element is configured to contact the first contact surface and rotate the locking cam about the rotational axis such that the second contact surface plurality of teeth and the rake teeth are disposed in interlocking meshing engagement to facilitate preventing a vehicle steering column from raking movement in a second direction.
US09162689B2
An onboard system measures the train position by measuring the rotational speed of a tacho-generator, determines an estimated train occupancy range (in which the train may be present) using the train position, and transmits the estimated train occupancy range to a ground system. The onboard system corrects the train position based on the results of communication with a correction coil when the train has passed through the installation point of a correction coil. When the train position has been shifted backward as a result of correction that utilizes the correction coil, the onboard system determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the train position immediately before correction until the latest train position reaches the train position immediately before correction, and determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the latest train position after the latest train position has reached the train position immediately before correction.
US09162686B2
A drive support device that supports driving operation of a vehicle, includes: a vehicle speed sensor that detects a current vehicle speed of the vehicle; a target vehicle speed control unit that calculates a reference target vehicle speed range of the vehicle, that sets an indication upper limit speed on the basis of the current vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor, and determines a target vehicle speed range that is a speed range lower than or equal to the indication upper limit speed on the basis of the reference target vehicle speed range; and a target vehicle speed indicating unit that indicates the target vehicle speed range determined by the target vehicle speed control unit.
US09162685B2
A method for operating a function in a motor vehicle employs a sensor arrangement with at least two spaced sensors for detecting operations caused by a user. Signals of a first sensor are monitored until a first characteristic signal answer is detected. A user-carried identification device is queried to verify authorization to access the requested function. Signals of a second sensor are monitored to determine an operation caused by approaching the second sensor. Signals from the first and second sensors are monitored for a predetermined time period t1. If the signals indicate a continued operation of the two sensors during t1, an expiration of t1 is signaled to the user. Signals of the first sensor are monitored for a predetermined time period t2. If the signal of the first sensor indicates a cancellation of the operation within t2, the function of the motor vehicle is triggered.
US09162677B2
A cruise control apparatus includes a current speed detector detects a current speed of a vehicle; a target speed setting unit sets a target speed of the vehicle; an acceleration and deceleration operation amount acquisition unit acquires an operation amount of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle by a driver; and a cruise controller performs cruise control of the vehicle so that the current speed follows the target speed. The target speed setting unit monitors i) the operation amount or ii) change in the current speed detected by the current speed detector to performs a first determination of if the driver intends to maintain the vehicle speed at an intended speed different from the target speed, and if the first determination is positive, updates the target speed to the intended vehicle speed.
US09162666B2
A method of braking a vehicle includes determining via a controller a desired braking power for braking the vehicle. Under the method, a bypass valve that controls exhaust gas flow through the exhaust heat recovery device is moved via the controller to a relatively restrictive position to provide at least some of the desired braking power.
US09162649B2
The instant disclosure provides a wiper, comprising a wiper connector, a flexible member, a reinforcing member, a rigid frame, a plurality of fastening members and a wiper blade. The flexible member includes a central loading portion and two distal loading portion extending symmetrically from two ends of the central loading portion, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature. The reinforcing member is sleevingly coupled to the flexible member. A front-facing side of the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. The rigid frame is arranged on the central loading portion to connect the wiper connector. The fastening member is engaged to the second loading portion. The wiper blade is inserted through the plurality of fastening members. Thus, a better conformity can be achieved between the windshield and the wiper through the wind pressure while driving to provide a better water removal effect.
US09162648B1
In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed towards techniques for using a computing device to perform the functionality of a vehicle key, so that the computing device may be used to automatically unlock the doors of a vehicle and/or to activate a previously-deactivated keyless ignition system. The computing device may be associated with a vehicle, including sending an identifier associated with the computing device to the vehicle via short-range communication. The computing device may also send to the vehicle, via short-range communication, at least one unlock door signal including an access code verifiable by the vehicle, and wherein receipt of the at least one unlock door signal by the vehicle enables the vehicle to unlock one or more of its doors without further user intervention.
US09162640B2
A bumper cover fixing bracket mounted between a fender panel and a bumper cover includes a main supporting member having an upper end attached to an upper member, an auxiliary supporting member having a lower end connected to the main supporting member so as to form a Y-shape and an upper end attached to a wheel house front member, and a fastening member coupled to a lower end of the main supporting member and having one side and the other side mounted on the fender panel and the bumper cover, respectively.
US09162634B2
A molding fixing assembly for securing a roof molding in a roof groove includes a bracket fixedly secured in the roof groove and a separate clip mounted to the molding. The bracket includes a base and a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicularly from opposed longitudinal side edges of the base. At least one of the arms includes a first retaining member and a second retaining member having a configuration different than the first retaining member. The clip includes a body having a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and a pair of end walls. At least one of the sidewalls has a post projecting therefrom. To connect the clip to the bracket, the sidewalls of the clip are positioned between the pair of arms of the bracket. The first retaining member engages one of the sidewalls of the clip and the second retaining member engages the post.
US09162633B2
A decoration part includes a base member having a front-side surface and an outer peripheral end portion, a skin covering the front-side surface of the base member, and a holding member mounted to the front-side surface of the base member and arranged on a rear-surface side of the skin. The skin has a stitch line formed with a thread, and a part of the stitch line is arranged in the outer peripheral end portion. The holding member holds the thread with which the skin and the holding member are sewed and has a linear shape extending along the stitch line. The holding member has a mount portion mounted to a holding member mount portion of the base member and a stitch portion that is sewed with the thread. The holding member has the stitch portion closer to an outer peripheral end of the base member than the mount portion.
US09162629B2
The present invention relates to an extendable vehicle rack arrangement (10) comprising a first and a second load carrier foot (3, 4) and comprising a stationary part (12) attached to said first and second load carrier foot (3, 4) and a displaceable part (11). The stationary part (12) is pivotally connected to at least one of the load carrier feet (3, 4). The extendable vehicle rack arrangement (10) is advantageously an extendable vehicle top rack arrangement. The present invention provides for a solution which effectively reduces or neutralizes the intrinsic forces which can be imparted to an extendable vehicle rack arrangement during or after attachment to a vehicle, thereby providing an easier extension of the displaceable part (11).
US09162625B2
A vehicle body includes a side sill connected by overlapping a plurality of plates. In an area of the side sill positioned in a door opening, a step garnish covers at least a portion of such area. The step garnish is formed of a hard resin garnish main body and a soft resin garnish end part. The garnish main body covers from the upper surface of the side sill through a lateral surface that includes a sealing contact part. The garnish end part is integrally formed with an end of the garnish main body, and covers at least the sealing contact part. The thickness of the garnish end part gradually decreases from a proximal end formed integrally with the garnish main body towards the distal end. Such arrangement improves appearance of the door opening and sealing characteristics of the area surrounding the door opening.
US09162622B2
A method to selectively project graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle based upon visual information present in a peripheral zone of vision includes monitoring a location of visual information corresponding to critical information with respect to the windscreen, and processing the location of the visual information to generate display requirements describing the visual information as present in the peripheral zone of vision. Processing the location includes monitoring an estimated operator gaze location with respect to the windscreen, comparing the estimated operator gaze location to the location of visual information, and generating the display requirements when the estimated operator gaze location is distant from the location of visual information by more than a threshold distance. The method further includes generating the graphical images to be projected based upon the display requirements, and projecting the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the estimated operator gaze location.
US09162618B2
It has a sun visor 10 arranged in the vehicle roof portion so that it can be rotated between the working position and the stored position, a room lamp 20 arranged in the vehicle roof portion and covered by the sun visor 10 stored at the stored position, and a lamp-turning-on/off switch (lens) 20L of the room lamp arranged on the room lamp itself or near it; the lens 20L can be turned between the on position and the off position and, when the lens 20L is in the on position (inclined posture) 20n, if the sun visor 10 is in the stored position, the sun visor 10 drives the lens 20L physically from the on position to the off position (horizontal posture) 20h.
US09162614B1
An illuminated running board for a vehicle includes a running board body and at least one light-emitting device installed in the running board body. The running board body includes two lateral ends and an outer end portion extending between the lateral ends. The light-emitting device includes a light guide bar and at least one illuminant. The light guide bar is held inside the outer end portion and includes a plane facing the outer end portion for development of a luminous surface. The illuminant is adjacent to an end face of the light guide bar and projects light rays which are guided into the light guide bar through the end face and emitted from the outer end portion, so that the running board can be clearly observed by passengers and other vehicle drivers for better security of the running board in service.
US09162610B2
A headlight of a motor vehicle includes several light emitting devices which are arranged next to each other in at least one direction of the extent of the headlight. When the headlight is switched on, the light emitting devices along at least one direction of the headlight are switched on sequentially.
US09162602B2
A first barrier and a second barrier that, in a C-shape configuration, lay one on top of the other and engage each other and that, in an arched configuration, lay separate and disengaged from each other. In the C-shape configuration, the barriers can close off the bed of a pickup truck such as when the tailgate of the pickup truck is laid out and open. In the arched configuration, the barriers can serve as a four wheel vehicle ramp that extends from the ground up to the open, horizontally extending tailgate.
US09162601B2
A deck for a truck or trailer has a base frame and a deck frame movable relative to the base frame to either one of a tilt position or a dump position. A first pivot connection between the frames defines the pivot axis of the tilt position while a second pivot connection separate and spaced from the first pivot connection defines the pivot axis of the dump position. A common lift mechanism between the frames lifts the deck frame to either one of the tilt or dump positions depending upon the operative condition of the first and second pivot connections.
US09162598B2
A vehicle includes an armrest and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly supports the armrest and is rotatable between extended and collapsed positions. The hinge assembly includes a pin configured to move between locked and released positions. When the pin is in the locked position, the hinge assembly is locked in the extended position. When the pin is in the released position, the pin is configured to permit rotation of the hinge assembly toward the collapsed position.
US09162597B2
An armrest frame including a first portion including a shaft and a single plastic material lining overmolded around the shaft and a second portion including at least one branch attached to the lining. A seat including a backrest and an armrest including such a frame, pivotally connected to the backrest.
US09162596B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a lock mechanism including a lock lever that includes an engaging portion engageable and disengageable relative to an engaged portion formed at the lower rail, and an unlock operation inhibition apparatus including a mass member arranged at an inner void of the upper rail, a moving axis forming member forming a moving axis of the mass member, and a restriction portion inhibiting a movement of the mass member on the moving axis, the unlock operation inhibition apparatus restricting the engaging portion from moving to disengage from the engaged portion by the movement of the mass member on the moving axis to a position at which the mass member interferes with the lock lever in a case where a collision load greater than a retraining force specified for the restriction portion is input.
US09162590B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a second unlock mechanism rotating an unlock lever in a direction that unlocks a lock mechanism by pushing the unlock lever in accordance with a predetermined seat operation, an unlocked state retaining lever retaining the lock mechanism in an unlocked state cooperating with the second unlock mechanism by operating in conjunction with the second unlock mechanism, a first unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by making contact with an operation body in accordance with movement of an upper rail relative to an lower rail, and a second unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by pushing the unlocked state retaining lever in accordance with the operational input.
US09162582B2
A method for operating a motor vehicle, including at least one electric motor connected to at least one rechargeable energy storage unit that stores electrical power, wherein the charging operation of the energy storage unit is carried out in such a way that a charging state limit that lies below the maximum charging state of the energy storage unit is not exceeded, wherein upon activation of at least one vehicle starting system, which is designed to automatically carry out a maximum acceleration of the motor vehicle from the standing position, the charging operation of the energy storage unit is carried out before the acceleration of the motor vehicle in such a way that the energy storage unit is charged up to a further charging state limit that lies above the first charging state limit and/or at least one further rechargeable energy storage unit is connected in series
US09162578B2
Speed variation transmission device for motor vehicle powertrain and hybrid motor vehicle using same
The present invention relates to a speed variation transmission device for a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an epicyclic gear train (26) with a sun gear (36) and a crown (50) connected to shaft (12) of thermal engine (10) of said vehicle, as well as a planet gear carrier (58) connected by a motion transmission track (102) to drive axle (16) of this vehicle.According to the invention, sun gear (36) and crown (50) are connected each to engine shaft (12) by a controlled coupling (28, 30) and to a fixed part (48a, 48b) of the vehicle powertrain by a one-way coupling (32, 34).
US09162574B2
A portable telematics device can be a tablet or a mobile device. The tablet and mobile device can combine to run applications via a communication link and form a link with a vehicle and/or another mobile device. The tablet can also have a telematics component which has a display component displaying a selected program icon from the mobile station on the tablet and a control component. The control component can be configured to prevent a use of all program icons on the mobile station. Further, it can allow a use of the selected program icon on the tablet, which can activate a related program on the mobile station. The display component can display at least an output of the related program on the tablet.
US09162572B2
A method for interactive attentiveness enhancement of a vehicle driver includes steps of determining that a driver assistance function for semiautomatic control of the motor vehicle is active, detecting a stimulus which may be experienced by the vehicle driver upon an observation of the surroundings of the motor vehicle, detecting an input of the vehicle driver in response to the stimulus, determining a game result based on the input and the stimulus, and outputting a notice concerning the game result.
US09162565B2
A fuel tank mounting system for movable machine is disclosed. The mounting system may include a fuel tank connected to a frame of the movable machine in such a manner as to allow vertical motion of the tank relative to the frame. The fuel tank may be mounted to the frame using a spring and/or a shock absorber. The fuel tank may be a cryogenic fuel tank for storage of liquid natural gas. The shock absorbers may be tunable so that the level of dampening provided by the shock absorber is tailored to the type of machine and the specific mode of operation of the machine.
US09162561B2
A straddle-seat vehicle has a frame, and connected thereto, a pair of front wheels, at least one rear wheel, a pair of footrests, an engine, a radiator connected to the engine for cooling the engine, and a cowling. The cowling encloses at least a portion of the radiator and includes an inlet in fluid communication with the portion of the radiator, a lateral outlet on a first side, and a downward outlet on a lower surface, both outlets rearward of the inlet. The inlet is adapted to direct air to enter through the portion of the radiator into the cowling. A cowling wall disposed between the inlet and one of the pair of footrests deflects air away from the pair of footrests. The lateral and downward outlets, each in fluid communication with the inlet, are adapted to direct air exiting the cowling away from the pair of footrests.
US09162560B2
A powertrain for a machine may include a flywheel and a drivetrain having multiple configurations to permit the flywheel to be mechanically connected both upstream and downstream of a transmission. A bypass clutch may be used to selectively couple the flywheel directly to the engine, while a flywheel clutch may be used to selectively couple the flywheel directly to a lower powertrain. In both upsteam and downstream modes of operation, the transmission is bypassed to increase flywheel energy storage and use, as well as expanding the functionality of the flywheel.
US09162557B2
The drive unit (19) according to the invention for light vehicles, in particular bicycles, comprises a wheel unit (20) and a motor unit (21). The wheel unit (20) includes a gear ring (27) and at least one, preferably two support tracks (31, 35) on which the motor unit (21), which is movably supported but circumferentially fixed to the frame (11), runs. In this way, a wheel-support arrangement for the motor unit (21) is provided. As a result, also with extreme light-weight designs as used in connection with bicycles even in sport applications, a correct engagement between the wheel mounted gear ring (27) and drive pinion (45) is achieved.
US09162554B2
To obtain a vehicle rear door structure that can improve a fitting performance of a rear door. A pair of connecting beads, that connect a lock mechanism placement portion with regions positioned at vehicle transverse direction outer sides with respect to a lateral bead, are formed at a rear door inner panel. Upper end portions of the connecting beads are disposed at positions apart from the lateral bead and are connected to an annular bead, and have outer side wall portions and inner side wall portions, that stand erect in a door thickness direction of a rear door. The outer side wall portions and the inner side wall portions both extend in a direction orthogonal to an extension line of the lateral bead as seen in a door elevation view. Further, the outer side wall portions are made integral with an inner peripheral wall portion of the annular bead.
US09162553B2
A side window shade device for a vehicle. The shade device includes a bottom edge for sliding into the gap formed between the side door and the side door window. Compressive force between the side door and the side door window holds the shade device in place. Extending upward from the bottom edge is a shade device body. The body is of sufficient size to block sun rays from contacting the arm of someone sitting in a seat next to the side door. In a preferred embodiment the side door is the driver's side door of an automobile and the shade device blocks sun rays from hitting the arm of the driver. Also, the shade device is curved inward to cover the arm of the driver and provide effective viewing out of the side of the car.
US09162544B2
A wheel servicing machine has a bead loosener arm powered by an actuator attached to a machine base. The actuator includes a moveable actuator rod coupled to the bead loosener arm at a pivoting joint. The pivoting joint includes a joint having two or more angular degrees of freedom, such as a ball joint, in some embodiments. The pivoting joint allows the actuator rod end to pivot both in a major plane of rotation substantially parallel to the movement of the bead loosener arm as well as in one or more minor vertical planes. In some embodiments, the pivoting joint includes a socket positioned around a ball, forming a ball joint. The socket is coupled to the actuator rod, and a pin is disposed through a passage in the ball to pivotally secure the ball joint to the bead loosener arm.
US09162543B2
A tire service hammer includes a handle portion and a head portion having a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A method of manufacturing a tire service hammer includes providing a handle portion and providing a head portion that includes a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A tire servicing system for repositioning a wheel having a tire mounted on a rim includes a first grasping portion for securing a portion of the rim while repositioning the wheel, and a breaking portion for breaking a tire bead formed between the tire and the rim.
US09162540B2
Provided are a tire pressure monitoring device, an information transmitting method thereof, and an integrated receiver system. A tire pressure monitoring device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first sensing unit sensing a pressure of a tire, a second sensing unit detecting whether a vehicle is driving by sensing at least one of acceleration, motion, and shock, and a calculation unit transmitting, to an integrated system of the vehicle, pressure information of the tire at a first data transfer rate corresponding to a data transfer rate of a body control module or a smart key system when the second sensing unit detects that the vehicle is not driving.
US09162531B2
A motorcycle tire comprises a tread portion provided with a plurality of inner inclined grooves and inclined narrow grooves in both sides of a tire equator, wherein each inner inclined groove extends from an axially inner end to the outer end with an angle of 0-20 degrees with respect to a tire circumferential direction, the inner end of the inner inclined groove is located in a developed length within 5% of a tread half developed-width from the tire equator, each inner inclined groove has a circumferential length of 70-85% of a first pitch, each inclined narrow groove with a groove width of 0.5-2.0 mm is provided between circumferentially adjacent inner inclined grooves and has an angle with respect to a circumferential direction of the tire larger than that of the inner inclined groove.
US09162528B2
An industrial cart has a caster interface which allows for the quick changing of wheel casters on the cart without the use of tools. The caster interface forms a three-sided pocket into which a wheeled caster seats. A plate of the caster seats within the pocket through an open end of the pocket. A locking mechanism is used to quickly and easily secure the caster into the pocket.
US09162525B2
Wheel hub arrangement with three drum units comprising a hollow drum (18), a winding of a flexible pulling element fixed on the drum, and a biasing spring (22) in the hollow inner space. Respective free-wheels (36) are provided at sides of the hub unit (4). The wheel hub unit comprises a pair of spaced driving sleeves (33) arranged in axial direction and the sides of the driving sleeves facing to a drum unit and being connected therewith to transmit of torque only. The driving sleeves are surrounded by intermediate sleeves (38) and a spacing is formed between them, wherein a ball bearing (35) and one of the freewheels are arranged so that they are connected both with the outer surface of the driving sleeve and the inner surface of the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeves are connected rigidly together and they are also connected at least during the driving sessions to an outer sleeve (40) of the wheel hub unit.
US09162524B2
A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
US09162513B2
A method of authenticating an item with a security mark includes providing a substrate (100); printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); applying a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) over the security mark and substrate; illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light; identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark; comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.
US09162511B2
A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers and 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber, such as carbon black and optionally 1-80 phr of an inorganic non-infrared radiation absorber filler. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form various flexographic printing precursors that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images in flexographic printing plates, printing cylinders, or printing sleeves.
US09162494B2
A printing system includes a receiving unit, a printing unit, a grouping unit, a determining unit, and a control unit. The receiving unit receives a job in which a sheet feeding source is designated. The printing unit prints an image on a sheet fed from one of a plurality of sheet storage units. The grouping unit groups some of the sheet storage units as one virtual sheet storage unit. The determining unit determines which of one of the sheet storage units or the virtual sheet storage unit is the sheet feeding source. The control unit controls sheet feeding to continue the printing. When the sheet feeding source is determined to be a sheet storage unit, a sheet is fed from the designated sheet storage unit. When the sheet feeding source is determined to be the virtual sheet storage unit, sheets are respectively fed from the grouped sheet storage units.
US09162486B2
When a heat capacity of a recording medium having a base material coated with a foamable resin layer is larger than a normal heat capacity, to form a raised amount equal to that with the normal case with a normal heating quantity, a turned mirror image of the image is generated. The image is transferred onto the front face of the recording medium and fixed. The recording medium is reversed, and conveyed again to the transfer part. The turned mirror image is transferred onto the rear face of the recording medium and fixed. The recording medium is heated with the heat quantity equal to that in the normal case, and combination of heat absorbed by the turned minor image and heat absorbed by the image is transmitted to the foamable resin layer to expand the foamable resin layer.
US09162484B2
A liquid discharging apparatus includes: a head which discharges liquid on a medium; a transportation section which transports the medium in a transportation direction; a creasing section which performs creasing on the medium; and a clamping section which clamps the medium between the head and the creasing section in the transportation direction.
US09162480B2
A method for uniformly erasing an image recorded on a thermo-reversible recording medium. The image erasing apparatus includes an LD array, which emits a laser light whose cross section has a line shape; optics which include at least one cylindrical lens which converts, into a converging light which converges in a width direction, a line-shaped laser light which is emitted from the LD array and emits the converging light; and a mono-axial galvano mirror which deflects the laser light emitted from the optics in the width direction to scan the deflected laser light onto the thermo-reversible recording medium.
US09162476B2
Upon determination that a paper to be printed is a first type of paper, a controller deletes pixels at least in one line from one side end of a pattern image forming a black information code in an information recording direction, and drives a printing unit to eject an ink of at least one color other than black in addition to an ink of black to pixels at least in one line at each of two side ends in the information recording direction of the pattern image with the pixels at least in the one line being deleted such that the pattern image is printed with a same width in the information recording direction as a width of the black information code included in an image data.
US09162474B2
A method for calculating a compensation value for use in a correction of a liquid landing position in a liquid ejection device provided with a first head for ejecting a first colored liquid and a second head for ejecting a transparent liquid includes, when forming a test pattern on a medium, forming the test pattern by feeding the first colored liquid to the second head and causing the second head to eject the first colored liquid, and obtaining a compensation value for a correction of a landing position of a liquid ejected by the second head on the basis of the test pattern formed on the medium.
US09162473B2
A printing apparatus including a head section which discharges a color ink which is cured due to irradiation of light and a clear ink which is cured due to the irradiation of light, an irradiation section which irradiates the light, and a storage section which stores a relationship between a total amount of color duty which is an amount of the color ink which is discharged per unit region and clear duty which is an amount of the clear ink which is discharged per unit region, and glossiness of an image which is printed using the color ink and the clear ink which have been discharged, wherein, according to the color duty in a certain region in the image, the clear duty in the region is determined based on the relationship so that the glossiness of the image is a predetermined value.
US09162471B2
An ultraviolet ray curable ink jet recording apparatus includes a head for discharging an ink composition for an ultraviolet ray curable ink jet recording, an ink flow path supplying the ink composition for the ultraviolet ray curable ink jet recording to the head, and a gear pump for circulating the ink composition for the ultraviolet ray curable ink jet recording to the ink flow path, in which the ink composition for the ultraviolet ray curable ink jet recording contains a hindered amine compound.
US09162469B2
Example circuits and methods are described involving a flexible substrate for a fluid cartridge, comprising an integrated circuit connected to the flexible substrate, and electrical connector pads arranged on the flexible substrate for connection to the integrated circuit.
US09162466B2
A liquid housing body recycling method is provided for a liquid housing body that includes a liquid housing unit that is configured to house liquid, a supply member with a supply port that is configured to be connected to a liquid supply tube of a liquid consuming device, and a filter through which the liquid is configured to pass, with the liquid inside the liquid housing unit being supplied to the liquid consuming device via the supply port by passing through the filter. The liquid housing body recycling method includes forming an opening part on the liquid housing unit at a position outside an area facing opposite the filter on the liquid housing unit, injecting the liquid from the opening part of the liquid housing unit on which the opening part has been formed, and sealing the opening part.
US09162448B2
A main scan pass which relatively moves a recording head and a recording medium in a main scan direction and forms dots on the recording medium, and a sub-scan which relatively moves the recording medium and the recording head in a sub-scan direction that intersects with the main scan direction, are performed, and thereby multi-pass recording which completes forming of the dots on a main scan line by N (2 or more) main scan passes is performed. A dot rate represents a rate of pixels in which dot recording is performed in each main scan pass and is set so as to be changed gradually and periodically over sections in the main scan direction. The number of values of the dot rates different from each other in the plurality of sections lined up in the main scan direction is set so as to be equal to or greater than 3.
US09162443B2
An ink jet recording device comprises: an ink jet recording head for discharging an ink droplet; and a recording control part for outputting a drive signal to cause the ink jet recording head to discharge an ink droplet, wherein the recording control part includes a current amplifier circuit for amplifying a drive signal by active elements connected in multi-stages, and the current amplifier circuit includes a current interruption element connected to an input side of the active element of the current amplifier circuit on a power source side, the current interruption element being for preventing damage of the active element due to an overcurrent from occurring when a short circuit of the drive signal is generated.
US09162436B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses for dimensionally registering composite laminates are disclosed, wherein readable elements acting as alignment and identification features are incorporated integrally in laminates.
US09162431B2
Provided is a gas-barrier laminate film that has a layer containing a one-pack adhesive coating material layer having good adhesiveness to various substrates and containing a polyamine resin. The laminate film has at least a substrate, an adhesive coating material layer and a sealant layer laminated in this order, wherein the adhesive coating material to form the adhesive coating material layer contains a polyamine resin, the polyamine resin contains a skeletal structure represented by the following formula (1) in an amount of at least 40% by mass, and the polyamine resin contains a metal atom in an amount of from 2.0 to 20 mol % relative to the nitrogen atom contained in the polyamine resin:
US09162423B2
The invention relates to a multilayered bearing shell (2) comprising a back metal layer (3) as a carrier element for the layer structure and at least one further bearing layer joined to the back metal layer (3), wherein the back metal layer (3) is made from a bronze. The back metal layer (3) contains in addition to copper, which forms the matrix of the bronze, tin in a proportion selected from a range with a lower limit of 1.25 wt. % and an upper limit of 12 wt. %, zinc in a proportion selected from a range with a lower limit of 0.25 wt. % and an upper limit of 6 wt. % and phosphorus in a proportion selected from a range with a lower limit of 0.01 wt. % and an upper limit of 0.5 wt. %.
US09162417B2
A method of manufacturing a structure, the method comprising: forming a panel assembly by bonding a stack of thickness control plies of composite material to a laminar composite panel, the stack of thickness control plies having a first edge proximate an edge of the laminar composite panel, a second edge opposite the first edge, and a ramp where the thickness of the stack of thickness control plies decreases towards the first or second edge; measuring the thickness of the laminate composite panel or the panel assembly; controlling the number of thickness control plies in accordance with the measured thickness; attaching a first component to the panel assembly, the first component having a surface which engages the laminar composite panel and a ramp which engages the ramp in the stack of thickness control plies; and attaching the laminar composite panel at or near its edge to a further component.
US09162411B2
A screw separator for separating solids out of suspensions, having at least one housing and at least one feed pipe for the suspension, at least one discharge pipe for liquids, and at least one outlet for the at least partially dewatered solids. At least one strainer basket is provided in the housing in which a screw is rotatably mounted, and the screw vanes terminate in a replaceable wearing ring mounted downstream of the strainer basket.
US09162405B2
A transfer molding method includes an insertion step of inserting a resin sheet between a first die and a second die, which are disposed opposite each other, a sandwiching step of sandwiching the resin sheet between the first and second dies while a transfer surface of a transfer member is brought into contact with at least one of surfaces of the resin sheet, and a transfer molding step of heating at least one of the first and second dies to melt at least a surface portion of the resin sheet with which the transfer surface of the transfer member is brought into contact, and exhausting residual air remaining in a recess through a groove portion connected to the recess when a thick portion is formed by the recess formed in the transfer surface.
US09162401B2
A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.
US09162399B2
Elongate, composite-material, hollow rebar structure, along with associated components, related fabrication apparatus, and apparatus-implemented, rebar-structure-making methodology. The rebar structure has a long axis, and includes (a) an elongate, hollow core centered on that long axis, (b) an elongate, hollow sleeve having inner and outer surfaces, circumsurrounding the core along the core's length, with the sleeve's inner surface bonded to the core's outer surface along the length thereof, and (c) longitudinally distributed, radial-dimensionality, external-purchase-enhancing structure formed unitarily with the sleeve's outer surface along the length thereof. The bond existing between the core and the sleeve takes the form of a single-cure, reverse-temperature-gradient-cure, plastic-material, molecular bond.
US09162397B2
A first process in which a fiber reinforced base is placed in a cavity of a molding die and then resin is injected into the cavity of the molding die in a state where the molding die is opened by a sum of a distance X1 and a distance at the time of completion of molding; a second process in which the molding die is closed to a state where the molding die is opened by a sum of a distance X2 and the distance at the time of completion of molding while resin in the cavity is being drained; and a third process in which the drain of the resin from the cavity is stopped and then the molding die is closed to the distance at the time of completion of molding while a die clamping pressure is maintained at a predetermined value to cure the resin, are carried out sequentially.
US09162393B2
The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects (3) layer by layer using a powdery material (5) which can be solidified by irradiating it with a high-energy beam.
US09162391B2
The current document discloses an apparatus and method that support manufacture of large 3D hollow objects or shells with thin walls including curved surfaces with high and low curvature change ratio and alleviate or significantly reduce the need for support structures. Further to this, introduction of support structures becomes a function of the curved surface curvature change ratio.
US09162388B2
The invention relates to an extruder which has an extruder housing, in which a delivery channel for a medium to be extruded is formed. At least one screw conveyor is located in the delivery channel and a cooling device is provided for the extruder housing, said device having at least one cooling line in or on the extruder housing, through which line a cooling fluid flows. An electronic device for controlling and/or regulating the operating states of the extruder is accommodated in an electronics housing which can be cooled according to the invention by means of the cooling device for the extruder housing.
US09162381B2
A method, a device and a computer program for manufacturing a pre-insulated skeleton framing segment (1) for a building to be constructed, wherein an assembly (2) with a hollow space (14) is provided, to which a data carrier (40) is fitted including data from which a quantity of raw materials required for forming a foam insulation layer of a thickness (15) in the hollow space (14) can be determined, which quantity is calculated, and which raw materials are inserted in the hollow space (14), and foam and harden there during a period (T).
US09162377B2
A sink assembly includes a basin including one or more sidewalls having interior and exterior surfaces, the one or more sidewalls defining an interior and a top opening; a layer of bonding material provided on the exterior surfaces of the one or more sidewalls and extending about the top opening; and a mounting flange coupled to the layer of bonding material and extending about the top opening of the basin.
US09162376B2
Food product-forming apparatus, with a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body or according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the knock out cup comprises a reservoir with compressed fluid, preferably essentially air.
US09162361B2
A gap/height difference measurement system for a vehicle may include a reflection light sensing unit on a the transportation conveyor line and sensing reflection light reflected from the vehicle body transported depending on illuminance of an illumination, a measurement robot measuring the gap and the height difference between the vehicle body and each panel that move while being installed at both sides of the transportation conveyor line in a width direction of the vehicle body at one side spaced from the reflection light sensing unit in a movement direction of the vehicle body, and a controller receiving a signal sensed by the reflection light sensing unit and comparing the received signal with a predetermined value to control the illuminance of the illumination and outputting a specification depending on a vehicle type of the vehicle body transported to the measurement robot to control the measurement robot.
US09162358B2
A robotic device for providing assistance in manipulation, including a base having a movable segment mounted thereon in association with a motor-drive mechanism connected to a control unit. The segment having an end portion provided with a member for holding an element to be manipulated and a handle for enabling the end portion to be manipulated by an operator. The control unit is connected to a detection mechanism for detecting an external force applied on the end portion and arranged to control the motor-drive mechanism as a function of an amplification factor for amplifying the detected force and servo-control gains. The control unit is connected to a pressure sensor mounted on the handle to detect the force with which the operator grips the handle and is arranged to modify the amplification factor and the servo-control gains as a function of the detected grip force.
US09162354B1
A handle cover structure includes two casings and a connecting element, and the two casings are engaged with each other to form a sleeve having a hollow inner side and at least one open end for sheathing on a handle. Each casing has an external surface facing an outer side of the sleeve, an internal surface facing an inner side of the sleeve, a first recess formed on the external surface of each casing, and a through hole penetrating into the internal surface of the casing; and the connecting element is flexible and disposed on the external surfaces of the two casings, and both ends of the connecting element are passed into the through holes from the first recesses of the casings, extended into the inner side of the sleeve, and fixed onto the internal surfaces of the casings respectively.
US09162343B2
A system for sharpening a tool bit in a fixed geometry has a base with a support platform and guide rod attached to and extending from the platform; a fixture including a longitudinal extending body with a plurality of linear bore holes extending through a transverse width of the fixture; and a tool bit support assembly removeably connected to the fixture for receiving the tool bit. In operation, the system provides for a user to insert the guide rod through one of the bore holes in the plurality and to position the tool bit in a fixed orientation for sharpening a free end of the tool bit. By forming the fixture with a specific number of bore holes, each positioned at a precise angle within the fixture, the system provides for the sharpening of the tool bit in a fixed geometry in a way that is consistent, precise, and repeatable.
US09162340B2
Polishing pads containing a phase-separated polymer blend, and methods of making and using such pads in a polishing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the polishing pads include a multiplicity of polishing elements integrally formed in a sheet. In another exemplary embodiment, the polishing elements are bonded to a support layer, for example by thermal bonding. In certain embodiments, the polishing pad may additionally include a compliant layer affixed to the support layer, and optionally, a polishing composition distribution layer.
US09162320B2
A chip attraction passage 23 is provided extending through a housing 5A, a tool base 13, and a bonding tool 14. When the chip attraction passage 23 is attracted by the vacuum source 32, a semiconductor chip 3 can be attracted to and held on the lower surface of the bonding tool 14. The tool base 13 is configured by laminating transmitting members 11 and 12. A connection passage 29, which is a main part of the chip attraction passage 23, is configured by a groove 12B formed on the upper surface of the transmitting member 12 and a through-hole 12A in the center of the transmitting member 12. When the semiconductor chip 3 is heated by laser beams L and bonded to a substrate 2, even if flux or the like adhering to bumps 35 transpires and adheres in the connection passage 29.
US09162317B2
A method for producing a part from ductile iron, including the steps of designing the part in such a way that the part is composed of a plurality of part components, producing the part components from ductile iron, providing the part components in pairs, depositing buffer material onto the rim edge of the first part component and onto the rim edge of the second part component by means of deposition welding, laying the second part component with the rim section thereof on the rim section of the first part component so that the rim edges lie against each other with the buffer materials thereof, and welding the rim sections, wherein the buffer material is selected in such a way that a structure change in the ductile iron material of the part components is prevented when the rim sections are welded.
US09162313B2
A system and method of feeding wire is provided using at least one roller which is biased towards the wire. The at least one roller is permitted to deflect a limited amount during the wire feeding operation. The roller is permitted to deflect 50% or less than the wire diameter during feeding to prevent tangling.
US09162311B2
The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled welding machine that uses serializing and modulating circuits to transfer modulated data packets to a welding power source across a weld cable. A transmitter transmits the data packets of desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder. The transmitter and other electronics of the wire feeder are constructed to use only a small amount of power which, preferably, is supplied by a DC power supply external to the wire feeder. The DC power supply is designed to provide power to the electronics of the wire feeder when the wire feeder is in a standby mode of operation.
US09162310B2
Enhanced power factor correction for a welding-based power supply includes a controller that tracks a rectified input voltage waveform and detects zero-crossing events therein. The controller generates an ideal sinusoidal current reference signal synchronized by expected zero-crossings in the supplied power. The reference signal is used in a current control loop within the controller to control the power electronics such that the waveform of the current drawn by the power supply matches the waveform of the input voltage. The frequency of the supplied power may be calculated using the expected zero-crossings and used to adjust the expected zero-crossings.
US09162306B2
A system is disclosed for reducing an internal diameter of a hole in a metal substrate. The system includes an electrospark device having an electrospark torch and an electrode holder rotatable about an axis. An electrode is removably supported in the electrode holder. The electrospark device configured to apply a coating of a material of which the electrode is formed, to the substrate on an inner wall of the hole when the electrode is rotated within the hole.
US09162303B2
A circuit board, associated assembly, and method of manufacture. The circuit board comprises an elongated groove, extending into the circuit board, for accommodating a footing of a large component such as an RF shield. The groove allows solder paste to be deposited therein via a stencil, to a depth greater than the stencil thickness. Thus the same stencil can be used for depositing solder paste for both small and large components.
US09162289B2
A machine tool apparatus and method for exterior and interior cutting operations on a workpiece is provided. In one form, the machine tool apparatus has a common support assembly with a tailstock and a boring tool holder mounted thereto. The common support assembly has a common support carriage that is mounted to a machine base for travel along a longitudinal axis parallel to a central axis of the workpiece. The tailstock and boring tool holder are mounted to a mounting base portion for travel transverse to the workpiece central axis. In one form, a turret having external cutting tools is separate from the boring tool holder and mounted to the machine base for performing external cutting operations on the workpiece. This separate mounting allows the turret to machine the exterior of the workpiece while also permitting a longer boring tool to perform deep internal cutting operations on the workpiece.
US09162286B2
A preparing method of a glass substrate film sputtering target is disclosed, which comprises the following steps of: weighing an alloy material for forming the glass substrate film sputtering target; adding the alloy material weighed into a plasma pressure compaction sintering cavity and sintering the alloy material to obtain a sintered target, wherein the sintering temperature is 500° C.˜1600° C. and the sintering time is 5˜20 minutes; and post-processing the sintered target. A glass substrate film sputtering target prepared by the preparing method is further disclosed. Because the plasma pressure compaction for quick sintering is adopted for the glass substrate film sputtering target and the preparing method thereof of the present disclosure, quality of the target can be improved and the time necessary for preparing the target can be shortened.
US09162283B1
In a tilting gravity casting apparatus, a die includes a ladle that stores a molten metal and the molten metal is poured through a runner into a cavity of the die when the die is tilted. The apparatus includes a block member for blocking the runner, a pressing pin for pressing the molten metal in the cavity, a controller that controls operation of driving the block member and the pressing pin, and a first molten metal sensing sensor disposed in the runner. The controller is configured to start driving the block member and the pressing pin based on a detection signal outputted from the first molten metal sensing sensor.
US09162282B2
Provided is a compact casting apparatus capable of producing a high-quality casted product. While the internal pressures of a mold and a hopper are directly reduced by depressurizing means through a pipe and a branch pipe, the mold and the hopper are gradually tilted to fill the mold with a molten metal accommodated in the hopper. After the filling is completed, an open-close gate closes a runner. The molten metal is solidified with only the mold being directly pressured by pressurizing means through the pipe.
US09162278B2
A hand-held rivet nut tool has a body having a base; two handles connected pivotally to the base; two pairs of links connected pivotally and respectively to the handles; a driven member connected pivotally to the pairs of the links; and a mandrel mounted rotatably through the driven member and the base. A push-and-pull mandrel-driving device or a rotational mandrel-driving device is mounted detachably and hence replaceably on the driven member, and is capable of driving the mandrel, the bushing and the threaded shaft. A user is allowed to choose either the push-and-pull mandrel-driving device or the rotational mandrel-driving device according to different working spaces or personal practices.
US09162275B2
A flaring device for flaring a hollow malleable tubular member is provided. A hydraulically powered assembly includes a main body having a cylinder, a lever and a piston member which is received in the cylinder. The main body has an axis and opposing first end and second end. The lever is pivoted on the first end of the main body and operable to drive the piston member to move along the axis. One end of the piston member is formed with a conical expander. The die set is disposed at the second end of the main body and has a plurality of die elements arranged around the axis. The conical expander of the piston member is actuated to move axially and outwardly so as to radially drive the die elements to flare the hollow malleable tubular member.
US09162271B2
A deck anchor assembly for anchoring a frame loading member to a frame deck according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a deck leverage anchor and a coupler. The deck leverage anchor is configured to engage the frame deck, the deck leverage anchor including a locking mechanism configured to lock the deck leverage anchor relative to the frame deck. The coupler is configured to couple the frame loading member to the deck leverage anchor and is independently moveable relative to the locking mechanism.
US09162270B2
A machine for leveling a strip of material includes a fixed supporting frame; an upper leveling device and a lower leveling device, each leveling device forming a cassette with a plurality of separated rollers, rotatably mounted on a frame of a device for rotating the rollers connected to at least some of the rollers by an extender, each extender having one end provided with a removable coupling member with one end for rotating the roller, and a device for locking each removable coupling member by clamping. The clamping locking device includes a device configure for translating the removable coupling members in the direction of travel of the material, and in the opposite direction.
US09162269B2
An apparatus is disclosed for receiving a helical formation of rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor, and for gathering the rings into a coil. The apparatus comprises a vertically disposed mandrel having an upper end positioned for encirclement by the free falling rings. A vertically disposed support column is positioned adjacent to the mandrel. Upper and lower coil plate assemblies are carried by and vertically adjustable on the support column. A drive system vertically adjusts the coil plate assemblies in a descending manner in which the free falling rings encircling the mandrel are initially accumulated on the upper coil plate assembly before being transferred onto the lower coil plate assembly.
US09162268B2
An electric-resistance-welded pipe welding apparatus includes: an impeder that is disposed in the inner portion of a metal strip which is bent into the cylindrical shape, and is disposed spanning over from the upstream to the downstream of a position in which the induction coil is present when viewed along a traveling direction of the metal strip; and a metallic shield plate that is disposed further upstream than an upstream end of the impeder and is disposed in a position which is further downstream than the rolls when viewed along the traveling direction, the metallic shield plate including a hole portion through which the metal strip bent into the cylindrical shape passes, and the metallic shield plate shielding a magnetic flux generated in the induction coil.
US09162258B1
The present invention provides a wasted material separating device comprising: a base station for placing a panel thereon, wherein a wasted material to be separated is on the panel; a support frame; a first guide rail mounted on one side of the support frame away from the base station and extending in a direction toward the base station; a support member slidably mounted on the first guide rail, and a first drive device connected with the support member, the first drive device being arranged to drive the support member to slide along the first guide rail; a first vacuum adsorption plate for adsorbing the wasted material, one end of which is mounted on the support member via a bearing, and the other end is lapped and connected with the support member when the first vacuum adsorption plate is horizontally placed; and a second drive device connected with the first vacuum adsorption plate and arranged to drive the first vacuum adsorption plate to rotate about the bearing. Thus, the wasted material can be easily and quickly removed from the panel and residual of the wasted material is avoided.
US09162255B1
The use of power-efficient transmitters to establish acoustic wave energy having low undesirable harmonics is achieved by adjusting the transmitter output waveform to minimize the undesirable harmonics. In one embodiment, both the timing and slope of the waveform edges are adjusted to produce the desired output waveform having little or no second harmonics. In the embodiment, output waveform timing adjustments on the order of fractions of the system clock interval are provided. This then allows for very fine control of a coarsely produced waveform. In one embodiment, the user can select the fine tuning to match the transmitter output signal to a particular load transducer.
US09162253B2
Method for flow coating a polymeric material, wherein at least a. one component (1) is inserted at an angle of 25° to 90° relative to the floor (5) into a holder (2), b. the component (1) is coated from an upper edge (1a) with a varnish (3) and the varnish (3) is, in the meantime or thereafter, impinged on within a region of 30% of the surface of the component (1) adjacent the upper edge (1a) by a stream of air (4).
US09162251B2
A lamination includes a substrate formed of a metal or alloy, an intermediate layer formed on a surface of the substrate and is formed of a metal or alloy that is softer than the substrate, and a metal film deposited by accelerating a powder material of a metal or alloy together with a gas heated to a temperature lower than the melting point of the powder material and spraying it onto the intermediate layer while keeping it in a solid phase.
US09162242B2
A sprinkler system having a sprinkler assembly with at least one sprinkler head having a removable top coupled thereto by an attachment means. A female inlet removably couples the sprinkler head to a swing joint, which is buried below the sprinkler head and connects the sprinkler head to the irrigation feed. The removable top has a plurality of openings for exporting water from the irrigation feed outwardly therefrom. A top surface of the sprinkler head includes crushed stone for stabilizing the sprinkler assembly. The sprinkler system further includes a control system in electronic communication with a valve and control box connected to the sprinkler assembly.
US09162237B2
A showerhead including a fluid connector configured to be threadedly coupled to a shower arm, and an outer shell receiving the fluid connector. A rotational stop or drive member is operably coupled between the fluid connector and the outer shell and is configured to limit relative rotation between the fluid connector and the outer shell.
US09162232B2
A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated components, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant.
US09162229B2
Disclosed is a collection sled for collecting a waste droplet stream 122 in a waste stream catcher that is located below sample collectors. Contamination of collected samples is reduced by collecting the waste droplet stream at a position that is below the sample collectors. A waste trough is provided that gets progressively larger in a downward direction, which prevents backsplash of waste fluid from the collection cavity. Standard sample collector tubes, as well as 8-well strips and microscope slides can be used with the collection sled to collect sample particles.
US09162228B2
System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.
US09162224B2
It is an object of this invention to prevent a resistor material and an electrode material from diffusing and suppress variation in electric resistance. In a device including a plurality of metal layers of different compositions on a substrate and a second structure made of a material, such as glass paste, requiring a firing process at the time of formation, an intermediate layer is formed between a first metal layer and a second metal layer forming the first structure. The intermediate layer is of an intermetallic compound including one or more metallic elements in the first metal layer and one or more metallic elements in the second metal layer. The melting point of the intermetallic compound is higher than a firing temperature when the second structure is formed, and the intermetallic compound is produced at a temperature higher than the firing temperature for forming the second structure.
US09162219B2
To develop a Fenton reaction catalyst that can maintain divalent iron stably for a long period of time, can utilize trivalent iron or metallic iron, which is an inexpensive iron-supplying source, by converting into divalent iron, and is harmless to the human body and the environment, provided is a Fenton reaction catalyst, including, as an active component, a reaction product obtained by mixing a specific reducing organic substance (e.g., ascorbic acid, a polyphenol-containing plant component, or a plant dry distillation liquid component) with an iron-supplying source at a predetermined ratio in the presence of water. Also provided are a sterilization method, a pollutant degradation method, and a luminescence method based on chemiluminescence, which involve using the Fenton reaction catalyst.
US09162218B2
Zeolite catalysts and systems and methods for preparing and using zeolite catalysts having the CHA crystal structure are disclosed. The catalysts can be used to remove nitrogen oxides from a gaseous medium across a broad temperature range and exhibit hydrothermal stable at high reaction temperatures. The zeolite catalysts include a zeolite carrier having a silica to alumina ratio from about 15:1 to about 256:1 and a copper to alumina ratio from about 0.25:1 to about 1:1.
US09162193B2
A fill material which includes first and second types of polymers which are mixed together to be used for filling frameless furniture or the like as well as the method and apparatus for making the fill material and supplying the fill material to a frameless furniture sheath.
US09162192B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to produce solid particulate material from solid particulate components. The components are metered and mixed according to a desired recipe. After having been mixed the material is metered and packaged in a suitable form, e.g. in bags. The apparatus (10) comprises a stationary casing (32) provided with a rotating mixing tool (40), a discharge valve (50) mounted on the bottom of said mixer (30) and a metering and packaging unit (70).The method is particularly suitable to manufacture solid particulate material by mixing low-value components available in any site and high-value components, such as materials for use in the building and construction field.
US09162190B2
A composite ionomeric membrane comprising a layer or film of a porous inert material on which a (per) fluorinated sulphonic ionomer is deposited wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having: equivalent weight comprised between 280 and 1,700 g/eq; side chains of formula: —O—CF2—CF2—S03−M+, wherein M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal; said membrane having in each of the two orthogonal directions xy of the plane, after dipping in demineralized water at 100° C. for 30 minutes and preliminary drying at 105° C. under vacuum for one hour, the following size variations: in one direction, size variation lower than 25%; in the other direction, size variation lower than 20%.
US09162181B1
A probe assembly for processing an outlet gas from a gas analyzer. The probe assembly has a thermowell and a heating element mounted in the thermowell connecting to a power connection, wherein the heating element heats the thermowell. The probe assembly has a one piece non-sintered metal probe with an end cap smaller than a tubular body inner diameter, a plurality of upper longitudinal outer grooves and a plurality of longitudinal slots, or a plurality of perforations. The probe assembly has a street tee with an inlet port to receive outlet gas from the gas analyzer and a sintered metal outer housing, through a catalyst cartridge for reaction. This reaction produces water vapor and carbon dioxide while simultaneously allowing ambient air to enter the catalyst cartridge while exhausting water vapor and carbon dioxide at a continuous flow rate.
US09162176B2
An apparatus for affecting air includes a housing. The apparatus includes a treatment layer disposed in the housing for treating air. The apparatus includes a fan. The apparatus includes a gas powered motor mechanically engaged with the fan to operate the fan which forces the air through the treatment layer. The apparatus includes a compressed gas tank in fluid connection with the gas powered motor to provide gas to the motor to power the motor. A method for affecting air.
US09162174B2
According to the present disclosure, air cleaner assemblies, components, features and methods are described. A filter cartridge is characterized, that can be conveniently used as part of the system ensuring that a proper cartridge is installed in the housing, in a proper radial orientation and in a manner such that cartridge rotation is inhibited, in spite of the use of a radial seal. The cartridge can be configured to also be used with a housing that includes a utility conduit in an exterior surface thereof. Advantageous features and methods of assembly and use are described.
US09162165B2
The disclosed self-cleaning filtration system and self-cleaning filter solves various problems by replacing a standard filter cartridge with an adapter screwed in place of the cartridge, a filter of limited size with a motor for rotating an inlet cover plate and an outlet cover plate over a body with a plurality of longitudinal channels inside of a circumferential filtration media where the different parts of the media are used alternately in forward and backward flow. In another embodiment, instead of entry and drain openings, the oil is placed directly in contact with each longitudinal channel with the exception of the channel in fluidic communication with the drain opening. The self-filtration system includes a self-cleaning filter used in tandem with an adapter, a decanter, and a series of hoses. In yet another embodiment, the self-cleaning filter includes either in replacement of the rotating shaft or in addition to the shaft a body with an expandable chamber for storage of oil used as driving force of a back flushing valve.
US09162164B2
A system includes a hydrocyclone liner. The hydrocyclone liner includes a head section having a fluid inlet and an overflow outlet. The hydrocyclone liner also includes a separation section having an underflow outlet and a first sidewall. A diameter of the separation section of an outer surface of the first sidewall is constant along a length of the outer surface of the first sidewall. The head section and the separation section are joined together via a bond at an interface between the head section and the separation section. The hydrocyclone liner includes a sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the head section, the separation section, and the interface. The sleeve is configured to hold the head section and the separation section together if the bond fails.
US09162145B2
A method is provided for a unified game scripting language with a multi-platform interpreter. By providing a script editor that creates a unified game logic script, and by processing the unified game logic script through platform conversion modules, game designers can easily specify game logic without coding for a specific platform or making a distinction between server and client. As only a single unified game logic script needs to be maintained, consistency errors from manually maintaining parallel and mirrored code bases is completely eliminated. Moreover, game designers are freed from having to manually weigh the considerations of client side versus server side, low end hardware versus high end hardware, bandwidth limited networks versus bandwidth unlimited networks, specific hardware architectures, specific programming languages, and other technical details. Since platforms are defined by sets of rules, support for additional platforms is readily implemented by creating an associated platform conversion module.
US09162141B2
Localization system for mounting game in portable storage device on game console and method therefor
A localization system for mounting a game in a portable storage device onto a game console is provided. The system includes a portable storage device and a game console. After the game console is connected with the portable storage device and a game is selected via an application program menu, a target word unit and game information in a small database is searched. Then, whether any cover data or configuration data is corresponding to an identification code in the small database is checked. If yes, the cover data or configuration data is returned to the application program menu and displayed on a screen. The selected game is then downloaded into the game console from the portable storage device, thereby achieving the promptly mounting and localizing the game without downloading all games from the portable storage device.
US09162139B2
A puzzle game includes a first and a second group of several pieces each. Several assemblies of pieces may be selected of the two groups. Three pieces of the first group are different from each other by the piece shape. Each of the pieces of the second group of pieces are different in shape from each of the pieces of the first group. Each of the assemblies forms an object, which objects are externally the same. Each of the different assemblies includes at least one piece of the first group and at least one piece of the second group. The formed objects are two or three dimensional objects. Preferably, each of the formed objects consists of identical cells. For example, the first and second groups consist of respectively three and six pieces. Each of three assemblies includes one piece and two pieces of the respective first and second groups.
US09162133B2
The golf divot simulator apparatus for simulating the making of the divot associated with striking a golf ball with a golf club, when the golf ball is resting on natural grass turf, incorporates a pivoting structure. The pivoting structure, which includes complementary pivot points, allows the apparatus to rotate away from the path of a swinging golf club that makes contact with the apparatus. The pivoting structure comprises a calculated center of gravity for resetting the apparatus to a ready position via the force of gravity. Thus, subsequent to golf-club-induced rotation of the apparatus, gravity-induced counter rotation resets the apparatus for continued use. The apparatus also incorporates a turf covering for blanketing the pivoting structure. The apparatus further incorporates a fastening mechanism for securing the turf covering to the pivoting structure. The result of the apparatus is a self-resetting practice device that simulates the making of a golf divot.
US09162127B2
Goal apparatus comprising a frame, a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a pliable crossbar member. The frame presents net connection points and is configured to support each of the pliable goal members in tension between two net connection points such that the goal apparatus presents a substantially rectangular goal mouth. A frame for use in the goal apparatus. A net for use in the goal apparatus comprising first, second and third edges, and a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a pliable crossbar member extending along the first, second and third edge respectively.
US09162123B2
A golf bag accessory, for indicating the removal of a golf club from a golf bag, has a base member consisting of supporting ring elements. An indicator member with an open top is made of two layers of low friction material surrounding a rubber boot element. The two material layers and the boot element are connected between the ring members. The indicator member extends down from the base member to circumscribe a golf club positioned within the golf bag. Upon removal of the golf club from the golf bag, the indicator member is drawn upwards, ultimately extending up from the base member and out of the golf bag to provide notice to the golfer that a club has been removed and needs to be replaced.
US09162111B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition containing an ionomer resin with an excellent resilience and fluidity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball using an ionomer resin for an intermediate layer, with an excellent shot feeling, durability and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising (A) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester; (B) a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (C) a zinc compound, wherein a content ratio ((A)/(B)) of (A) component to (B) component ranges from 50/50 to 80/20 in a mass ratio and a content of (C) component ranges from 0.1 part to 20 parts with respect to 100 parts by mass of a sum of (A) component and (B) component, and the golf ball resin composition has a melt flow rate (190° C., 2.16 kg) of 5 g/10 min or more.
US09162110B1
A monofin, mermaid tail, and method of applying the tail and monofin. The fin utilizes a core made of flexible, yet resilient material such as plastic and a cover that is elastic, such as neoprene. The user's feet are connected to the fin by releasable connections. The mermaid tail and monofin connects both of a user's feet and legs in order to facilitate swimming in a mermaid-like motion while giving the user the appearance of a mermaid.
US09162099B2
An exercise device that enables a user to exercise the adductor and abductor muscles. The exercise device may include a base with at least one base channel and a slant board with at least one slant board channel. The exercise device may further include at least one rolling cylinder configured to fit within the at least one base channel and the at least one slant board channel.
US09162098B2
Certain aspects of the invention are drawn to formulations and methods of making a liquid gel concentrate composition. Such liquid gel concentrates are formed by admixing an alkali-swellable polymer with an alkaline swelling agent in an oil-based suspending agent. The invention also provides for gelled water fire suppressants produced by mixing a liquid gel concentrate composition with water and methods of using such fire suppressants for combating fires.
US09162097B2
An extinguisher identifying device. The device comprises an extinguisher identifying device and an activation device, and a communications module. The extinguisher identifying device reads an identifying element on an extinguisher to obtain identifying data of the extinguisher. The activation device is configured to activate the extinguisher identifying device in response to a predetermined event. The communications module is configured to transmit the extinguisher identifying data to a management device.
US09162095B2
A fire detection device and method therefore are able to provide automatic activation so as to extinguish a fire. The fire detection can be rapid and temperature-based. In one embodiment, a heat collector can be provided to enhance thermal responsiveness. Activation of the fire detection device can be electrically induced to release an extinguishing agent at the fire. The activation can be protected such that it is durable and unaffected by vibrations.
US09162085B2
A personal cleansing composition that increases the deposition and retention of benefit agent containing polyacrylate microcapsules onto hair and/or skin. The personal cleansing composition is based on the combination of anionic charged polyacrylate microcapsules, cationic deposition polymers, detersive surfactant, and a carrier.
US09162084B2
The invention relates to topical delivery of bioactive agents. More particularly, the invention relates to anhydrous formulations for percutaneous absorption. The invention provides formulations that allow efficient topical delivery of high concentrations of bioactive substances for percutaneous absorption. The formulations according to the invention are generally non-irritating to the skin.
US09162082B2
One embodiment of a particle circular accelerator 1 includes: a beam deflector for beam injections, bending electromagnets that causes the beam injected from the beam deflector for beam injections to circulate so as to form a circulation orbit, orbit adjusting electromagnets for injected beams that shift the position of each injected beam relative to the center of the circulation orbit of the beam, quadrupole electromagnets and sextupole electromagnets that adjust their respective quantities of magnetic excitation at the time of a beam extraction so as to extract a beam in a resonant region off a stable reason of beams and a beam deflector for beam extractions that takes out the beam extracted from the resonant region to the outside. The circular accelerator 1 injects beams from the inner side thereof and emits beams to the outer side thereof.
US09162077B2
An LED component and the use thereof. The component comprises a light output spectrum with at least one peak intensity between 600-800 nm wavelength range with a full width at half maximum at least 50 nm; second optional optical light output peak at 200-500 nm wavelength range; and third optional output peak at 700-1000 nm wavelength range. It can be used for therapeutic, photosynthesis and photomorphogenetic applications.
US09162075B2
The invention relates to a method for medical treatment of a mammal, preferably a human, by applying pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation intravascularly. More particularly, said method has as effect that it boosts the immune system and/or that it relieves pain. In a preferred embodiment, the disease or condition to be treated is caused or accompanied by immunodeficiency, more preferably the disease or condition is selected from the group of cancer, infectious diseases, immunosuppression or otherwise caused immunodeficiencies. Also auto-immune diseases and conditions associated with allostatic load are preferred for treatment with the method of the invention. In an also preferred embodiment, the PRF stimulation is applied together with vaccination.
US09162068B2
A driving circuit useful in a magnetic inductive coupling wireless communication system is disclosed. The circuit includes an inductor (coil; L) and capacitor (C) in series selectively coupled to a power source such as a rechargeable battery. The LC circuit is made to resonate in accordance with a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) or other protocol. Such resonance produces a voltage across the inductor. This voltage is used to create a first voltage either by tapping into the coil, or by providing a transformer. The first voltage is coupled to the rechargeable battery by a diode. When the circuit resonates, and when the first voltage exceeds the voltage of the power source, the diode turns on, thus shunting excess current back to recharge the rechargeable battery. By use of this circuit, energy is conserved. Additionally, oscillations can be quickly dampened so as to allow the circuit to transmit at high data rates.
US09162066B2
A first ventricle is stimulated at a stimulation site, a point of time for arrival at the AV node for at least one depolarization wave resulting from the stimulation is estimated and a first activation time interval substantially corresponding to the time interval required for at least one depolarization wave to travel from the stimulation site in the first ventricle to the AV node is computed. A similar process is used to compute a second activation time interval for the other ventricle. Based on these activation time intervals and a difference between the intervals, a pacing therapy can be determined.
US09162050B2
A reinforced medical electrical lead for neurological applications has a reinforced construction for resisting the detachment of electrodes and lead connection terminals, thereby improving the robustness of the lead and extending the life of the lead by reducing the likelihood that a further surgical procedure will be required to remove the lead for repair or replacement thereof. The present reinforced lead construction maintains the integrity of the electrical connection between the conductor and the respective electrode and lead connection terminal by incorporating several reinforcing features in the lead construction in contrast to conventional lead constructions where it is possible to pull the electrodes and lead connection terminals away from their contact points with relatively little force.
US09162049B2
A tissue stimulating device has an elongate member, a proximal annular stimulating region and a distal annular stimulating region. Each of the annular stimulating regions circumscribe the elongate member, and each has a plurality of independently energizable electrodes that deliver current into tissue. Adjacent electrodes in the annular stimulating regions are separated from one another by an insulating member. The annular stimulating regions are axially separated from one another by a gap. An internal electrical connector electrically couples a first electrode in the proximal annular stimulating region with a first electrode in the distal annular stimulating region. The first internal electrical connector is disposed within the elongate member, and extends across the gap between annular stimulating regions. A recording electrode is disposed in the gap and is adapted to record local tissue potentials from the tissue.
US09162048B2
An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body, electrodes disposed along a distal end of the lead body, terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, and conductors coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The electrodes include a tip electrode having an electrode body with an outer stimulating surface. An internal lumen is defined in the electrode body and extends inwardly from an opening in a proximal end of the electrode body. Side apertures are formed between the outer stimulating surface and the internal lumen. A portion of the lead body is disposed within the internal lumen and side apertures through the opening in the proximal end of the electrode body. That portion of the lead body facilitates retention of the tip electrode on a distal tip of the lead body.
US09162045B2
An electrode and electrodes for a biomedical system is provided. The electrode includes a backing pad with top and bottom surfaces. A conductive element is attached to the bottom surface of the backing pad, and a conductive gel layer covers at least part of the bottom surface of the conductive element. A bonding layer is disposed at least in part between the conductive element and the conductive gel layer. The electrode can include a leadwire with a stripped end length, and at least a portion of the stripped end length is disposed between the conductive element and at least one of the bonding layer and the conductive gel layer.
US09162043B2
The present invention provides for a safety device and methods of using a safety device for use with a medical implement having a body with an inlet end portion, the safety device comprises a bracket for mounting on the body of the medical implement; a cap supported by the bracket and sized to fit over and seal the inlet end portion of the medical implement in a safety position wherein the cap covers the medical implement; an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft being secured to the cap and being slidably and pivotally supported by the bracket so that the cap can be raised away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft away from the inlet end portion; and a biasing means for biasing the cap to the safety position.
US09162035B2
An adapter for use with a flow generator includes a conduit attachable to the outlet of the flow generator and an identifying element supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.
US09162033B2
A dilator (100) for performing a percutaneous medical procedure, said dilator (100) comprising a proximal shaft portion (112) near a proximal end (114) thereof and a distal portion having a general tapering shape towards a distal end (120) of said dilator (100), said distal portion being adapted for dilation of body tissue.To provide a dilator which can shorten time of procedure a region of an outer surface of said distal portion is provided with a pattern of depressions having a depth in the interval of 0.1 to 3 mm.
US09162024B2
Embodiments of an implantable electrolytic pump include a drug reservoir, a cannula fluidly coupled to the reservoir, a pumping mechanism for forcing liquid from the reservoir through the cannula, control circuitry for operating the pumping mechanism, and a power source comprising primary and auxiliary batteries in a stacked configuration, only the main battery being operatively coupled to the control circuitry during normal operation, the control circuitry operatively coupling the back-up battery upon detection of an electrical fault. The pump may further include a hermetic enclosure containing the control circuitry and the power source.
US09162021B2
A system and method for determining a concentration of total chlorine in dialysis water are provided. The system comprises a main unit housing an iodide/water sample chamber and a reducing agent chamber. An electrode pair bridges the two chambers and generates tri-iodide proportional to the amount of total chlorine in the dialysis water. The electrode pair detects the amount of tri-iodide generated in proportion to the amount of active chloride in the dialysis water. The system is suitable for use in connection with, or for incorporation into, a water purification system for generating dialysis fluid, and may include a display that alerts the user to stop or prevent a hemodialysis treatment if the total chlorine level exceeds a predetermined level.
US09162013B2
A method reducing microbial growth uses an inorganic substance consisting of MoO2 and/or MoO3 which causes the formation of hydrogen cations when in contact with an aqueous medium to achieve an antimicrobial effect. The substance is present as a layer or a component of a layer, and is present in combination with one or more materials as a composite material. The composite material has a polymer matrix, and the substance is incorporated at 3 to 50% by weight into the composite material.
US09162009B2
Implantable drug-doped component, e.g., a cochlear implant, including host material, a host-embedded drug, a sacrificial material integrated with the host. Sacrificial material facilitates release of drug from the component. Sacrificial material facilitates release through creation of voids in the host upon dissolution of sacrificial material upon contact with a solvent, e.g., perilymph fluid upon implant. Host can be polysiloxane, or silicone rubber. Drug can be anti-inflammatory, growth factor, antibody, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, corticosteroid. Sacrificial material can be: glucose monomer, sugar, cyclodextrin, dissolvable or resorbable at implant site, a salt, bioresorbable material, hyaluronic acid, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid. Sacrificial material can be the host, and can facilitate release of drug through changing a property of sacrificial material, e.g., by exposing component to ethanol wash. For a cochlear implant, drug doped material can be applied to a non-stimulating surface of the electrode array, and can be a physical feature of stimulating medical device, e.g., soft tip, ridge, spine. For a cochlear implant the drug-doped material can excluded from the basal side of the most basal electrode contact.
US09162003B2
The invention relates to an air purification device for a vehicle and has an object to provide a DOR (Direct Ozone Reduction) system that can improve durability of activated carbon as an ozone purifier. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a fin of FIG. 2. FIG. 3(a) is a partial enlarged view of the fin in a front side, and FIG. 3(b) is a partially enlarged view of the fin in a rear side. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), in a louver, a coat amount of activated carbon is adjusted so as to gradually increase from a front side toward a rear side. Thereby, durability as the radiator can be improved, while oxidation degradation of the activated carbon by active oxygen is allowed to some degree.
US09161999B2
Electron beam sterilization equipment includes an outer-surface sterilization zone Z2 for sterilizing the outer surface of a container B by emitting electron beams when the container B is transported along circular paths L1 and L2; and an inner-surface sterilization zone Z3 for sterilizing the inner surface of the container B. An electron beam irradiator E1 is located near the upstream side of a 1-2 joint J1-2 of the circular paths L1 and L2 disposed in the outer-surface sterilization zone Z2, and a electron beam irradiator E2 is located near the downstream side of the joint. Thus, the electron beam irradiator E1 and the electron beam irradiator E2 are brought close to each other so as to sequentially sterilize the one half outer surfaces and the other half outer surface of the container B.
US09161989B2
The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.
US09161986B2
There is provided a beraprost sodium-containing nanoparticle that contains beraprost sodium among other prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) derivatives, which are therapeutic agents for pulmonary hypertension. The beraprost sodium-containing nanoparticle is obtained by making beraprost sodium hydrophobic using a metal ion and allowing the hydrophobic beraprost sodium to react with poly-L-lactic acid or a poly(L-lactic acid/glycolic acid) copolymer, and a poly-DL- or L-lactic acid-polyethylene glycol block copolymer or a poly(DL- or L-lactic acid/glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol block copolymer. The beraprost sodium-containing nanoparticle excels in sustained release of an active ingredient, reduces a side effect, and furthermore, has an excellent drug retention in the blood. Therefore, the beraprost sodium-containing nanoparticle is quite outstanding particularly regarding the sustainability of the medicinal effect.
US09161979B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising nucleobases and/or sources of nucleobases and polysaccharides from extracts of fungi, yeasts or bacteria. Preferably, the compositions include Nucleoforce® or Nucleoforce® Dogs and AHCC®. Said compositions are useful in the treatment and prevention of immunosuppression, of the toxicity derived from chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, of diseases of the immune system, of cancer or an infection; and are also useful to stimulate the immune function in a mammal, including a human.
US09161971B2
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of PML by infusion of activated and expanded autologous lymphocytes.
US09161969B2
Alveolar macrophages contribute to host defenses against influenza. Enhancing their function contributed to protection against influenza and other acute lethal pulmonary infections. Wild-type mice and Tg mice expressing GM-CSF in the lung were infected with influenza virus, and lung pathology, weight loss and mortality were measured. GM-CSF was also administered to lungs of wild-type mice that were infected with influenza virus. All Tg mice expressing GM-CSF in the lungs survived with greatly reduced weight loss and lung injury and histologic evidence of a rapid host inflammatory response that controlled infection vs. wild-type mice not expressing GM-CSF in the lungs. This resistance to influenza was abrogated by elimination of alveolar phagocytes, but not by depletion of T cells, B cells or neutrophils. Tg mice had far more alveolar macrophages than wild-type mice and were more resistant to influenza-induced apoptosis. Delivery of intranasal GM-CSF to wild-type mice also conferred influenza resistance. Therefore, GM-CSF confers resistance to influenza by enhancing innate immune mechanisms that depend on alveolar macrophages. Pulmonary delivery of GM-CSF is therefore useful for reducing the significant morbidity and mortality due to influenza virus and is similarly useful in pulmonary infection caused by other infectious viral and bacterial agents.
US09161968B2
The present invention provides methods for preventing, attenuating neuronal damage or stimulating neuronal repair prior or following central nervous system injury.
US09161962B2
Disclosure of methods and compositions related to chemical conjugations to nanoparticles of polysaccharides cross-linked to poloxamers as well as nano-sized colloids comprised of polysaccharides and poloxamers. The nanoparticles may be produced by various methods including inverse miniemulsion polymerization processes which create nanogels of desired size, shape, and stability for controlled therapeutic drug delivery, imaging, and theragnostic applications.
US09161957B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing blood alcohol content following alcohol consumption. The inventive compositions and methods rapidly reduce blood alcohol content and alleviate symptoms of intoxication in a subject having an elevated blood alcohol content due to alcohol consumption.
US09161951B2
Bioavailable iron-containing parenteral nutrition compositions are provided that are physico-chemically stable. Iron is present in the form of soluble ferric pyrophosphate. Methods of preparation and use of the compositions are provide, as well as kits.
US09161948B2
Oligonucleotide analogues conjugated to carrier peptides are provided. The disclosed compounds are useful for the treatment of various diseases, for example diseases where inhibition of protein expression or correction of aberrant mRNA splice products produces beneficial therapeutic effects.
US09161943B2
A sustained release composition comprising a polymer and manufacturing method thereof. The sustained release composition comprises a polymer, a bioactive agent, and a release rate determined agent, wherein the release rate determined agent is dispersed in the sustained release composition to control the release rate of the bioactive agent. The method comprises providing an oil phase comprising a bioactive agent, a polymer, and a release rate determined agent; providing an aqueous phase comprising a surfactant; mixing the oil phase with the aqueous phase to form the sustained release composition having a controlled release effect.
US09161941B2
The present invention is a compound comprising an NSAID portion and at least one of a progestin portion and a progesterone portion. The compound may take for instance the form of a pill or pellet (for oral internal use or for subdermal implantation), an injectable solution, or a suppository. The compound is intended for use in treating subjects having or being at increased risk—especially genetically determined risk—of developing endometriosis. The compound may also be used for treating other disorders or as a contraceptive.
US09161940B2
The present invention relates to the long-term administration of a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with a short half-life for the treatment of a variety of estrogen receptor-mediated conditions. The SERM may be administered at a concentration at or below that of a SERM with a long half-life in order to achieve an equivalent therapeutic effect.
US09161939B2
Described herein is pyrrolo{2,3-d}pyrimidine compounds, their use as Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing this compounds, and methods for the preparation of these compounds.
US09161935B2
This application provides for a method of treating a human patient afflicted with anti-TNFα refractory Crohn's disease, of treating a human patient afflicted with non-fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, and of treating a human patient whose Crohn's disease had not been surgically treated, the method comprising periodically administering to the patient an amount of laquinimod or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective to treat the patient. This application also provides for a method of inducing or maintaining clinical remission in a human patient afflicted with Crohn's disease comprising periodically administering to the patient an amount of laquinimod effective to induce or maintain clinical remission in the patient, which amount of laquinimod is less than 0.5 mg/day.
US09161926B2
Dapsone and dapsone/adapalene compositions can be useful for treating a variety of dermatological conditions. The compositions of this disclosure include dapsone and/or adapalene in a polymeric viscosity builder. Subject compositions can be adjusted to optimize the dermal delivery profile of dapsone to effectively treat dermatological conditions and improve the efficiency of pharmaceutical products applied to the skin. Use of the polymeric viscosity builder provides compositions with increased concentrations of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether relative to compositions without the polymeric viscosity builder.
US09161913B2
The present invention provides a stabilized pharmaceutical suspension of carisbamate for pediatric and adult use. More particularly, the suspension is stabilized with hypromellose (HPMC) to prevent crystal growth of the suspended particles and to prevent re-crystallization of the drug product with change in polymorphic form.
US09161909B2
Compositions for the treatment of xerostomia, and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed herein. The compositions are typically in the form of a film or tablet, such as a double layer sticker tablet. The compositions adhere to a buccal surface or mucosal surface in the oral cavity for at least 15 minutes, preferably for at least 30 minutes. The compositions themselves are able to increase the levels of saliva in the mouth without the need for active agents, such sialogogic agents. The compositions optionally contain a non-lipid lubricant, a flavoring agent, and/or a buffering agent. The composition is generally effective at treating or ameliorating the effects of xerostomia for a time period ranging from at least 30 minutes up to eight hours following administration to the buccal or oral mucosa.
US09161904B2
Provided is a tympanic membrane or ear canal regeneration agent comprising a combination of a gelatin sponge that carries basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and a covering material. The covering material is used not only to fix the gelatin sponge to the affected portion, but also for the purpose of preventing drying and infections to provide a culturing environment that is favorable for regenerating tissue isolated from the outside. To promote tissue regeneration, the margin of the tympanic membrane or ear canal defect is preferably freshened in advance.
US09161898B2
The present specification provides for a cosmetic agent for coloring keratinic fibers. The agent includes, in a cosmetic carrier at least one color imparting compound and at least one modified starch. The modified starch is modified by propylene oxide, has an average molecular weight between 50 and 2500 kiloDaltons (kDa), and has a propylene oxide content between 0.1 and 20.0 wt % based on the weight of the modified starch.
US09161888B2
A pacifier apparatus comprising a plurality of framing elements forming a hollow-bodied member, a planar surface within an aperture defined by the hollow-bodied member, and a nipple assembly with a nipple extending through an opening in the planar surface from a first side of the planar surface beyond a second side of the planar surface.
US09161885B1
Compartments of a medication storage device are fitted with sensors to detect the presence of medication and the opening of compartment lids or doors. A controller monitors the sensor signals and sounds an alarm if medication is not removed from a compartment within a variance range about a target time.
US09161882B2
A therapeutic shower assembly for weight reduction contemplates a generally horizontal support for an individual's body in a horizontal position on their back or stomach and a shower enclosure that accommodates the support. The shower enclosure also includes a source of pressurized water or a pump, a water heater for providing heated water and a horizontal serpentine pipe including a plurality of upwardly directed small openings. The assembly also includes two valves for stopping the flow of water to a portion of the pipe and the second valve for totally stopping the flow of water. The upwardly directed heated water falls gently on the individual. A mechanism raises and lowers the serpentine pipe to allow access to the support and to bring the pipe within about a foot or two of the individual. Finally, a timer and alarm warn an individual that the treatment is over.
US09161881B2
In the tapping device for producing beautiful skin, a Head contacts with skin. A Tapping mechanism pats the skin facing the Head with a Pad. The Tapping mechanism is equipped with the Pad at one end, and has a Shaft from which the Head projects and rolls back by piston actions. A Biasing member biases the Shaft toward one side of the piston actions. A Wire rod empowers the Shaft towards the direction resisting the biasing power of the Biasing member when tension is provided. An Actuator provides tension intermittently in a Wire rod, the tension of the wire rod and biasing of the bias member providing piston actions.
US09161880B2
In a walking assist device having leg links each connected to a support member through a first joint and having a first link and second link connected to the first link through a second joint, and actuators to be operated to displace the first and second links relative to each other to produce assist forces that assist part of user's body weight to assist the user to walk, it is configured such that a forward protruding amount of the second joint to be protruded with change of an angle between the first and second links about the second joint is changed. With this, it becomes possible to decrease the forward protruding amount to be protruded from the trunk of the user with change of the angle about the second joint, thereby decreasing the inertia force about the vertical axis, while mitigating the unnatural impression of the appearance.
US09161874B2
A trolley (10) for a medical waste container (12) is provided for use in a medical treatment facility such as an operating theatre or other hospital or medical environment. A cart (100) is provided for transporting a collection of medical waste containers (12) throughout a medical treatment facility.
US09161873B2
A system is provided for extricating a patient from a position from which extrication is desired. The system includes a first hoist unit, a second hoist unit, a patient lifting pad and a portable lift stand.
US09161854B2
An abdominal support article is disclosed for providing support to a user's abdomen. The abdominal support article includes a continuous tubular support band which encircles a user's abdomen, at least one left-front attachment component and at least one right-front attachment component on the continuous tubular support band, and a plurality of left support straps and right support straps which are to be wrapped around a user and attached to the attachment components of the continuous tubular support band. The at least one left-front attachment component and at least one right-front attachment component are specifically placed such that, in use, the abdominal support article is properly positioned to effectively simulate the bodily support normally provided by the transverse abdominis muscle. The abdominal support article may be incorporated into various support garments such as postpartum and post-surgical support garments and undergarments.
US09161853B2
The present disclosure provides a delivery system for a self-expanding implant (31) which includes a sheath (41, 42) which surrounds and constrains the implant prior to delivery and a confining element (80) which surrounds the sheath during storage. The confining element preferably includes elongate members (81) running axially along the sheath, which compress the sheath and the stent to reduce hoop stress in the system without promoting undesired adhesion between layers of the sheath.
US09161849B1
An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portion. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The cells also provide increase coverage of a vessel wall. Loops in the stent are disposed and adapted to cooperate, so that after expansion of said stent within a curved lumen, the stent is curved and cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow in width, whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length, but thicken in width to maintain a density of the stent element area which is much more constant than otherwise between the inside and outside of the curve. The stent also minimizes flaring out by eliminating free loops of the radially supporting circumferential bands of loops. The stent includes widened struts, wherein one or more of the widened struts have at least one reservoir for the delivery of an agent to a vessel site. The reservoir may be a fenestration or a recess that opens towards either the vessel wall or the lumen.
US09161842B2
An interbody spinal fusion assembly includes an interbody cage, planar metal pins and bone fasteners. The interbody cage includes a metal cage and a PEEK insert. The PEEK insert is inserted into a slot of the metal cage and is secured to the metal cage with a pin. The assembled interbody cage is inserted in the space between two adjacent vertebras and is secured in placed with the planar metal pins and the bone fasteners.
US09161840B2
An improved body element for use in a modular prosthetic stem component of the sort comprising a body element and at least one other element, wherein the body element and the at least one other element are joined together by at least one modular connection, wherein the improved body element comprises an anterior wall and a posterior wall, at least one of the anterior wall and the posterior wall converging toward the other on the medial side of the body element and diverging away from the other on the lateral side of the body element, whereby the body element approximates a general wedge shape.
US09161837B2
An apparatus for treating regurgitation of blood through a diseased heart valve having at least two leaflets includes a lollipop-shaped body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the end portions. The intermediate portion includes an expandable occluding member having an adjustable diameter so that, during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle, at least one of the heart leaflet coapts with a portion of the occluding member to mitigate or prevent regurgitation of blood through the diseased heart valve. The proximal end portion is physically connected to the occluding member and includes a connecting mechanism for operably mating with an adjustment member for adjusting the position and diameter of the occluding member within the diseased heart valve. The distal end portion includes an anchoring member for securing the apparatus in a heart chamber containing the diseased heart valve.
US09161835B2
The present disclosure provides aortic valve prosthetic devices that are constructed in a non-axisymmetric shape, or are expandable to a non-axisymmetric shape for improved results in the repair of defective aortic valves. The devices can be surgically implanted, or they can be implanted percutaneously through an insertion catheter. The expandable devices can be self-expanding or expanded by an inflatable balloon to a non-axisymmetric cross-section geometry.
US09161833B1
The invention relates to a mechanism that can be integrated with silicon facial prostheses used to recapitulate a natural facial appearance through biomimetic actuation. The prosthetic eye comprises a servo motor, microcontroller, battery, rotational shaft, and customized stainless steel tarsus. The tarsus mimics the natural eyelid and reinforces the silicon lid for rotational blink motion. A stainless steel clip holds the device together and polyurethane foam encases the device to allow proper fitting in the orbital cavity. The present invention fits within a model orbital cavity and the generated blink motion is tunable to match the position profile of an in vivo blink.
US09161832B2
A graft retention device has an elongated body with a first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween. A pair of elongated slots formed through the body defines a tang therebetween. A graft retention loop is disposed over the tang and is slidable therealong. A trailing line connects to the body adjacent the slots and extends therefrom through the graft retention loop toward the first end. Tension applied to the trailing line thus tends to urge the graft retention loop away from the first end and toward the midpoint.
US09161827B2
A prophy angle is provided that includes a paste-dispensing assembly that includes an actuator at the proximal end of the housing, and a push rod linked to the actuator and supporting a plunger on the push rod, where the push rod is supported by the housing in a biased manner to permit longitudinal movement within the housing in a reciprocating manner as actuated by the actuator, to dispense a controlled quantity of paste out of the prophy angle.
US09161826B2
For producing a mother matrix mould of a full or partial dental prosthesis or of a temporary crown or bridge or of a permanent crown or bridge, the data of a digitalised virtual model reflecting the status of the jaw is used to generate a data set of the digital tooth set-up of the full or partial dental prosthesis or of the temporary crown or bridge or of the permanent crown or bridge, based on which a rapid manufacturing or rapid prototyping method is used to produce a functional model of the full or partial dental prosthesis or of the temporary crown or bridge or of the permanent crown or bridge that is then invested in a curable elastic impression material from which the mother matrix mould is produced after curing the elastic impression material.
US09161825B2
A coupling assembly, particularly for dental implants, having at least one pin, which can be coupled rigidly to a bone portion, and a supporting element, which can be associated with a prosthesis. The pin has, at its end portion that lies opposite the one designed for connection to the bone portion, a protruding tab that can be accommodated by elastic forcing in a respective cavity formed in the supporting element so as to produce a stable coupling configuration between the pin and the supporting element. The tab is shaped like a substantially equatorial portion of a sphere with an outer lateral surface adapted to abut, with at least one part thereof, against the internal side wall of the cavity, to determine stable coupling configuration.
US09161824B2
A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which the teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.
US09161811B2
A radiation applicator with a dielectric body (2) surrounding the antenna. The dielectric body (2) is comprised of three sections (3, 4 and 5) with different dielectric constants to provide broad-band matching of the applicator to surrounding material. Washers (10) and (11) are mounted on the antenna to act as reflectors.
US09161809B2
Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
US09161794B2
An anchor for a pedicle screw having an anchor body comprising a proximal end, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a distal end, and a through-hole through the anchor body from the proximal end to the distal end. The through-hole defines a long axis of the anchor, and is provided with undersized female threads in the proximal portion and a reduced inner diameter in the distal portion. The reduced inner diameter causes expansion of at least the distal portion of the anchor body when a screw is inserted into the through-hole. The anchor is further provided with a plurality of ridges on an exterior surface of the anchor body, the ridges configured to reduce the likelihood of pullout when the anchor is inserted into a vertebra and a screw is inserted into the through-hole.
US09161792B2
A surgical assembly has a first section having a first hole with a smallest diameter and a second section having a threaded second hole with a minor thread diameter smaller than the smallest diameter of the first hole. The first hole encloses a center axis of the second hole and a clearance is provided between the first section and the second section. The assembly includes a screw member having a length for engaging the first hole and the second hole so as to bridge the clearance. The screw member has a first portion with a largest outer diameter smaller than or equal to the smallest diameter of the first hole, and a threaded second portion axially spaced from the first portion and configured to threadedly engage the second hole. A major thread diameter of the second portion is larger than the smallest diameter of the first hole.
US09161790B2
An adjustable length orthopedic device and system. According to one embodiment, the adjustable length orthopedic device or system comprises an elongated shaft with a longitudinal axis, and an adjustable portion extending from a proximal end of the elongated shaft along the longitudinal axis. The adjustable length orthopedic device further comprises at least one hole in a distal end portion of the device, where the hole is adapted for insertion of a pin through the device and into the bone in order to anchor the device to the bone. According to another embodiment is a lag screw extending from a proximal end of the elongated shaft at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis, the lag screw comprising a lag screw shaft segment, and an adjustable segment that extends from the proximal end of the shaft segment. According to another embodiment is an adjustable length locking screw.
US09161779B2
A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US09161754B2
An apparatus enables concurrent restoration of a gastroesophageal valve and tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal member having a distal end arranged to be received within a stomach, a tissue shaper at the distal end of the longitudinal member that forms a gastroesophageal valve from stomach tissue, and a tissue gatherer that gathers fundus tissue at or aboral to the gastroesophageal junction to reduce an esophageal opening into the stomach and tighten the lower esophageal sphincter. A fastener deployer then deploys at least one fastener pair to maintain both the restored gastroesophageal valve and the tightened lower esophageal sphincter.
US09161752B2
The present invention provides a rhenium tungsten wire comprising 10 to 30 mass % of rhenium and balance of tungsten, and having a wire diameter D of 0.10-0.40 mm, wherein a tensile strength T (N/mm2) of the rhenium tungsten wire exists within a range specified by an equation (1). 6314.6×D2−7869.3×D+4516.3≦T≦5047.4×D2−7206.4×D+5129.2 (1). In a case where the medical needle is manufactured from the above rhenium tungsten wire, crack and breakage hardly occur at a time of performing a pressing work or a bending work, so that a production yield and durability of the resultant products can be greatly improved.
US09161743B2
A biopsy apparatus includes a cannula, a cutting sheath, and a pressure generating device. The cannula has a lumen, a proximal portion, a closed distal end, and an orifice located on a circumferential surface of the cannula. The orifice is configured to receive a tissue sample into the lumen of the cannula. The cutting sheath is coaxially disposed with the cannula. The cutting sheath is configured to be movable relative to the cannula to selectively cover the orifice. The pressure generating device is coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula. A bifurcated valve assembly is interposed between the cannula and the pressure generating device. The bifurcated valve assembly has a first valve configured to release pressure into the lumen of the cannula and has a second valve configured to facilitate an inflow of air into the pressure chamber of the pressure generating device.
US09161742B2
An ultrasound imaging apparatus including a processing unit configured to produce an ultrasound image of the target region by applying position/orientation data representative of the position and/or orientation of an ultrasound transducer on the first side of a surface during each collection cycle to echo data representative of reflected ultrasound energy received by the ultrasound transducer during each collection cycle so as to coherently focus the echo data at a plurality of points distributed within the target region.
US09161738B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe device comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, where the body has a channel that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A cord passes through the channel and is extendable and retractable relative to the distal end of the elongated body. An ultrasonic probe head is connected to the cord and has a proximal end adjacent the distal end of the elongated body. The proximal end of the probe head is detachably connected to the distal end of the elongated body. The present invention is also directed to an ultrasound imaging system and a method of generating an ultrasonic image.
US09161736B2
Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with: an ultrasonic probe which transmits/receives ultrasonic waves to/from an object while being in contact with the object; a transmission/reception unit which, in a process in which pressing force applied to the object by the ultrasonic probe is changed and the tomographic position at which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted/received to/from the object is moved in a short axis direction, periodically transmits/receives the ultrasonic waves to/from the object, performs reception processing on a reflection echo signal from the object, and measures RF signal frame data at the tomographic position; a displacement measurement unit which, on the basis of two pieces of RF signal frame data, between which the difference in measurement time falls within a set range, selected from among multiple pieces of RF signal frame data sequentially measured by the transmission/reception unit, finds the displacement of a living tissue at the tomographic position and sequentially generates displacement frame data; an elasticity information calculation unit which on the basis of the displacement frame data sequentially generated by the displacement measurement unit, finds elasticity information relating to the living tissue at the tomographic position, and sequentially generates elasticity frame data; and an elasticity image construction unit which on the basis of the elasticity frame data sequentially generated by the elasticity information calculation unit, sequentially constructs elasticity images.
US09161735B2
Pain factors are labeled with targeted agents or markers delivered into the body. The labeled pain factors are imaged with appropriate imaging tools in a manner allowing selective identification and localization of areas of pain source or transmission. The labeled pain factors allow spatial differentiation in the imaging sufficient to specify the location of the pain so as to drive therapeutic decisions and techniques in order to treat the pain. Pain factors labeled and imaged in this manner may include one or more of nerve factors, blood vessel factors, cellular factors, and inflammation factors. Labeled markers may include for example radioactive materials (e.g. tritiated or iodinated molecules) or other materials such as metal (e.g. gold) nanoparticles.
US09161719B2
A sleep evaluation device includes an obtainment unit configured to obtain audio and a determination unit configured to determine a snoring level in the audio obtained by the obtainment unit based on an amount of time for which the audio occurred. The determination unit is configured to determine a snoring level based on a ratio of a cumulative time in which the obtainment unit obtains the audio to a number of times the audio is obtained by the obtainment unit.
US09161716B2
A captured image is received depicting at least a portion of an assessment tool and an affliction to which the assessment tool is proximally located. An assessment image is generated from the captured image and configured to be presented on a display, the assessment image including at least a portion of the captured image including the portion of the assessment tool and the affliction to which the assessment tool is proximally located. The assessment tool includes at least a first arm depicting measurement indicators to which a size of the affliction is correlated. The captured image is processed to identify at least one dimension of the affliction. The dimension is compared to the measurement indicators depicted on the first arm of the assessment tool to determine the size of the affliction.
US09161715B2
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user; acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user; comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user; and presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US09161714B2
A system and method is provided for detecting concentration of an analyte in a fluid. A first container includes (i) an optical cavity detection region, (ii) a reservoir for one or more modifiers of one or more optical properties of the optical cavity detection region, and (iii) a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. The optical cavity detection region and the reservoir define separate areas of the first container. The movement of the one or more modifiers between the reservoir and the optical cavity detection region is responsive to changes in concentration of the analyte. A second container includes an optical cavity detection region, and a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. Also provided are optical components for guiding light into the optical cavity detection regions of the first and second containers.
US09161710B1
A device provides a quick, easy and accurate method to measure a person's trunk rotation in a seated position. This measurement may be vital to identify, evaluate, and treat chronic low back pain (LBP) or to improve sports performance that requires trunk rotation, such as golf. The device may include a measuring arch, a bracket, a main arm, and a pole. The device may be attached to a seat, stool, chair, or the like, or the device may include a seat. To use, a subject may sit on the seat with arms out to the side. The subject may then rotate and move the pole, which may be oriented vertically, with her arm around the measuring arch.
US09161703B2
An integrated bioinformatics sensing apparatus includes a piezoelectric sensing layer, an upper conductive layer, a bottom conductive layer and an information transmission controller. The piezoelectric sensing layer senses a physiological rhythm of a living organism to output a physiological rhythm signal, and the upper and bottom conductive layers sense a physiological electrical signal on a body surface of the living organism. The information transmission controller receives and processes the physiological rhythm signal and the physiological electrical signal to generate and store the sensed bioinformatics, or transmit the signals to the external processing device to display the sensed bioinformatics. The simple-structured sensing apparatus can be attached onto the body surface of the living organism conveniently.
US09161701B2
A method and an apparatus for non-interfering blood pressure measurements, relates to an apparatus for continuously monitoring blood pressure for patients at home or at work. The apparatus includes an extra-corporal sensor for blood pressure determination with a flexible housing adapted to be attached to the body of a living being proximate to an artery, and an electronic circuit for wireless coupling to a remote transceiver in accordance with the blood pressure in the artery, the remote transceiver adapted for wireless coupling to the sensor for generation of a pressure signal in accordance with the blood pressure in the artery, and a processor connected to the remote transceiver for reception of the pressure signal and adapted to estimate systolic and diastolic pressure based on the signal.
US09161693B2
A miniaturized in-body electronic device is provided. One or more antennas (e.g., 32) may be galvanically coupled to receive an alternating current (AC) signal through the body of a subject where the in-body electronic device is located. Power extraction circuitry (e.g., 36) is configured to extract electrical power from the AC signal received by the antenna. The extracted electrical power is used for electrically powering one or more components of the electronic device. A transmitter (e.g., 48) is coupled to receive power from the power extraction circuitry. A controller (e.g., 46) is coupled to the transmitter. The controller is configured to activate the transmitter to generate a sequence of intermittent transmission bursts for transmitting an uplink signal. A transmission burst may have a higher instantaneous power level than an instantaneous power level of the AC signal received by the antenna.
US09161689B2
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of photographing a predetermined area of a subject's eye. The apparatus includes a light projecting unit configured to project visible light to a subject's eye, a detection unit configured to measure a pupil diameter, which is caused by the light projecting unit, and a control unit configured to determine the amount of change in diameter and to control a photographing operation based on the amount of change determined by the control unit.
US09161688B2
Embodiments described herein provide improved systems and methods for corneal pachymetry. These systems and methods can be used to improve the accuracy of corneal measurements that are used for a wide variety of different ophthalmic procedures. One embodiment provides a system and method for corneal pachymetry using a plenoptic detector. For example, a corneal pachymetry system can comprise a light source, a plenoptic detector and a processing system coupled to the plenoptic detector. The light source is configured to illuminate the cornea of the eye, and the plenoptic detector is positioned at an angle relative to the eye. The plenoptic detector is configured to receive an image of the light source reflected from the cornea and generate plenoptic image data representing the images. The processing system is coupled to the plenoptic detector and is configured to analyze the plenoptic image data to accurately determine the corneal thickness of the eye.
US09161685B2
The perimeter (2), which has a perimetry means (13) that measures the visual field of a test eye and outputs the results thereof as measurement results (MR), is configured by comprising: a measurement database memory (17) wherein multiple measurement results of previous visual field measurements are stored as a measurement database (MDB) in a form that is divided into a database (DB1) pertaining to normal eyes and a database (DB2) pertaining to eyes with glaucoma; a means (16) for assessing whether or not the measurement results (MR) for the test eye can be used as measurement results for normal eyes; and a means (15) that, when it is determined that the measurement results can be used as measurement results for normal eyes, adds the measurement results to the database (DB1) pertaining to normal eyes along with database search attribute data (data such as the subject's age, sex, race, visual acuity, refractive index, diagnosis, residence, date and time of examination, etc.).
US09161684B2
A scanning flexible endoscope includes a tether attached to a capsule. The tether controls a disposition of the capsule within a body lumen such as the esophagus. A scanning device in the capsule optically scans the adjacent tissue on the inside surface of the body lumen as the capsule is moved axially through the body lumen. A non-contact sensor responds to indicia on the tether to measure a relative position of the tether and the capsule in the body lumen. The indicia can be analog or digital in form and the sensor can be either magnetic, or optical. A wiper is optionally provided to remove bodily fluids from the tether when pulled from the body lumen past the sensor. A pulse of fluid can be delivered to the distal end of the tether to cause the body lumen to distend, facilitating free movement of the capsule in the lumen.
US09161683B2
A CMOS sensor converts optical information into an electric signal, and outputs the converted electric signal as an image signal. An imaging clock generating unit generates an imaging clock acting as a source of a drive signal that drives the CMOS sensor. A drive signal generating unit generates an imaging synchronization signal and a drive signal based on the imaging clock. A display clock generating unit generates a display clock. A display synchronization signal generating unit generates a display synchronization signal based on the display clock. A phase comparing unit compares a phase of the imaging synchronization signal with a phase of the display clock, and controls oscillation of the display clock generating unit based on a result of the comparison.
US09161671B2
A sponge with a sponge body and at least one opening in the side surface or surfaces to receive one or more fingers and thumbs of a user. The at least one opening may be located along the perimeter of the sponge. The at least one opening is capable of providing protection to a user's fingernail, knuckles, and other parts of the finger, during use. The sponge body may be formed into any shape or size. Additionally, the openings may be dimensioned such that they are capable of receiving and protecting the fingers and thumbs of a user. The sponge body can be formed from any acceptable material, such as poly vinyl alcohol (PVA).
US09161669B2
A surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the pre-motor filter dirt chamber is removable from the surface cleaning apparatus.
US09161664B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a shower rod assembly including an outer tube, a spring chamber, being housed in the attachment end of the outer tube, and inner tube with an attachment end inserted within said outer tube, and a bracket device at the opposite ends of the outer tube and inner tube for installation in an enclosure. The spring chamber has a fixed blocker in a locked position within the outer tube, a compression spring, and a mobile blocker with a removable locking pin. When the locking pin is removed, the compression spring extends to lock the outer tube and inner tube in position at a set length within the enclosure. Each bracket device has a base body with ridges, a casing with an inner core, a lock on the side of the casing and a mount.
US09161661B2
A double walled container is provided for insulating a beverage. An outer insulating shell or container is secured to the inner container that holds the beverage. A gap exists between the outer container and inner container and the air in the gap acts as an insulating barrier. The inner container is preferably a standard aluminum container. The outer container is preferably made from aluminum or a plastic polymer.
US09161651B2
In one aspect, an oven is provided and includes a drum oriented with a vertical axis and a motor for rotating the drum about the axis, a conveyor belt having a length helically surrounding the drum, and having an infeed end and outlet end, a chamber defined by walls surrounding the drum and the length of the conveyor belt, and a plenum within the chamber and being curved substantially concentrically with the drum. The plenum forms a substantially closed air pathway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end passing air into the chamber. The oven also includes a fan arranged to circulate air within the chamber and force air into the plenum inlet, through the plenum and out of the plenum outlet, and a heat exchanger arranged in the plenum.
US09161646B2
A hosiery donning device, in particular for compression hosiery, has a support, a front end portion of which is inserted into the hosiery to be donned; the support defines a downwardly-facing cavity so that a foot can be inserted into the sock or stocking by making the support slide over the upper surface and instep of the foot; a handle is joined to the rear of the support, it is fixed and faces upwards in relation to the support; the cavity is defined by a saddle-shaped portion, on which at least a portion of the hosiery is gathered; the saddle-shaped portion accompanies a portion of the hosiery over the heel of the foot, when the handle is tilted forwards while the saddle-shaped portion remains in contact with the instep of the foot.
US09161645B1
Provided is a card-like portable shoehorn, comprising a body, characterized in that: the body is plate-shaped; the body has a thick hard portion, a taper portion, and a thin soft portion; the taper portion tapers toward the thin soft portion; and the thin soft portion is thinner than the thick hard portion. Hence, the thick hard portion and the thin soft portion together operate in a manner to allow a user to stretch the shoe's counter outward with the thick hard portion and exert a force on the thin soft portion with the user's heel so as to bend the thin soft portion, thereby allowing the body to function as a shoehorn.
US09161643B2
Provided is an implement that has a handle adapted to be positioned on a user's hand such that the user's hand goes through the handle. The handle has an aperture that is adapted to accept a user's hand. The implement of the present invention may have a wide variety of implements as described herein. Particular implements include, for example, personal care implements such as, eating utensils, a toothbrush or a hair care implement, such as, a hairbrush or comb.
US09161640B2
Blanket with protective effect against dorsal parts of the human body becoming cold during sleep, with a composition of two textile layers (11, 11′) of the same size and shape that are equipped with identically located prolonged openings (2, 2′) of the same size and shape that are mutually firmly connected alongside their perimeters (3) and alongside the perimeter of the opening (4). A blanket cover is described, too, consisting of two textile layers of the same size and shape equipped with identically located prolonged openings of the same size and shape.
US09161627B2
Device for synchronizing the tilt of the back and the seat of a chair, of the type comprising a back frame, a seat frame and a support constrained to, or coincident with, the base of the chair, as well as at least one first crank hinged to the support and a front portion of the seat frame, and at least one second crank hinged to the support and a rear portion of the seat frame, so that the afore said at least one first and one second crank constitute a four-bar linkage with the seat frame. Advantageously, the device provides that the back frame is integral with the afore said at least one first crank.
US09161625B2
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a support member and a resilient member. The second rail is slidably connected to the first rail to which the third rail is connected. The support member is movably connected to the third rail and has a side portion and a stop portion. The side portion has at least one first slot, and a first connecting member extends through the at least one first slot and is connected to the third rail. The resilient member generates an elastic force in response to a relative movement between the support member and the third rail. The support member is movable relative to the third rail and contacts against the chassis.
US09161624B2
A rail for a movable furniture part includes a rail brace (railing strut) and a panel fixing device at an end of the rail brace to fix the rail to a front panel of the movable furniture part. A mounting part of the panel fixing device can be rigidly connected to the front panel. The rail brace is at least partly hollow and is designed in a movable manner relative to the mounting part. The rail brace, which is pushed in the direction of the mounting part, receives and covers the panel fixing device.
US09161617B2
A work station includes a work surface and a panel with a notch formed therein and a channel formed therethrough. A panel support base is positioned within the notch of the panel, a sliding member is positioned within the channel of the panel and extends through the work surface, a support member is positioned at an end portion of the sliding member extending through the work surface, and an arm rotatably coupled between the panel support base and the sliding member. The arm is rotatable to move the sliding member and adjust the position of the support member relative to the work surface.
US09161610B2
The invention relates to a carrier system having a front part and a back part and means for fastening to a human torso. The carrier system also has a hip belt which can be connected to the back part via at least one support. It is provided that at least a part of the means for fastening to a human torso has first fastening means and the back part has second fastening means, the first and the second fastening means together forming a fastening device with fastening loops and receptacles. The receptacles are provided with slots. The fastening loops can be inserted into or passed through the receptacles. Furthermore, an elongated fixing element is provided which can be passed through those ends of the fastening loops which have been inserted into the receptacles.
US09161608B2
This invention discloses a fastener for fastening a carry bag to a person's body, characterized by a garment having at least one reinforced member. The reinforced member is integrally formed with the garment. It has an elongate strap and a container portion of a backpack or rucksack. The reinforced member includes connector means for connecting the reinforced member to an engagement means of the carry bag. The garment may be, for example, a waistcoat, collared vest or a front portion of a waistcoat or collared vest that extends to a carry bag, rucksack, or backpack.
US09161594B2
A cleat for a sports shoe including a cleat base having an opening and a cleat tip having a connecting element. The connecting element has the shape of a pin which exhibits a first diameter and a second diameter, measured perpendicular to the first diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. In order to connect the cleat tip to the cleat base, the connecting element can be pressed into the opening and the cleat tip is held in the cleat base by a force fit.
US09161590B2
A footwear article, in particular a motorcycle boot comprises an air intake which is formed in an offset position in the zone where an upper and an outsole or tread are joined together, the air intake, which is protected by a protection mesh, is aligned with an interspace formed between the inner surface of the outsole and a midsole which closes the bottom of the upper and which has at least one through-holes, preferably a plurality of holes, an insole is situated above the midsole and comprises a layer of air-permeable material which has a plurality of ducts or channels for distributing air along the entire bottom surface of the user's foot and comprises an optional upper layer of breathable material.
US09161589B2
Ski-boot includes a rigid shell shaped to accommodate the foot, and a rigid cuff which is shaped to surround the ankle and is hinged on the shell so to be rotatable about a transversal reference axis; the shell being provided with a front sole and with a substantially duckbill-shaped front appendix which protrudes from the tip of the shell to form an extension of the front sole, and is structured so as to engaged in the front jaw of a specific ski fastening device; the front appendix having, on each lateral side, a respective side groove which starts on the appendix upper face at a distance from the appendix tip ranging between 10 and 20 millimeters, and continues by flanking the shell tip while increasing its depth, so to form a descending slope above which a corresponding prong of the front jaw of the ski fastening device is arranged.
US09161588B2
An adjustable headband device for a helmet has a base, a headband, a driven wheel, a resilient element, a cover plate and an adjusting knob. The headband is mounted on the base and has two toothed racks. The driven wheel has a gear engaging the toothed racks, multiple engaging tabs and multiple ratchet pawls. The cover plate is mounted on the base and has multiple ratchet teeth selectively engaging the ratchet pawls. The adjusting knob of the adjustable headband device rotates to control increase and decrease of an inner diameter defined by the looped headband without being depressed.
US09161578B1
Finger guard assemblies and methods of manufacturing finger guard assemblies are provided. The finger guard assembly includes a finger guard housing and a finger guard component including a shroud portion and an engagement arm slidably coupled to the finger guard housing.
US09161572B2
Aspects of the invention generally provide methods and structures for rolling paper structures for an end user to create a cigar or cigarette. In one aspect, a rolling paper structure is provided including a first paper section having a first height, a second paper section coupled to the first paper section and the second paper section having a second height longer than the first height, and an optional adhesive disposed on the second paper section. The rolling paper structure may be folded between the first paper section and the second paper section having a portion extending beyond the first paper section. A plurality of the rolling paper structures may be disposed in a storage structure. A method for disposing rolling paper structures in and retrieving rolling papers structures from the storage structure is also provided.
US09161564B2
New dietary supplement composition comprising, as active ingredients: NADH and/or NAD+ Coenzyme Q10 Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Serine and/or Phosphoserine to be used for stimulating/improving/increasing the production of naturally occurring adrenaline, thus reducing sleepiness caused by particular drugs intake. The dietary supplement according to the present invention is particularly advantageous for professional drivers and persons who usually take drugs having sleepiness as major side effect.
US09161556B2
Cellulosic materials are treated with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in an extruder. Machine configuration and operating parameters are strictly controlled in a manner to enhance the ability of Supercritical CO2 to enter into the cells. This results in a controlled deterioration of the cell walls, increasing the reactivity of cellulose and also enhancing the rate and the extent of cellulose hydrolysis. This precisely controlled combination of pressure, shear & temperature accelerates the penetration of carbon dioxide molecules into the crystalline structures, thus more glucose is produced from cellulosic materials after the cell is destructurized as compared to those without the pretreatment increasing glucose yield by as much as 50%. Concurrent saccharification and fermentation tests also show the increase in the available carbon source from the cellulosic materials for fermentation to produce ethanol. As the system operates at low temperature, it will not cause degradation of sugars such as those treated with the high-temperatures involved in many systems discussed.
US09161549B2
An apparatus and method for accelerating food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.
US09161548B1
An animal underbelly bone splitter preferably includes a base member, a bottom leg, a top leg and a handle portion. The bottom leg extends from one end of the base member at a bottom thereof. The top leg extends from the one end of the base member at a top thereof, such that a bone slot is created between the bottom leg and the top leg. A curved connecting surface preferably connects the bottom leg with the top leg. A cutting edge is formed on a top edge of the bottom leg. The handle portion extends from an opposing end of the base member at an acute angle from the top edge of the top leg. A resilient grip is formed on the handle portion. A second embodiment of the animal underbelly bone splitter includes a bone pocket tab, which extends downward from an end of the top leg.
US09161544B2
Compositions having antimicrobial activity contain surface functionalized particles comprising a copper salt which has low water solubility. The compositions may be added to the articles of manufacture to provide antimicrobial properties. The articles of manufacture include liquid and solid products. These liquids or solids include dispersions, creams, gels, coatings and any thermoplastic or thermosetting, polymer components.
US09161536B2
Provided herein are herbicidal compositions and methods employing combinations of (a) a compound of the formula (I) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of flurtamone, diflufenican, and picolinafen. Some embodiments employ flufenacet as an additional herbicidal component.
US09161534B2
A method of killing and removing bacteria, mold, mildew or fungus from a surface or keratin substrate includes contacting the surface with an aqueous solution containing a multi carboxylic alpha hydroxy acid, a mono carboxylic organic acid and optionally Aloe. The aqueous solution has a pH of less than 2. The method can also be used to deodorize fabrics, surfaces or stagnant water. The method can also be used to treat wounds and skin irritations.
US09161532B2
The invention is directed to emulsifiable oil suspension concentrate formulations containing cinnamaldehyde (cinnamic aldehyde) and allicin that are effective in protecting plants from pests, especially nematodes, and methods of their use.
US09161525B2
An ant bait stake is provided having two components including an outer housing and an inner bait pack or reservoir that is separate from the outer housing. The outer housing has a main component and a minor component. The main component includes a bait pack compartment for receiving the bait pack, and a ground engaging stake. The minor component includes a door coupled along one edge to the bait pack compartment by a living hinge. The door and bait pack compartment include complementary structures that securely seal the bait pack compartment once the bait pack has been placed in the compartment and the door closed. A neck portion with an access channel to the bait pack therein has a break-away tab that extends outwardly of the housing, the tab being removable by the consumer without any tools or other devices when the ant bait stake is ready for use.
US09161524B2
Fishing pliers that enable the user to conveniently extend fishing line into the eyelet of a fishing lure, the fishing pliers comprising: (i) a first elongate member, and (ii) a second elongate member pivotally coupled to the first elongate member, each elongate member having a proximal handle portion and a distal tip end portion and an intermediate section therebetween, wherein the first elongate member has, in the intermediate portion thereof, a channel configured to receive fishing line and a slot configured to receive an eyelet of a fishing lure such that when fishing line is passed through and the channel, the fishing line is oriented so as to be configured to conveniently enter the eyelet of the fishing lure, thereby enabling the user to conveniently extend fishing line into the eyelet of a fishing lure.
US09161523B2
The floatable, universally mountable fishing rod holder has base incorporating a rod holder for holding the handle of a fishing rod, a floatable portion for floating the fishing rod holder should the fishing rod holder fall into water so it can be recovered, and a plurality of mountings for mounting the fishing rod holder to any of a deck, a dock, a boat, a railing, a post, any of a 2″×4″ to 2″×8″ lumber, over a T joint formed between two perpendicular rails, railings or posts, whether vertically or horizontally oriented, as well as to ground. Said mountings include one or more clamps, straps, a deck plate and ground engaging stake and fasteners and wing nuts for attachment to the base.
US09161518B2
A gravity feed dispensing system for small animals in multi-level cages includes a rectangular hopper for containing a supply of animal feed and a number of multi-level cages. The system also includes a number of pipes with one pipe for each cage. The pipes are gathered together to form a pipe rack of upwardly facing open ends forming a planar array below the hopper. A first chute connects the hopper to the pipe rack for delivering food to the cages. A control plate having a small central opening is disposed in the chute between the hopper and the pipe racks. In addition, a pair of sliding gates is disposed between the control plate and the pipe rack together with a mechanism for opening and closing the pair of gates. The system also includes a mechanism for adjusting the vertical distance between the control plate and the pair of gates.
US09161517B2
A convenient, inexpensive, durable, refillable, specialized dog toy which can be made of various materials and have various aesthetic designs. The toy is a self-contained water source, or reservoir, for use where a messy dog bowl would be inappropriate. As the dog bites down upon the toy, in a particular location; water seeps out through tiny valves. The outside of the toy may be a superficial art form, perhaps including but not limited to, imitation bones, steaks, or burgers. The outside may be composed of rubber, plastic, vinyl, latex, or a cloth, denim or furry exterior. The toy may even be made of wood or substances which are edible to a dog. A fill cap is provided by which water can be added to the reservoir. A carrying cord may be provided on the outside by which the toy can be carried by dog or human without compressing out any of the water.
US09161516B2
A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Each of the base unit and the one collar include a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/−5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.
US09161511B2
A milking system includes a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of milking devices, each milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system further includes one or more robotic devices operable to perform one or more functions, including preparing the teats of a dairy livestock for the attachment of a milking apparatus, attaching a milking apparatus to the teats of a dairy livestock, and applying a sanitizing agent to the teats of a dairy livestock subsequent to the removal of a milking apparatus from the teats of the dairy livestock. Each of the one or more functions performed by the one or more robotic devices is performed during a period of time when the rotary milking platform is substantially stationary.
US09161505B2
A soybean cultivar designated YB45U13 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar YB45U13, to the plants of soybean cultivar YB45U13, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar YB45U13, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar YB45U13. 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 YB45U13. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar YB45U13, 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 YB45U13 with another soybean cultivar.
US09161504B2
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated ID6053, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line ID6053 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line ID6053, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line ID6053, and plants produced according to these methods.
US09161501B2
Methods for identifying sunflower plants or germplasm that display resistance, improved resistance, or susceptibility to Orobanche cumana are provided. Sunflower plants or germplasm that are resistant or have improved resistance to Orobanche cumana are created. The plants or germplasm produced by the methods of the invention are also an aspect of the invention.
US09161488B2
An agricultural implement is presented that includes a main tool bar supporting main agricultural tools. The agricultural implement also includes an inner wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the main tool bar and supporting inner wing agricultural tools. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes an outer wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the outer wing tool bar and supporting outer wing agricultural tools. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a folding system configured to rotate that outer wing tool bar relative to the inner wing tool bar to enable the agricultural implement to be operated in a narrower configuration.
US09167729B2
An inverter, a sealing air duct, and a heat dissipation system are disclosed. The inverter includes: an enclosure having a first cavity and a second cavity that are isolated from each other and sealed; a magnetic conversion circuit including magnetic elements that is arranged in the first cavity; a power conversion circuit including power tubes that is arranged in the second cavity; a heatsink arranged at the bottom of the enclosure and located outside the first cavity and the second cavity; a sealing air duct arranged outside the second cavity, where the columnar pipeline is sealed at two ends, the bottom surface is formed by a side wall of the second cavity or a substrate of the heatsink, and the bottom surface includes an air inlet and an air outlet to communicate with the second cavity and the at least one columnar pipeline.
US09167701B2
An electronic component mounting method includes a removing step, a first mounting step, a first attaching step and a second mounting step. In the removing step, a first feeder holding first electronic components is removed from an attaching portion of a component feeding device when there is a reason for removing the first feeder from the attaching portion. In the first mounting step, electronic components other than the first electronic component, out of electronic components to be mounted on a board, are mounted on the board when the first feeder is removed from the attaching portion. In the first attaching step, the first feeder is attached to another attaching portion, to which no feeder is attached, after the removing step. In the second mounting step, the first electronic component is mounted on the board from the first feeder attached to the other attaching portion after the first attaching step.
US09167697B2
A display panel that includes: a display substrate; a driving chip bonded onto the display substrate; an anisotropic conductive film provided between the display substrate and the driving chip; and a protection film attached to a bottom of the display substrate, and the protection film is provided with a bending prevention means.
US09167694B2
A 3D interconnect structure comprising an ultra-thin interposer having a plurality of ultra-high density of through-via interconnections defined therein. The 3D interposer electrically connects first and second electronic devices in vertical dimension and has the same or similar through-via density as the first or second electronic devices it connects. The various embodiments of the interconnect structure allows 3D ICs to be stacked with or without TSVs and increases bandwidth between the two electronic devices as compared to other interconnect structures of the prior art. Further, the interconnect structure of the present invention is scalable, testable, thermal manageable, and can be manufactured at relatively low costs. Such a 3D structure can be used for a wide variety of applications that require a variety of heterogeneous ICs, such as logic, memory, graphics, power, wireless and sensors that cannot be integrated into single ICs.
US09167691B2
Dual interface modules, and methods for manufacturing the same, are described. A substrate layer is provided with at least one dual interface section. At least two first through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. A first connection element is arranged in each first through-hole. Each first connection element is connected to a contact pad that is arranged on a first side of the substrate. Each first connection element is connected to a connection pad that is arranged on a second side of the substrate. At least one electronic element is arranged on the second side of the substrate in each dual interface section. Two second through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. Two soldering pads with a first side and a second side are arranged on the second side of the substrate layer.
US09167689B2
A wiring substrate includes an insulation substrate including a first surface, a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, and first and second through-holes penetrating the insulation substrate from the first surface to the second surface; a wiring layer formed on the first surface of the insulation substrate; a first via formed in the first through-hole and connected to the wiring layer; a bus line positioned away from the wiring layer and the first via, and formed on the first surface of the insulation substrate; and a second via formed in the second through-hole and connected to the bus line.
US09167687B2
The invention discloses a flexible printed circuit board, a chip on film and a manufacturing method. The flexible printed circuit board used for hot pressing includes an insulating substrate with long edges; the insulating substrate is provided with a plurality of pins used for hot pressing; the pins of the flexible printed circuit board used for hot pressing are along the long edge of the insulating substrate; the spacing between two adjacent pins is gradually reduced from both ends to the middle. In the invention, after hot lamination, the spacing between the pins can almost keep constant and is equivalent to the expansion result of the LCD panel; thus, better electrical connection of the pins and the leads of the LCD panel can be ensured, and electrical contact is more reliable.
US09167677B2
Provided are methods of aging an x-ray generator having carbon nanotube electron emitters. The method of aging an x-ray generator that includes a cathode, a gate electrode, and an anode, includes applying a desired, or alternatively predetermined anode voltage to the anode, and applying a direct current pulse voltage to the gate electrodes to emit electrons from electron emitters. The method further includes maintaining an anode current formed by electrons generated from the electron emitters constant.
US09167676B2
Ionizing bars for delivering charged carriers to charge neutralization target objects may include an ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to application of an ionizing voltage. Disclosed bars may also include a reference electrode that presents a non-ionizing electric field to urge ions to move away from the ion emitter. The disclosed bars may also include a manifold. The manifold may receive and divide gas into plural gas streams directed past the ion emitter in a pattern to thereby urge charge carriers toward the target. The manifold may have plural apertures with nozzled inserts received therein. At least some of the inserts may have at least one aperture through which gas may flow and the nozzle inserts may collectively direct the divided gas streams away from the manifold and toward the target in one or more predetermined patterns.
US09167673B2
A method of controlling multiple street lamps with a mobile terminal includes receiving event information regarding a street lamp, among the multiple street lamps, from a gateway via an Internet in real-time. The event information indicates that a predetermined event has occurred in the street lamp. Notification information indicating that the event information has been received, is provided to a user of the mobile terminal in real-time. A control instruction for controlling the first street lamp based on control information input by the user, is transmitted to the first street lamp.
US09167666B1
Lighting systems are provided which include a remote set of light fixtures communicably coupled to a base and a faceplate detachably mounted to the base such that electrical contacts of the faceplate are coupled to respective electrical contacts of the base. The faceplate includes one or more user input interfaces and/or one or more environmental sensors. In some cases, the base and faceplate are each programmed to facilitate communication between the base and the faceplate to independently control each of the light fixtures based on input to the user input interface(s) and/or the environmental sensor(s). In addition or alternatively, either the base or the faceplate is programmed to auto-configure hardware and/or software of the faceplate and the base, respectively. In some cases, the base may be programmed to individually auto-configure differing hardware and/or software of a plurality of different faceplates when they are respectively coupled to the base.
US09167663B2
Provided is a display apparatus including a plurality of unit pixels, each including a plurality of sub-pixels; a first line branched in a first direction from a common line as many as the number of sub-pixels in each of the unit pixels so as to connect sub-pixels emitting light of the same color in neighboring unit pixels to each other; a second line extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction and connected to the sub-pixels; and a third line adjacent to the second line, extending in the second direction, and including a hole formed on a portion where the first line and the third line cross each other, and connected to the sub-pixels.
US09167659B2
A solid state lighting device including a light source capable of emitting white light including a blue spectral component and having a deficiency in a spectral region, and an optical component that is positioned to receive at least a portion of the light generated by the light source, the optical component comprising an optical material for converting at least a portion of the blue spectral component of the light to one or more predetermined wavelengths such that light emitted by the solid state lighting device includes light emission from the light source supplemented with light emission at one or more predetermined wavelengths, wherein the optical material comprises quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles. Also disclosed is lighting fixture, a cover plate for a lighting fixture and a method.
US09167657B2
An organic light emitting device includes a first electrode formed over a substrate; an intermediate layer that is formed over the first electrode and includes an organic light emitting layer; a second electrode that includes a central electrode unit disposed in a central region and a peripheral electrode unit disposed in a peripheral region, the intermediate layer being disposed between the first and second electrodes; and a power unit configured to apply voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode. The power unit is configured to apply different voltages to the first electrode, the central electrode unit, and the peripheral electrode unit.
US09167653B2
A power supply device includes a control circuit and a first circuit. The control circuit switches between a current control mode and a voltage control mode according to an inputted dimming signal and thus dims a light-emitting element. In the current control mode the control circuit controls an output current supplied to the light-emitting element to a target current, and in the voltage control mode the control circuit controls an output voltage supplied to the light-emitting element to a target voltage. The first circuit detects the output current and the output voltage, and sets the target voltage at which switching between the current control mode and the voltage control mode is carried out as a first voltage.
US09167645B1
A driver circuit adopting a primary side regulating architecture and an isolation transformer for improving LED flickers includes a transformer, a primary side regulating module, a feedback portion, a driving module and a dimming portion. The transformer includes an input coil, an auxiliary coil, a driving coil, and a dimming coil. The primary side regulating module is electrically coupled to the input coil; the feedback portion is electrically coupled to the auxiliary coil and the primary side regulating module; the driving module is electrically coupled to the driving coil; the dimming portion is electrically coupled to the dimming coil and the driving module. When a dimming signal inputted to the dimming portion has a voltage of 1V-10V, and the driver circuit is applied to a panel light, the LED flicker is improved effectively.
US09167643B2
In one embodiment, a light-emitting diode (LED) driver can include: (i) a reference voltage control circuit configured to provide a reference voltage signal in response to an enable signal; (ii) a current control circuit configured to control an output current of the LED driver in response to the reference voltage signal; and (iii) the LED driver being configured to drive an LED load when the enable signal is active.
US09167637B2
An LED drive circuit includes: a rectifier circuit that outputs a full-wave rectification waveform voltage; a primary LED row that includes a first partial LED row and a second partial LED row; an auxiliary LED row; a bypass circuit that is connected to part connecting the first partial LED row and the second partial LED row and that returns current from the first partial LED row to the rectifier circuit; and a current limiting circuit that limits the current flowing through the auxiliary LED row wherein the primary LED row and the auxiliary LED row are connected in parallel to the rectifier circuit; and the bypass circuit blocks the current passing through the bypass circuit in accordance with the current flowing through the primary LED row, and controls and blocks the current flowing through the auxiliary LED row.
US09167636B2
Provided is a variable lighting apparatus that may include a lighting unit to emit light and including a plurality of connection end portions extending in different directions and at different angels, a supporting unit selectively connected with one of the plurality of connection end portions of the lighting unit to support the lighting unit, and to provide power to the connected lighting unit based on a contact point connection scheme. At least one of a light angle, a light direction, an elevation of light, and an amount of light associated with light emitted from the lighting unit varies based on a change in a state of connections between the plurality of connections portions and the supporting unit. The variable lighting apparatus may readily vary a lighting condition by changing a state of a connection between the lighting unit and the supporting unit.
US09167625B2
A reaction chamber including a substrate supporting member positioned within the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber having a first region and a second region, a shield positioned within the second chamber and movable with the substrate supporting member, and wherein the shield is adjacent at least a bottom surface of the substrate supporting member.
US09167620B2
In order to improve utilization efficiency of communication resources in a case of acquiring a reception status at a user equipment of a radio signal upon providing LCS, an E-SMLC (40) forming a mobile communication system requests an eNB (10) to notify a result of measurement on a reception status at a UE (20) of a radio signal at least from the eNB (10) for a predetermined number of times. The E-SMLC (40) calculates a location of the UE (20) using the result of the measurement when the notification is performed for the number of times, and provides a service corresponding to the location. In response to the request, the eNB (10) instructs the UE (20) to perform the measurement for the number of times and sequentially notifies the E-SMLC (40) of the result of the measurement reported from the UE (20) for the number of times. The UE (20) performs measurement on the reception status for the number of times and sequentially notifies the eNB (10) of the result of the measurement for the number of times.
US09167618B2
A system and methodology that performs data bundling and controls fast dormancy based on application monitoring and classification is provided. Moreover, the system provides a balance between saving battery power of a user equipment (UE) and reducing signaling and processing load in a radio resource controller (RRC). Specifically, the system observes data flow related behavior of applications on the UE. On receiving a first data flow request, an arrival time of a next data flow request is predicted based on an analysis of the behavior, and the system determines whether the two data flows can be bundled together and transmitted over a single connection. Additionally, on completion of the first data flow, the arrival time of the next data flow request is predicted based on the analysis, and the system determines whether a fast dormancy timer can be disabled to transmit the next data flow over the current connection.
US09167604B2
The methods and an apparatuses for scanning in WLAN are disclosed. A method of a scanning of a station (STA) may include monitoring a channel during a probedelay based on a MAC sublayer management entity (MLME)-SCAN.request primitive indicating an active scanning for a target Access Point (AP), receiving a frame including a channel congestion indicator from an AP during the probedelay, generating a MLME-SCAN.change request primitive to request a change of a scanning type parameter included in the MLME-SCAN.request primitive when the channel congestion indicator indicates that the channel is congested, generating a MLME-SCAN.change confirm primitive to confirm the change of the scanning type parameter included in the MLME-SCAN.request primitive as a response of the MLME-SCAN.change request primitive, and performing a passive scanning for the target AP based on the MLME-SCAN.change confirm primitive.
US09167595B2
A duplex frequency is supplemented by providing one or more simplex frequencies and distributing a data load among them. In one aspect, a system can include a server containing a scheduler in communication with a communications device. The server initially communicates with the communications device using a duplex channel, determines when it is no longer optimal to use the single duplex channel, and distributes data among the duplex channel and one or more simplex channels. Before distributing the data, the server sends a schedule to the communications device via the duplex channel, so the communications device can determine which bits of data are coming through which channels at which times. A descheduler within the communications device receives the schedule and alerts the communications device to start receiving data on other simplex channels. The descheduler then puts the bits of data in order as they stream in across the duplex and simplex channels.
US09167581B2
A scheduling executing section calculates a predicted value of a transmission gain at a time when controlling transmission directivity in a plurality of antennas based on a known signal to be received in a frequency band of a use downlink radio resource and performing downlink communication with a communication terminal, and determines a communication terminal to which the use downlink radio resource is allocated based on the predicted value.
US09167577B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication and, more specifically, to a method for transmitting an HARQ) response by a UE in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus for the same. The method includes receiving an E-PDCCH signal on at least one of a plurality of enhanced physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH) sets, each E-PDCCH set including a plurality of resources units indexed per E-PDCCH set; and transmitting the HARQ response using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource determined using the index of the first resource unit among one or more resource units carrying the E-PDCCH signal, wherein the index of the first resource unit is determined on the basis of the E-PDCCH set having the lowest index among the plurality of E-PDCCH sets when specific conditions are satisfied.
US09167574B2
Technology for blind decoding downlink control information (DCI) from an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) is disclosed. In an example, a user equipment (UE) can include a processor configured to: Recursively attempt to decode the DCI from enhanced control channel elements (ECCE) of the EPDCCH from physical resource block (PRB) region candidates in a PRB set using a selected set of enhanced resource element group (EREG) index maps for the ECCE until the DCI is successfully decoded; and decode the DCI with an EREG index map associated with a same aggregation level used to encode the DCI. Each EREG index map can be configured for a different aggregation level (AL).
US09167570B2
The present invention relates to wireless communications. More especially it relates to wireless packet data communications. Particularly it relates to latency reduction by distinguishing connection initiation of circuit switched and packet switched connections, respectively.
US09167557B2
Devices, methods, and systems for implementing semi non-DRx mode for a wireless communication device are described herein. According to some embodiments, if it is determined that semi non-DRx mode is supported by a network, a wireless communication device can enter semi non-DRx mode. The paging block on a multiframe corresponding to the wireless communication device's paging index is monitored. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described above.
US09167555B2
Disclosed is a method of paging an electronic device when the electronic device is in an idle state, the method comprising: determining a time; determining a primary tracking area that is associated with a time period in a profile of the electronic device, wherein the time period comprises the determined time; and transmitting a paging message to the electronic device in one or more target tracking area, the one or more target tracking area comprising the primary tracking area.
US09167550B2
A security policy may be applied to a mobile communications device based on a location of the mobile communications device. For example, a first location of the mobile communications device may be obtained and a first security policy may be applied to the mobile communications device based on the first location. Furthermore, a change in the location of the mobile communications device may be detected. For example, the location of the mobile communications device may change from the first location to a second location. In response to the mobile communications device now being located at the second location, a second security policy may be applied to the mobile communications device. Thus, different security policies may be applied to a mobile communications device as the current location of the mobile communications device changes.
US09167544B2
The present disclosure provides a device to device (D2D) synchronization method that is applicable to a user equipment and a user equipment (UE) using the same method. In one of the exemplary embodiments, the D2D synchronization method includes receiving detected signals from a receiver, obtaining from the detected signals a first signal having a first timing information and a second signal having a second timing information, determining whether to forward the first timing information or the second timing information based on an upper bound power restriction of the first signal and the second signal and a power difference between the first signal and the second signal, and determining whether to transmit a third timing information that is inherent of the UE based on whether the first signal and the second signal are below power thresholds.
US09167539B2
Method for adapting a downlink transmit power of a first base station adapted for serving a closed subscriber group. It is described a method for adapting a downlink transmit power of a first base station adapted for serving a closed subscriber group. The method includes scanning a neighborhood of the first base station for a second base station adapted for serving an open subscriber group, wherein the first base station and the second base station use the same carrier frequency, detecting whether the second base station is present within the neighborhood of the first base station, and adapting the downlink transmit power of the first base station depending on the presence of the second base station. It is further described a base station, a computer-readable medium and a program element for carrying out the method.
US09167533B2
A base station apparatus for a mobile communication system is disclosed that includes a unit to receive an uplink reference signal transmitted from user equipment, a unit to provide transmission power control data indicating whether a transmission power value of the uplink reference signal to be transmitted later is to be changed, a unit to derive a first offset power value so that the uplink control signal is transmitted at a power value determined by adding the first offset power value to the transmission power value of the uplink reference signal, a unit to derive a second offset power value so that the uplink control signal is transmitted at a power value determined by adding the second offset power value to the transmission power value of the uplink reference signal, and a unit to report the data and values to the user equipment.
US09167531B2
A single receive chain of a MIMO receiver is activated during a low power listen mode. Upon detecting a legacy short training field (L-STF) in a received packet, the single receive chain performs a first frequency estimation, and activates one or more additional receive chains of the MIMO receiver. The MIMO receiver uses maximal ratio combining (MRC) to receive the signal using the first receive chain and the one or more additional activated receive chains, wherein the MRC is based, at least in part, on the first frequency estimation. The MIMO receiver may determine whether the received packet is a high throughput/very high throughput (HT/VHT) packet, and if not, deactivate the one or more additional receive chains. In one alternative, the additional receive chains are not activated until determining that a HT/VHT packet has been received.
US09167528B2
A power saving method for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The power saving method comprises detecting a screen status of the mobile device and switching to different connection states according to the screen status of the mobile device when the mobile device has no data transmission and reception.
US09167526B2
A mobile terminal including a user input unit configured to input information into the mobile terminal; a display unit configured to display data; a Wi-Fi module configured to provide an Access Point (AP) function such that an external terminal can access a wireless network through the Wi-Fi module providing the AP function; and a controller configured to control a state of the Wi-Fi module to be switched between 1) a power saving mode in which the Wi-Fi module is alternated between a sleep state and an awake state and 2) a power saving off mode in which the Wi-Fi module is continuously maintained in the awake state until a Wi-Fi connection request signal is received from the external device or a predetermined amount of time passes from a specific timing point.
US09167524B2
A method, system, and device are provided for obtaining auxiliary information about various wireless signal sources and for the subsequent sharing the received information with other UE devices located nearby. The method includes broadcasting, by a UE Assistance Module, a request for obtaining auxiliary information from a public LPWN and receiving broadcast messages containing auxiliary information from the LPWN; checking the received broadcast messages for presence of auxiliary information regarding desired sources of wireless communication; refining, on the basis of the received auxiliary information, the indeterminacy range of the wireless signal parameters by means of the UE Assistance Module and by switching the UE transceiver on and off; storing the auxiliary information in a UE local cache and keeping the auxiliary information updated; and adding the auxiliary information from the UE local cache to a broadcast message via the LPWN.
US09167523B2
A method for operating a terminal using reduced power consumption in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a signal, determining whether the received signal corresponds to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) update request message, if the received signal corresponds to an SIP update request message, sending the SIP update request message to an SIP processor in a communication processor; and handling the SIP update request message by the SIP processor.
US09167517B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing group-based machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Machine-type communication (MTC) wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) may operate in M2M groups. MTC WTRUs belonging to the same M2M group may receive a broadcast message with a time window on a channel dedicated for receiving data directed to an M2M group. The MTC WTRUs may wake up during the time window and may receive data directed to an M2M group on a dedicated channel. The broadcast message may be broadcasted via a broadcast server upon a request from an MTC server. The time window is allocated upon a request from an MTC server on behalf of the M2M group.
US09167515B2
An operation method in heterogeneous networks, and a gateway and a wireless communication device using the same are disclosed. The operation method in heterogeneous networks includes followings. When a gateway, connecting a first communication network and a second communication network, operates in a beacon mode, the gateway determines whether the first communication network is in an allowed period or a forbidden period, and generates a determination result. Then, the gateway adaptively adjusts a ratio of a superframe duration to a beacon interval of a periodic beacon of the second communication network according to the determination result. In addition, the gateway is connected to a M2M communication server via the first communication network, and the gateway is connected to at least one M2M communication device via the second communication network.
US09167511B2
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to utilizing client mobile devices for wireless network monitoring. Link quality data for wireless networks are measured by a plurality of wireless client devices and are provided to a network controller. The link quality data is usable to manage a wireless local area network (WLAN). The wireless networks include at least the WLAN and a cellular network. A recommendation for connection is provided to the wireless client devices, where the recommendation indicates if the cellular network is recommended or an access point of the WLAN.
US09167503B2
A method for letting a temporary radio base station (RBS, 140) gain and maintain control of the traffic of a targeted RBS (120) in a system (100), where RBS's transmit an identity signal and a list of candidate frequencies for use by user terminals when switching RBS. The temporary RBS (140) is positioned in or adjacent to the targeted RBS (120), and transmits on a frequency in the candidate list of the targeted RBS (120). The transmissions are at such a power level that the traffic of the targeted RBS (120) is transferred to the temporary RBS (140). The temporary RBS transmits the identity signal the RBS whose frequency the temporary RBS transmits on, and transmits a list of candidate frequencies such that user terminals whose traffic has been transferred to the temporary RBS cannot find signals with sufficient strength on any of the candidate frequencies.
US09167499B2
A system and method of enabling a mobile device to communicate with a local IP network host and an external IP network host using a femto cellular access point on a femto cellular access network. A local gateway is coupled to the femto cellular access network for receiving data packets transmitted on the femto cellular access network and for routing the data packets to one of a local IP network and an external IP network, based on a destination address associated with the data packets. The femto cellular access network includes an LTE network, an EVDO network connected to an EPC, or a WiMax 802.16e/m network connected to the EPC.
US09167496B2
Various embodiments implement a set of low overhead mechanisms to enable on-demand routing protocols. The on-demand protocols use route accumulation during discovery floods to discover when better paths have become available even if the paths that the protocols are currently using are not broken. In other words, the mechanisms (or “Route Optimizations”) enable improvements to routes even while functioning routes are available. The Route Optimization mechanisms enable nodes in the network that passively learn routing information to notify nodes that need to know of changes in the routing information when the changes are important. Learning routing information on up-to-date paths and determining nodes that would benefit from the information is performed, in some embodiments, without any explicit control packet exchange. One of the Route Optimization mechanisms includes communicating information describing an improved route from a node where the improved route diverges from a less nearly optimal route.
US09167484B2
Techniques for transitioning a synchronous communication engaged in by a telecommunication device from a packet-switched connection to a circuit-switched connection are described herein. The techniques include either or both of the telecommunication device or the telecommunication network determining a quality metric for a synchronous communication based at least in part on monitoring of the synchronous communication, the synchronous communication being transmitted using a packet-switched connection associated with the telecommunication network. Based at least in part on the quality metric, the telecommunication network and telecommunication device switch the synchronous communication from the packet-switched connection to a circuit-switched connection associated with the telecommunication network.
US09167483B2
An in-device coexistence interference report control method of a network for terminal to inform the network of interference among heterogeneous radio communication modules coexisting in the terminal is provided. The method includes determining, at a terminal when a terminal capability enquiry message is received from a base station, whether the base station supports an In-Device Coexistence (IDC) interference report, transmitting, when the IDC interference report is supported, a terminal capacity information message to the base station, receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message including information on whether terminal's IDC interference indicator transmission is permitted from the base station; and transmitting an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the base station in response to the RRC connection reconfiguration message. The in-device coexistence interference indication control method is advantageous in preventing the UE from transmitting useless in-device coexistence interference indication messages, resulting in reduction of unnecessary signaling.
US09167480B2
Systems and methods for controlling a wireless device by a user based on bandwidth used when the device is connected to a network are disclosed. The bandwidth used by a process when the wireless device is connected to a network is determined. Information associating the value of the bandwidth used by the process when connected to the network, with at least one characteristic of the network is provided. A bandwidth management profile that identifies what process is allowed to be executed on each network is generated. The bandwidth management profile is used to determine whether the process should be executed on the network.
US09167471B2
An embodiment of the invention describes a wireless device comprising a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) further comprising a memory for storing program code for performing a plurality of operations, and a processor for processing the program code to execute the plurality of operations, the operations including receiving over-the-air instructions via a wireless network from a control center to create a rules set in the SIM, wherein the rules set defines an acceptable behavior of the wireless device, monitoring requests from a wireless modem of the wireless device for access files stored in the SIM, detecting an aggressive behavior of the wireless device based on the rules set, and blocking the wireless modem from generating traffic in the wireless network.
US09167469B2
A method performed by a user equipment (UE) is described. A measurement configuration is received from an evolved NodeB (eNB). The measurement configuration comprises a measurement object in a carrier frequency and the measurement object comprises a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations. A measurement is performed based on a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). A measurement is performed based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) based on the measurement configuration. A measurement report is generated in a radio resource control (RRC) layer. The measurement report is sent to the eNB.
US09167467B2
A radio base station determines at least any one type of subframe constituted of multiple system information subframes for sending system information to a mobile station, paging subframes for sending paging messages for the mobile station in idle mode, or on-duration subframes corresponding to on-durations at which the mobile station receives downlink control channel signals in discontinuous reception mode for the downlink control channel signals. The radio base station allocates, to the mobile station, inter-frequency measurement periods for inter-frequency measurement at the mobile station, while avoiding simultaneous occurrence of inter-frequency measurement periods and the subframes determined by the subframe determiner.
US09167456B2
Subscriber terminal identification is disclosed. An apparatus controls a base station to form an emulated long term evolution LTE cell such that tracking area code and physical cell identity of the emulated LTE cell are unused by real neighboring LTE cells, and radio frequency power level of the emulated LTE cell within the emulated LTE cell is higher than the radio frequency power levels of the real neighboring LTE cells within the emulated LTE cell; and controls the base station to receive a connection request from a subscriber terminal residing in the emulated LTE cell, whereupon, in the ensuing exchange of messages, the base station is controlled to receive an international mobile subscriber identity from the subscriber terminal.
US09167454B1
A wireless communication system has wireless base stations that serve wireless communication devices located in a plurality of wireless communication sectors. The wireless communication devices have wireless device types. The wireless base stations generate performance data that characterizes the performance of the wireless device types in the wireless communication sectors. A data processing system processes the performance data to associate an abnormal condition with one of the wireless device types in one of the wireless communication sectors. The data processing system generates notice data for the one or more wireless device types associated with an abnormal condition. The wireless base stations broadcast the notice data in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) System Information Block (SIB). The notice data identifies the wireless device type. The wireless communication devices decode the LTE SIB to identify the notice data and the wireless device type. If the wireless communication device comprises the wireless device type identified in the notice data, the wireless communication device configures the wireless communication device based on the notice data.
US09167453B2
During scheduled or unscheduled wireless communication outage, restoration of crucial or critical cell site devices and/or base station device are prioritized. The system filters current key performance indicator values and historical key performance indicator values for a reference cell device to produce a filtered key performance indicator metric for the reference cell device, filters statistical data to produce filtered statistical data representing a filtered statistic for the reference cell device, determines a weighting factor for the reference cell device, and displays of a ranking score determined as a function of the weighting factor, the filtered statistic data, and the filtered key performance indicator metric. The ranking score provides an ordering that can be used to restore critical cell site devices and/or base station devices.
US09167449B2
In some implementations, a method for dynamic cell clustering includes splitting, by an initial central coordinator, the cluster into two or more clusters in response to a message from a small cell in a cluster. The initial cluster includes a plurality of cells, including the small cell, with each cell assigned a same Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration.
US09167447B2
A method of failure event reporting for initial connection setup failure is proposed. In one embodiment, a UE first camps in RRC_IDLE mode in a cell served by a base station. The UE then detects a connection setup failure when performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure with the base station in an RRC connection attempt. The UE records a failure event report when the RACH procedure fails. Later, the UE transmits the failure event report to the network in RRC_CONNECTED mode. The failure event report comprises information that refers to the earlier RRC connection attempt. The failure event report also comprises available location information or available mobility measurements at the time the initial connection setup failure occurs. Based on the failure event report, the network can adopt corrective actions accordingly to mitigate the failure.
US09167444B2
A method is provided for managing heterogeneous cellular networks. The method comprises obtaining measurement reports from wireless entities relating to the intensity at which signals are received by each wireless entity; based on these measurement reports, and/or on geographical information of HetNet elements, identifying a macro cell located at the vicinity of the small cells; selecting one of the small cells to be a gateway cell, and other small cells to be inner cells. The gateway cell is a small cell that receives, or mobile terminals connected thereto receive, signals transmitted by the macro cell at an intensity being at least similar to intensity at which these signals are received at the inner cells; identifying physical layer identifiers (PLIs) used at the macro cell; and determining PLIs for the gateway cell which are not currently used by the macro cell, and PLIs available for use by the inner cells.
US09167442B2
Multiple mobile cellular network (MCN) communication systems can be networked together to form a network of MCN communication systems (NOM). Each MCN communication system within the NOM can operate as an independent cellular network to provide communications between user equipment within a covered area. The MCN can be managed by a network management control center (NMCC). The NMCC can be configured generate coverage maps of the NOM and NMC system coverage areas.
US09167432B2
Systems and methods for implementing security features of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device comprises a first security module configured to implement a first security operation and a second security module configured to implement a second security operation. The method includes: detecting a first security event; implementing a first security operation by the first security module; triggering a second security event; and implementing a second security operation by the second security module. The first security operation includes triggering the second security event.
US09167431B2
A system for verifying an association between an application and a mobile computing device. The application is identified by an application instance identifier, which uniquely identifies the instance of the application on the mobile computing device. The system receives a request to verify the application, including the application instance identifier. The system also obtains a mobile device identifier used to communicate with the mobile computing device. The system initiates one or more telephone call setup messages, which signal a voice call request, to the mobile computing device using the mobile device identifier. Based on receiving an indication that the one or more telephone call setup messages were detected at the mobile computing device, the system associates the application instance identifier with the mobile device identifier.
US09167428B2
In the disclosed method, users are provided with sets of authentication codes, each set includes a secret, a private key container and a matching public key container, the private and public key container are generated from respectively a first string including a domain name of an authentication server system and a PKI private key and a second string including the same domain name and a matching PKI public key. Upon receipt on the authentication server system of the first strings as a result of a first user reading the respective private key container, an action definition procedure is performed in which the first user is requested to enter a secret of the same set of authentication codes. If a check returns a positive result, the first user can define a set of actions to be performed upon receipt of the second string belonging to the same set of authentication codes.
US09167422B2
A method for ensuring media stream security in an IP Multimedia Subsystem network is disclosed. The method includes: assigning an end-to-end media stream security key for a calling User Equipment (UE) or a called UE, by a network device with which the calling UE or the called UE is registered, respectively, and transmitting the media stream security key to a network device with which the opposite end is registered; encrypting the end-to-end media stream security key using a session key shared with the calling UE or the called UE respectively, and transmitting the encrypted end-to-end media stream security key to the calling UE or the called UE, respectively, via a session message; encrypting or decrypting a media stream, by the calling UE or the called UE, respectively, using the end-to-end media stream security key.
US09167412B2
Examples are disclosed for roaming between wireless local area networks (WLANs) belonging to a social network. In some examples, configuration information for a WLAN may be received for setting up the WLAN for a social network. The social network may have one or more roaming members. Information about the roaming members and one or more policies for the roaming members to connect to the WLAN may also be received. For these examples, the configuration information, roaming member information and the one or more policies may be maintained at a server for a service provider related to the WLAN. Other examples are described and claimed.
US09167409B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activation of a voice activity detector for a call in which music control information inserted into the control signalling plane is used to disable and enable the voice activity detector.
US09167408B2
Systems for identifying and categorizing distributed devices, e.g., lighting fixtures and thermostats, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a user (200) sends a low power discovery message to devices (201) using a portable programming tool (100). The devices (201) within range respond with identification information. The portable programming tool (100) organizes the responses by proximity and sends a “flash” message to the device with the closest perceived proximity. That device responds with a visual or audible signal (202), allowing the user (200) to determine whether that device is the one intended for selection. If so, the user initiates a store routine in which identification information, including category information, is stored in one or more locations, such as, the selected device (201), the portable programming tool (100), and/or a central or local controller (1100). The identification and categorization can, for example, be used to automate load shedding and to reduce energy consumption.
US09167398B2
This publication discloses a method and system for delivering messages in a telecommunications network (1, 2, 6, 11, 12). In the method a voice-message call attempt is received (43), or a connection is formed to a potential user of a service, on the basis of a voice-message call attempt. According to the invention, as a response to the voice-message connection formed or to the call attempt, to the second part (41) of the connection is sent a text-form message, which initiates a long, logically continuous, temporally discontinuous session N, in such a way that the sender address (e.g., the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the session stage J at the time, and in the message there is at least one selection query.
US09167393B2
The present invention relates to communications systems incorporating peripheral devices such as a push-to-talk (PTT) or similar and interface cables to connect these to a headset and/or a communication device such as a man worn two-way radio, vehicle intercom system, mobile phone, etc. In particular, the invention relates to such interface cable having an integrated functionality. The basic idea of the invention is to use an interface between a first and a second device in a voice communication system, which interface is specific to the second device and holds digital information allowing the first device to identify or adapt to the second device. This allows the first device to automatically adapt its settings and/or functionality to, and thus to function with, several different second devices without any need for updating, re-configuration, or user intervention. Thus the first device can be hot swapped or hot plugged with different second devices simply by using a cable specific to each particular second device.
US09167391B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) information, which comprises: after receiving a message for requesting the CSG information, a target network element with a CSG attribute returning its own CSG information at least containing CSG Identitfier (ID) information of a CSG to which the target network element belongs to a source network element which initiates the message. The method and eNBs for transmitting CSG information in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may allow the eNBs to obtain the CSG information of each other, so as to ensure that a direct interface can be set up between HeNBs with the same CSG attribute under the same HeNB GW.
US09167379B1
Systems and methods to automatically provide emergency information to emergency responders operate responsive to an incoming emergency call being placed to an emergency call center. Based on geographical information associated with an emergency call, a determined set of emergency responders is alerted and/or notified as soon as possible, e.g. before the call is answered and/or before the call is completed.
US09167376B2
Computationally implemented methods and systems include detecting presence of a plurality of functional devices within the communication range of a wearable computing device; and selecting, from the plurality of functional devices, one or more functional devices for providing to the wearable computing device one or more functionalities. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09167374B2
An exemplary method includes a machine-to-machine (“M2M”) rules management system associated with an M2M platform 1) processing a plurality of events associated with one or more M2M objects in substantially real-time as the events occur over a period of time, 2) receiving, while the events are being processed in substantially real-time, data representative of a rule created by a user associated with the M2M platform, and 3) dynamically applying, in response to receiving the data representative of the rule, the rule to the substantially real-time processing of the events. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US09167366B2
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a threshold-derived fitting rationale using frequency translation for hearing assistance devices. In various method embodiments, a first audiogram is received for a first hearing assistance device for a wearer, and a second audiogram is received for a second hearing assistance device for the wearer. The first audiogram and the second audiogram are compared to audiometric thresholds to determine if frequency translation should be enabled.
US09167361B2
An active medical device, including an input receiver configured to receive a frequency-varying input signal, and a functional component that reacts to the input signal and consumes power at a rate dependant on the frequency of portions of the input signal to which the functional component reacts, wherein the active medical device is configured to adjust one or more portions of the input signal corresponding to portions of the input signal where the functional component consumes power at a rate that is greater than that of other portions of the input signal.
US09167359B2
A hearing system (1) capable of assisting a user of the hearing system (1) to find a location where satisfactory hearing performance is achievable is described. The hearing system (1) comprises at least one hearing device (11, 12) with an input transducer (20), an output transducer (40), and a processing unit (30) operatively connected to the input transducer (20) as well as to the output transducer (40). The hearing system (1) further comprises a first means (50) for determining from a signal of the input transducer (20) at least one parameter (60) representative of a current acoustic environment at a current location, and a second means (40, 200, 201) for indicating to a user of the hearing system (1) a degree of suitability of the current location to achieve satisfactory hearing performance based on the at least one parameter (60).
US09167344B2
A method and system for calculating the frequency-dependent regularization parameter (FDRP) used in inverting the analytically derived or experimentally measured system transfer matrix for designing and/or producing crosstalk cancellation (XTC) filters relies on calculating the FDRP that results in a flat amplitude vs frequency response at the loudspeakers, thus forcing XTC to be effected into the phase domain only and relieving the XTC filter from the drawbacks of audible spectral coloration and dynamic range loss. When the method and system are used with any effective optimization technique, it results in XTC filters that yield optimal XTC levels over any desired portion of the audio band, impose no spectral coloration on the processed sound beyond the spectral coloration inherent in the playback hardware and/or loudspeakers, and cause no (or arbitrarily low) dynamic range loss.
US09167340B2
Exemplary embodiments or implementations are disclosed of methods, apparatus, and systems for a volume limiter circuit. A rectifier sub-circuit is configured to rectify at least a portion of an audio signal received from an audio source. A junction field effect transistor (JFET) has a channel connected in series between the audio source and a speaker. A feedback sub-circuit is configured to provide a gate signal at a gate of the JFET and to modulate a control signal in accordance with the audio signal crossing the JFET channel. The feedback sub-circuit is connected with the rectifier sub-circuit so as to extend a range of variable resistance of the JFET channel. The limiter circuit provides functionality that changes in response to varying audio voltages.
US09167338B2
An ear cup for a hearing protection unit comprises a partition wall for separating a first part of the ear cup, facing the wearer, from a second part of the ear cup, facing the surroundings. A speaker is located in the first part of the ear cup and an electric connector is located in the second part of the ear cup. The speaker is mounted in a speaker holder, having a first cavity facing the ear of the wearer, to seal off a resonance space, the speaker holder in turn being arranged on the partition wall above a first aperture in the partition wall. Further, the speaker holder comprises a membrane above the first aperture. The speaker and the electric connector are connected by an electric cable, extending through the first aperture or through a second aperture in the partition wall. The speaker holder sealingly engages the electric cable.
US09167331B2
Described is a technique for controlling an electronic device by manipulating a headphone cord. This may be accomplished by sensing various bends and/or bend patterns to the cord. The cord may include a resistive member such as a rod or hollow member for providing tactile feedback to a user. The resistive member may provide a bending resistance or a collapse that provides a tactile sense of when the bend produces an effect for controlling the electronic device. A degree of bend may be determined by the sensors and a controller may provide a control input to the electronic device based on the determined bend. In one instance, the volume of the electronic device may be decreased based on the degree of bend.
US09167330B1
A portable storage device within which earbud cords are able to be neatly stored and easily accessed to untangle the world from earbud cords, providing consumers with a more user friendly means of listening to music while exercising or engaging in normal daily activities without the user becoming tangled in cords, as well as providing a unit for storing and transporting earbuds in a pocket or purse without risking damage to these loose cords.
US09167323B2
The disclosure provides a method for quickly updating ranging results of optical network units by an optical line terminal. The method comprises the following steps: an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) distributes an acquired ranging difference to all the Optical Network Units (ONUs); and the current ONU implements quick updating of the ranging result of the current ONU itself according to the acquired ranging difference. The disclosure also provides a system for quickly updating ranging results of ONUs by an OLT, wherein a distributing unit in the OLT is used for distributing an acquired ranging difference to all the ONUs; an updating unit in the ONU is used for implementing quick updating of ranging result of the current ONU itself according to the acquired ranging difference. the method and system of the disclosure can save the quantity of messages, enable quick switching in protection status, thus implementing protection switching efficiently.
US09167312B2
An exemplary method includes monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem, receiving a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem, and dynamically selecting at least one advertisement in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US09167306B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor adapted to receive a message from a portable communication device communicatively coupled to a set-top box presenting a media program and to retrieve from the message a media descriptor associated with the media program. The processor is further adapted to identify according to the media descriptor one or more images of one or more performers commonly presented in the media program, to monitor one or more frames of a live media feed including the media program, and compare the one or more human figures to the one or more images of performers. The processor can also be adapted to recognize a performer from the comparison, to retrieve information associated with the performer, and to transmit the information to the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09167280B2
A method is disclosed for encrypting a multimedia file including parsing the multimedia file to identify a media data portion; encrypting the media data portion; and, combining the encrypted media data portion with a non-encrypted non-media data portion. A method is also disclosed for playing a multimedia file including parsing the multimedia file to identify an unencrypted metadata portion; using the unencrypted metadata portion to locate a position of interest in the media file, the position of interest having an associated encrypted media data portion; and, decrypting the associated encrypted media data portion. An apparatus for performing the methods is also disclosed herein.
US09167260B2
Methods and apparatus for facilitating motion estimation in video processing are provided. Preferably, coordinates of a search area within a video frame are determined for each of a plurality of macroblocks (MBs) of a reference frame based upon a predicted location derived from the coordinates of the MB within the reference frame and motion estimation information. The video frame can be segmented into tiles and associated overlapping tile defined for at least some tiles. Search data is defined for each tile as pel data for each pixel within that tile and any associated tile. Macroblock searches are preferably conducted on a tile assignment basis with tile search assignments distributed among a plurality of processing elements. Each processing element preferably has a local memory it uses for the search data when performing a tile search assignment.
US09167257B2
Pictures are coded using a coding algorithm with a variable parameter QP so that the quality of the coding varies. First (100), a target value TiMOS is specified for a quality measurement parameter. Then, for each picture (or part of a picture) to be coded, one estimates, independently of the other pictures, a value for the variable parameter QP based on a) the target value for that picture area and b) a masking measure C that depends on the picture content of that picture area. The picture is then coded (112) using the estimated value. The masking measure may be compensated (108, 122) to allow for the effect of the coding quality upon the masking effect.
US09167251B2
Provided is a method that constructs an MPM group including three intra prediction modes, determines the intra prediction mode of the MPM group specified by the prediction mode index as the intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit if the mode group indicator indicates the MPM group, and derives the intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit using the prediction mode index and the three prediction modes of the MPM group if the mode group indicator does not indicate the MPM group. Accordingly, additional bits resulted from increase of a number of intra prediction mode are effectively reduced. Also, an image compression ratio can be improved by generating a prediction block similar to an original block.
US09167248B2
A video decoder generates an initial reference picture list (RPL). Furthermore, the video decoder determines that an ordered set of reference picture list modification (RPLM) syntax elements does not include any additional syntax elements when a syntax element in the ordered set of RPLM syntax elements has a particular value. Furthermore, the video decoder generates a final RPL. For each respective RPLM syntax element in the ordered set of syntax elements, when the respective RPLM syntax element does not have the particular value, the final RPL includes, at an insertion position for the respective RPLM syntax element, a particular reference picture. The respective syntax element indicates a position in the initial RPL of the particular RPLM reference picture. The insertion position for the respective RPLM syntax element corresponds to a position in the ordered set of RPLM syntax elements of the respective RPLM syntax element.
US09167247B2
Methods and apparatuses for performing inter-color-plane prediction with adaptability to various existing video content representations are provided. A plurality of predetermined rescaling schemes based on a color plane format is selected. A first block of original samples of a first color plane is encoded into a compressed bitstream. A block of reconstructed samples of the first color plane is reconstructed. An inter-color-plane prediction process is performed to produce samples of a second color plane. Said block of prediction samples of the second color plane is subtracted from a second block of original samples of the second color plane to produce a block of residual samples of the second color plane where the positions of the first block and the second block of original samples are aligned. Finally, the block of residual samples of the second color plane is encoded.
US09167231B2
A first temporary taken image taken by a first imaging section of a stereo imaging section, and a second temporary taken image taken by a second imaging section of the stereo imaging section are displayed on a display section. A user aligns the display position of the first temporary taken image with the display position of the second temporary taken image, by moving the first temporary taken image displayed on the display section. Based on the result of the movement, the display positions of two images composing a stereo image taken with the stereo camera are corrected, and the stereo image is displayed on the display section in a stereoscopically visible manner.
US09167230B2
An image sensor includes a light source that emits modulated light such as visible light, white light, or white light-emitting diode (LED) light to a target object, a plurality of pixels, and an image processing unit. The pixels include at least one pixel for outputting pixel signals according to light reflected by the target object. The image processing unit simultaneously generates a color image and a depth image from the pixel signals of the at least one pixel.
US09167221B2
Methods and systems for video retargeting and view selection using motion saliency are described. Salient features in multiple videos may be extracted. Each video may be retargeted by modifying the video to preserve the salient features. A crop path may be estimated and applied to a video to retarget each video and generate a modified video preserving the salient features. An action score may be assigned to portions or frames of each modified video to represent motion content in the modified video. Selecting a view from one of the given modified videos may be formulated as an optimization subject to constraints. An objective function for the optimization may include maximizing the action score. This optimization may also be subject to constraints to take into consideration optimal transitioning from a view from a given video to another view from another given video, for example.
US09167220B2
There are provided methods and apparatus for synchronized stream packing of packets that differ contextually between A/V streams in a parallel presentation. A method includes the step of identifying sub-picture/subtitle packets and/or audio packets having arrival timestamps and/or presentation timestamps that match an arrival timestamp and/or a presentation timestamp, respectively, of video packets. The method also includes the step of packing a Video Object Unit (VOBU) and/or a Transport Stream (TS) with the identified sub-picture/subtitle and audio packets and the video packets having the matching timestamps.
US09167217B2
A scanning laser projector drives laser light sources with waveforms for higher efficiency. Optical light power values for pixels are mapped to amplitude/duration pairs. Laser diodes are driven with electrical currents having the amplitude for time period specified by the duration. For increasing optical light power values, amplitude values are increased, and then durations are increased.
US09167205B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first images that are captured by a first camera system at a first location associated with a live presentation by the first user, transmitting first video content representative of the first images over a network for presentation by a group of other processors that are each at one of a group of other locations associated with corresponding other users, receiving second video content representative of second images that are associated with each of the other users, and presenting the second video content in a telepresence configuration that simulates each of the other users being present in an audience at the first location. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09167197B1
Systems and methods for providing a multi-pane display of programs being viewed by a plurality of social contacts include storing a user identifier for a user; storing an association of the user identifier with user identifiers for each of the plurality of social contacts of the user; receiving, from the plurality of social contacts of the user, program identifier data representing programs currently being viewed by the social contacts or previously viewed by the social contacts; and providing display data in a multi-pane display.
US09167196B2
Systems and methods for trimming recorded content or segments using a media guidance application are provided. A first program scheduled for recording during one timeslot. A determination is made that the first program will run beyond the scheduled broadcast time. The first program may be rescheduled for recording during a second larger timeslot that overlaps with the scheduled broadcast time of a second program. Content provided by the program source may be recorded during the second timeslot. The recorded content may be trimmed to remove portions of the recorded content that correspond to the second program.
US09167188B2
Disclosed with are a display device and a control method thereof. The method includes recognizing a first motion of a user; and assigning a control right to perform functions of the display devices through motions to the user in response to the recognized first motion.
US09167173B2
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit configured to repeatedly perform cyclic shooting operation including shooting with a first exposure condition and a second exposure condition different from the first exposure condition; and a correction unit configured to detect a first flicker among frames shot with the first exposure condition and perform flicker correction for a frame shot with the first exposure condition based on the first flicker and to detect a second flicker among frames shot with the second exposure condition and perform flicker correction for a frame shot with the second exposure condition based on the second flicker.
US09167150B2
An apparatus and method process an image in a portable terminal having a camera. The apparatus obtains a final image from a plurality of images by performing a focusing function based on a plurality of images photographed by varying focus characteristics of an identical subject.
US09167132B2
A system and method of estimating a motion of an image using block sampling are provided. The motion estimation system includes: a block sampling unit to divide a frame of an input image into a plurality of blocks and sample the plurality of blocks based on a lattice structure; a first motion vector determination unit to determine a motion vector of a first current block using motion vectors of neighboring blocks of the first current block with respect to the sampled blocks; and a second motion vector determination unit to determine a motion vector of a second current block based on features of motion vectors of sampled neighboring blocks of the second current block wherein the second current block is not sampled.
US09167130B2
A method of generating a halftone screen includes growing clusters according to at least one linear filter based on a spatial probability profile function. The clusters can be grown with filters that are parameterized according to gray level.
US09167128B2
An apparatus to which a telephone line can be connected, the apparatus comprising: a first determination unit configured to determine, based on a change amount of a line direct-current voltage from the telephone line per time period, whether the line direct-current voltage is stable; a second determination unit configured to determine whether the line direct-current voltage from the telephone line is a first threshold or lower; and a third determination unit configured to, if the first determination unit determines that the line direct-current voltage is stable and if the second determination unit determines that the line direct-current voltage is the first threshold or lower, determine that the external telephone has captured the telephone line.
US09167117B2
An update program is acquired in a main body device from an external device, a generation of noise from a noise generating source that has possibility to generate noise to a communication between the main body device and the slave device is suppressed, and after that, a slave device update program is transferred from the main body device to the slave device in the second communication method (second communication speed) which is faster than the first communication method (first communication speed).
US09167115B1
An image forming apparatus, which may be a printer, includes an image acquisition subsystem and a processing subsystem. The image acquisition subsystem includes an imager and a source. The imager is configured to scan an image while the image acquisition subsystem moves with respect to the image forming apparatus and configured to provide electrical signals including information related to the scanned image. The source is configured to emanate electromagnetic radiation based on the electrical signals. The processing subsystem includes a receiving component configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation emanated from the source of the image acquisition subsystem. The image forming apparatus also includes a structure supporting both the image acquisition subsystem and the processing subsystem.
US09167114B2
A mediation server sequentially supplies, to the image processing device, two or more pieces of screen information for causing a display unit of the image processing device to sequentially display two or more screens including a service selection screen and a communication selection screen when a first type of request is acquired. The mediation server executes a communication for mediating supply of the first type of target data from the target service providing server to the image processing device when it is the first type of communication and executes communication for mediating supply of the second type of target data from the image processing device to the target service providing server when it is the second type of communication.
US09167103B2
A method for subsidizing wireless services in geo-fenced zones is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A geo-fenced zone is configured, the geo-fenced zone comprising a boundary defined by a set of fixed points in space. A subsidized pricing is configured for the wireless service when the wireless service is consumed by a mobile device within the geo-fenced zone, forming a subsidized wireless service. The mobile device is detected in the geo-fenced zone. The mobile device is provided the subsidized wireless service. A billing entry is applied to an account associated with the mobile device, wherein the billing entry charges the account a subsidized amount corresponding to a measured amount of subsidized wireless service used by the mobile device while the mobile device remains within the geo-fenced zone.
US09167102B2
A billing system and method for providing both business and personal data access to a user of a wireless communications device is provided. A user enters an access request, and it is determined if the access request is a personal type access request or a business type access request. Personal type access requests are processed in order to provide billing for the personal requests to the user of the wireless communications device, and business type access requests are processed to provide billing to the business. Such systems and methods provide enhanced convenience to mobile workers while avoiding additional costs associated with such services being incurred by the business.
US09167098B1
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for re-routing a media-based conference session. A server computing device determines a condition associated with a first conference session between a plurality of end point devices, each connected to the server via an external media stream and each connected from the server to a first multipoint control unit via a first internal media stream. The condition indicates that a new multipoint control unit is required. The server identifies a second multipoint control unit available to host a second conference session between the plurality of end point devices. The server disconnects the first internal streams from the first multipoint control unit while the external streams remain connected. The server connects each of the plurality of devices from the server to the second multipoint control unit via a second internal stream, and establishes the second conference session on the second multipoint control unit.
US09167097B2
A method and apparatus provide multiple telephone lines using a single directory number. A method and apparatus associate multiple directory numbers with multiple telephone lines. A broadband residential gateway (BRG) is a user interface to a broadband communication system providing packetized telephone service and other media services. The BRG can provide greeting and message features. A greeting may instruct a caller to select a name or extension which is associated with a party the caller is attempting to reach. Also, a message, played after the greeting, may further instruct the caller.
US09167094B2
An agent assisting system for providing assistance to agents of contact center during calls is provided. The agent assisting system includes a monitoring module configured to monitor parameters of a call coming to the contact center. The agent assisting system further includes a sentiment detector module configured to detect sentiments of a user during the call. The agent assisting system further includes a pattern matching module configured to determine a script for an agent handling the call, based on the parameters of the call and the sentiments of the user during the call, wherein the script providing instructions to the agent to improve handling of the call. The agent assisting system further includes a script publishing module configured to publish the script to the agent handling the call.
US09167091B2
A two-way voice interface allows communication by telephone between a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and a human operator. A phone-HMI gateway communicates with the SCADA system through an application programming interface (API), composes messages to the operator in text format and interprets text derived from voice commands from the operator. A cloud telephone service is used to convert from voice to text and from text to voice, and to set up the telephone connection with the human operator.
US09167089B2
A system and method are disclosed for searching and processing contacts. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile communication device has a transceiver, and a controller for controlling operations thereof. The controller is programmed to receive from an end user of the mobile communication device a request for a contact, and search for the contact in a phonebook of the mobile communication device. The controller is programmed to replace the caller identification of the mobile communication device with a corresponding caller identification that emulates the enterprise identification as if the mobile originated call originated from within the enterprise when the mobile communication device is not located within a vicinity of the enterprise. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.
US09167077B2
A surge protection circuit includes a first terminal that is coupled to a transmission path, a second terminal that is coupled to a PHY circuit to transfer a signal on a physical layer, a clamping unit that is coupled so as to branch from a first line between the first terminal and the second terminal, the clamping unit clamping a voltage applied to the first terminal to a specific clamping voltage, and a first semiconductor switch that is arranged between the second terminal and a branching point at which the clamping unit branches from the first line, the first semiconductor switch having a rectification direction away from the second terminal toward the first terminal, the first semiconductor switch having a higher reverse breakdown voltage than a clamping voltage of the clamping unit.
US09167072B2
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a body; a sensing unit for acquiring a motion of the body; a camera provided in at least one side of the body to photograph an image; at least one display provided in at least one side of the body; and a controller for forming information related to at least one object included in the photographed image into a group according to the acquired motion and for controlling to display the information in the at least one display. Therefore, information is formed into a group and displayed according to a motion of a body and thus a state that can easily select necessary information can be provided.
US09167065B2
A waterproof structure of the present invention is for an electronic device including a housing including a first case member that has a first abutting face, and a second case member that has a second abutting face that faces the first abutting face. A water repellent treatment is applied to the first and second abutting faces, and two or more boundaries that change from a region having a relatively small liquid droplet contact angle to a region having a relatively large liquid droplet contact angle are provided along a liquid infiltration direction at an abutting ends portion of the first and second case members.
US09167061B2
A portable communications device, such as a mobile phone, includes a novel tactile alerting mechanism capable of alerting the user of an incoming communication or other event. A gyroscopic mechanism is coupled to a housing of the portable communications device and controlled by a processor. The processor is configured to control a spin velocity of the gyroscopic mechanism based on receiving an alert of an incoming call or message, or detecting a fall. The gyroscopic mechanism may spin up or change a spin state to provide a tactile signal via the housing of the communications device, by imparting stabilizing force to the housing that can be felt by a person wearing the communications device, or to change an orientation of the device while falling.
US09167052B2
The disclosed subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods for preventing a user from disabling a software extension to a network-based application, thereby allowing a computing device to enforce the software extension even if the user wants to disable the software extension. The disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods can prevent a user from disabling a software extension by blocking an access to a communications network via the network-based application when the software extension is disabled.
US09167046B2
In one embodiment, a method includes determining one or more applications on one or more first client computing devices of a first user of a social-networking system; determining one or more second users of the social-networking system that are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; determining one or more applications on one or more second client computing devices of the second users; comparing the applications on the first client computing devices with the applications on the second client computing devices; determining one or more application recommendations for the first user based at least in part on the comparison; and sending the application recommendations to the first user.
US09167045B2
A method of intercutting advertisement disclosed comprises: receiving a playing request message carrying user information and media information from a user terminal; determining whether advertisement needs to be intercut for the user based on the user information and the media information; when it is determined that advertisement needs to be intercut for the user, making a pause in playing a stream media corresponding to the playing request message, obtaining an advertisement stream corresponding to the user information and the media information, and delivering the advertisement stream to the user to play; when it is detected that play of the advertisement stream is finished, sending the playing request message to a stream media server, and forwarding to the user terminal the stream media obtained from the stream media server, corresponding to the playing request message.
US09167043B2
A system (40) for identifying proximate devices (1,2) comprises at least one correlation server (5) for correlating data received from the devices so as to match two or more of the devices and at least one application server (6) for carrying out an application involving matched devices. The at least one correlation server (5) and the at least one application server (6) are distinct servers so as to provide a greater flexibility and scalability. The devices (1,2) may be mobile consumer devices.
US09167040B2
Systems, methods and computer readable memory devices for delivering a presentation are provided. In one example, a method includes communicatively coupling the host computing device to an external router, and establishing the closed wireless network using the router. An encrypted communication session is established via the closed wireless network with a plurality of client computing devices that each comprises a display. Each of the client computing devices is communicatively coupled to a virtual network server on the host computing device. Frame buffer data is retrieved from a storage subsystem of the host computing device. The frame buffer data is sent to each of the client computing devices to modify the display of each device.
US09167035B2
In one embodiment, a method of transmitting contact data in a peer to peer communications network includes transmitting a list of contacts from a first contact store to a first compare means. At the first compare means, the list of contacts from the first contact store is compared with a list of contacts from a second contact store to identify common contacts between the lists of contacts from the first and second contact stores, the first compare means outputting a contacts result based on the identification of the common contacts. At a second compare means, the contacts result output from the first compare means is compared with a list of contacts from a third contact store. An output of the second compare means is used to identify at least one contact to recommend as a new contact to a recommendee user in the network. The first contact store is at a node of the network and the first compare means is at another node of the network, and the list of contacts transmitted from the first contact store is transmitted over the network to the first compare means.
US09167032B2
A content delivery system includes a cache server, a domain name server, and a redirector. The domain name server is configured to receive a request for a cache server address, and provide an IPv6 anycast address. The redirector is configured to receive a content request addressed to the IPv6 anycast address from a client system, receive load information from the cache server, and determine if the cache server is available. The redirector is further configured to forward the content request to the cache server when the cache server is available. The cache server is configured to receive the content request forwarded from the redirectors, send a response to the content request to a client system, the response including an IPv6 unicast address of the cache server as a source address, an IPv6 unicast address of the client system as a destination address, and the IPv6 anycast address as a home address, and provide the content to the requestor.
US09167025B2
A method of routing a data packet using a virtual network connection includes steps of detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on a device, spawning a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data using the virtual network connection, determining a first node to which to communicate data from the application using the virtual network connection and the selected routing protocol, said determination being based on network information stored at the device, and communicating data from the application to the first node using the virtual network connection and the selected routing protocol.
US09167016B2
Methods, apparatus and data structures are provided for managing multicast IP flows. According to one embodiment, active multicast IP sessions are identified by a network device. A data structure is maintained by the network device and contains therein information regarding the multicast sessions, including a first value for each of the multicast sessions, at least one chain of one or more blocks of second values and one or more transmit control blocks (TCBs). Each first value is indicative of a chain of one or more blocks of second values. Each second value corresponds to an outbound interface (OIF) participating in the multicast session and identifies a number of times packets associated with the multicast session are to be replicated. The TCBs have stored therein control information to process or route packets. Each second value is indicative of a TCB that identifies an OIF of the network device through which packets are to be transmitted.
US09166998B2
A method for determining security information of an unknown file in a cloud security system is provided. The method includes: a cloud security serving end receives file security querying information reported by a cloud client end when a preconfigured monitoring point is triggered, wherein the file security querying information comprises identifier information and behavior information of a file; creates a behavior sequence of the file within a lifecycle according to the file security querying information of the file, analyzes the behavior sequence of the file within the lifecycle, and determines file security information of the file according to an analyzed result.
US09166996B2
Systems for automatic correction of security downgraders include a security analysis module configured to perform a security analysis that disregards existing user-provided downgraders to detect flows that are vulnerable; and an enhancer module configured to locate candidate downgraders on the flows, to determine whether each of the candidate downgraders protects against all vulnerabilities associated with each downgrader's respective flow, and to transform candidate downgraders that do not protect against all of the associated vulnerabilities such that the transformed downgraders do protect against all of the associated vulnerabilities.
US09166993B1
A method and apparatus for automatic anomaly detection based on profile history and peer history are described. An anomaly detection system collects file-activity data pertaining to file accesses activities in a network share. The system computes file access patterns for the individual users and compares the individual user's file access pattern against a profile history to find a first deviation. The system also identifies a cluster of users from the group based on at least one of user collaborations of individual users of the group or a reporting structure of the group of users. When the first deviation is found, the system compares the user's file access pattern against a peer history of the other individual users in the cluster to find a second deviation. The system reports an anomaly in the file access patterns by the individual user when the first deviation and the second deviation are found.
US09166990B2
A system and method of transmitting a DDoS, or distributed denial of service, signature from an intra-network to an internet is presented. The method includes identifying a DDoS signature and employing an inter-domain routing protocol configured to enable-operational information to be exchanged between nodes. The DDoS signature is embedded as payload of the standards-compliant inter-domain routing protocol. The step of embedding occurs within a network. The embedded DDoS signature is then sent from the network to an internet node outside of the network. The method further includes applying the DDoS signature to enable the internet nodes to filter packets matching the DDoS signature.
US09166984B2
A policy management system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, information is received over a network relating to at least one subset of computers that are at least potentially out of compliance with a policy. Further, such information is sent to a plurality of the computers, utilizing the network. To this end, network communication involving the at least one subset of computers is capable of being controlled utilizing the information.
US09166975B2
System and method for providing access to remote computing services in an application server are described, where the authentication and authorization processes are separated, excluding service access privileges from the authenticating process and transferring the privileges to the authorization process. A client device and a user are authenticated, and upon successful authentication, the authorization process is performed, including establishing an authorization connection between the client device and the server computer; at the server computer, detecting and verifying the authorization connection; and upon successful verification, allowing access of the client device to the service on the server computer. In one embodiment, upon detecting the authorization connection, a blocking process is created to block access to the service; and, upon successful verification of the authorization connection, the blocking process on the server computer is terminated, prior to the allowing the access of the client device to the service on the server computer.
US09166960B2
A validation method for validating IP information header in data packets from user equipment connected to a mobile telecommunications network (1) and accessing an IP network (5) through a proxy. In the method trusted location information of the user equipment (2) from a trusted source of the telecommunications network is requested (109). Then, the trusted location information is inserted into the IP information header of a message (112) to be sent to a location based function (17).
US09166955B2
A traffic management device (TMD), system, and processor-readable storage medium directed towards re-establishing an encrypted connection of an encrypted session, the encrypted connection having initially been established between a client device and a first server device, causing the encrypted connection to terminate at a second server device. As described, a traffic management device (TMD) is interposed between the client device and the first server device. In some embodiments, the TMD may request that the client device renegotiate the encrypted connection. The TMD may redirect the response to the renegotiation request towards a second server device, such that the renegotiated encrypted connection is established between the client device and the second server device. In this way, a single existing end-to-end encrypted connection can be used to serve content from more than one server device.
US09166954B2
Various embodiments described herein each provide one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures that facilitate document-authorized access to a shared workspace. Some of these embodiments provide access to a shared workspace, such as a document review comment repository, through data embedded within a document. Mere possession of a document with a key, or other data element, allows a possessor of the document to participate in a workflow process.
US09166953B2
An approach is provided for providing identity based encryption in distributed computations. An identity based encryption platform causes, at least in part, a segmentation of a computation closure into at least a first part and one or more second parts. The identity based encryption platform also causes, at least in part, an encryption of the one or more second parts using the first part as a public key of an identity-based encryption.
US09166945B1
Methods and systems for using and providing trustworthy DNS resolutions are provided. A method for using trustworthy DNS resolutions may include obtaining a DNS resolution listing for a domain name and validating the listing's plausibility using a plausible range list. The method may also include selecting a DNS resolution from the DNS resolution listing based on a requested host associated with the domain name. The method may further include initiating a connection to the host using the selected DNS resolution. A method for providing trustworthy DNS resolutions may include obtaining a plurality of potential DNS resolutions for a domain name. The method may also include generating a DNS resolution listing for a domain name and providing the DNS resolution listing. A system may include a DNS resolution selection module and a connection module. Another system may include a DNS resolution inquiry module and a DNS resolution listing provision module.
US09166941B2
Synchronizing email messages between an external email server, a local email server and a wireless data processing device. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises a task queue comprised of a plurality of task entries, each entry associated with a particular user email account on the external email server and/or the local email server and representing a task to be performed in relation to the user email account; and a synchronizer to read synchronization tasks from the task queue and cause the synchronization tasks to be executed to synchronize email data stored on the external email server, the local email server and the wireless data processing device.
US09166918B1
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a transmission schedule module in at least one of a memory or a processing device that can select, at a first time, a data unit to send to a network device based at least in part on a value of a transmission rate counter indicating that the network is in a first state. The transmission schedule module can receive, at a second time, an indication of a number of buffers associated with the data unit and can calculate a size estimate of the data unit based on the number of buffers and a capacity associated with each buffer. The transmission schedule module can calculate at a third time, a temporary transmission rate count and can send a signal to transition the network device from the first state to a second state if the temporary transmission rate count meets a criterion.
US09166911B2
Illustrated is a system and method to generate a teaching message with a host device address that impersonates a device source address, the impersonation to instruct an additional network device as to the host device address. It further include a transmitter to transmit the teaching message to the additional network device. It also includes traversing a forwarding table to identify an additional network device that has yet to receive a teaching message since an expiration of a predefined threshold value, the teaching message to relate to a source device. It also includes a transmitter to transmit a teaching message to the additional network device.
US09166910B2
A first receiver receives an activation signal from a first network and gives the activation signal to an input side of a second transmitter via a first connection line; thereby, the activation signal is sent out via the second transmitter to a second network. Thus, the activation signal is not directly transmitted from the first network to the second network; instead, the activation signal is transmitted by using conversion functions of the first receiver and the second transmitter. This configuration can prevent occurrence of distortion or attenuation in the activation signal. The activation signal from the first network thus enables ECUs belonging to the second network to be activated certainly without delay.
US09166909B2
Redirecting network traffic within a system under test (SUT) can include receiving, within a proxy included within the SUT, a request sent from an upstream component that is directed to a downstream component, wherein the upstream component is configured to direct communications through the proxy. Within the proxy, the request can be redirected from the downstream component to a simulation component according to a routing rule within the proxy using a processor. A response can be received, within the proxy, from the simulation component and sent to the upstream component.
US09166907B2
Failure repair sequence generation systems and methods may generate a repair sequence for nodes experiencing failure in a nodal-network-based system that meets acceptable performance metrics, such as acceptable total network damage, acceptable node-failure preventability rate, or a combination thereof.
US09166886B1
A system determines a physical topology of a network including a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a multi-chip higher-tier switch, and each chip in the multi-chip higher-tier switch includes a plurality of ports. A network configuration module is configured to assign physical connections to respective ports of chips of the higher-tier switches through an iterative process. The iterative process includes selecting a first route of a plurality of routes, assigning for the source node of the selected route, a first port on a first chip having an odd number of free ports. For at least one intermediate node of the selected route, second and third ports on a second chip having an even number of free ports are assigned. For a destination port for the selected route, a fourth port on a third chip having an odd number of free ports is assigned.
US09166874B2
A redundant path configuration method and a control method are disclosed. An intercommunication path for mutually transmitting and receiving a signal is provided among the BHEs each of which is a top of a tree. When failures occur in an active system path in certain AE, a standby system path (BHE) relays communication between the AE and the (active system) BHE so as to secure continuity of communication. The intercommunication path through which a data signal does not flow in a normal operation is used as a traffic accommodation path in an emergency among the BHEs. By setting a bypass between the tops of the trees, when a failure occurs in one tree, a signal is transferred from the active system BHE to the standby system path in which another BHE is a top to build a sub-tree bypassing the failure point and to secure a communication path.
US09166872B2
The present invention discloses a method and network device for detecting IP address conflict. The method for detecting IP address conflict comprises: collecting all the ARP entries from a broadcasting network segment; and carrying out a data check on the ARP entries collected, and determining that there is an IP address conflicted when it is detected that there are ARP entries with the same IP address but different media access control (MAC) addresses. The network device includes a collecting module and a detecting module. The present invention may achieve the function of IP address conflict detection in a broadcasting network segment by employing one or several network devices and uses the ARP flexibly. The outer appearance of the ARP protocol is not changed, and the other devices in the broadcast network segment do not need to modify the protocol or provide special function support.
US09166868B2
In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a method may include communicating, via an inter-card communication channel, local link status information regarding at least one local physical port resident on a first network interface, wherein the at least one local physical port is a member port of a link aggregation group, to one or more other network interfaces, other than the first network interface, having member ports of the link aggregation group. The method may also include receiving, via the inter-card communications channel, non-local link status information regarding at least one non-local physical port resident on the one or more other network interfaces, wherein the at least one non-local physical port is a member port of the link aggregation group. The method may further include designating a link status of the at least one local physical port based on the local link status information and the non-local link status information.
US09166867B2
A method for providing network communication to a wireless device through a plurality of wireless protocol links. A first protocol link from the plurality of wireless protocol links is selected based on some predetermined criteria. A first network connection is established through the first protocol link. A second protocol link from the plurality of wireless protocol links is selected based on the change in status or condition of the first protocol link with respect to the predetermined criteria. A second network connection is established through the second protocol link, and the first network connection through the first protocol link is terminated.
US09166860B2
Described herein are implementations related to data communication using a frame that includes at least two data packets. In one implementation, a first of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. A second of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. The repeated payload portions of the second data packet are shuffled or rotated in relation to the repeated data payload portions of the first data packet. In one implementation, the frame is conveyed in a Power Line Communication (PLC) system.
US09166855B2
A first digital signal sequence including I and Q digital signal sequences is obtained, the first digital signal sequence being obtained by multiplying each bit of an I-sequence and a Q-sequence in a digital signal sequence system by a first code among codes constituting n-th order (n is an integer) orthogonal codes. A second digital signal sequence is obtained by multiplying I and Q digital signal sequences by a first coefficient greater than 1, the I and Q digital signal sequences being obtained by multiplying each of the bits in the I-sequence and the Q-sequence in the digital signal sequence system by a first code among codes constituting 2n-th order orthogonal codes. The first digital signal sequence and the second digital signal sequence are added on a bit-by-bit basis to create one digital signal sequence, and the one digital signal sequence is transmitted from a single antenna.
US09166854B1
A baseband processor for a receiver. The baseband processor includes a channel estimator configured to generate an estimate of a communication channel based on a baseband signal. The baseband signal corresponds to a radio frequency signal received by the receiver. A demodulator is configured to generate, based on the baseband signal and the estimate of the communication channel, channel state information corresponding to the communication channel, and generate, based on the estimate of the communication channel, a demodulated symbol, wherein the demodulated symbol incorporates the channel state information. A decoder is configured to generate branch metrics for the demodulated symbol using the estimate of the communication channel as received from the channel estimator and the demodulated symbol as received from the demodulator, and perform decoding on the demodulated symbol, using the branch metrics for the demodulated symbol, in order to generate a decoded symbol.
US09166853B2
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first device via a channel of a communication medium, multiple data transmissions, wherein a code rate of multiple code rates is associated with each data transmission of the multiple data transmissions. The method includes determining, based on signal characteristics of the multiple data transmissions, the data transmission from among the multiple data transmissions having a preferred physical data rate. The method also includes setting a code rate for the channel for communication from a second device to the first device via the communication medium, to the code rate of the data transmission having the preferred physical data rate.
US09166849B2
A physical channel processor on a wireless device and method for precoding for spatial multiplexing in an open-loop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile communication system is disclosed. The method comprises the operation of receiving an input vector block from a layer mapper. The input vector block includes user equipment-specific reference signals (UE-RSs) or data in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The operation of generating a large delay cyclic delay diversity (CDD) vector block from the input vector block using a precoder configured for large delay CDD on an antenna port follows. The data can be resource element mapped with UE-RSs or channel-state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) in a physical resource block (PRB).
US09166837B2
A method for wireless communication is described. The method includes receiving a burst that includes controlled sequence symbols transmitted in a guard period. The controlled sequence symbols include the last predetermined number symbols of a training sequence. The burst is demodulated based on the controlled sequence symbols. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US09166831B2
An asymmetric PHY pair for communicating over a point-to-point link is disclosed. The PHY pair is asymmetric in that the signal processing power used by one of the PHYs to communicate a unit of data over the link is made to be less than that of the other PHY. This asymmetry is accomplished not merely by reducing the signal processing power of one of the PHYs at the expense of the rate at which symbols can be communicated over the link, but by transferring the signal processing power from one of the PHYs to the other PHY so that the symbol rate can be substantially maintained as compared to the symbol rate of a symmetric PHY pair. The asymmetric PHY pair can be advantageously implemented in many different types of communication systems (i.e., in communication systems where one end is more congested and/or crowded than the other end).
US09166828B1
A method for estimating and compensating for noise on antennas of a multi-antenna wireless system. The method includes receiving multiple signals via multiple receive antennas of a receiver, where each of the signals is received via a respective antenna. The method further includes estimating noise power imbalance corresponding to the receive antennas based on the multiple signals.
US09166821B2
In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.
US09166820B2
A method and apparatus for providing a text messaging service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a text message destined to a customer, and determines a preference of the customer for forwarding the text message, wherein the preference comprises a plurality of customer endpoint devices for receiving the text message. The method forwards the text message in accordance with a sender input, if the preference of the customer allows for processing of the text message in accordance with the sender input, and forwards the text message in accordance with the preference of the customer; if the preference of the customer does not allow sender input.
US09166815B2
A ring connection apparatus according to one embodiment is provided with: a frame receiver that receives frames to be transmitted to one of the plurality of ring networks from each of the plurality of networks; and a frame transmitter that transmits each of frames, a passing frame to be transmitted from a device to another device inside said one ring network and a crossing frame to be transmitted to a device in said one ring network from a device in another ring network different from said one ring network, to said one ring network within the range of a band, which is separately determined in advance.
US09166812B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for associating a first node in a mesh network with an electrical device, wherein the electrical device comprises a home control device, enabling the mesh network to perform channel adjustment, transmitting data through the mesh network between the first node and a second node in the mesh network, wherein the transmission utilizes channel adjustment; and performing an action based at least in part on the transmitted data.
US09166811B2
A system is provided for controlling an aquatic habitat. The system for includes a server, a bridge, and a habitat component. The server includes a database containing information associated with a habitat component. The server also includes a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component. The bridge has a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component. The habitat component has a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.
US09166809B2
A test case management subsystem includes a data store, the data store including data relating to a network device. A network testing subsystem is configured to receive an instruction from said test case management subsystem, wherein the instruction includes the data relating to the network device, and execute an automated command line to test the network device.
US09166802B2
The present invention provides a mobile communications device and a method of operating such a device to reduce data download costs incurred in downloading data from a bearer to which the mobile communications device is connected. The mobile communications device is capable of storing for a bearer to which the mobile communications device is configured to connect with, cost information relating to the cost of downloading data from that bearer. Also, the mobile communications device is capable of adapting the quantity of data downloaded to the mobile communications device from the bearer to which the mobile communications device is presently connected in dependence on the cost information for that bearer.
US09166793B2
A method and system for authenticating messages is provided. A message authentication system generates an encrypted message by encrypting with a key a combination of a message and a nonce. The message authentication system generates a message authentication code based on a combination of the message and the nonce modulo a divisor. To decrypt and authenticate the message, the message authentication system generates a decrypted message by decrypting with the key the encrypted message and extracts the message and the nonce. The message authentication system then regenerates a message authentication code based on a combination of the extracted message and the extracted nonce modulo the divisor. The message authentication system then determines whether the regenerated message authentication code matches the original message authentication code. If the codes match, then the integrity and authenticity of the message are verified.
US09166791B2
The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus for user identity verification as a user migrates amongst systems, servers, computing environments and/or segments within a cloud computing environment. A user currently accessing a first system seeks to migrate from the first system to a target system. The target system validates whether the user may access the target system based on a first private key and a first public key. A verification system maintains a second public key that is based on an identity of the user and inaccessible to the user. The verification system receives a second private key from an initial system of the user. Based on the second private/public keys, the verification system sends a validation of user identity to the target system.
US09166790B2
Commission information generator for making processes on communication performed by another computer
In a communicator in a communication system, a commission information generator for generating a commission parameter to make a process on a communication between communicators performed by another computer includes a first memory for storing a secret key and an encrypter for generating N number of the commission parameters, where N is a natural number, from a first to an N-th commission parameter. The encrypter regards a j-th shared key, where j is a positive integer equal to or less than N, out of the N number of shared keys as key information, encrypts a bit sequence representation of j-th partial information, associated with the j-th shared key, out of N pieces of partial information, and thereby generates a j-th commissioned parameter.
US09166787B2
Securing encrypted virtual hard disks may include a variety of processes. In one example, a virtual hard disk is created for a user and encrypted with a volume key, and the volume key placed in an administrator header. The administrator header may be encrypted with a protection key, the protection key created from a user identifier corresponding to the user, a volume identifier corresponding to the virtual hard disk, and two cryptographic secrets. The protection key may then destroyed after encrypting the administrator header and therefore, might never leave the encryption engine. The two cryptographic secrets may be stored in separate storage locations, one accessible to the user and the other accessible to administrators. Accordingly, the protection key might never transmitted or can be intercepted, and no single entity may be compromised to gain access to all of the information needed to recreate the protection key.
US09166784B2
According to a method of generating a key of the present invention, a first device and a second device are first brought into contact with one vibrator. In this state, the vibrator generates vibration. A first acceleration sensor provided in the first device and a second acceleration sensor provided in the second device detect the vibration. Subsequently, the first device notifies the second device of a first feature value based upon the detection result of the first acceleration sensor. The second device notifies the first device of a second feature value based upon the detection result of the second acceleration sensor. Then the first device compares the notified second feature value with the first feature value and generates a key based upon the comparison result. The second device compares the notified first feature value with the second feature value and generates a key based upon the comparison result.
US09166763B2
A duplexer D1 or D2 to be used is appropriately selected from multiple duplexers D1 and D2. A mobile communication method of the invention is a mobile communication method for a mobile communication system 1 operated in a band F1. The method includes: a step A of causing a radio base station eNB in the mobile communication system 1 to notify a mobile station UE of information concerning a system X operated in a band 2 adjacent to the band F1 and information concerning a system Y operated in a band 3 adjacent to the band 1; and a step B of causing the mobile station UE to select a duplexer D1 (or D2) to be used from multiple duplexers D1 and D2 on the basis of the information concerning the system X and the information concerning the system Y.
US09166760B2
A method and apparatus may be used for supporting multiple hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) processes per transmission time interval (TTI). A transmitter and a receiver may include a plurality of H-ARQ processes. Each H-ARQ process may transmit and receive one TB per TTI. The transmitter may generate a plurality of TBs and assign each TB to a H-ARQ process. The transmitter may send control information for each TB, which may include H-ARQ information associated TBs with the TBs. The transmitter may send the TBs using the associated H-ARQ processes simultaneously per TTI. After receiving the TBs, the receiver may send feedback for each of the H-ARQ processes and associated TBs indicating successful or unsuccessful receipt of each of the TBs to the transmitter. The feedback for multiple TBs may be combined for the simultaneously transmitted H-ARQ processes, (i.e., TBs).
US09166758B2
A user equipment (UE) transmits uplink control information (UCI) of 3 bits or more to a base station (BS) after modulating the UCI into 1-bit or 2-bit sub-UCI units. Here, the UE maps each 1-bit or 2-bit sub-UCI unit to one of a plurality of corner constellation points regardless of modulation order of data which is multiplexed with the UCI. The corner constellation points are points having a maximum Euclidean distance from among a plurality of constellation points corresponding to the modulation order.
US09166754B2
A method of arranging a shortened resource block (RB) without a direct current (DC) subcarrier for a wireless communication system comprising a communication device and a network is disclosed. The method comprises selecting a RB from a plurality of RBs comprising a plurality of available subcarriers, according to a configuration, wherein the RB comprises a plurality of subcarriers; and removing the DC subcarrier from the plurality of subcarriers of the RB according to the configuration, to construct the shortened RB without the DC subcarrier.
US09166751B2
A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting control information to first and second terminals by a Base Station (BS) in a wireless communication system transmitting control information according to a plurality of muting patterns. The method includes determining a resource for transmitting a Channel Status Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) and a resource for applying muting; determining a resource for transmitting a control signal to a first terminal according to the plurality of muting patterns; and transmitting control information including the determined resource information to at least one of the first terminal and a second terminal. The resource for transmitting the control signal to the first terminal is applied as a resource to which muting is applied for the second terminal.
US09166750B1
A soft decision analyzer system is operable to interconnect soft decision communication equipment and analyze the operation thereof to detect symbol wise alignment between a test data stream and a reference data stream in a variety of operating conditions.
US09166745B2
A method and apparatus is provided for assigning resources for an acknowledgement channel, such as the PHICH in LTE systems. Acknowledgement channels for the mobile terminals are assigned to channel groups based on a predetermined assignment criteria. All acknowledgment channels in the same channel group receive acknowledgements on the same downlink resources (e.g., resource elements in OFDM system). A required transmit energy for each channel is determined. If the total required transmit energy for all channels exceeds an available transmit power, the allocated transmit energy for each channel is either scaled down so that the total actual transmit power for all acknowledgment channels is equal to the available transmit power, or some acknowledgment channels are not transmitted.
US09166741B2
A multi-antenna transmitter is configured for orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communications. The multi-antenna transmitter includes circuitry to receive an input bit sequence for code block segmentation including adding filler bits based on a selected code block size, a encoder to encode the bit sequence and an interleaver configurable to perform interleaving operations on blocks of bits of various code block sizes of the bit sequence. A controller is to select the code block size for the interleaver and OFDM transmitter circuitry to transmit OFDM symbols on subcarriers utilizing more than one antenna. The OFDM symbols are generated at least in part from the interleaved blocks.
US09166740B1
Systems and methods are provided for determining a data value for a bit of interest in a received data signal. A closest 0-bit symbol candidate is selected from a plurality of 0-bit symbol candidates using a symbol selection distance approximation. A closest 1-bit symbol candidate is selected from a plurality of 1-bit symbol candidates using the symbol selection distance approximation. A 0-bit distance between the received data signal and the selected 0-bit symbol candidate is determined, and a 1-bit distance between the received data signal and the selected 1-bit symbol candidate is determined. A log likelihood ratio is calculated for the bit of interest using the determined 0-bit distance and the determined 1-bit distance.
US09166739B2
An error correction processing circuit, includes: a division circuit that divides input data into a plurality of pieces of a predetermined data length; a plurality of operation circuits that are provided in parallel, and that perform operations of error correction for the plurality of pieces of data divided by the division circuit, respectively; a multiplexing circuit that multiplexes the plurality of pieces of data for which the operations have been performed by the plurality of operation circuits; and an output circuit that outputs the data multiplexed by the multiplexing circuit.
US09166732B2
One or more femto cell access points (FAPs) are employed to facilitate provisioning of security. A signal indicative of an intrusion in an area associated with an FAP can be received, and, based on receiving the signal, an identifier associated with a device in a range of the FAP can be determined. One or more frequencies in the range of the femto cell access point can be jammed, an attachment attempt emitted from the device in response to jamming the frequencies can be detected, and a telephone number of the device can be identified based, at least, on detecting the attachment attempt from the device. Warnings can also be sent to the device and/or tracking of the device can be performed.
US09166716B2
In view of the above, a radio player is provided. In an example implementation, the radio player includes a radio signal receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast corresponding to a tuner setting on a tuner. The radio signal receiver is configured to retrieve an air radio program from the radio broadcast corresponding to a radio station identified by the tuner setting. A digital stream radio receiver is connected to a data network. The digital stream radio receiver is configured to establish a data connection with a radio station identified by a radio station network identifier to receive a streamed radio program. A source selector selects between either the air radio program or the streamed radio program to play at an audio output when the air radio program and the streamed radio program are broadcast from the same radio station.
US09166715B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for sharing information related to broadcast programs are described. One of the methods includes receiving data identifying at least a portion of a first broadcast of a program, receiving data identifying at least one recipient, and communicating information indicative of the identified at least a portion of the program to the at least one recipient. The method may also include identifying a subsequent broadcast of the program to the at least one recipient, and communicating data indicative of the subsequent broadcast of the program to the at least one recipient. Other aspects include systems, apparatus, and devices for sharing information related to broadcast programs.
US09166714B2
A method of and system for presenting enriched video viewing analytics is presented. A method of presenting enriched statistical and analytical information includes receiving a catalog of a plurality of content items. Each content item has associated metacontent characterizing the content item. The method also includes receiving and storing operations of a user for interacting with one or more of the content items. The method further includes determining use and/or viewing statistics for, for example, the content items, metacontent associated with the content items, the numbers and types of devices viewing the content items, subscriber information, household information, and/or viewer demographic information for past and present time periods. The method also, optionally, includes estimating the likelihood of future user interaction operations.
US09166692B1
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for reconfiguring the links made by a plurality of optical circuit switches between the nodes of the first layer and the nodes of the second layer that reduces the throughput loss when the network transitions form a first logical topology to a second logical topology. More particularly, the first logical topology is realized by a specific physical topology, while the second logical topology may be realized by one or more physical topologies. The disclosure describes a method for selecting a second physical topology from the one or more physical topologies that will realize the second logical topology while reducing the number of links within each of the optical circuit switches that must be reconfigured (i.e, disconnected from their present ports and reconnected to new ports within the optical circuit switch) to transition from the first to second logical topology.
US09166685B2
A lighting apparatus for visible light communication includes at least one luminaire body and a visible-light-communication-signal-outputting part. The luminaire body includes a light source that includes an LED. The visible-light-communication-signal-outputting part is configured to output a modulation signal to the luminaire body. The luminaire body further includes: a power supply circuit configured to dim the light source; a switch element for modulating an output current that is supplied from the power supply circuit to the light source; a resistor connected in parallel with the switch element; and a photo-coupler configured to receive the modulation signal output from the visible-light-communication-signal-outputting part. The visible-light-communication-signal-outputting part is provided outside the luminaire body, and is configured to transmit the modulation signal via the photo-coupler.
US09166682B2
The present document relates to a method and apparatus in optical transmission systems for the estimation of the carrier phase and the degree of non-linear distortions incurred in an optical transmission channel. A plurality of signal samples are provided at succeeding time instances such that the plurality of signal samples: is associated with a modulation scheme and a carrier phase; has been transmitted over the optical transmission channel; comprises a plurality of signal phases, respectively; comprises a plurality of data phases and a plurality of residual phases, respectively; and the plurality of residual phases is associated with the carrier phase. The method comprises further canceling the plurality of data phases from the plurality of signal phases by taking into account the modulation scheme; thereby yielding the plurality of residual phases; and determining a set of autocorrelation values of the plurality of residual phases for a set of lag values, respectively.
US09166679B2
An optical amplification apparatus includes an optical amplification medium configured to receive a first light signal from an end of the optical amplification medium and a second light signal from the other end of the optical amplification medium in opposite directions, the first and second light signals being branched from a light signal, an excitation light source configured to supply excitation light to the optical amplification medium through a multiplexer, a monitor configured to monitor the first and second light signals input to the optical amplification medium, respectively and to output monitoring signals respectively, and a controller configured to control the excitation light source in accordance with the monitoring signals.
US09166664B2
An active antenna transceiver system is disclosed. The active antenna transceiver system comprises a bandpass filter adapted to filter first telecommunication signals in a first frequency band, the first telecommunication signals being transceived in a first antenna section, an active transceiver arrangement adapted to transceive second telecommunications signal in a second frequency band, an antenna arrangement adapted to radiate and/or collect signal in both the first and second frequency bands. A combining element is provided for combining first telecommunications signal and second telecommunication signal into a combined telecommunications signal to be fed into antenna arrangement and the combining element being adapted for splitting the combined telecommunications signal from the antenna arrangement into first telecommunication signals and second telecommunications signals.
US09166657B2
A device, system, antenna system including a reader and a plurality of antennae, antenna product, method for the addressing antennae, and method for switching the antenna in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, wherein the method includes switching the reader in a sequential manner to each of the antennae successively according to a radio frequency communication signal from said reader, where the radio frequency communication signal is provided for the reader to communicate with a tag such that it is simple to form a network and easy to implement the network at low cost.
US09166652B2
Described herein are techniques related one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) based wireless docking in an enterprise environment. In an implementation, a separate low radiating antenna is constructed and installed at a bottom surface of a wireless device and at a docking surface of a docking station. In this implementation, the low radiating antenna is configured to provide local wireless communication (i.e., Wi-Fi based communication) between a docking pair that includes the wireless device and the docking station.
US09166647B2
An expandable device for wireless audio input is provided in the present invention. The expandable device for wireless audio input is compatible with an audio provider, wherein the audio provider is used for converting an audio to a wireless signal to output the wireless signal. The expandable device for wireless audio input is used for outputting an audio signal to an audio output device, wherein, the audio output device includes a first audio jack. The expandable device for wireless audio input includes a first audio jack plug, a wireless receiver and a second audio jack. The first audio jack plug is used for outputting a first audio signal. The wireless receiver receives the wireless signal outputting from the audio provider and converts the wireless signal into the first audio signal to transmit to the first audio jack plug. When a second audio signal is inputted from the second audio jack plug, the second audio signal is provided to the first audio jack plug.
US09166646B1
Embodiments of transceiver circuits and methods for operating a transceiver circuit are described. In one embodiment, a transceiver circuit includes a feedback loop connected to a bus and a control circuit connected to the bus. The feedback loop includes a tunable low-pass filter. The control circuit is configured to detect a radio frequency (RF) disturbance on the bus and control the bandwidth of the tunable low-pass filter in response to detection of the RF disturbance on the bus. Other embodiments are also described.
US09166638B2
An integrated circuit chip includes a first single-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate a differential output associated with an input of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a second single-ended-to-differential amplifier arranged in parallel with said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a first set of switch circuits arranged downstream of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a second set of switch circuits arranged downstream of said second single-ended-to-differential amplifier; and a first differential-to-single-ended amplifier arranged downstream of a first one of said switch circuits in said first set and downstream of a first one of said switch circuits in said second set.
US09166629B1
A method and apparatus for processing a number of profiles for a software defined radio is provided. In one illustrative example, an apparatus comprises a pre-compiler and a compiler. The pre-compiler is configured to receive a number of profiles for the software defined radio in a first format. The pre-compiler is further configured to form a number of profile structures in a second format during build time based on the number of profiles. A profile structure in the number of profile structures corresponds to a profile in the number of profiles and includes a set of substructures comprised of a number of dynamic substructures and a number of static substructures. The compiler is configured to convert the number of profile structures into compiled code during the build time for use in deploying a set of components on the software defined radio at runtime.
US09166619B2
There is an approach for generating a pattern-based database. The approach includes accessing a log specifying one or more strings representing data having a dynamic portion and a static portion. The approach also may include generating a pattern-based database, including one or more records representing compression of the data, by determining the dynamic portions and the static portions of the strings. The approach also may include assigning pattern values to the strings based on the determined dynamic portions and the static portions. The pattern values may be configured to provide compression of the strings within the records of the pattern-based database.
US09166603B2
A phase-locked loop circuit comprises a multi-phase oscillator having a plurality of coupled oscillators. A calibration module detects mismatches between frequency characteristics of the different oscillators in the phase-locked loop circuit during a calibration process. The calibration module then calibrates the various oscillators to compensate for the detected mismatch. Once calibrated, the phase-locked loop circuit can operate with little or no performance degradation despite the mismatch in frequency characteristics between the different oscillators.
US09166599B1
Integrated circuits may include logic regions configurable to perform custom functions. Interconnects may be used to rout signals throughout the integrated circuit. The logic region may be coupled to input selection circuitry for selecting and providing input signals from the interconnects to the logic regions and to output selection and routing circuitry for selecting and transmitting output signals over interconnects to other logic regions. Bypass circuitry may provide direct access to registers inside the logic regions and to the output selection and routing circuitry by bypassing the input selection circuitry and other processing circuitry inside the logic regions. Bus interconnections having logic regions performing register pipelining, wire stitching, and acting as data source/sink stations to get on and off the bus interconnections may be generated by configuring the bypass circuitry and the output selection and routing circuitry appropriately.
US09166596B2
Integrated circuits may include memory interface circuitry that communicates with memory. The memory interface circuitry may include latch circuitry that receives a data strobe enable signal from the memory controller and latches the data strobe enable signal using a data strobe signal received from the memory. The integrated circuit may include logic circuitry that gates the data strobe signal using the latched data strobe enable signal. The logic circuitry may pass the data strobe signal in response to activation of the latched data strobe enable signal. The integrated circuit may include counter circuitry that monitors the gated data strobe signal. The counter circuitry may monitor the gated data strobe signal by counting pulses in the gated data strobe signal to produce a counter value. When the counter value reaches a target value, the logic circuitry may block the data strobe signal from passing to the memory controller.
US09166591B1
A high speed IO buffer is disclosed. The high speed IO buffer includes a first P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor coupled to an IO voltage source. The high speed IO buffer also includes a first N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor coupled to a ground source, a second PMOS transistor coupled to the first PMOS transistor and a pad and a second NMOS transistor coupled to the first NMOS transistor and the pad. The first PMOS transistor, the first NMOS transistor, the second PMOS transistor and the second NMOS transistor are arranged in a cascoded arrangement.
US09166586B2
A system for detecting unauthorized removal or tampering. The system comprises a printed circuit board having tamper-response electronics and a flexible circuit assembly defining a connector portion, a switch portion, and a cable extending between the connector portion and the switch portion. The flexible circuit assembly is coupled with the printed circuit board at the connector portion. The flexible circuit assembly comprises a plurality of layers each comprising a flexible dielectric substrate and a switch disposed in the switch portion. The switch is in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the printed circuit board via a conductive path. The flexible circuit assembly also comprises a tamper-responsive conductor circuit enclosing the conductive path. The tamper-responsive conductor circuit is in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the printed circuit board.
US09166585B2
A low power inverter circuit includes first and second transistors that receive an input signal at their gate terminals. The first and second transistors are connected by way of their source terminals to third and fourth transistors, respectively. The third and fourth transistors are connected in parallel with fifth and sixth transistors, respectively. The third and fourth transistors are continuously switched on, and the fifth and sixth transistors are controlled in such a way to reduce short circuit current flowing through the first and second transistors when the input signal transitions from one state to another.
US09166584B1
An apparatus is disclosed for communication of data signals in a current-encoded format. The apparatus includes a first logic block and a second logic block. The first logic block includes a first voltage-mode logic (VML) circuit configured to provide a first voltage-encoded binary signal and an encoder circuit configured to convert the voltage-encoded binary signal to a current-encoded binary signal. The second logic block includes a decoder circuit configured to receive the current-encoded binary signal from the first logic block and convert the current-encoded binary signal to a second voltage-encoded binary signal. The logic states encoded by the second voltage-encoded binary signal are equal to the logic states encoded by the first voltage-encoded binary signal. The second logic block also includes a second VML circuit coupled to the decoder circuit and configured to receive and process the second voltage-encoded binary signal.
US09166581B2
An electrode device for a capacitive sensor device and a circuit arrangement for a capacitive sensor device for the operation of an electrode device are provided, wherein the electrode device has a first electrode structure with at least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode, and a second electrode structure with at least one field sensing electrode, wherein the electrode device or the capacitive sensor device can be operated in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode. In addition a method is provided for approach and/or touch detection with a sensor device.
US09166576B2
A circuit includes a discriminator to store a threshold. The circuit further includes a comparator including a first input to receive a count, a second input to receive the threshold, and an output to provide an output signal representing a result of the comparison between the count and the threshold. The circuit also includes a controller to automatically adjust the threshold when the count exceeds a first threshold or falls below a second threshold.
US09166574B2
An apparatus for providing time adjustment of an input signal includes a coarse timing digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a replica delay element and an interpolator. The coarse timing DAC has multiple delay settings for providing a coarse timing adjustment of the input signal, and outputs a first delayed signal by delaying the input signal by a first delay time corresponding to a selected setting of the multiple delay settings. The replica delay element receives the first delayed signal from the coarse timing DAC and outputs a second delayed signal by delaying the first delayed signal by a predetermined second delay time. The interpolator blends either the input signal and the first delayed signal or the first delayed signal and the second delayed signal for providing a fine timing adjustment of the input signal, and outputs a timing adjusted output signal including the coarse timing adjustment and the fine timing adjustment.
US09166569B2
A relaxation oscillator is provided in the present invention. The relaxation oscillator includes a R-S latch, a first delay circuit and a second delay circuit. The input terminal of the first delay circuit is coupled to the Q output terminal of the R-S latch, and the output terminal of the first delay circuit is coupled to the reset terminal of the R-S latch. The input terminal of the second delay circuit is coupled to the inversion Q output terminal of the R-S latch, and the output terminal of the second delay circuit is coupled to the set terminal of the R-S latch. When the input terminal of the first delay circuit inputs a first logic voltage, after a delay time, the output terminal of the first delay circuit outputs a second logic pulse. When the input terminal of the second delay circuit inputs the first logic voltage, after the delay time, the output terminal of the second delay circuit outputs the second logic pulse.
US09166564B2
A wideband bandpass filter includes an RF input terminal, an RF output terminal, a plurality of electrically tunable coupling capacitors coupled in series between the RF input and output terminals, and a plurality of resonating circuits each including an electrically tunable resonator capacitor coupled to one of the coupling capacitors. At least one resistance is coupled in series between at least one of the coupling capacitors for providing enhanced out of band rejection of the filter.
US09166554B2
A crystal resonator element include a pair of resonating arms extending from a base, the resonating arms includes a groove, a slope portion is formed in a connection portion of the resonating arms to the base so that a distance between the groove and the outer edge of each of the resonating arms increases as it approaches the base from the resonating arms, and a non-electrode region which extends over a range of areas from a connection portion connected to a first side surface formed along the longitudinal direction of the groove and a connection portion connected to a second side surface facing the first side surface with a bottom portion disposed there between and in which excitation electrodes are not formed is provided in the groove in at least a part of the bottom portion positioned in the slope portion.
US09166549B2
In a high-frequency filter, four LC parallel resonators include four capacitors and four resonance coils, and are aligned in a predetermined direction. The four capacitors are defined by a ground conductor and a resonance capacitor conductor. The four coils are defined by a first via conductor, a second via conductor, and a line conductor. A floating conductor is provided astride within the four coils, and a sum of electrostatic capacitance between line conductors and the floating conductor is larger than electrostatic capacitance between the resonance capacitor conductor and the floating conductor, the line conductors overlapping with the floating conductor in planar view from a lamination direction.
US09166548B1
A SAW filter is fabricated with input and output transducers on a piezoelectric substrate and an epoxy based photo-definable acoustic absorber on the substrate for suppressing unwanted acoustic waves. The photo-definable acoustic absorber has a viscosity in a range from about 50 centistokes to 12000 centistokes and a thickness from about 10 microns to 120 microns. One acoustic absorber includes an SU-8 family member epoxy.
US09166537B2
An amplifier arrangement for amplifying a radio signal comprising at least a first amplifier module and a second amplifier module is presented wherein a splitter stage for dividing an amplifier stage input signal into several signal portions. The signal portions are amplified in the at least two parallel amplifier modules. A combiner stage combines the separate amplifier output signals into a single amplifier arrangement output signal.
US09166527B2
A Power amplifier circuit comprising an input, an output comprising: means for sensing the input voltage; and a set of n cascode circuits, each comprising a first transistor having a gate, a source and a drain terminal and further comprising a second transistor having gate, source and drain terminal; the source and gate of the first transistor of said cascode circuits being respectively connected to a first reference voltage and to receive the input signal, the drain of said first transistor being connected to the source of said second transistor, the drain of which being coupled to said output. By activating or deactivating one or more of the n cascode circuits, the total size of the amplification components can be adapted to the value of the output power to generate.
US09166526B2
A solar panel rack may comprise one or more sheet metal brackets configured to attach solar panels to the solar panel rack. The sheet metal brackets may include clinching tabs configured to be clinched to features on the solar panels to attach the solar panels to the solar panel rack. The sheet metal brackets may further include protrusions configured to facilitate electrical contact between the brackets and the solar panels when the clinching tabs are clinched to features on the solar panels. The sheet metal brackets may additionally or alternatively include positioning tabs configured to contact features on the solar panels to position the solar panels in desired locations on the solar panel rack.
US09166522B1
A solar panel mounting assembly for securing a solar panel to a structure with the assembly comprising a mounting block having mounting block partitions forming a cross-shaped pattern that abut the solar panel, a threaded male member extending out of the mounting block, and a mounting plate and fastener cap for securing the solar panel to the mounting block.
US09166514B2
A motor control apparatus includes a rectifier for rectifying AC power to output DC power; an inverter for performing power interconversion of DC power of a DC link and AC power being driving power or regenerative power of a motor by being connected to the DC link being a DC output side of the rectifier; and at least two resistance discharge units each for performing resistance discharge of DC power of the DC link, the resistance discharge units each being connected to the DC link, in which each resistance discharge unit starts a resistance discharge operation for performing resistance discharge of DC power of the DC link at a DC voltage value in the DC link exceeding a first threshold value and stops the resistance discharge operation at a DC voltage value in the DC link smaller than a second threshold value below the first threshold value.
US09166512B2
A motor control device for controlling a motor which drives a control target, includes: a speed feedback control unit which generates a pre-correction torque command for controlling such that an actual speed of the control target follows a speed command which is input; an inverse model calculation unit which calculates a coefficient of an inverse model with a transfer function inversed from a transfer function of the control target by using the speed command and the pre-correction torque command; a torque correction value generating unit which generates a torque correction value by using the speed command and the coefficient of the inverse model; and a torque command generating unit which generates a torque command for the motor which drives the control target by using the pre-correction torque command and torque correction value.
US09166509B2
The disclosure concerns a method for operating a wind farm, the wind farm includes a wind turbine, and an energy storage device, the wind farm being connected to an external grid, the method comprising determining a demanded active power, determining a demanded reactive power, determining power production of the wind turbine, and charging the energy storage device, when the power production is above the demanded active power, the demanded reactive power, or the vector sum of demanded active power and demanded reactive power. Furthermore, corresponding wind farm controllers, wind farms, program elements, and computer readable media are subject of the current disclosure.
US09166507B2
An apparatus includes a controller and a comparator. The controller generates pulse width modulation (PWM) signals to drive stator windings of a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor in a commutation sequence such that one of the stator windings at a given time is open; and generates a tracking signal synchronized to the PWM signals and indicative of times when a leakage current is present in the open stator winding. The comparator senses when a back electromotive force of the open stator winding has an associated zero crossing. The sensing by the comparator is selectively enabled and disabled by the tracking signal.
US09166501B2
A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.
US09166499B2
In an electronic circuit, a first circuit region is electrically connected to an input circuit region of an isolated switching power source, and a second circuit region is electrically connected to an output circuit region thereof. A driver of an IC is located in the second circuit region and drives a target device based on output power supplied to the second circuit region via the output circuit region from the isolated switching power source. A transferring module of the IC transfers a value of a parameter indicative of the output power from the second circuit region to the first circuit region while maintaining electrical isolation between the first and second circuit regions. An operating module of the IC performs on-off operations of a switching element to perform feedback control of the value of the parameter indicative of the output power to a target value.
US09166496B2
A two-wire load control device prevents load malfunctioning, such as erroneous emission of an LED, due to a leak current, even when loads not taking countermeasures against noise are connected. The load control device is connected in series between a commercial power source and a load and an off power supply for ensuring an inner power supply at the time of turning off the load is provided with capacitors, which are switched to be connected in series or parallel, based on an input voltage. The control device makes the capacitors repeat charging and discharging, and a power discharged from the capacitors is used as the inner power supply, thereby reducing standby power requirement of the load control device at the time of turning off the load.
US09166494B2
A power supplying section is an operation power supply for a switching element for an inverter, and one end on a low potential side is connected to one end of the switching element on a DC power supply line side. A boot capacitor is connected to one end of the switching element on a DC power supply line side, where the other end is electrically connected to one end of the power supply section on the high potential side. A diode is provided in a path extending from one end of the power supply section on the high potential side to the DC power supply line via the boot capacitor. The diode makes only the current, which is flowing from the power supply section to the boot capacitor, flow.
US09166492B2
A control apparatus for use with a voltage source converter includes legs, each of which is configured by a plurality of converter modules each having a capacitor. Each of the legs has a first terminal on a positive side and a second terminal on a negative side. The control apparatus is configured to create command pulses for operating the converter modules. The command pulses have a frequency that is a non-integer multiple of a frequency of a system voltage. The non-integer multiple may be, for example, 3.5.
US09166491B2
A converter system includes a first converter, a second converter, and a first inter-phase transformer. The first converter is electrically connected to the second converter in parallel between a first input terminal parallel end and a first output terminal parallel end. The first inter-phase transformer is disposed at the first input side parallel terminal or the first output side parallel terminal, and the first inter-phase transformer is operable to restrain a circulating current generated by the first converter and the second converter.
US09166481B1
A method of synchronously operating a power converter in a series of converter operating cycles includes providing an oscillator for generating clock signals at an oscillator frequency, and generating timing control signals for each of multiple events based upon the clock signals. The method further includes to: (i) turn a primary switch ON and OFF at times when essentially zero voltage is impressed across the primary switch and essentially zero resonant current is flowing in the primary switch; and (ii) turn a secondary switch ON and OFF at times when essentially zero current is flowing in the secondary switch and essentially zero voltage is impressed across the secondary switch. The oscillator frequency is preset, and the timing of the timing control signals for one or more selected events may be set independently of other timing control signals and events.
US09166480B2
This is an insulation-type power factor correction circuit including a resonance unit configured to accumulate energy of a surge occurring when the first switching element is turned off and to transmit a resonance current generated by resonating the first capacitor and the primary winding of the second transformer from the primary winding of the second transformer to the secondary winding, a rectifier unit configured to rectify a resonance current output from the resonance unit, a smoothing unit configured to regenerate power output from the rectifier unit to an output of the insulation-type power factor correction circuit, and a control unit configured to control a first switching element for each cycle.
US09166479B2
A controller for use in a power converter includes a switching control and a sensor. The switching control generates a first signal to control switching of a power switch between a first state and a second state. The sensor receives a second signal from a single terminal of the controller during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the first state and during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the second state. The second signal is representative of a line input voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the first state and is representative of an output voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the second state. The sensor is coupled to be responsive to the first signal.
US09166468B2
A voltage regulator circuit includes a soft start module, a pulse width modulation (PWM) module, and a voltage regulator module. The soft start module is used to receive a current feedback voltage corresponding to an input current, and compare the current feedback voltage with a comparison voltage, so as to output a switching signal. The PWM module is used to receive a clock signal and the switching signal, and determine a first PWM signal and a second PWM signal outputted by the PWM module is a high voltage level or a low voltage level according to the clock signal and the switching signal. The voltage regulator module is used to receive and adjust an output voltage corresponding to the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal.
US09166467B2
A spike-free converter for driving light-emitting diodes includes a closed loop direct current-direct current (dc-dc) converting unit, a switch, a first inductor, and a first diode. The closed loop dc-dc converting unit is used for generating a driving voltage to drive at least one light-emitting diode strings according to a dc voltage, and generating a switch control signal. The switch is used for receiving the switch control signal and being turned on and turned off according to the switch control signal.
US09166459B1
A gravitational energy powered generator that includes an inflatable container configured to move vertically up and down a track via one or more connectors from the inflatable container. A number of valves to insert or extract gas or liquid from the inflatable container are included as well as a power generating component that either connects to the container itself or the belt with the containers connected to it. The gravitational energy powered generator thereby produces power generated via kinetic movement of the container along the track.
US09166441B2
A charger including a class E power driver, a frequency-shift keying (“FSK”) module, and a processor. The processor can receive data relating to the operation of the class E power driver and can control the class E power driver based on the received data relating to the operation of the class E power driver. The processor can additionally control the FSK module to modulate the natural frequency of the class E power transformer to thereby allow the simultaneous recharging of an implantable device and the transmission of data to the implantable device. The processor can additionally compensate for propagation delays by adjusting switching times.
US09166438B2
A wireless charging module includes an antenna and a wireless charger module. An enclosure is configured to fit at least partially within an optical drive bay of an information handling system. The antenna is disposed within a plastic lower portion of the enclosure. The plastic lower portion of the enclosure is configured to enable the antenna to wirelessly receive power from a wireless charging pad. The wireless charger module is disposed within the enclosure, and is configured to provide power to the information handling system.
US09166437B2
An apparatus includes a first cell subpack having a plurality of cells arranged in series and a second cell subpack connected in series to the first cell subpack. The second cell subpack includes a plurality of cells arranged in series and at least one cell arranged in parallel with one of the plurality of cells, arranged in series, of the second cell subpack, where the first cell subpack and the second cell subpack use a first voltage rail to provide at least a first voltage level and a second voltage rail to provide a second voltage level, where the first voltage level is different from the second voltage level.
US09166435B2
Improvements in a battery de-sulfating device are disclosed. The improvements including a plurality of capacitive discharge channels selectively activatable by a control board to provide a pulse wave modulated de-sulfating current to a lead-acid battery. The de-sulfating current can be a variable, or harmonic, repeating pattern of about 0.1-1.5 ms ON pulse followed by an about 2-9 ms OFF period which may be applied to the battery at an operator-adjustable peak amperage of about 0-350 amps. The de-sulfation process before, during or after the normal battery charging cycle, or any combination thereof. The temperature of the battery and the specific gravity of the fluid within the battery is measure during the de-sulfating process. The extent of sulfation of the battery may be ascertained by measuring the impedance of the battery.
US09166434B2
A charging apparatus may be provided that includes a first charger part and a second charger part. The first charger part to receive first power from a first power source and second power from a second power source. The first charger part to determine a type of the second power source and to provide a first output power based on the determined type of the second power source. The second charger part to receive the first output power from the first charger part and to provide power to a load and/or a battery.
US09166425B1
A battery charging storage device charges and stores batteries in a compact lockable case. The device includes a housing having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall defining an interior space. A medial wall extends through the interior space of the housing. Straight interior walls extend upwardly from the medial wall defining a plurality of rows in the interior space. A top surface of the medial wall conforms to an exterior shape of a plurality batteries positioned end to end within each row in the interior space. Charging walls extend across associated rows defining a plurality of individual compartments. Contact sets are coupled to the charging walls with each contact set corresponding to an associated one of the compartments in the interior space. Wiring couples each contact set to a plug electrically wherein each contact sets is configured to provide electrical current to a battery positioned in the associated compartment.
US09166421B2
A discharge system includes: a secondary battery pack; a discharge device; and an application software running on a personal computer connected to the discharge device. The application software receives total battery voltage information, temperature information, and over-discharge information of the secondary battery pack through the discharge device, determines deterioration of the secondary battery pack based on the informations, and displays results of the determination. Further, the application software instructs the discharge device to terminate the discharge when the temperature in the pack exceeds a predetermined value and/or an over-discharge is detected.
US09166415B2
In an AC link type boosting device, DC terminals of two voltage inverters are connected each other in series in additive polarity and plural AC terminals of each of the voltage inverters are connected to a transformer. The two voltage type inverters are AC linked to each other via the transformer. An external voltage applied between the DC terminals of the AC link type booster is divided by the voltage-type inverters.
