US09174802B2
A wear and shock resistant multi-strata panel for lining a conveyor chute bearing aggregate, coal, and other bulk materials. The panel comprises a plurality of generally planar layers, and a plurality of panels may be used to line a chute. The layers are comprised of and sequentially arranged in a topmost ceramic layer, a corrosion-resistant first metallic layer, an elastomeric cushioning layer, and a bottom-most corrosion-resistant second metallic layer proximal to and in intimate contact with the chute support structure, or chute surface. The layers are consecutively bonded together to form a panel attached integrally to the chute structure.
US09174799B2
A beverage container holder having a receptacle, gripping members, and a membrane is disclosed. The membrane is disposed in openings located between a sidewall of the receptacle and the gripping members. Living hinges are integrated into the gripping members, which allow the gripping members to flex and provide a gripping force on a beverage container that has been placed into the beverage container holder in order to provide a more stable and secure placement of the container. The receptacle and gripping members are manufactured in one step process, preferably an injection molding process, and are composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction, preferably a hard plastic, which allows for the easy placement or retrieval of a beverage container. The membrane is overmolded onto the receptacle and gripping members and is preferably composed of a flexible material such as a soft plastic or rubber.
US09174796B2
A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a pair of selectively closeable openings formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable openings having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.
US09174794B2
A spherical container comprising an upper shell, a lower shell, a filter net and a connector. The connector, the upper shell and the lower shell form an airtight spherical cavity. The filter net is fixed within cavities of the connector. The upper surfaces and the lower surfaces of the connector are inwardly recessed to form upper locking slots and lower locking slots. The upper shell and the lower shell are formed respectively with upper locking portions and lower locking portions. Outer walls of the upper locking portions and of the lower locking portions are inwardly recessed to form upper grooves and lower grooves respectively. The connector is formed with upper hooks and lower hooks. Inner wall of the connector extends upwardly and downwardly to form buffer plates tightly fitted with inner walls of the upper shell and of the lower shell.
US09174793B2
A cartridge (1) for coffee or soluble products for producing a beverage, includes a container (2) able to contain the coffee or soluble product, a lid (6) disposed over the container so as to define a top wall for entry into the container of the hot water under pressure for formation of the beverage, a filter (4) able to be positioned inside the container above a bottom wall (20) of the container through which the beverage flows out, wherein the bottom wall of the container has a weakened, less thick central area (22), suitable to be broken by mechanical elements or by the pressure of the liquid inside the cartridge to allow delivery of the beverage, there being provided a plurality of concentric, spiral-shaped channels, ending in the less thick central area, able to cause a swirling movement of the beverage, with the consequent formation of a dense froth.
US09174791B2
Systems include at least one substantially thermally sealed storage container, including an outer assembly including one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally sealed storage region, and an inner assembly including one or more interlocks configured to provide controllable egress of a quantity of a material from one or more of the at least one thermally sealed storage region.
US09174790B2
A storage system (1) has a chamber (3). In the chamber (3), multiple storage tanks (5) are arranged, and a picking and placing device (8) is arranged above these tanks. Carrousels (8) are arranged in the storage tanks. These carrousels are suspended from a top pivot bearing (35) and laterally guided by a bottom pivot bearing (44). The top pivot bearing (35) is located outside the insulation (12) of the storage tanks and is thus protected from extreme temperatures. In the carrousel (18), storage cassettes (20) are arranged which are laterally held by guide elements (31).
US09174787B2
A protective carrier (10) for portable objects has an interior layer (30) and an exterior layer (20) welded together to form a compartment (2) that is surrounded by inflatable air chambers (3). The compartment (2) has an opening in one end (62) through which objects are inserted. The open end (62) may be closed with a fluid-resistant seal (65) that rolls and is secured by buckles (40, 70), making the compartment (2) leak-resistant. The air chambers (3) may be inflated and deflated through a valve (100).
US09174783B1
A reusable gift wrap assembly includes two discrete sleeves that are together configured to conceal exterior surfaces of a gift box upon covering the gift box with the sleeves. Each sleeve includes two material layers that are connected together along a portion of their perimeter so as to define an interior pocket and an open end through which the gift box is inserted. One of the sleeves includes a free open end that is positioned to at least partially overlap a free open end of other sleeve so as to conceal the free open end of the other sleeve when the sleeves are assembled onto a gift box. Each sleeve is formed from a resilient fabric material such that the sleeves can conform to gift boxes of varying shape and size.
US09174779B2
An elastomeric vial cap used for sealing a vial container, but allowing pipette access to its containment fluid includes an annular flange portion for capping the vial and a sloped truncated cone portion to easily guide the pipette into the vial container. A tubular seal portion is configured to encircle the truncated cone portion and firmly engage an inside wall of the vial container with ease of insertion. A center flap portion is circumscribed by a channel at its top surface for penetration by the pipette and has a flex portion. The center flap portion separates around the perimeter of the channel but hinges at the channel above the flex portion and does not become dislodged. The ratio of the diameters of the pipette and the center flap portion is such that significant problems related to back-pressure and vacuum conditions do not exist during transfer of the containment fluid.
US09174775B2
Dispenser and methods of dispensing substances is provided. The dispenser comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to receive a packet comprising at least one collapsible cavity containing at least one substance, a support member positioned in the housing, the support member having a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a wedge coupled to the support member, the wedge configured to move in a plane substantially parallel within the longitudinal axis of the housing, the wedge receiving a force directed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and a reciprocating actuator coupled to the housing and engagable with the support member, the actuator moveable between a first position and a second position whereby the wedge advances a single predetermined increment collapsing a portion of the cavity.
US09174757B2
A method for labeling containers in a beverage bottling plant and a labeling station for a labeling machine in a beverage bottle labeling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US09174736B2
Proposed is an air passenger seat having a frame which is provided for attaching to a floor of an aircraft cabin and a backrest which is pivotably or securely mounted on the frame by means of a rotation spindle, wherein the seat has a seat reference point (SRP) which is defined according to the SAE International Aerospace Standard AS8049. According to the invention, the rotation spindle of the backrest has, in a line parallel to the cabin floor and as seen parallel to the direction of flight, a separation n of less than 40 mm from the seat reference point.
US09174729B2
A rotor assembly for helicopter vehicles for providing an easy way of controlling pitch, roll and lift of the aircraft by respective servo actuators. The rotor assembly has a rotor shaft, at least two rotor blades, a rotor head, and a non-rotating swash plate. The rotor assembly also includes a pitch hinge for each rotor blade connecting each rotor blade to the rotor head. The rotor assembly also includes a guide member for each rotor blade. As the rotor assembly rotates, the guide members are in substantial contact with an upper surface of the non-rotating swash plate. Forces such as magnetic and/or an aerodynamic forces are applied on the rotor blades and are sufficiently strong to create a valve effect on the pitch hinge, which in turn maintains contact between the guide members and the non-rotating swash plate.
US09174723B2
A system for connecting two relatively movable structures on an aircraft, comprising: a first rigid structure attached to one of the relatively movable rigid structures; a second rigid structure attached to another of the relatively movable structures; a flexible skin connected to the first and second rigid structures; a sleeve comprising first and second end portions; a first rod comprising a first end portion attached to the first rigid structure, a second end portion slidably coupled to the first end portion of the sleeve, and an intermediate portion made of shape memory alloy; a second rod comprising a first end portion attached to the second rigid structure, a second end portion slidably coupled to the second end portion of the sleeve, and an intermediate portion made of shape memory alloy; and means for heating at least the intermediate portions of the first and second rods.
US09174720B1
A balloon envelope with a plate secured thereto having an outlet port that provides a passageway from an inside of a balloon envelope to the atmosphere, a bracket extending from the plate, a first linear actuator having a first end attached to the bracket, where a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the outlet port, where the second end of the linear actuator is attached to the passive valve which is movable from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the outlet port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the outlet port by movement of the second end of the linear actuator to open the passageway between the inside of the balloon envelope and the atmosphere.
US09174719B1
A top cap assembly is provided for mounting tendon to a balloon that has a balloon envelope. The assembly includes a plate structure having a plurality of junction portions disposed at an apex of the balloon envelope and a plurality of tendon pairs. Each tendon pair includes first and second tendon members attached to the balloon envelope. The first tendon member is arranged to cross over the plate structure. The second tendon member is arranged to engage the first length tendon member at a given one of the junction portions of the doubler plate. A fastener member is attached to each tendon pair of the plurality of tendon pairs. The fastener member is used for securing the first and second tendon members of a given tendon pair together in order to support lift gas carried by the balloon envelope.
US09174718B1
A balloon having a balloon envelope that is fillable with a first lifting gas, a top plate arranged at a top of the balloon envelope, an outlet port that provides a passageway from an inside of the balloon envelope to the atmosphere, an inner bladder positioned within the balloon envelope and positioned at the top of the balloon envelope and coupled to the top plate, wherein the inner bladder is fillable with a second lifting gas, wherein the outlet port is configured to vent the first lifting gas to the atmosphere while keeping the second lifting gas in the inner bladder.
US09174710B2
A method for compensating for motion of a boat as it floats on water includes measuring the motion of the boat relative to another element in an area surrounding the boat, generating a driving signal for driving actuators operatively associated between the boat and at least one carrier based on motion of the boat, driving the actuators to hold the at least one carrier substantially stationary relative to the element based on the driving signal and relieving weight on the actuators by at least partially bearing the weight of a load and the at least one carrier by an at least partially passive pressure element.
US09174707B2
An LNG storage container carrier includes: one or more cargo holds provided on a hull such that upper portions thereof are opened; a plurality of first and second upper supports installed on the cargo holds in a width direction and a length direction to partition the upper portions of the cargo holds into a plurality of openings, wherein storage containers are vertically inserted into the openings and supported; and a lower support installed under the cargo holds and supporting the bottoms of the storage containers inserted into the openings. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently and stably transport the storage containers storing LNG or PLNG pressurized at a predetermined pressure. Such storage containers may be transported through simple modification of the existing container carrier.
US09174696B2
A grip includes a substantially tubular body equipped with ends and having a substantially cylindrical cavity with a longitudinal axis (X), the body being able to be fitted on an end of the handlebars, a padding associated with the body, a cover positioned above the padding, means for fastening the grip to the handlebars, the cover including a thermoshrinking and/or thermoformable material, so that, following a heating and/or cooling, the cover takes the form of the padding.
US09174693B2
A three-wheeled cycle is provided that can be ridden in an upright position. The cycle can have a suspension system for traversing rough terrain and for traction when turning. The front wheels can have a steering assembly comprised of a two-piece steering arm that clamps the handlebar to the front fork and connection rod with linkage pins. Furthermore, the design of the cycle can be favorable for transport of additional cargo loads.
US09174691B2
An accessory for attachment to a wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle includes a body portion and a mounting portion. The mounting portion has a V-shaped groove for receiving a wide range of shapes and sizes of frame tubing, wheel hubs, and the like. The groove has first and second portions separated by a notch to engage curved tubing with at least two contacts. A pair of cable ties secures the accessory to the tubing or the hub. A plurality of interchangeable mounting portions can be provided for mounting the accessory to the bicycle in different orientations. When a light is secured to a wheel, the accessory can be a battery holder secured to the hub on an opposite side of the hub from the light to offset weight of the light. The wheel can be balanced with proper radial positioning of the light and the battery holder.
US09174688B2
A segmented track made of a plurality of elastomeric track segments is provided. Each track segment is made of reinforced elastomeric material and is provided, at each end thereof, with a joint element adapted to be connected to the joint element of adjacent track segments. Each track segment comprises longitudinally extending reinforcing elements which are embedded into the elastomeric material and which are extending between and coupled to both joint elements.
US09174686B1
A vehicle includes a chassis having a longitudinal centerline, a first axle and a second axle coupled to the chassis, a cab, a driver's seat, and a passenger seat. The cab is coupled to the chassis and includes a windshield assembly comprising a first side portion, a middle portion, a second side portion, a first pillar coupling the first side portion to the middle portion, and a second pillar coupling the second side portion to the middle portion. The driver's seat is disposed within the cab along the longitudinal centerline, and the passenger seat is disposed within the cab and longitudinally offset from the driver's seat to improve driver visibility.
US09174669B2
In a control apparatus for a hydraulic power steering system including multiple electric pumps, a first ECU determines that start-up of a first motor is completed when a first current value, which is a value of current flowing to a first electric pump, has been within a prescribed current range continuously for a prescribed period of time or longer. An upper limit of the prescribed current range is set to be less than to a limit value provided as an upper limit of a current supplied simultaneously to the first and second electric pumps after completion of start-up. A lower limit of the prescribed current range is set to a minimum value of a current indicating that the first electric pump is in an energized state. After start-up of the first motor is determined to be completed, a second ECU starts electric power supply to the second electric pump.
US09174667B2
A steering force assisting device that includes an electric motor and includes independent two sets of motor driving circuit and control unit, and the electric motor includes coils having the same polarity and different motor characteristics, the coils being wound around each of teeth of a stator of the electric motor. The motor characteristics are a high speed/low torque characteristic and a low speed/high torque characteristic, and may be selected on the basis of the running condition of a vehicle.
US09174665B2
Provided is simple construction, in a mechanical apparatus such as a rack and pinion steering gear unit, for fastening a bearing that supports thrust loads to a member of the mechanical apparatus using a tapered snap ring, such that there is high rigidity against thrust loads. With the outer ring 17 of the bearing 15 positioned with respect to the housing 11a so that the axial length L27 between the circumferential edge of the axial one side surface 32a of the locking groove 27 and the axial one side surface 34 of the outer ring 17 is less than the maximum thickness T28a of the tapered snap ring 28a, the tapered snap ring 28a is locked into the locking groove 27. The gap 35 is provided between the axial other side surface 31 of the tapered snap ring 28a and the axial other side surface 33 of the locking groove 33.
US09174655B2
A control system for a vehicle system includes a mechanically-adjustable valve having a plurality of positions, a position sensor, and a controller. The mechanically-adjustable valve is configured to be disposed onboard a rail vehicle that is coupled to at least one other rail vehicle in a consist. The position sensor is configured to be disposed in the rail vehicle to monitor a current position of the mechanically-adjustable valve. The position sensor is configured to generate an output signal that represents the current position of the mechanically-adjustable valve. The controller is configured to be communicatively coupled to the position sensor and to receive the output signal of the position sensor. The controller is configured to set an operational status of the rail vehicle in the consist based on the output signal and to adjust automatic engine shutdown and restart operations of the rail vehicle based on the operational status.
US09174653B2
A method for providing vehicle configurations, the providing of at least one vehicle configuration is a function of a local position of the vehicle.
US09174647B2
A controller with energy economy rating (EER) calibration logic is configured to adjust a look-ahead time and feed-forward mapping window for vehicle controls according to EER.
US09174644B2
If, in uphill deceleration determination procedure, it is determined that the vehicle is being decelerated on an uphill slope, a transmission shift lever is in D range, the motor is in order, the start gear is a first specified gear or lower, a to-be-selected traveling gear is a second specified gear or lower, an actual even-numbered gear is a third specified gear or higher, and actual odd-numbered gear is a fourth specified gear or higher, a first, a second and a third synchronizer mechanisms are put in neutral position to create a state in which no gear is selected. Then, a shift to a gear suited for re-acceleration is conducted by activating operating the first, second and the third synchronizer mechanisms.
US09174643B2
When a preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle reduces speed, other vehicles between the preceding vehicle and a system-mounted vehicle successively reduces speed. An ECU and an ACC control the traveling of the system-mounted vehicle on the basis of prediction information of speed reduction propagation when the system-mounted vehicle reduces speed such that the system-mounted vehicle and an ordinary vehicle immediately in front of the system-mounted vehicle have a predetermined relative positional relationship. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the speed reduction propagation between the preceding vehicle and the system-mounted vehicle in advance, making it possible to more effectively suppress congestion.
US09174640B2
A system for controlling a hybrid powertrain having an electric motor, an engine and a transmission includes an engine control module that receives a torque request, and when the hybrid powertrain is being powered by the electric motor, determines whether to switch from the electric motor to the engine based on the torque request. A transmission control module, in response to a determination to switch from the electric motor to the engine, determines a target engine speed based on the torque request, and switches the hybrid powertrain from the electric motor to the engine based on a comparison between a current engine speed and the target engine speed.
US09174631B2
A multi-mode transmission is configured to transfer torque among an internal combustion engine, torque machines and an output member. A method for controlling shifting in the transmission includes, in response to a command to execute a range shift in the transmission to a target transmission range: applying mechanical braking torque to reduce output torque from the transmission to off-load torque from an off-going clutch, operating in a pseudo-gear range to synchronize an oncoming clutch, and applying the oncoming clutch to establish the transmission in the target range.
US09174615B2
A drive support apparatus is disclosed, which includes a sonar sensor that transmits an ultrasonic wave to an object outside of a vehicle to obtain, based on a reflected wave thereof, object information related to a distance to the object; a controller that permits a first drive force limitation control when the distance to the object is longer than or equal to a predetermined distance, and permits at least one of a second drive force limitation control and an intervention brake control when the distance to the object is shorter than the predetermined distance, wherein a limitation level in the second drive force limitation control is higher than that in the first drive force limitation control.
US09174607B2
A shaft portion formed at a vertical wall of a sensor housing is formed in a circular column shape, and an abut portion is formed facing a support wall, below the shaft portion. A width dimension of the abut portion is the same as the diameter dimension of the shaft portion as seen in plan view, and the abut portion is formed so as to overlap entirely with the shaft portion as seen from the opposite side of the shaft portion to the abut portion. Foreign objects such as dirt or dust that fall onto the circular column shaped shaft portion therefore readily slide over the shaft portion and fall down from the shaft portion, and foreign objects such as dirt or dust do not stay on the abut portion.
US09174592B2
A coupling transformer 15 necessary for power line communication is provided in a connector device 3. The coupling transformer 15 is formed by winding an AC line 11 and a signal wire 13 around an annular toroidal core 15a, which is to be fitted on a tubular part 32 of the connector device 3. Cutouts for housing the AC line 11 and the signal wire 13 wound around the toroidal core 15a are formed in the tubular part 32 of the connector device 3. Further, a coil 17a is connected to the AC line 11, a capacitor 17b is connected to an AC line 12, and the coil 17a and the capacitor 17b are connected to each other with a wire 17c provided along the AC lines 11 and 12, whereby a filter circuit is formed.
US09174589B2
A vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip includes a flange extending generally orthogonally from an interior wall of an automotive vehicle and a plurality of ribs protruding generally orthogonally from the flange. The flange includes a proximal end integral with the interior wall, a distal end separated from the interior wall, an interior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, and an exterior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, opposite the interior face. The plurality of ribs extends longitudinally from the proximal end of the flange to the distal end of the flange.
US09174580B2
An intelligent side step apparatus for a vehicle includes a step panel (13) that protrudes and expands to a side of a vehicle body (16) when a getting-off mode signal of a passenger is generated. The step panel (13) moves down to a side of the vehicle body when a getting-on mode signal of a passenger is generated. A step lamp (14) mounted on the step panel (13) is turned on when a night mode signal is generated.
US09174568B2
The present disclosure is directed a thermoplastic energy absorbing headlamp mounting bracket comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, and an energy absorbing member having a proximal end affixed to the proximal end of the frame, a distal end extending at least partially over the distal end of the frame, and an arcuate central portion extending between the distal end and the proximal end of the energy absorbing member. The proximal end of the energy absorbing member is configured to operably couple to a portion of the headlamp, and the frame is frictionally slidable in relation to the distal end of the energy absorbing member. Headlamps and vehicles comprising the energy absorbing headlamp mounting bracket are also disclosed.
US09174567B2
A motor vehicle with a device for influencing the viewing direction of the driver has a hazard detection and warning output device and a display unit for displaying information contents and/or entertainment contents. The display unit is arranged essentially centrally in the dashboard of the motor vehicle. The passenger compartment of the motor vehicle has a lighting device that is suitable for outputting a dynamic light animation and extends essentially from the display unit to the driver's field of vision on the windshield of the motor vehicle. A light animation that constitutes a movement of light in the direction of the driver's field of vision can be outputted, in order to output a warning about a hazard that relates to or could relate to what is happening on the road in front of the motor vehicle.
US09174552B2
A driving-environment setup system has a plurality of portable devices, each of which transmits a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices and transmits an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user. An in-vehicle device of the system detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver's seat and identifies one of the associated users as a driver when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the detected physical feature. The in-vehicle device sets a driving environment for the driver based on the received environment identification information item.
US09174545B2
Provided is a vehicle charging device (170) that uses a power source (101) outside of a vehicle (160) to charge a battery (115) installed in the vehicle (160). A charger (114) charges the battery (115). A voltage measurement unit (111) measures the input voltage corresponding to the input current in the charger (114). A current measurement unit (112) measures the input current (Ic) in the charger (114). A control unit (113) changes the input currents (Ic) of the charger (114) into a plurality of values, and controls the input current (Ic) when the input voltage (Vc) has changed, according to the corresponding relationship between the input currents (Ic), when each has been changed, and the measured input voltages (Vc).
US09174541B2
A halogen-free extra-high-voltage cable for railway rolling stock includes a stranded conductor, an inner semi-conducting layer covering the stranded conductor, an outer semi-conducting layer provided on an outer periphery of the inner semi-conducting layer via an insulation layer, and a sheath layer on an outer periphery of the outer semi-conducting layer, the sheath layer containing 80 to 200 parts by weight of metal hydroxide and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of cross-linking agent with respect to 100 parts by weight of olefin-based polymer containing ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a main component, the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of not less than 40 wt % and less than 50 wt % and a melt flow rate of not more than 2.5 g/10 min and a resin composition is cross-linked.
US09174528B2
A non-metallic fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body, at least one coupling device or mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body to a bed of a truck or to a trolley, and a fuel fill opening. A grounding wire may be coupled to the non-metallic tank as well as a fuel line connector which is also coupled to the existing fuel system of a truck. A mounting system for a non-metallic fuel tank includes two rear toe clamps and two front mounting assemblies which include a front mount base and an angle iron coupled together. A portable fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body and a trolley coupled to the tank body. The trolley includes a base, a mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body and the base, at least one handle and at least one wheel.
US09174500B2
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is provided. The TPMS includes: a plurality of sensors which output sensing signals, the plurality of sensors including a printable pressure sensor which senses an air pressure of a tire, and a temperature sensor which senses an air temperature inside the tire; a signal processor which is configured to process the sensing signals output by the plurality of sensors; a wireless power receiver which is configured to receive energy from a power source and output power; and a rechargeable battery which is configured to be charged by the power output by the wireless receiver and supply power to the plurality of sensors to sense the air pressure of the tire and the air temperature inside the tire.
US09174496B2
Tire tread comprising a tread surface intended to come into contact with a roadway, this tread comprising at least one sipe extending in a main direction D and of mean width E, this sipe comprising in the main direction D at least one part sipe of shallow depth HF and at least one part sipe of great depth HG, the depth HF being less than the depth HG, each part sipe of shallow depth and each part sipe of great depth comprising an end region, this tread further comprising at least one insert oriented in a direction different from the main direction D of the sipe, this insert being positioned wholly within the thickness of the tread so as to be situated radially on the inside of a part sipe of shallow depth HF, this tread being such that at least the part sipe of shallow depth HF situated radially on the outside of the insert is provided, at its end region, with a widening forming a channel of maximum width W, this maximum width W being greater than the mean width E of the sipe.
US09174488B2
A pivoting axle system for an aerial lift vehicle with a chassis includes a left axle supporting a left wheel and a right axle supporting a right wheel. The left and right axles are pivotable between a transport position and a working position. A first hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the chassis on a right side of a vehicle center line and at an opposite end to the left axle, and a second hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the chassis on a left side of the vehicle center line and at an opposite end to the right axle. In the working position, the first and second hydraulic cylinders are prevented from deflection beyond a yield point.
US09174483B2
An image display including an image substrate and a support structure. The image substrate has an image printed on a first surface. The support structure can include a front sheet, a back sheet and a plurality of side strips secured between the front sheet and the back sheet for forming a closed support structure. An internal support can be provided in an internal cavity of the support structure for enhancing the rigidity of the support structure. The image substrate can be adhered to an external surface of the front sheet so that the front sheet forms a rigid backing for the image substrate. A variety of image substrates are provided.
US09174473B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects ink onto paper, a medium holding portion that holds the paper to be fed to the liquid ejecting unit, and a removal portion that removes adhering objects that have adhered to the paper, in a feed path of the paper that is positioned lower than the medium holding portion.
US09174464B2
A sublimation printer includes a casing, a platen roller, a thermal printing head and a paper cassette. The platen roller, the thermal printing head and the paper cassette are disposed inside the casing. The platen roller is configured to support a printing medium when the printing medium moves along a first direction or a second direction, in which the first direction is opposite to the second direction. The thermal printing head faces to the platen roller and is used to transfer dyes of a ribbon onto the printing medium. The paper cassette is located on a side of the platen roller along the second direction and is configured to accommodate the printing medium, in which the orthogonal projections of the paper cassette and the platen roller on the casing at least partially overlap with each other.
US09174462B2
A recording apparatus includes: a first roller; a plurality of second rollers which are displaceably provided between a position that is contacted with the first roller and a position that is left apart from the first roller, and are disposed along an axial direction of rotation of the first roller; and a unit that switches roller position, which causes the second rollers located outside a region of a medium among the plurality of second rollers to leave apart from the first roller depending on a size of a medium that is transported.
US09174456B1
A printing device includes a printing mechanism that allows a loop-shaped ink ribbon to be detachably installed therewith, and applies an impact to the ink ribbon to transfer ink of the ink ribbon to a printing medium, a cumulative printed amount acquisition section that acquires a cumulative printed amount of the printing mechanism after the ink ribbon installed on the printing mechanism was last exchanged, a determination section that determines whether or not the cumulative printed amount acquired by the cumulative printed amount acquisition section has reached a predetermined first printing amount, or whether or not the cumulative printed amount has reached a second printing amount to be calculated based on the first printing amount, and an output control section that causes an output device to output a predetermined output if the determination section determines that the cumulative printed amount reaches the first or second printing amount.
US09174452B2
A print unit prints by ejecting fluid droplets from a plurality of nozzles while moving in a primary scanning direction relative to a print medium. An ejection inspection unit inspects fluid droplet ejection by a group of target nozzles, which are part of an ejection nozzle subset obtained by dividing the nozzles according to the number of nozzles required to form the smallest printing width in the secondary scanning direction. A control unit controls the print unit and the ejection inspection unit, and selects the group of target nozzles in the ejection nozzle subset and performs the ejection inspection each time a specific amount of printing is completed.
US09174449B2
Ratchets which regulate a rotation of either a reeling-out roller around which one end of a long wiping member which wipes ink attached to a recording head which ejects ink is wound, or a winding-up roller around which the other end of the wiping member is wound to which tension is applied due to a friction force which acts on the wiping member when performing wiping are provided.
US09174422B1
A microconduit network structure and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention relates to a microconduit network structure, including: a solid or semi-solid matrix having at least one interconnected web of filaments formed within the matrix; and wherein at least one interconnected web of filaments having diameters of about 10 nm to about 1 mm.
US09174421B2
A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of the layers being a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of urea-glyoxal resins, and polyester polyols present on a support polymer layer.
US09174418B1
A multi-layer fireproof insulation roll for fireproofing and thermally insulating a tank car. The multi-layer fireproof insulation roll having a first layer with fire-retardant properties, a second layer having thermal insulating properties and a first strap. The first strap securing the first layer to the tank car. A method of fireproofing and insulating a tank car. A method of making a multi-layer fireproof insulation roll.
US09174407B2
A tray forming apparatus forms a blank into a tray having a double glued side wall construction for providing a desirable strength to the tray. A platen drives the blank through a forming rails which fold the blank into a partially formed tray having bottom, end and side walls, and inside corner supports formed about the platen. The platen is retracted prior to folding arms further extended portions of the partially formed tray. A compression plate and the folding arms are biased against adhesive portions of the tray for forming a fully formed tray having a double glued side wall construction.
US09174404B2
A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.
US09174402B2
A mold for manufacturing a climate control duct, which has a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and is formed from a foamed resin, includes a groove provided on at least a part of a surface of the mold for transfer of a shape of the protrusion. The groove of the mold satisfies a relation D
US09174400B2
A method for producing structures (5) on a multiplicity of optoelectronic components (1), wherein the multiplicity of optoelectronic components (1) are arranged on an auxiliary carrier (10) and the structures (5) are produced by carrying out a movement of a first roller (15) relative to the auxiliary carrier (10) and producing the structures (5) in the process by means of exerting a pressure between the first roller (15) and the auxiliary carrier (10).
US09174396B2
A method of making a charge dissipative surface of a dielectric polymeric material with tunable (selectable) surface resistivity, comprises the step of controllably carbonizing the surface of the polymeric material in a vacuum environment by bombarding the polymeric surface with an ion beam of rare gas ions, the energy level of the ion source being from 2.5 to 30 keV, in the fluence range 1E16-5E17 ion/cm2 so as to reach a surface resistivity in the static dissipative range of 1E6 to 1E9 ohm/square at room temperature, with a temperature dependence of less than three orders of magnitude between −150° C. and +150° C., while having no impact on the RF performance of the material, with high RF power handling capability, and with tunable thermo-optical properties of the surface, including negligible impact on the thermo-optical properties and RF performance of the material, if required by applications.
US09174395B2
A textile product and a method of making the same is described wherein the textile product includes a layer of metal elements, an array of stitches, and wherein the metal elements are encased between the legs of the stitch and the underlap of the stitch. Preferably, the overlaps and/or underlaps span between at least two stitch lines. This provides an improved metal element based textile product for preparing reinforced articles. The metal element based textile product of the present invention allows improved processing and improved performance as compared to conventional metal element based textile products.
US09174387B2
A method of loading material within a microchannel device, the method comprising: (a) loading particulates into a plurality of microchannels; and, (b) ultrasonically packing the particulates into the plurality of microchannels using a portable, compact ultrasonic densification unit.
US09174379B2
The invention relates to an extruder which has an extruder housing. The housing has at least two housing parts and is provided with a delivery channel in order to extrude a medium, at least one screw conveyor being located in said channel. The extruder housing is releasably retained on a frame by means of a first retaining device and a shaft section of the screw conveyor is releasably connected to a drive device. According to the invention the housing parts are fixed relative to one another by means of a second retaining device and the extruder housing is connected to the frame and secured against displacement in the longitudinal direction of the extruder housing by means of a third retaining device. When the first and third retaining device) are released, the housing parts can be removed as a unit from the frame.
US09174375B2
The invention relates to a device for production of dental molded parts from a polymerizable plastic, with a flask (16) and with a heating device (40) for heating the polymerizable plastic in the flask (16). The heating device (40) is movable relative to the flask (16).
US09174371B2
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for injection molding polymeric cannulae from liquid polymeric materials. The method includes injecting pressurized liquid polymer into a mold cavity and into an overflow and forming a conduit by forcing pressurized working fluid through the solidifying liquid polymer into the overflow. The invention provides a mold for fluid-assisted injection molding articles from polymeric materials, the mold comprising at least two parts defining a cavity having a conduit portion incorporating a needle portion; a channel for liquid polymer ingress; a channel for pressurized fluid ingress; and an overflow in communication with the conduit portion. The mold may incorporate a plurality of cavities. Preferably the volume of the overflow is equal to or greater than the volume of the conduit portion. Preferably the mold incorporates a separating means for separating the overflow from a cannula portion of an article formed in the mold.
US09174365B2
Provided is a mold part for resin molding and a manufacturing method. A mold part for molding resin includes a base material layer, a design section and uneven sections which abut an inner surface so as to form ventilation sections. The design section has a design surface transferred by a reverse master having an uneven surface. At least the design section out of the base material layer and the design section is formed of a heat resistant material, and the mold part for resin molding is interchangeably attached to the molding tool so that a molding pressure acts in a direction to press the uneven sections against the inner surface of the molding tool at the time of molding the resin molded article.
US09174356B2
A method to preserve packed wood by expiration controlling consists of following steps: to clean/smooth surface of packed wood by a cleaner/by sanding said wood surface; to dry moisture of clean packed wood by heating in a high temperature oven; to assemble/manufacture a packed wood according to designed/required shape; to immunize wood preservatives by dipping in pool contains preservation liquid in certain dosage; to dry by draining the preservatives of packed wood that dipped in said preservation liquid pool; and to put security symbols on packed wood before shipping/distribution.
US09174342B2
Devices, systems, and methods for social behavior of a telepresence robot are disclosed herein. A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an object detection system, and a social behaviors component. The drive system is configured to move the telepresence robot. The control system is configured to control the drive system to drive the telepresence robot around a work area. The object detection system is configured to detect a human in proximity to the telepresence robot. The social behaviors component is configured to provide instructions to the control system to cause the telepresence robot to operate according to a first set of rules when a presence of one or more humans is not detected and operate according to a second set of rules when the presence of one or more humans is detected.
US09174339B2
A method for operating a grasping device and grasping devices therefrom are provided. The grasping device is configured to use a plurality of parallel, bi-directional state flow maps each defining a sequence of poses for a plurality of joints in the grasping device. The method include receiving at least one control signal, determining a current pose of the grasping device within the one of the plurality of state flow maps currently selected for the grasping device, and selectively actuating the plurality of joints to traverse the sequence of poses, where a direction for traversing the sequence of poses is based on the at least one control signal.
US09174328B2
A spindle lock (10) includes a detent arrangement including springs (25) acting on projections (30), each projection engaging one of a pair of recesses (40, 41) to control and buffer the rotation of a spindle (13) and to delay the engagement of locking elements (26a, 26b). A compact, reliable mechanism with a high degree of modularity is achieved by providing the recesses in an inner rotor (31) and the springs and projections in an outer rotor (18) that extends about the inner rotor.
US09174320B1
The present invention relates to a hammer union restoration apparatus wherein a main sanding unit is mounted to a base. The main sanding unit including a sander for sanding the four side faces of a lug formed on the hammer union. The sander being resiliently movable in a direction away from a side face of the lug. The sander is movable under control of a motor to rotate the sander relative to the lug around the four faces of the lug with the sander floating across the corner edges of the four faces. The present invention further includes a sander for sanding the end face of the lug.
US09174318B2
A machine tool includes a rotational drive unit that rotationally drives a main spindle to which a tool is attached, a moving unit that relatively moves the tool with respect to the workpiece, and a rotational speed adjustment unit that adjusts a rotational speed of the main spindle by controlling the rotational drive unit. The machine tool also includes a machining start determination unit that determines that machining of the workpiece by the tool is started with the rotational drive unit rotationally driving the main spindle. The rotational speed adjustment unit exponentially raises the rotational speed of the main spindle after reducing the rotational speed to a predetermined rotational speed set in advance, on condition that the machining start determination unit determines that the machining is started, and causes the rotational speed of the main spindle to reach a value of the rotational speed before being reduced.
US09174306B2
A laser processing method for a nonlinear crystal substrate having a plurality of crossing division lines which includes the step of applying a pulsed laser beam to a work surface of the nonlinear crystal substrate along the division lines to thereby form a plurality of laser processed grooves on the work surface along the division lines. The pulse width of the pulsed laser beam is set to 200 ps or less and the repetition frequency of the pulsed laser beam is set to 50 kHz or less.
US09174299B2
The method includes providing a portable self-contained calibration device to an electrofusion controller. The calibration device includes internal or external dummy loads to simulate real fittings to be fused and instructs the electrofusion controller to apply electricity to these dummy load. Then, the calibration device uses a measurement sub-system to measure a pre-determined parameter. A microcontroller sub-system determines if there is a difference between the measured values and the expected values. If there is a difference, the calibration device adjusts the electrofusion controller's memory. The calibration device repeats the measurement with a second independent measurement device to ensure accuracy.
US09174296B2
An apparatus for generating plasma including a plasma generating vessel and a coil having a coil length and a first set of partially enclosing, longitudinally oriented conductive (PELOC) fingers and a second set of PELOC fingers. The PELOC finger sets are oriented along a longitudinal axis of the vessel with each partially enclosing a periphery of the vessel. The two sets of PELOC fingers are oriented fingertips facing fingertips and separated by an inter-set distance that is less than the coil length.
US09174292B2
An Electro Chemical Grinding (ECG) quill includes a tool manufactured of a porous tool material having a multitude of pores. An ECG electrolyte is communicated through a hollow tool shank for communication through the porous tool material to manufacture a slot.
US09174289B2
A saw has a base assembly, a saw assembly pivotally mounted on the base assembly, a motor mounted within the saw assembly, and a drive spindle rotatably driven by the motor via a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has a rotatable output shaft, a first drive wheel mounted on the output shaft, a rotatable intermediate shaft, a first driven wheel mounted on the intermediate shaft, a first drive belt wrapped around the first drive wheel and first driven wheel for transfer rotary motion of the output shaft to the intermediate shaft, a second drive wheel mounted on the intermediate shaft, a second driven wheel mounted on the drive spindle, and a second drive belt wrapped around the second drive wheel and second driven wheel for transferring rotary motion of the intermediate shaft to the drive spindle.
US09174288B2
A miter saw including: a base section; a saw blade; a cutting section; a support section; and a guiding mechanism. The support section includes a pivot support portion and a slide support portion. The pivot support portion supports the cutting section such that the cutting section is pivotally moved toward and away from the base section. The slide support portion slidably supports the pivot support portion to move the cutting section in a sliding direction that is in parallel with an upper surface of the base section and orthogonal to an axial direction of a rotational axis of the saw blade. The guiding mechanism is configured to guide a movement of the cutting section in the sliding direction in accordance with a pivotal movement of the cutting section toward the base section. The guiding mechanism is provided in association with the cutting section and the slide support portion.
US09174287B2
A rotary cutting tool, having a longitudinal axis, includes cutting and mounting portions. The cutting portion includes an end face surface and a peripheral surface extending therefrom. The peripheral surface includes respective pluralities of main and auxiliary flutes that extend helically with opposite hand about the longitudinal axis. The cutting portion includes a plurality of evenly circumferentially distributed end gashes and a plurality of end face cutting teeth. The number of main flutes and auxiliary flutes are different, each being wholly divisible by, and greater than, the number of end face cutting teeth. In each cross sectional view of the cutting portion an imaginary contour line defined by a peripheral contour of the peripheral surface of one of the end face cutting teeth is in rotationally aligned relationship, about the longitudinal axis, with the peripheral contour of the peripheral surfaces of all other end face cutting teeth.
US09174285B2
A positioning sleeve assembly adapted for engaging with drill bit holder or screwdriver bit is provided with a sleeve and an engaging device. The engaging device includes a drive shaft at one end and an inserting hole at another end. The engaging device is inserted in the sleeve with the drive shaft located one end of the sleeve, and the inserting hole at the other end of the sleeve. The inserting hole at one end of the engaging device is suitable for both engaging with a drill bit holder and a screwdriver bit, so that a single positioning sleeve assembly of the present invention is capable of selectively connecting drill bit and screwdriver bit.
US09174283B2
A magnetic drill press includes a main housing, a base coupled to the main housing and including a magnet for selectively magnetically latching to a ferromagnetic workpiece. The magnetic drill press further includes a drill unit supported by the main housing for relative movement therewith in a direction of a rotational axis of the drill unit, a spindle assembly operable to selectively position the drill unit relative to the main housing, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is removably coupled to the spindle assembly without the use of tools, for driving the spindle assembly.
US09174279B2
A cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool and an indexable cutting insert having an insert index axis. The cutting insert includes parallel insert first and second sides connected by an insert peripheral surface that extends peripherally around the cutting insert. At least one clamping hole opens out to one or both of the insert first and second sides, and at least a portion of the clamping hole is in a clamping region of the cutting insert. The insert peripheral surface includes cutting edges that are spaced-apart and extend from the insert first side to the insert second side. Along a width direction, which is perpendicular to the insert first and second sides, each of the cutting edges is wider than the cutting insert, at least at the cutting region of the cutting insert.
US09174269B2
A tool is provided for connecting and disconnecting links of a conveyor chain. The tool includes a base, a chain guide plate mounted on the base for supporting a length of conveyor chain in a fixed position relative to the base, and a backup block carried on the base. A pin extraction/insertion block is positioned on the base with the chain guide plate positioned between the backup block and the pin extraction/insertion block. A ram is carried on the pin extraction/insertion block for extracting a pin from a position in aligned holes in adjacent links while the chain is held in its fixed position, and an insertion rod is carried on the pin extraction/insertion block for inserting a pin in aligned holes in adjacent links.
US09174262B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, a way of making cups from metal sheet is disclosed using a combination of stretching and drawing operations. The resulting cups have the advantage of having a base thickness that is thinner relative to the ingoing gauge of the metal sheet.
US09174260B2
Provided is a method of forming a hot press product, the method including: a positioning and placing step of positioning a material, which is heated, and placing the material on a mold through engagement between a positioning pin provided to the mold and a positioning hole provided in the material; and a pressing and hole expanding step of performing press forming on the material through use of the mold, and expanding the positioning hole through bulging of a peripheral part of the positioning hole of the material) when the press forming is performed.
US09174242B2
A zig-zag classifier for separating material to be separated, for example, plastic flakes, including two zig-zag-shaped plates which are arranged oppositely vertical to each other such that a channel is formed between them, where a central vertically disposed zig-zag-shaped separation plate between the two zig-zag-shaped plates is arranged such that the channel is divided into two parallel classifier channels having substantially the same width. Also, a method for separating material to be separated, for example, plastic flakes, using the zig-zag classifier disclosed herein.
US09174241B2
A screen including a plurality of decks vertically stacked above one another, at least one of the decks bearing at least one sieve, the screen including means for vertically separating the decks from one another, suitable for selectively adjusting a vertical distance between each deck of the plurality of decks and at least one other deck of the plurality of decks.
US09174231B2
A fluid supply for a liquid sprayer includes a collapsible liner for holding the liquid; a cup for supporting the collapsible liner; a lid for connecting to the cup; and an air relief valve. The collapsible liner is secured relative to the lid and the cup. The lid includes an opening for connecting the lid to the pump.
US09174223B2
A fluid separation apparatus for separating a fluid mixture including at least two fluids having different densities comprising a vessel having a vortex generation zone located within a fluid reservoir which includes a vortex generation wall which increases the rotational velocity of a fluid mixture flowing through the vortex generation zone and directs the fluid mixture from the fluid inlet toward the upper surface of the fluid reservoir. The vessel also includes a fluid inlet which extends into the vortex generation zone; a first fluid outlet through which the less dense fluid exits the vessel; and a second fluid outlet through which the denser fluid exits the vessel. The apparatus further comprises a gas bubble generator which introduces gas bubbles into at least a portion of the fluid mixture before the fluid mixture enters the vessel through the fluid inlet.
US09174203B2
Selective and efficient multifunctional nanoporous catalysts containing spatially distributed organoamine and silanol groups, and methods of preparation thereof. The catalysts have been observed to be very highly efficient in catalysis of the Henry reaction.
US09174196B2
The present invention relates to a magnetite-birnessite mixture, to a synthesis method therefor, and to a water-treatment method using the same. The magnetite-birnessite mixture synthesis method according to the present invention includes: a first synthesis step in which magnetite is synthesized; a second synthesis step in which manganese is made to adsorb onto the surface of the magnetite by supplying manganese while maintaining a basic state in the presence of the magnetite, and then synthesizing birnessite on the surface of the magnetite by supplying an oxidizing agent and sodium, thereby synthesizing a mixture in which magnetite and birnessite are bound together; and a purification step in which the mixture of magnetite and birnessite is purified.
US09174192B2
The invention relates to a tube bundle reactor with a flat feed hood. Alternatively, the release hood may also have a flat design. The flat design reduces the heat of reaction which arises in the hood in the case of reaction types which take place not only in the tube bundle (uncatalyzed reactions and reactions with homogeneously distributed catalyst). This greatly suppresses undesired reactions which already take place in the hood owing to accumulated heat, which achieves a higher selectivity in the case of thermally sensitive reactions. In addition, the thermal distribution within the hoods can be controlled precisely.The tube bundle reactor comprises a tube bundle which has a feed end which is connected to a feed hood of the tube bundle reactor, wherein the feed hood is configured in a flat design with a cross-sectional area at the feed end and an internal volume, and the ratio of internal volume to cross-sectional area is less than 0.35 m. The invention is further implemented by means of a process for operating a tube bundle reactor, comprising: introducing a reactant mixture into a tube bundle and converting at least a proportion of the reactant mixture within the tube bundle to a product. The introducing comprises: feeding the reactant mixture into an interior of a feed hood of the tube bundle reactor and passing the reactant mixture on into a feed end of the tube bundle in the form of a fluid stream. The fluid stream has a cross-sectional area on entry into the feed end, and the interior of the feed hood through which the fluid stream flows has an internal volume; where the ratio of internal volume to cross-sectional area is less than 0.35 m.
US09174186B2
The present invention concerns size- and shape-controlled, colloidal superparticles (SPs) and methods for synthesizing the same. Ligand-functionalized nanoparticles such as nonpolar-solvent-dispersible nanoparticles, are used, and the solvophobic interactions can be controlled. Advantageously, supercrystalline SPs having a superlattice structure, such as a face-centered cubic structure, can be produced. Further, the methods of the invention can provide SPs that self-assemble and are monodisperse. The SPs can be doped with organic dyes and further assembled into more complex structures.
US09174185B2
Techniques, methods and systems for preparation liquid fuels from hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide are disclosed. The present invention can transform hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide generated from organic feed stocks or other industrial emissions into renewable engineered liquid fuels and store them in a cost-efficient way. The method of the present invention includes: supplying hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide to a heated area of a reaction chamber in controlled volumes; forming carbon monoxide by the energy provided by the heated area; transporting carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a reactor in controlled volumes; supplying additional hydrogen to the reactor; regulating the pressure in the reactor by adjusting the controlled volumes in order to achieve a predetermined object; forming the liquid fuel in the reactor according to the predetermined object; and, storing the liquid fuel in a storage device.
US09174180B2
Disclosed is an agitator having a drive unit coupled by means of a coupling to a first end of a drive shaft, a propeller attached to a second end of the drive shaft, the drive unit being attached to a mounting flange adapted for fastening the agitator to a wall of a mixing vessel, the agitator further comprising a support housing having at least a tubular support frame with a first end and a second end, the first end of the tubular support frame being attached to the mounting flange, the second end of the tubular support frame being provided with a support bearing for supporting the second end of the drive shaft, wherein a shaft seal is arranged at the first end of the tubular support frame and sealing means is arranged in connection with the second end of both the drive shaft and the tubular support frame.
US09174177B2
A floating dispenser having an external float or an internal float for supporting a cartridge or cartridges for floatingly delivering a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water with the floating dispenser having cartridges rotationally positionable with respect to one another to control the rate of dispensing while the dispenser floats in an upright condition with the floating dispenser changing its flotation orientation in response to consumption of the dispersant or dispersants in the cartridge or cartridges to thereby provide a visual alert to replace a spent cartridge with a fresh cartridge. In addition, the inventions described herein permit changing the dispensing nature of the system from a multiple dispensing system to a single dispensing system without changing the floating characteristics of the floating dispensers through replacement of a dispersant in one of the cartridges with an inert or ballast material that has no effect on the water characteristics.
US09174175B2
The present invention appreciates that compounds comprising ester linkages and nitrogen-containing moieties that are at least divalent (e.g., urea, urethane, amide, etc.) can be crosslinked with azides to form membranes that are resistant to CO2 plasticization, that are selective for acid gases relative to nonpolar gases such as hydrocarbons, and that have high acid gas flux characteristics. The resultant membranes have stable structure and stable separation properties at higher temperatures and pressures. The membranes are compatible with many industrial processes in which polar gases are separated from nopolar gases. In an exemplary mode of practice, the membranes can be used to separate acid gases from the hydrocarbon gases in natural or non-acid gas components of flue gas mixtures (e.g., N2, O2, etc.).
US09174173B2
A chemical processing cell includes an upstream membrane and a downstream membrane. The upstream membrane generates a first reaction product. The downstream membrane converts the first reaction product to a second reaction product.
US09174168B2
The present invention relates to a gas cleaning system for cleaning a gas stream containing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, said gas cleaning system comprising: a pre-conditioning section (3); a CO2 removal stage (5); and a post-conditioning section (4); said pre-conditioning section comprising at least two gas-liquid contacting devices (19,20) arranged upstream of the CO2 removal stage (5) with respect to the flow direction of the gas; and said post-conditioning section comprising at least two gas-liquid contacting devices (30,31) arranged downstream of the CO2 removal stage with respect to the flow direction of the gas. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning a gas stream containing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, said method including removing, at least partly, carbon dioxide from the gas stream in a carbon dioxide removal step by bringing the gas stream into contact with a liquid comprising ammonia; contacting the gas stream with liquid in at least two steps upstream of the carbon dioxide removal step; and contacting the gas stream with liquid in at least two steps downstream of the carbon dioxide removal step.
US09174160B2
A collapsible winding core for a filter element is provided. A fluted filter media is wound about the collapsible winding core having a cylindrical shape. Subsequently, the collapsible winding core is collapsed into a generally flat shape to from the filter element having a racetrack shape.
US09174158B2
An improved ceramic honeycomb structure is comprised of at least two separate smaller ceramic honeycombs that have been adhered together by a cement layer comprised of a cement layer has at least two regions of differing porosity or cement layer where the ratio of toughness/Young's modulus is at least about 0.1 MPa·m1/2/GPa.
US09174153B2
Process for separating gases from a fluidized gas/solid mixture, comprising at least one injection of gas and optionally at least one injection of solids into and at least one discharge of solids from said fluidized bed, a discharge for gas from the mixture characterized in that it comprises a step of separating the solids entrained by the gas by means of an internal placed in that portion of the fluidized mixture where the voidage is greater than 0.7, occupying less than 10% of the free cross section of the bed.
US09174150B2
A float device for use in drawing liquids such as fuel from a tank or other reservoir is disclosed. The device comprises a float arranged for rising and falling with the level of liquid in the tank and a liquid pick-up duct, which comprises a flexible tube having its free end coupled to the float. The float is arranged for vertical movement within a filter or other member, which encloses the float and the flexible tube. The filter or other member is elongate and tubular in construction and comprises an open lower end.
US09174149B2
A method and apparatuses are presented for rejuvenating a bed of granular filter medium that has accumulated contaminants during filtration of a liquid stream. The method first includes the step of establishing a small volumetric flow rate of clean filtrate in reverse flow. Then, the filter media is agitated to break-up contaminants that have become agglomerated on the surface of or within the interstitial spaces of the filter media. The agitating step is accomplished by exposing the liquid-full filter media to a jetting stream comprised mostly of a gas mixed with a clean liquid. The jetting stream is dispersed throughout the filter media through a plurality of radial nozzles located within the filter bed. The radial nozzles disperse the gas within the liquid and filter media causing sufficient turbulence and agitation of the filter media granules to liberate the trapped contaminants without the need for high liquid flow rates. The number of nozzles and their placement within the filter bed are varied depending on factors such as size and shape of the filter vessel and the type of filter media being cleaned. The amount of water and gas flowing through the nozzles is also adjusted to provide substantially uniform cleaning of the entire bed. This method results in lower volumes of clean filtrate being consumed in the backwash cycle and the associated storage and recycle of that liquid back into the process. The radial nozzles are each comprised of two horizontal and parallel circular disks spaced apart to create a cylindrical void through which the pressurized gas and liquid jetting stream flows. The apparatuses presented are a singular filter vessel an a plurality of filter chambers within a common filter vessel each containing granular filter media and a plurality of radial nozzles disposed with the media for dispersing the jetting stream throughout during the cleaning and rejuvenation steps of a filtering process.
US09174147B2
A device and method for removing gas from a mixture of biomaterials includes a vacuum pump movably positioned within a cavity of a syringe at least partially defining a vacuum chamber. The vacuum pump has a pump body with proximal and distal portions, a stopper connected to the distal portion, and a flow channel. The stopper includes an inlet, and the pump body includes a port. The flow channel extends from the inlet to the port and is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber. A first valve is positioned within the flow channel between the inlet and the port. The first valve is operable to open and close the flow channel for selectively connecting a vacuum to the vacuum chamber such that gas is withdrawn from mixture of biomaterials within the vacuum chamber.
US09174144B2
Faster cool down time is achieved in a low profile cryopump by having heat transferred directly from the inlet louver to the first stage heat station through one or more tapered thermal busses, and by obviating the need of a thermal shield over the second stage cylinder of the expander by having second stage cryopanels that form a nested tent like structure, at least one of which, extends over the cylinder.
US09174140B2
A balloon inflator includes a tank containing a volume of pressurized gas and a regulator assembly removably secured to the tank for reducing the pressure of gas exiting the tank, the regulator assembly including a pressure regulator. A nozzle assembly is also provided and includes a valve for controlling dispensing of the pressurized gas. A flexible hose extends between the regulator assembly and the nozzle assembly, the hose being in fluid communication with the pressure regulator and the valve. The balloon inflator is small and lightweight, and therefore portable and concealable. The flexible nature of the hose allows for easy manipulation of the nozzle assembly, making use of the balloon inflator easier for performers.
US09174119B2
A controller provides inputs to control execution of a program by combining controller input information and supplementary information utilizing a value of a first one of the controller input information or the supplementary input information as a modifying input to the game program for modifying a mapping or gearing of an input controlling a still active function activated in accordance with at least one of a second one of the controller input information or the supplementary input information or vice versa. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09174117B2
A system and method is provided for delaying an outcome of a roulette game is disclosed. Accordingly, the system includes a roulette wheel and a glass cover attached to the roulette wheel, the glass cover configured to switch between a transparent state and an opaque state in response to electrical signals. Game circuitry is configured to operate a ball release mechanism to launch a ball around an inner circumference of the roulette wheel, and to send electrical signals to the glass cover while the ball is in to change the glass cover from the transparent state to the opaque state so that the ball cannot be viewed from outside the glass cover. After the ball has stopped, signals are sent to change the glass cover from the opaque state to the transparent state, so that the ball and the outcome of the game can be viewed.
US09174107B2
The present invention is a novel customizable and retractable enclosure system particularly suited for tennis courts. The customizable and retractable enclosure system of the present invention includes windscreen panel assemblies connected to vertical support members using a system of highly tensioned cables and eliminates the use of a chain link fence.
US09174102B2
A putter head includes a hosel connectable to a club shaft, a frame cooperable with the hosel, and a putter face connected to the frame. The putter face includes a toe portion and a corresponding toe shoulder and a heel portion and a corresponding heel shoulder. The toe shoulder and the heel shoulder define an encasement. Weights are positioned in the encasement respectively adjacent the toe shoulder and the heel shoulder.
US09174084B2
A physical activity monitoring device includes a sensor array with one or more sensors configured to measure physical activity attributes of a user. A controller automatically determines time intervals where the user is actively engaged in a physical activity based on the physical activity attributes. The controller also automatically determines a type of physical activity the user in actively engaged in during the determined time intervals based on the physical activity attributes. A reporter outputs information regarding the type of physical activity to the user.
US09174080B2
A modular exercise pole and anchoring system is provided. The present invention relates to an exercise pole with multiple vertical and horizontal attachment points for connecting resistance training devices, the pole being attached to a base having a base post that accepts a plurality of plate-type weights for anchoring. The exercise pole and anchoring system have application to resistance training for fitness, among other uses, while the anchoring system alone has application to a number of uses where convenient, removable anchoring is desired.
US09174078B2
A residential sidewall sprinkler and system for a coverage area defined by a pair of parallel vertical walls. The sprinkler includes a body having a passageway defining a K-factor of about 6. The body has an inlet coupled to a fluid supply line and a distal end coupled to a deflector assembly. The deflector assembly includes a face portion with an upper canopy and a lower canopy disposed about the face portion. The sprinkler is mounted to one of the walls to define a ceiling-to-deflector distance ranging from about four inches to about twelve inches. The fluid supply at the inlet is at least at one of a substantially constant flow rate of fluid and substantially constant fluid pressure. The deflector assembly distributes the fluid over the coverage area so as to wet the vertical walls within about twenty-eight inches of the ceiling over the ceiling-to-deflector range.
US09174073B2
An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness comprises a connector, a bracket assembly, a fastener, and an energy absorber. The connector is configured and arranged to operatively connect to the safety harness. The fastener operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the fastener releases the bracket assembly from the connector when subjected to a predetermined load. The energy absorber operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the energy absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that separate to absorb shock after the bracket assembly is released from the connector.
US09174061B2
External electromagnetic stimulation of the interior of the body by applying three or more electrodes to the exterior of the patient to establish at least two electrical paths across the interior of the patient, determining impedance information representative of an impedance distribution across the interior of the body, delivering an electromagnetic waveform across each of the at least two electrical paths, wherein at least one parameter of the waveform is selected using the impedance information to produce a selected current density distribution at one or more locations within the interior of the body.
US09174058B2
An implantable medical device (IMD) automatically determines at least a portion of the parameters and, in some instances all of the parameters, of an exposure operating mode based on stored information regarding sensed physiological events or therapy provided over a predetermined period of time. The IMD may configure itself to operate in accordance with the automatically determined parameters of the exposure operating mode in response to detecting a disruptive energy field. Alternatively, the IMD may provide the automatically determined parameters of the exposure operating mode to a physician as suggested or recommended parameters for the exposure operating mode. In other instances, the automatically determined parameters may be compared to parameters received manually via telemetry and, if differences exist or occur, a physician or patient may be notified and/or the manual parameters may be overridden by the automatically determined parameters.
US09174054B1
Specific embodiments of the present invention determine a range of a physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the range. Other embodiments determine a minimum of a physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the minimum. Still other embodiments determine a maximum of the physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the maximum.
US09174037B2
Implantable access port for removal and/or return of fluids to a patient, comprising an internal conduit connectable at its proximal end to the access port and at its distal end to a vascular structure of the patient; an external conduit connectable at its proximal end to the access port and at its distal end to an extracorporeal device; and a transcutaneous coupling member destined to be anchored in a tissue of the patient and comprising a first valve system operable to be in an open or closed configuration; the coupling member further comprises a second valve system removably connectable to the first valve system and operable to be in an open or closed configuration, such as to establish fluid communication between the internal and external conduits when the first and second valve systems are connected and in open configuration.
US09174033B2
A slit valve 10 for use with an inflatable medical device having a flange surface 12 with an opening therein. The slit valve 10 has a valve body 14 connected to the flange surface 12 and a chamber formed in the valve body 14 for accepting an inflation tube 34 inserted through the opening in the flange surface 12. The slit valve 10 has a concave section at one or both ends, which are connected by a slit 24 formed in the valve body 14.
US09174027B2
A medical catheter or tube clamp or support structure that is secured to an infant and holds a medical tube in place to prevent the tube from pistoning (axially moving within the infant relative to the entry point). In one embodiment, the medical tube claim comprises a catheter securing system that further includes a base that further includes at least one base member, a tube support member integrally formed with at least one base member that allows the tube to be inserted into an umbilical cord or stub in a relationally secure manner to prevent the tube from pistoning within an infant, and at one least channel for receiving a tube or catheter of a specified size and for securing the tube or catheter.
US09174022B2
A medical catheter instrument has a shaft portion, a distal portion bendable in a controlled manner in at least one direction relative to the shaft portion, and a control element extending in an axially movable manner through the shaft portion to the distal portion. The axial movement of the control element controls a corresponding bending movement of the distal portion. The catheter instrument includes a bending assembly having at least one elongated, elastically bendable stiffening element and at least one elongated, bendable and axially length-adjustable bending element, the elements being provided in an axial sub-region of the distal portion and extending therein with an axial main component, wherein the stiffening element forms an element restoring bending movement and has a higher flexural stiffness than the bending element, and the bending element is coupled to the control element or forms part of the same.
US09174014B2
An introducer guide (19) for an intubation device (21) having an open channel adapted to releasably secure an introducer, and shaped such that advancement of an intubation tube (21) through which the introducer extends causes the introducer to be removed from the introducer guide (19).
US09174003B2
A syringe system and components thereof are disclosed. The system may include a syringe body having a hollow lumen, a proximal open end, and a distal end. The syringe body may be configured to house a fluid therein. The syringe system may further include a plunger positioned in the hollow lumen of the syringe body, forming a seal with an inner wall of the syringe body. The plunger may include a removable piston having a shaft extending from the distal end towards the proximal open end, a stopper removably connected to a distal portion of the shaft, and at least one coupler attached to the distal portion of the shaft. The stopper may be configured to slidably move within the hollow lumen to facilitate movement of the fluid within the syringe body. The coupler may be configured to facilitate removal and attachment of the stopper from the piston.
US09174000B2
The present invention relates to drug delivery device for dispensing of a predefined amount of a medicinal product, comprising: at least one housing component (2), a cartridge holder component (4) to receive a product-containing cartridge (3), the cartridge having a piston slidably arranged therein, a drive mechanism component operably engageable with the piston of the cartridge (3) for dispensing of a dose of the medicinal product, wherein at least one of said components (2, 4, 6) at least partially comprises a biodegradable plastic material comprising at least one additive adapted to modify a degradation process of the plastic material.
US09173997B2
Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.
US09173996B2
A medical device for delivery of a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle. The medical device includes a cannula assembly for coupling the fluid into a cannula that is inserted into the patient. The cannula assembly has a first locking element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the cannula. Coupling the line to the cannula assembly is an infusion flap. The infusion flap includes a second locking element for engaging the first locking element of the cannula assembly and a lift tab for disconnecting the infusion flap from the cannula assembly. Coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.
US09173992B2
The present invention relates to secure paring of electronically controlled devices configured to communicate with each other. A medical system is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the system comprising a first communication link allowing a first group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit, and a second communication link allowing a second group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit. Different properties of the communication links may be used to ensure that certain data, e.g. during pairing of the two devices, can be transmitted in a more controlled way whereas other data can be transmitted in a less controlled way.
US09173975B2
Methods are described for generating autologous tissue grafts, including generating grafts at the point of care, which include isolated cell populations that are enriched with stem cells and are mixed with hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof. The hyaluronic acid localizes the cells to a desired injection site and stimulates collagen production thus enhancing the viability and the longevity of the graft.
US09173973B2
A biodegradable and biocompatible nontoxic polymeric composition is provided which includes a base material such as a crystallizable polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, and a copolymer or terpolymer additive. Medical devices manufactured from the composition are also provided.
US09173968B2
There is provided a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object. The sterilization apparatus includes a concentration chamber configured to concentrate sterilizer, a vaporizing chamber configured to vaporize the sterilizer, a measuring pipe into which the sterilizer is introduced from the concentration chamber before being introduced into the vaporizing chamber, a vacuuming device configured to vacuum the sterilization chamber, and a first valve configured to be opened and closed to control communication between the sterilization chamber and the measuring pipe, wherein after the sterilizer is introduced from the concentration chamber into the measuring pipe, gas contained in the measuring pipe is removed from the measuring pipe by opening the first valve.
US09173962B2
The present invention relates to a novel antigen binding protein, in particular a monoclonal antibody, capable of binding specifically to the protein Axl as well as the amino and nucleic acid sequences coding for said protein. From one aspect, the invention relates to a novel antigen binding protein, or antigen binding fragments, capable of binding specifically to Axl and, by inducing internalization of Axl, being internalized into the cell. The invention also comprises the use of said antigen binding protein as an addressing product in conjugation with other anti-cancer compounds, such as toxins, radio-elements or drugs, and the use of same for the treatment of certain cancers.
US09173956B2
The present invention relates to modified or polymer conjugated MetAP2 inhibitors. The present invention also relates to methods of preventing, inducing, causing or increasing weight loss, treating obesity and/or treating metabolic syndrome utilizing the modified or polymer conjugated MetAP2 inhibitors. The present invention also relates to methods of improving insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, reducing insulin levels and/or improving leptin sensitivity utilizing the modified or polymer conjugated MetAP2 inhibitors.
US09173953B2
The present invention relates to a prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof comprising a drug linker conjugate D-L, wherein an aromatic amine containing biologically active moiety is connected (bound) by an amido bound to a linker. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said prodrugs and their use as medicaments.
US09173949B2
The present invention relates to water-soluble high-molecular-weight polymer drug carriers and their conjugates with drugs, derived from dendrimers of the amidoamine and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic types, the amino and hydroxy end groups of which are attached to semitelechelic copolymers of N-(2 hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) through biodegradable spacers. The polymer carriers and conjugates enable targeted transport notably of anticancer drugs into solid tumors in which biodegradation, the associated controlled drug release and subsequent elimination of polymer carrier from the organism are provided. The polymer carrier conjugated with a cancerostatic for use in targeted therapy of human tumors.
US09173938B2
The present invention relates to combination comprising (i) an ErbB inhibitor; and (ii) a CDK inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, selected from: (a) roscovitine; (b) 3-{9-isopropyl-6-[(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-9H-purin-2-ylamino}-2-methyl-pentan-2-ol; (c) 3-{9-isopropyl-6-[(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-9H-purin-2-ylamino}-pentan-2-ol; and (d) (2R,3S-3-(6-((4,6-dimethylpyridin-3-ylmethylamino)-9-isopropyl-9H-purin-2-ylamino)pentan-2-ol.Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical compositions comprising combinations according to the invention, and methods of treatment using the same.
US09173925B2
The invention refers to an oral pharmaceutical tableted dosage form which comprises a mixture of: a) granules comprising ferrimannitol-ovalbumin (FMOA) and at least an intragranular pharmaceutical acceptable excipient including a binder; and b) extragranular pharmaceutical excipients including a filler and a binder; which may be obtained by wet-granulation and compression.
US09173910B2
Methods and compositions are provided for treating weight related conditions and metabolic disorders by altering microbiota in a subject. One aspect provides methods and compositions to alter microbiota in a subject by administering to the subject a composition that includes a substantially purified microbiota from phyla such as Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia or orders such as Bacteroidales, Verrucomicrobiales, Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales or genera such as Alistipes, Clostridium, Escherichia, and Akkermansia. Another aspect includes a pharmaceutical composition for altering microbiota that includes a therapeutically effective amount of substantially purified microbiota and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another aspect includes methods for treating a disorder, such as obesity, in a subject in need of such treatment by changing relative abundance of microbiota in a gastrointestinal tract of the subject without or in addition to a surgical procedure.
US09173909B2
Computerized image guided control method uses image quantification to dynamically monitor and control the cell generation process. The method acquires images during the cell generation steps and uses computer image analysis to automatically quantify the results of the cell generation steps. In one embodiment, the quantified results from the image analysis are used to determine the readiness of the cell generation step. In another embodiment, a remedial recovery sub-step for the cell generation step is also guided by the imaging results. In yet another embodiment, when a cell generation step is determined to have failed, the cell generation process is early terminated based on image guided decision.
US09173900B2
The invention provides compositions and devices for altering biological field effects and methods for their use in therapeutic and agricultural applications. In particular, the invention provides compositions including one or more elemental metals coated with one or more non-conducting or semi-conducting materials and methods for their application to animals (including humans) and/or plants.
US09173896B2
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connexin 43 (Cx43) in intraocular pressure-related conditions, including ocular hypertension and glaucoma such as normal tension glaucoma and open angle glaucoma.
US09173887B2
This disclosure relates to: (a) compounds and salts thereof that, inter alia, inhibit HCV; (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of such compounds and salts; (c) compositions comprising such compounds and salts; (d) methods for preparing such intermediates, compounds, salts, and compositions; (e) methods of use of such compounds, salts, and compositions; and (f) kits comprising such compounds, salts, and compositions.
US09173885B2
The invention relates to novel pyrrolidine derivatives of formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, as inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5). QC catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (5-oxo-prolyl, pGlu*) under liberation of ammonia and the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamate residues into pyroglutamic acid under liberation of water.
US09173883B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (A): as described herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers, rotamers, tautomers, or racemates thereof. Also provided are methods of treating a disease or condition mediated by PIM kinase using the compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US09173882B2
Polycyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US09173878B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition used in improving brain function including a compound of formula (I).
US09173861B2
Compounds of the formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, R1 is optionally substituted thiadiazolyl, and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds for treating diseases associated with P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonists and methods of making the compounds.
US09173847B2
Stable tablets and pharmaceutical compositions in particulate form comprising a fibrate, for example fenofibrate, dissolved or dispersed in an non-aqueous vehicle with improved bioavailability, thereby eliminating the food effect so that the tablet or composition can be administered to a patient irrespective of being in fed or fasted state.
US09173840B2
Libraries of nanoparticles comprising therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents are disclosed, as well as methods of making, customizing, and using such libraries of nanoparticles.
US09173832B2
Fluid compositions are disclosed containing a branched organopolysiloxane and a carrier fluid. The branched organopolysiloxane is obtainable by reacting an organohydrogencyclosiloxane and an alkenyl terminated polydiorganosiloxane. The disclosed fluid compositions possess pituitous rheological properties.
US09173831B2
Agents for treating keratin-containing fibers, in particular human hair, are provided. The agents comprise, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, (a) at least one amphiphilic cationic polymer comprising respectively at least one structural unit of the formulae (I) to (IV), as provided herein, and (b) at least one copolymer comprising at least one structural unit of formula (A1) and at least one structural unit of formula (A2), as provided herein, the use of said agent for temporarily styling hair and for hair care, in particular as an aerosol hairspray or an aerosol hair mousse.
US09173812B2
The invention relates to a packaging for unit pharmaceutical products, comprising: a receiving element (3) having at least one cell (7) defining an inner space (9) configured so as to receive such a product (2) and an opening (9) to said space; an element (10) for covering said cell, fixed to said receiving element in the region of the opening and designed so as to be torn or removed in order to extract said product; and a repositionable temporary closing body (22) designed such that it occupies a determined initial position from which it can be removed and at least one temporary closing position wherein it is temporarily fixed by adhesion to said element around said opening to the space of said previously opened cell; said determined initial position being separate from said closing position and said temporary closing body having an at least partially pre-glued closing part (23).
US09173799B2
A urine disposal device for use with a urine detecting device that provides for smooth urination without compressing the wearer's urethra so that urination may be surely detected and voided urine may be quickly discharged out of the urine disposal devices. The urine disposal device has a front-back direction and includes a urination area having a first surface portion and a second surface portion cooperating to cover the penis of a wearer from the front-back direction and an opening through which the penis is inserted. The urination area has a urine collecting container provided in the second surface portion and the second surface portion lies on the side of the wearer's body.
US09173796B2
A bed comprises a fixed width deck section, a wing movably coupled to the fixed width section, a leadscrew having a rotational axis, a leadscrew driver coupled to the leadscrew for rotating the leadscrew about its axis, and a release unit. The release unit is coupled to the wing and configured to move between a) an engaged position in which the release unit engages the lead screw and moves therealong as the leadscrew rotates about the rotational axis thereby causing the wing to translate relative to the fixed width section; and b) a disengaged position in which the release unit is disengaged from the leadscrew.
US09173790B2
An exemplary storage arrangement can be provided, which can include a first section and a second section. The first section can be moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration and can have at least one slot. The second section can be coupled to the first section and comprising at least one protrusion configured and dimensioned to mate with the slot(s) to facilitate movement of the first section. In the exemplary storage arrangement, the space formed by the first and second sections can receive a portable transportation arrangement, and at least one of the first section or the second section can be coupled to a configuration provided at or near a patient. Alternatively or in addition, the exemplary storage arrangement can include a locking mechanism which can be configured to secure at least one portion of the first section to the second section.
US09173787B2
It is an object of the invention to provide an absorbent article that is resistant to twisting and flattening, and that is superior in terms of fluid absorption rate, fluid diffusibility, absorbed fluid retention volume and fluid retention. The absorbent article comprises a top sheet on the skin contact side, a back sheet on the non-skin contact side, and an absorbent body situated between the two sheets, wherein the absorbent body comprises a bulky absorbent sheet, and the bulky absorbent sheet comprises heat-expanding particles that are dispersed in the bulky absorbent sheet and have been expanded by heat.
US09173785B2
A package comprising an interior space and an exterior surface may have a plurality of disposable absorbent articles disposed within the interior space of the package. Each of the disposable absorbent articles may have a topsheet; a backsheet; a substantially cellulose free absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent products may exhibit an In-Bag Stack Height of less about 80 mm as measured according to an In-Bag Stack Height Test.
US09173782B2
A topsheet layer material for use on an absorbent article includes a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a depth direction and comprises a planar sheet. The topsheet layer material includes visually and spatially coordinated embossed channels and apertures. The embossed channels are curvilinear indentations configured along either the longitudinal, the transverse direction, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse directions. The apertures are positioned along the topsheet layer material laterally adjacent to the channels such that at least a portion of the apertures have an overall shape configuration that is substantially similar or the same as at least a portion of the shape of the embossed channel. Such coordinated aperture configuration may also be generally concentric with or generally parallel to the embossed channels.
US09173780B2
The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.
US09173778B2
A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon.
US09173776B2
A wound treatment system comprises a wound-treatment apparatus and a wound dressing coupled to the apparatus. The wound dressing includes a foam structure wound insert having pores with a greater cross-sectional area when viewed from a first direction and a smaller cross-sectional area when viewed from an orthogonal direction. Methods for making such wound inserts may include compressing foam structure material having pores with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. Methods for treating a wound using a wound insert.
US09173775B2
Systems and methods for delivering multiple ocular implants to reduce intraocular pressure are disclosed. The ocular implants can be implanted at multiple sites within a single human eye without requiring removal of the delivery apparatus from the eye. A system for delivering multiple ocular implants can include at least two implants preloaded within a delivery device and configured to be implanted within the eye, a metering device configured to transfer energy to the implants for delivery at selected locations within the eye, wherein the metering device is configured to meter a variable amount of energy for each implant delivery event in the eye. The system can further include an injector mechanism configured to serially engage and drive each of the implants.
US09173774B2
The disclosure provides an intraocular implant for allowing fluid flow from the anterior chamber of an eye, the implant comprising a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage, wherein the inlet end is adapted to extend into the anterior chamber of the eye, and wherein the outlet end is adapted to be implanted adjacent scleral tissue of the eye. The implant may be adapted to drain aqueous humor into a suprachoroidal space or a juxta-uveal space. The disclosure also provides associated delivery devices, methods of use, and methods of manufacture.
US09173767B2
A condom comprises natural rubber and polyurethane. Preferably, the condom has a single wall thickness of less than 55 μm. More preferably the condom has a single wall thickness of less than 55 μm and a burst pressure of 1.0 kPa or above. A process for making the condom comprises mixing polyurethane and natural rubber latex and forming a condom therefrom.
US09173764B2
A splint which preferably gives support, proper neutral positioning of the wrist and which allows freedom of motion for activities.
US09173760B2
Several gastrointestinal surgery procedures are effective as treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Minimally invasive procedures including intra-luminal gastrointestinal implants have been proposed to mimic the anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes achieved by these procedures. Many of these designs include long sleeve like elements that prevent contact of food with the walls of the small intestine. It is desirable to have simple delivery systems that can place these implants under endoscopic guidance. However, in order to anchor these sleeve elements safely and reliably, the inventors have previously disclosed anchoring means that anchor the sleeves at the junctions of the stomach and the intestine or the stomach and esophagus.
US09173758B2
Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.
US09173757B2
An intragastric balloon system for facilitating weight loss in a human or animal patient generally includes a flexible shell suitable for placement in a digestive track of a patient and capable of being inflated with a fluid. The system further includes a valve mechanism coupled to the shell, an actuator for opening the valve mechanism to effect release of fluid from the shell, and a remote control device capable of sending a signal from outside the patient to the actuator in order to effectuate deflation of the shell in vivo and without surgical intervention.
US09173749B2
A method is provided for manipulating a spinal body spacer for use in spinal surgery on a patient. The method includes attaching a placement tool to the spinal body spacer and manipulating the placement tool so as to locate the spinal body spacer in a desired location. The placement tool can by removed by unscrewing the placement tool from a threaded receiving aperture of the spinal body spacer. The method also includes passing a tip of an extraction tool through the threaded receiving aperture of the spinal body spacer, the tip of the extraction tool having at least one tab. The tip of the extraction tool is rotated such that the at least one tab of the tip of the extraction tool passes through keyways of the spacer and extends into the interior space of the spinal body spacer.
US09173747B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, gear member and a locking assembly positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US09173741B2
An implant, having a surface segment with at least one break line delineating an opening or recess of a closure segment which can be removed from the surface segment, is produced by first making a sub-assembly of the implant and then weakening the material in the region of the break line by material deformation.
US09173739B2
Penile implant and system comprising such an implant. The penile implant comprises a number of features which improves the function of the penile implant, e.g. a certain surface structure and portions with specific functions.
US09173732B2
Provided herein are new methods for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases affecting the spinal cord, including the use of biodegradable polymers to treat spinal cord tumor recessing, i.e., to patch open zones left by spinal tumor removal. Biocompatible polymeric materials are tailored to fill areas previously occupied by tumors, e.g., materials in the form of tubular articles configured for insertion into the spinal column after surgical removal of a tumor. These protective articles may also include medicinal agents that stimulate spinal column neural regeneration, such as medicines or donor neuronal cells such as human neural stem cells, thus assisting patients to recover motorsensory function after spinal tumor surgery.
US09173726B2
A medical syringe with a light source mounted on a distal end of the syringe to provide illumination of an injection site, a battery pack receiver configured to receive a battery pack with magnetic attraction a proximal end of the syringe, and a control circuit that is configured to illuminate the light source when the control circuit detects movement of the syringe and disconnects the battery from the light source either after a fixed period of time or after motion of the syringe ceases. Ideally the light source is a disc-shaped array of LED lights. The syringe is constructed of materials that can be sterilized.
US09173724B2
Occlusal-surface shape data and occlusal-surface position data of dentures are acquired on a dentist side, and the occlusal-surface shape data and the occlusal-surface position data are then transmitted to a grinding data provider side. Maxillomandibular occlusal state data is reproduced from the occlusal-surface shape data and the occlusal-surface position data on the grinding data provider side. A maxillomandibular occlusal adjustment portion is determined by changing a maxillomandibular occlusal vertical dimension on the grinding data provider side. Cutting data including the maxillomandibular occlusal adjustment portion and the occlusal-surface position data is prepared on the grinding data provider side, and the cutting data is transmitted to the dentist side. An occlusal adjustment is carried out on the dentist side by cutting the dentures by a grinding machine based on the cutting data.
US09173716B2
A method for determining a resection volume of a pathologic femur having a femoral head and a femoral neck is provided. The method may determine a first point of a desired contour based on a pathologic alpha angle of the pathologic femur, determine a second point of the desired contour based on a desired alpha angle of the pathologic femur, determine a third point of the desired contour on the femoral neck of the pathologic femur, and generate a resection volume of the pathologic femur based on the first, second and third points of the desired contour.
US09173703B1
A non-linear electrosurgical electrode extender is disclosed. The extender includes a shaft at a proximal end thereof, a receiver at a distal end thereof, and a curved body portion extending between the shaft and the receiver. The shaft fits in an electrosurgical handpiece that defines a handpiece central axis. The receiver receives the electrosurgical electrode. The curved body portion is disposed outside the handpiece central axis and positions the receiver at a converging angle relative to the handpiece central axis such that when the electrosurgical electrode is disposed in the receiver, a surgically active distal end of the electrode intersects the handpiece central axis. The electrode extender is adapted for use with wire loop gynecologic electrosurgical electrode in gynecologic procedures. The extender maintains the tactility and control of a straight electrode extender while permitting the handpiece to be disposed outside the cervix view axis.
US09173699B2
An endoscopic forceps is provided. A movable blade electrode and a fixed blade electrode form a pair of electrodes. The fixed blade electrode is electrically contacted onto an external electric conductor of a coaxial cable in the sheath conduit. A force application point of the movable blade electrode is connected to a center electric conductor of the coaxial cable. A pivot point of the movable blade electrode is provided on the movable blade electrode. The coaxial cable is slid with respect to the sheath conduit so that parallel moving added to the coaxial cable is transmitted to the movable blade electrode as turnable moving about the pivot point via the force application point of the movable blade electrode. A high frequency wave can be applied between the movable blade electrode and the fixed blade electrode via the external electric conductor and the center electric conductor of the coaxial cable.
US09173696B2
Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may include an expandable frame having one or more electrodes positioned on or about the frame. An actuation assembly including a biasing element, a central shaft, and a piston may be configured to provide for controlled expansion of the expandable frame. The system may further include a control element for controlling the actuation assembly.
US09173695B2
A bone fastener assembly instrument that can assemble a two-component bone fastener during surgery is provided. The bone fastener may be of a type that comprises a threaded bolt and nut for securing an implantable device to bone, such as a spinous process. A method for using the bone fastener assembly instrument is also provided.
US09173693B2
The present disclosure provides a sternal closure fixation device. The fixation device includes a first sternum implant disposable within an interior cavity of a first half of a severed sternum such that the first implant contacts opposing anterior and posterior faces of the cavity. The fixation device additionally includes, a second sternum implant disposable within an interior cavity of a second half of a severed sternum such that the second implant contacts opposing anterior and posterior faces of the cavity. Furthermore, the fixation device includes a rigid fixation pin sized and structured to be disposed within an internal bore of the first implant and within an internal bore of the second implant, whereby when the first and second halves of the severed sternum are joined together, the first and second halves of the sternum are prevented from shear movement in any direction relative to each other.
US09173689B2
A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum, a retaining element and a spring element. The stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to engage the retaining element such that the spring element helps maintain the retaining element in its second position so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
US09173684B2
A receiving part for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a head receiving portion having an open end and a first exterior surface portion, the head receiving portion being flexible to allow introduction and clamping of a head of a bone anchoring element, and a locking ring having a first interior surface portion configured to engage the first exterior surface portion of the head receiving portion in a first contact region to lock an angular position of the head, wherein the first interior surface portion is spaced apart from an end of the locking ring, and wherein one of the first exterior surface portion or the first interior surface portion includes a cylindrical surface, and the other one of the first exterior surface portion or the first interior surface portion includes another cylindrical surface or a ring-shaped bulge portion.
US09173677B2
An access port for performing surgery transvaginally is provided. The access port includes an elongated flexible member having proximal and distal ends and a central portion therebetween, and a retention mechanism formed on the distal end of the elongated member. The retention mechanism includes a first configuration for inserting the distal end of the elongated member within an opening and a second configuration for selectively securing the elongated member within an opening. Also provided is a method of performing a transvaginal surgery. The method includes providing an access port including a retention mechanism configured to selectively retain the access port within the vagina of a patient, forming an incision in the wall of the vagina into the abdomen of the patient, inserting a distal end of the access port into the vagina and through the incision, and activating the retention mechanism to secure the distal end of the access port within the abdominal cavity of the patient.
US09173665B2
A patient-specific surgical guide for intra-operatively producing a patient-specific augment and a method for producing same are provided. The method includes planning a patient-specific augment using obtained patient imagery of a bone adapted to receive a prosthesis to determine a size and shape of the patient-specific augment corresponding to the bone, creating a model of the patient-specific augment having the determined size and shape, and providing a patient-specific surgical guide having cutting guide surfaces which are customized in position and orientation and configured to guide a surgical implement to form the patient-specific augment corresponding to the 3D model. The patient-specific surgical guide is then used intra-operatively create the augment corresponding to the 3D model.
US09173664B2
A targeting instrument system is provided and methods for positioning an internal fixation prosthesis, such as an intramedullary rod or nail, including a targeting guide device, an internal fixation prosthesis, and a detachable holding device. The holding device may include an exterior grip portion and a clamp portion defining an interior engaging surface for maintaining a locking alignment between the prosthesis and the targeting guide device during the placement of the internal fixation prosthesis into a subject. The holding device may be formed as a monolithic component including at least two flexible, spaced apart arms defining an elongated receiving channel extending from a proximal end configured to releasably engage the prosthesis and a distal end configured to releasably engage the targeting guide device. Alternatively, the holding device may include two pivotally coupled clamp bodies joined by a shaft rod.
US09173663B2
An adapter for a surgical reamer driver having one of a crossbar and a crossbridge reamer driver. The adapter includes a base having an interface for connecting with one of the crossbar and crossbridge reamer drivers. The adapter further includes at least one recess on the opposite end of the base opening in an axial direction. The recess is configured to receive a reamer of a style unlike the given style interface. A pair of hooks or tabs resiliently hold the reamer in place in the recesses.
US09173656B2
The present invention relates to devices, and methods for using the devices, to create and secure a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus wall or esophageal tissue in the region of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to reduce the diameter of the esophagus opening in that region. One aspect of the invention includes forming the tissue fold by closing a grasping arm that is pivotably connected to an overtube that has been positioned at the juncture of the fundus wall and esophagus wall. A further aspect of the invention includes tissue clips configured to be inserted and positioned through an endoluminal device.
US09173653B2
A tissue repair device includes a closed knotless loop of multifilament flexible material, and a fixation member having a structure that defines a cavity that receives at least a part of the closed loop. The tissue repair device may include a flexible member traversing the loop. The loop may include a portion in which ends of the multifilament flexible material are thermally fused together. The multifilament flexible material may be braided or twisted.
US09173639B2
The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.
US09173638B2
A method for diagnosis includes capturing a sequence of two-dimensional ultrasound images of a moving organ within a body of a patient. At least one contour of the organ is identified in a succession of the images in the sequence and is processed to generate an output indicative of motion of the organ over time.
US09173632B2
An ultrasonic diagnosis system that generates virtual endoscopic image data on a lumen of an organ of an object based on volume data acquired by three-dimensional scanning of the object, includes: a unit that sets a three-dimensional region of interest for the volume data; a unit that sets a center line of the lumen of the organ in the volume data based on the acquired volume data; a unit that detects a reference point at which a reference plane of the three-dimensional region of interest and the center line intersect with each other; a unit that sets a viewpoint and a view direction based on the reference point; a virtual endoscopic image data generating unit that processes the volume data based on the viewpoint and the view direction to generate the virtual endoscopic image data; and a display unit that displays the generated virtual endoscopic image data.
US09173631B2
Using compression, tissue elasticity data from two or more different fields of view are acquired. Since different amounts of compression may be used for the different fields of view, the dynamic range of the elasticity data is updated. A panoramic elasticity image is generated from the updated elasticity data of multiple fields of view. A panoramic elasticity image represents the combined fields of view for the elasticity data.
US09173626B2
A method (200, 300) and system (100) for performing real-time, dynamic overlays on fluoroscopic images to aid in navigation and localization during medical procedures.
US09173624B2
A system and method for generating multi-energy computed tomography images of a subject using a polychromatic x-ray source with single spectrum includes acquiring a measure of a polychromatic spectrum of a polychromatic x-ray beam generated by the polychromatic x-ray source. The method also includes acquiring attenuation data generated by operating the polychromatic x-ray source, segmenting the attenuation data based on a plurality of component criteria to create plurality of segmented datasets, and generating template data from the segmented datasets. Using the template data and the measure of the polychromatic spectrum, polychromatic synthetic data is generated. Using the template data and each of the segmented datasets, component synthetic data is generated. Using the attenuation data, the polychromatic synthetic data, and the component synthetic data, a plurality of multi-energy images, including separable images weighted for each of the component criteria, is reconstructed.
US09173622B2
An elevating and rotating patient ultrasound stand facilitates accurate ultrasound evaluation. A base provides both elevation changes and rotation. An electric motor lifts and lowers the stand, and rotates on a “lazy susan” style base. One embodiment of a lifting mechanism is a scissors style mechanism and another embodiment is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder mechanism. The stand resides above the elevating and rotating mechanism and includes arm rests on each side. In one embodiment a seat is attachable to the stand to provide a patient with a rest from standing for a long period of time.
US09173619B2
There is provided an X-ray CT apparatus including: an X-ray source; a wedge which is disposed between the X-ray source and a subject and in which a shield blocking a part of an X ray is formed; a wedge driving unit for moving position of the wedge; and a system control unit controlling the wedge driving unit during a scan execution period to control the position of the wedge.
US09173617B2
A system and method for acquiring an image of a region of interest (ROI) of subject using a computed tomography (CT) system includes a) performing a scout scan of the subject using the CT system to yield scout data related to the ROI and b) determining an initial contrast volume form at least the scout data. The method also includes c) prescribing a scanning protocol to be implemented using the computed tomography system to image the ROI and d) determining a size of the subject about the ROI. The method further includes e) determining a computed tomography dose related to volume (CTDIvol) based on at least the size determined at step d) and f) adjusting the scanning protocol prescribed in step b) to match at least one of a desired radiation dose and a relative intravenous (IV) contrast dose to a reference CTDIvol. The method includes g) acquiring imaging data from the ROI using the CT system by using the adjusted scanning protocol.
US09173614B2
The use of machine learning for pattern recognition in magnetocardiography (MCG) that measures magnetic fields emitted by the electrophysiological activity of the heart is disclosed herein. Direct kernel methods are used to separate abnormal MCG heart patterns from normal ones. For unsupervised learning, Direct Kernel based Self-Organizing Maps are introduced. For supervised learning Direct Kernel Partial Least Squares and (Direct) Kernel Ridge Regression are used. These results are then compared with classical Support Vector Machines and Kernel Partial Least Squares. The hyper-parameters for these methods are tuned on a validation subset of the training data before testing. Also investigated is the most effective pre-processing, using local, vertical, horizontal and two-dimensional (global) Mahanalobis scaling, wavelet transforms, and variable selection by filtering.
US09173612B2
A gesture recognition biofeedback device is provided for improving fine motor function in persons with brain injury. The system detects a physical characteristic of the patient and provides feedback based on the detected characteristic. For instance, the system may detect surface muscle pressures of the forearm to provide real-time visual biofeedback to the patient based on a comparison of the detected muscle pressure and predefined values indicative of appropriate motor function.
US09173610B2
Automated seizure detection from within an electroencephalogram (EEG) by instrumental means employs novel algorithms within software, using specific measurements of individual waves in trains, rather than any “bulk” process. The acquired signal is filtered, the wave shapes are individually described within a number of parallel runs using a variety of parameters, then criteria (including regularity criteria) are calculated and applied in order to create raw detection results. Finally the raw results are “integrated” for display. As a result, reported seizures closely follow the incidence and duration of seizures detected by trained clinicians. The invention is useful in intensive-care monitoring of EEGs from neonates and in EEG monitoring in general.
US09173607B2
Devices and methods are described for providing continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. In some embodiments, the device has a sensing mechanism and a sensing membrane that includes at least one surface-active group-containing polymer and that is located over the sensing mechanism. The sensing membrane may have a bioprotective layer configured to substantially block the effect and/or influence of non-constant noise-causing species.
US09173603B2
A transcutaneous non-invasive device and method for measuring bilirubin levels is provided. The device and method utilize optical, electrical, and mechanical means in communication with processing means to calculate the serum bilirubin concentration. Blanching pressure is applied to the tissue, whose thickness is measured. The level of bilirubin is calculated from the thickness of the tissue and the detected and measured values of radiation transmitted through the living tissue.
US09173594B2
The invention provides a system for measuring respiratory rate (RR) from a patient. The system includes an impedance pneumography (IP) sensor, connected to at least two electrodes, and a processing system that receives and processes signals from the electrodes to measure an IP signal. A motion sensor (e.g. an accelerometer) measures at least one motion signal (e.g. an ACC waveform) describing movement of a portion of the patient's body to which it is attached. The processing system receives the IP and motion signals, and processes them to determine, respectfully, frequency-domain IP and motion spectra. Both spectra are then collectively processed to remove motion components from the IP spectrum and determine RR. For example, during the processing, an algorithm determines motion frequency components from the frequency-domain motion spectrum, and then using a digital filter removes these, or parameters calculated therefrom, from the IP spectrum.
US09173583B2
The present invention provides a neural sensing device and method for making the same. The neural sensing device includes a base, an integrated circuit portion, a plurality of microprobes and at least one conductive via. The base has an active surface and a backside surface. The integrated circuit portion is disposed on the active surface of the base. The microprobes protrude from the backside surface of the base. The through silicon via is disposed in the base and electrically connects the integrated circuit portion and the microprobes. Each of the microprobes includes an isolation layer partially covering a conductive layer.
US09173580B2
A method and apparatus for the assessment of neuromuscular function by estimating motor unit F-wave component time of arrival (TOA), comprising: (i) determining and comparing F-wave component features so as to accurately identify individual F-wave components; (ii) repeatedly searching the individual F-wave components and extracting individual F-wavelets from the F-wave components so as to build a complete F-wave TOA profile; and (iii) computing and reporting TOA results for the assessment of neuromuscular function.
US09173566B2
Medical diagnostic and digital communication methods for processing in a mobile device a DNA, or blood, or heart or glucose, or body temperature or skin, or urine, or another medical device provided signal into a processed signal. Providing processed medical signals to a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) processor or to a Orthogonal Frequency Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) processor for processing, modulation and transmission of mobile device modulated signals in a wireless system. Processing a touch screen generated signal in mobile device into a touch screen processed signal for control of mobile device. Digital communications to and from a heart pacemaker for wireless mobile diagnostics and control of heart pacemaker.
US09173564B2
Systems and methods of sensing intraocular pressure are described. An example miniaturized intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring system is provided using a nanophotonics-based implantable IOP sensor with remote optical readout that can be adapted for both patient and research use. A handheld detector optically excites the pressure-sensitive nanophotonic structure of the IOP-sensing implant placed in the anterior chamber and detects the reflected light, whose optical signature changes as a function of IOP. Optical detection eliminates the need for large, complex LC structures and simplifies sensor design. The use of nanophotonic components improves the sensor's resolution and sensitivity, increases optical readout distance, and reduces its size by a factor of 10-30 over previous implants. Its small size and convenient optical readout allows frequent and accurate self-tracking of IOP by patients in home settings.
US09173556B2
An eye measurement apparatus includes: a subjective measurement optical system configured to subjectively measure an examinee's eye, the subjective measurement optical system including: a chart to be presented to the examinee's eye; and a glare light source for irradiating the examinee's eye with a glare light; and a control part configured to determine presence or absence of opacity in a light transmitting part of the examinee's eye and, when the presence of opacity is determined, to allow display of necessity for a glare test which is a subjective measurement to be performed in a state that the examinee's eye is irradiated with the glare light.
US09173551B2
An electromechanical drive system with drop-in capability allows manipulation of the majority of existing endoscopes. The invention does not require retrofitting of existing endoscopes and maintains the current clinical workflow. The drive system can be controlled through a human/machine interface, which could consist of a variety of different input devices, including a joystick, keyboard, or game controller.
US09173532B2
A hand-held cleaning device that utilizes a low-power, low-torque motor coupled to an impeller for creating a vacuum. The device includes a contact head having a plurality of protrusions formed on its top surface. The contact head contacts the surface to be cleaned, for example, the coat of a pet. The protrusions are sized and spaced to avoid tangling or clumping of pet hair. The device includes a container for collecting hair and debris. The impeller includes ribs on a disk portion thereof for increasing the efficiency of the vacuum system.
US09173530B2
Disclosed is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a multi-component composition such as an oral care composition. The apparatus comprises a plurality of compartments, each containing a respective component of an composition, an orifice communicating with the plurality of compartments, and a common electrical drive mechanism for simultaneously dispensing the respective components from the plurality of compartments through the orifice. The electrical drive mechanism may comprise a single motor. Each compartment may include a respective piston for extruding a respective component of the composition from the apparatus, the pistons of the plurality of compartments being driven by a common gear mechanism coupled to the motor.
US09173526B2
A potato chip lifting apparatus has a elongated handle with a front side and a back side, the back side having a plurality of catching mechanisms extending from the back side of the elongated handle and away from the elongated handle, the catching mechanisms configured to engage a can in which potato chips are stored. The foot portion extends from a bottom portion of the elongated handle in a direction of the front side of the handle and generally orthogonal to the elongated handle and the front side thereof. Finally, the potato chip apparatus has a support extending upward from a top surface of the foot portion upward and parallel to the elongated handle to support potato chips resting on the potato chip lifting apparatus.
US09173520B2
A beverage preparing device includes a beverage outlet that is vertically adjustable and is adapted to dispense a beverage into a receptacle. The beverage outlet has a safety device including a safety switch or safety sensor for interrupting height adjustment of the beverage outlet when the beverage outlet approaches or contacts the receptacle. An actuating member is pivotable about a joint so as to activate the safety switch or safety sensor. The actuating member includes a contact surface adapted to activate the safety switch or safety sensor and an additional contact surface for interrupting the height adjustment of the beverage outlet when an upper end position of the beverage outlet is reached.
US09173519B2
A beverage forming method and system in which a carafe with an associated magnetic element is positionable at a carafe receiving area. One of a protrusion and a first recess is associated with the carafe and the other of the protrusion and the first recess is associated with a housing. The housing includes a detector arranged to detect the presence of the magnetic element when the protrusion is inserted into the first recess. Beverage formation of an amount greater than a threshold volume is enabled when the detector detects the magnetic element.
US09173517B2
An apparatus for dispensing nutritional products including a number of storage hoppers for powdered ingredients, a controllable outlet connected to each storage hopper and operable to release controlled amounts of the powdered ingredients, a controllable liquid supply, a mixer, and a control system including a user interface for capturing data from a user. The control system uses the data that the user inputs to determine the quantity of each powdered ingredient and the quantity of liquid to be released to create a nutritional product, and sends signals to the liquid supply and the outlets to release the determined quantity of liquid and each powdered ingredient into the mixer to be mixed before being dispensed into a container.
US09173516B1
A microwave oven mixing device (12) has an enclosure (14) which is free-standing and has an open bottom 26. A stirring paddle (16) is secured in a fixed position to the enclosure (14) and extends downward from a top (28) of the enclosure (14). The enclosure (14) is placed in a microwave oven (6) with the stirring paddle (16) extending into the contents of container (18) which is located atop a turntable (10). The enclosure (14) has two telescopically extendable halves (22, 24) which are configured in fixed relation to one another for engaging at least two walls of the microwave oven (6) to hold the stirring paddle (16) in fixed relation to the oven (8) as the contents of the container (18) are moved by the turntable (10) against the stirring paddle (16) to stir the contents.
US09173511B2
Double-walled decorative articles such as flower vases and candle holders comprise an inner form defining a receptacle and an outer form, spaced apart from the inner form, to create a cavity. A bottom opening in the outer form enables decorative filler materials to be introduced to the cavity such that the decorative materials do not enter into the receptacle, which may contains flowers, water, candles, hot wax or other substances. A removably replaceable plug or cap is used to close off the bottom opening following the introduction of the decorative filler materials. The inner and outer forms may be provided as a unitary item or separate pieces may be joined. The decorative filler materials may be provided in conjunction with the article as part of a kit, in which case the amount of filler material is matched to the volume of the cavity.
US09173510B1
A hanging wire post with a locking connector for decorative hanging applications. This hanging wire post would be alternate to using eyelets or D-rings for attachment point of hanging wire to frame. This hanging post will install to frame with a single center-point screw. This post supports the hanging wire which is threaded through and around backside of post resulting in a frictional grip on wire that facilitates wire length adjustment. The hanging wire is then locked into position with the parallel line locking connector. The result is a very high strength end connection, and very quick and precise installation. No frustration of trying to tie precise knots in stranded wire or stranded wire rope. This device will work equally well with coated or uncoated stranded wire and wire rope.
US09173508B2
A classification device (2) for identification of articles (3) in an automated checkout counter is provided. The device comprises a memory unit (5) capable of storing digital reference signatures, each of which digital reference signatures corresponds to an article identity, and a processor (6) connected to the memory unit (5), wherein the classification device (2) further comprises a spectroscopy sensor (7, 24) connected to the processor (6), wherein the spectroscopy sensor (7, 24) is arranged to determine a measured signature of an article (3) when the article (3) is placed before, on or after a weight sensor (4), and wherein the processor (6) is arranged to compare the measured signature with the digital reference signature in order to identify the article (3) as an existing article identity in the memory unit (5).
US09173506B2
The present invention concerns a wall mounted storing construction or system that could hold a number of storing means. The storing means used may be shelves, hangers for different clothes, such as trousers or coats, shoe holders, rods etc. or for different combinations of these storing means. The storing system comprises uprights (1) and brackets (3), wherein the brackets (3) are mounted in the uprights (1). The brackets (3) are to receive the storing means, such as shelves (15). Each bracket (3) has a general u-from with an upper part and two walls, having ears (10) to be received in openings (22) of the uprights (1). The walls of brackets (3) are pressed together in the area of the ears (10) to allow the ears (10) of the brackets (3) to be pushed into the uprights (1). The uprights (1) are fixed to the wall. The upper end of each upright (1) is mounted on a horizontal assembly rail (2), being fixed to the wall. Each upright (1) is attached to the assembly rail (2) in a way making it possible to slide the uprights (1) along the assembly rail.
US09173494B2
A seating arrangement includes at least two seating units connected together, wherein each seating unit includes a tubular frame and a seat supported by the tubular frame. The seating unit forms part of the seating arrangement. The seating arrangement is characterized in that each tubular frame defines a loop (5) projecting beyond one side of the seat (12), that the seat (12) is provided on the opposite side with an opening (21) and a retaining element (24) associated with the opening (21) and that the loop (5) of one seating unit is designed to engage with the retaining element (24) of an adjacent seating unit.
US09173492B1
A lightweight self-reclining chair for outdoor having a skid-like to stand over any ground. The chair variable geometry frame comprising an articulated arched-shaped seat panel with an hinged back-rest panel and an hinged leg-rest panel clamped over upper ends of front-leg and rear-leg of a U-shaped chair support base; lower end of rear-leg U-shaped form chair support base being fitted with spring-hinge to pull back the seat in a reclined motion. The chair is equipped with hand-operable tension mechanism having integrated stopper to provide incremental adjustment on chair reclined a seat back angle with auto-pivoting of a leg-rest panel.
US09173488B1
A cabinet system modified to accommodate a fully retractable drawer within a drawer comprises a housing having a plurality of conjoined panels to define a first interior cavity and a first set of drawers slidably attached to tracks on the interior surfaces of opposing panels. Each drawer comprises a set of conjoined panels to define a second interior cavity panel, left panel, front panel, rear panel and bottom panel, wherein each panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Attached to the interior surfaces of each drawer's opposing panels is a track for slidably mounting a second drawer. When a first drawer is fully extended away from the first interior cavity, the second drawer can remain fully retracted within the first drawer or be fully extended into the first interior cavity.
US09173478B2
An oral care instrument, which can maintain a sufficient support strength of a long neck, leaves little residue of a medicant after using, has a low contamination risk from nozzle tip, allows smooth spouting of a medical solution from the beginning, prevents excessive supply of gelatinous or creamy oral-care composition in the case of flowing the composition in a supply channel inside the same, and contributes to the maintenance of the durability of a manufacturing mold. In the aforesaid oral care instrument, which comprises a handle (2), a head (3) and a neck (4), a channel (11) for supplying oral-care composition running within the neck (4) to a nozzle (10) of the head (3) via the handle (2), is formed; and the head (3) is connected in a detachable manner to the neck (4).
US09173464B2
A contact lens case including a container main body provided with a housing recess for storing a contact lens and a liquid agent, and a lid that is connected to the container main body via a hinge in a freely openable and closable manner. A lens holding body is displaceably housed in the housing recess, and by connecting the lid and the lens holding body via a connecting member, the lens holding body can undergo rising and falling displacement following open and close action of the lid around the hinge. A displacement restricting member is provided that restricts a direction of the rising and falling displacement of the lens holding body to the vertical direction that coincides with a depth direction of the housing recess.
US09173462B2
Expandable luggage devices are provided. Included within expandable luggage devices is an expandable backpack that is convertible between at least two positions. An uppermost cover portion of the backpack converts to a side or back portion when the backpack is expanded, and a secondary cover portion is withdrawn from an internal area of the device to enclose or cover the backpack in the second position.
US09173461B2
An umbrella cover includes: a main umbrella cove provided with a vent; and a shading portion arranged at the vent and adapted to shade sunshine from the vent. When wind blows toward the umbrella cover, a part of the wind may blow through the vent and take away hot inside the umbrella, thus achieving the ventilation of the umbrella. In addition, since the main umbrella cover is provided with the vent, the area of the umbrella cover subjected to the wind force is reduced and the wind force subjected by the umbrella cover is reduced further, thus improving the stability of the umbrella, and thereby decreasing the risk of the umbrella blown down by the wind. Furthermore, since the umbrella cover is the umbrella cover of one layer constituted by the main umbrella cover and the shading portions, the hot inside the umbrella is easy to be dissipated.
US09173457B2
A zipper assembly includes: a slider of a generally C-shaped cross section; a bottom stop fixed to an end of one side tape; and a locking unit fixed to a corresponding end of another side tape, the locking unit being separably coupled with the slider disposed above the locking unit to limit movement of the slider, wherein the locking unit selectively allows for and blocks the movement of the slider by coupling with or separation, in a vertical direction, from the bottom stop.
US09173455B2
A device for closing and fastening two sections of flexible band, particularly two end sections (15a, 15b) of flexible belt band, is equipped with fastening elements (1), which include an end keeper (2), intend to be fixed to a first band section (15a), and a lateral keeper (3), intend to come at the second band section (15b) which the second band section intend to come at the two keepers (2, 3) during closing and fastening operations, by being successively introduced, starting from the lateral keeper (3), through the opening (5) of the end keeper (2), the rear opening (9) of the lateral keeper (3) and the front opening (8) of this same lateral keeper (3), so as to be folded into a generally S-shape, with three superimposed portions (15b1, 15b2, and 15b3).
US09173451B2
A heel counter support for a shoe can allow a wearer to conveniently wear the shoe, while also preventing the heel counter from being permanently bent. The heel counter support, which is embedded in the uppers of a heel counter of the shoe, includes: a support member that is formed in the same arc as the heel counter when viewed from the upper side thereof, is joined to a heel portion of a shoe sole, and is made of rigid or substantially hard synthetic resin; and an arc-shaped tension-maintaining portion that is joined to an upper end portion of the support member and is made of soft or substantially resilient synthetic resin. The tension-maintaining portion has an upper end that is resiliently flexed in a forward direction so that a wearer can easily insert the foot into the shoe.
US09173434B2
The present invention relates to underwear for men. Information that it is good to maintain the underbody (genital organs) of men cool have been already been attested in scientific theses of foreign universities. It has been proved that the spermatogenic ability of men (genital organs) is further higher in an environment lower by 2 to 4 Celsius than body temperature. However, despite the above-mentioned scientific evidence, underwear for men up to now has been produced in the same simple shape for protection against the outside without distinction from underwear for women. The present invention relates to 21 century underwear for men which is different from conventional underwear for men and which causes improvement in skin health and reproductive ability in a sanitary and health manner. The 21 century underwear for men of the present invention was invented to accomplish the following two purposes: first, separating the genital organ area (testicles) of men from the groin area (thigh) so as to keep skin healthy from eczema and avoid the influence of body temperature, and second, forming ventilation openings at least in three directions under the genital organ (testicles) of men so as to keep the genital organ area further cool and to thus healthily and naturally (without chemicals) improve the reproductive ability of men. That is, the present invention is novel 21 century underwear for men which 1) prevents skin disease such as eczema which may be commonly caused between the groin and scrotum of men and separates the genital organ and the body (thigh) area so as to separate the genital organ from the body heat, and 2) forms ventilating openings in three or more directions to enable constant ventilation in the genital organ area and to maintain a more sanitary and cool environment, thus providing further good influences to the reproductive ability of men.
US09173433B2
The invention relates to a tobacco shredding device with a heatable pressure chamber (3), which has a tobacco material inlet (5) at the low-pressure end, an expansion gap outlet at the pressure end and a shaft-mounted conveyor screw (1) for conveying the tobacco material from the inlet to the outlet, and the conveyor screw shaft (19) is supported at the inlet end, and the shaft (19) extends on behind the outlet, where it is supported again by a counter bearing (17). It further relates to a method of shredding tobacco, whereby the tobacco material is introduced at the low-pressure end of a pressure chamber and is expanded and discharged at the pressure end of the chamber at a gap outlet, and the tobacco material is conveyed from the inlet to the outlet by means of a conveyor screw shaft-mounted at both end portions, and the conveyor screw is operated in a speed range of up to 600 min−1.
US09173429B2
A method for producing a concentrated cereal-based extract for the production of food products, in particular clear and haze-free cereal-based beverages.
US09173425B2
The present invention relates generally to functional sweetener compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different functional sweetener compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and at least one functional ingredient, such as a vitamin. The present invention also relates to functional sweetener compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the functional sweetener compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.
US09173413B2
A carrier for supporting a carcass part of slaughtered poultry includes a carrier body having a support surface for engaging at least a part of the inner face of the carcass part, a hook for holding the carcass part on the carrier body, a positioning element for positioning the carcass part relative to the carrier, which has a dome shaped engagement end for engaging the inner face of the carcass part, and is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the dome shaped engagement end of the positioning element protrudes from the support surface of the carrier body. The positioning element is arranged such relative to the support surface of the carrier body that in its extended position, the dome shaped engagement end of the positioning element engages the inner face of the carcass part at or adjacent to the facies visceralis sterni of the sternum in the region between the left and right margo costalis of the sternum.
US09173412B2
An apparatus and method for creating a venturi effect in a food product molding machine. The venturi effect accelerates food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.
US09173408B2
A water level sensor (91) is provided in an auxiliary tank (39) whose bottom portion communicates to a bottom portion of a pot (41) for generating steam and which is opened to the atmosphere. When water in the pot (41) keeps boiling and the stop time of a pump (35) reaches a predetermined time (e.g., 60 sec.), the pump (35) is driven for a predetermined time (e.g., 6 sec.) to supply water to the pot (41). This temporarily suppresses the boiling of water in the pot (41), lowering a steam pressure in a space formed by an external circulation passage (60), a heating chamber, and the pot (41). The water level in the auxiliary tank (39) then returns to a normal one, making it possible to correctly detect the water level in the pot (41).
US09173406B2
The invention relates to an antimicrobial and non-cytotoxic coating material and to uses of said coating material.
US09173403B2
This invention relates to compositions for combating ectoparasites and endoparasites in animals, comprising at least one 1-arylpyrazole, at least one macrocyclic lactone, at least one insect growth regulator, and at least one anthelmintic compound in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides for an improved methods for eradicating, controlling, and preventing parasite infections and infestations in an animal comprising administering the compositions of the invention to the animal in need thereof.
US09173385B2
A fishing lure is provided which includes a jig, a hook integrally formed within the jig, and a number of pellets retained within the jig. The jig includes a male portion and a female portion, each of which has a blind cavity formed therein. The male portion and the female portion are press-fitted together such that the blind cavities form a single, internal cavity within the jig which is configured to retain the number of pellets. The male portion of the jig also includes a groove configured to accept the hook therein. The groove is configured such that the hook is retained within the jig when the male portion and the female portion are press-fitted together. The groove includes a bend portion configured to retain the hook in tension. The groove also includes an exposed portion that is in fluid communication with the internal cavity.
US09173383B2
Provided herein is a recombinant non-human mammal having an immune system including human immune cells and having a liver including human liver cells, and methods for producing the same. Also provided are methods of screening a compound for activity in treating hepatitis, comprising: administering a test compound to a recombinant non-human mammal as described herein; and then detecting the presence or absence of said activity in said mammal (e.g., by biochemical assay), said presence of said activity in said mammal indicating that said compound has activity in treating hepatitis. Methods of making fusion cells useful for the production of human monoclonal antibodies are also provided.
US09173381B2
A nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is attached to the container and connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. A ball is positioned on the float. The ball regulates the fluid communication between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the ball prevents fluid from flowing into the base tray.
US09173374B2
A detachable carrier for small pets that can be attached to vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, motor scooters, ATV's, golf carts or watercraft. The carrier allows not only for the transportation of the pet, but also for the enjoyment of the ride, by way of an open top hatch through which the pet can extend its head allowing for an “open air” ride and visibility. The carrier for transporting a small pet on a vehicle includes a box-like container provided with an upper opening that forms part of the container top. The opening has padded edges and is large enough so that an animal such as a dog can stand up in the container with his/her front legs on the padded front edge. Anchoring structure on the container bottom is arranged to detachably couple to a luggage rack or support plate on a luggage rack that is mounted on the vehicle.
US09173364B2
The present invention relates to a new and distinctive canola, designated I2X0066A/B. Also included are seeds of canola I2X0066A/B, to the plants, or plant parts, of canola I2X0066A/B and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing the canola I2X0066A/B with itself or another canola genotype, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of canola I2X0066A/B.
US09173356B2
A watermelon plant that produces fruit having (i) ultra-firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh and (ii) soluble solids of at least about 6 brix.
US09173352B1
A modular enclosure both permits gardening and accommodates secure storage. The modular enclosure includes a raised gardening bed capable of accommodating a pot, a container or a box which can be used to grow a plant or fungus without requiring a user to bend over to access the pot, the container or the box. The secure storage mechanically coupled to the raised gardening bed requires a physical test for the user to access the secure storage. A drip edge immediately adjacent to the raised gardening bed permits water to drain from the raised gardening bed.
US09173349B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated SV8112QH. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line SV8112QH, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line SV8112QH with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line SV8112QH, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US09173348B2
A bale processor (10) of a type that efficiently processes both round and square bales. A bale processor chamber (12) has at least one moveable wall (12b) adjustable between a mostly vertical position suitable to process round bales and at least one less vertical position suitable to process square bales. A floor conveyor (16) is provided at the bottom of the bale processor chamber (12) and is oriented at an angle of eight to sixteen degrees from horizontal to move a bale and bale parts toward a rotor (14) which tears the bale into smaller pieces and throws the smaller pieces out of the bale processor (10).
US09173347B2
An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material sufficient to crush the nodes as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the crushed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, a pressure sufficient to crush the nodes of the crop may be exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density than conventional bales.
US09173346B2
The present invention provides a riding work vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a driver seat; a driving wheel unit supporting the vehicle body; a working electric motor that drives a work unit having a work device; an electric motor controller controlling an operation of the working electric motor in a steady mode or a power saving mode in which consumed power is smaller than the steady mode; and a work load evaluator that evaluates load of the working electric motor. In the riding work vehicle, the electric motor controller operates the working electric motor in the power saving mode in a case where the load of the working electric motor evaluated by the work load evaluator is low load lower than a threshold value.
US09173345B2
Folding heads for corn-shelling machines and/or combine harvesters which include a central portion extending along a main transversal direction and two lateral portions aligned with the central portion in a working condition of the head are provided. Folding heads may include drive elements for moving the lateral portions so as to pass from the working configuration to a folded configuration wherein the lateral portions are at least partially folded and overlapping the central portion. Each lateral portion may be operatively connected to the central portion by connection elements which may include a relative arm which connects each lateral portion to the central portion, wherein the connection elements include a first hinge defining a first rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of advancement of the head and a second hinge defining a second rotation axis, perpendicular to the first rotation axis. Methods of making and using folding heads are also provided.
US09173337B2
A GNSS system in combination with a hydraulically-actuated, airborne dispenser for a dry material crop dusting system to optimize the distribution of dry materials over a particular tract of land. A GNSS subsystem is included using at least one GNSS antenna and one GNSS receiver located on the aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with an electronic/hydraulic crop dusting subsystem connected to a GNSS CPU. The GNSS ranging signals received by the antennas are processed by a receiver and processor system for determining the vehicle's position and dynamic attitude in three dimensions (3D). The system is adapted for operation in a differential GNSS (DGNSS) mode utilizing a base station at a fixed location.
US09179585B2
A positioning device is provided for inserting a pin into a PCB. The positioning device includes an X-Y platform and a reference platform. The X-Y platform includes a positioning point and supports a PCB having a first receiving passageway for receiving a pin. The reference platform supports a reference template having a reference point that corresponds with the first receiving passageway. An x-axis guide rail and a y-axis guide rail is disposed on the X-Y platform, such that the positioning point on the X-Y platform is moveable relative to the reference template in an x-axis direction and/or a y-axis direction to align the first receiving passageway on the PCB with a fixed insertion point of a pin insertion machine.
US09179565B2
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device holder which is attached to the rear surface of a smartphone or tablet computer in such a way as to help the user to stably hold the same. The holder according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a base plate having an adhesive pad which is removably attached to a rear surface of the portable electronic device; a ring to be placed on a finger of a user to allow the user to hold the electronic device; and a connector which is provided with the ring and is fitted into a coupling hole of the base plate so that the holder is integrally coupled to a rear surface of the base plate. The present invention can prevent the user from dropping the electronic device through carelessness.
US09179563B2
An electronic device includes a case and a connector. The case includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall perpendicularly connected to the first sidewall, and a pair of latching protrusions. A through hole is defined in the first sidewall. The pair of latching protrusions is located on the two opposite sides of the through hole and perpendicular extended from the second sidewall. Each of the latching protrusions comprises a first side near to the through hole and a second side away from the through hole. The connector is inserted in the case. The connector includes a shaft portion and a flange radially extending from the shaft portion. The shaft portion is inserted into the through hole. Thus, securing the connector from falling.
US09179557B2
A touch screen comprises a glass substrate, a first conductive layer, an insulating adhesive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is directly formed on the glass substrate and comprises first conductive pattern areas; the insulating adhesive layer is attached to the glass substrate, and one side of the insulating adhesive layer close to the glass substrate forms a first groove; the first conductive pattern area is received in the first groove and insulated from each other; one side of the insulating adhesive layer away from the glass substrate, is provided with a second groove; and the second conductive layer is received in the second groove, thus forming a plurality of second conductive pattern areas insulated with each other. The first conductive layer is directly formed on the glass substrate and made of a metal material, thus omitting an adhesive layer and saving the cost.
US09179556B2
A conductive via and method of forming a conductive via in a multilayer printed circuit board are disclosed. A hole is drilled into a printed circuit board that is reinforced with glass fibers, wherein the hole extends between two conductive elements on different layers of the printed circuit board and cuts through a portion of the glass fibers. A tungsten nitride layer is then deposited on the walls of the hole, wherein the tungsten nitride layer has a thickness between 1.5 nanometers and 20 nanometers. A copper layer is deposited over the tungsten nitride layer, wherein the copper and tungsten nitride form a conductive via that provides an electrically conductive pathway between the two conductive elements, and wherein the tungsten nitride layer isolates the copper layer from the glass fibers.
US09179555B2
An electrical device, particularly a control unit, having at least one joint having a first joining partner, especially a sleeve, and a second joining partner, especially a pin, the joint between the two joining partners having a junction; at least at the junction an at least partially solidified lubricant being present. Furthermore, in a method for lubricating a joint of an electrical device, the joint having a first joining partner, particularly a sleeve, and a second joining partner, particularly a pin; in a step one of the joining partners being wetted with a lubricant, in a following step the joining partner wetted with the lubricant being joined to the other joining partner and the lubricant subsequently solidifying.
US09179550B2
A method for manufacturing a touch panel includes the following procedures. A first conductive layer and a shielding layer surrounding the first conductive layer are formed on a base plate. The first conductive layer is etched to form a plurality of first and second sensing pads alternatively arranged according to columns. The first sensing pads in a column along a first direction are electrically coupled to each other to form a first sensing electrode column. The second sensing pads in a column along a second direction are electrically coupled to each other to form a second sensing electrode column. A second conductive layer is formed on the shielding layer via an ink jet printing method, and is etched to form a plurality of first and second sensing lines to be respectively electrically coupled to the first and second sensing electrode columns.
US09179547B2
A gold finger, includes a substrate, an embossable adhesive layer and a plurality of wires. The gold finger is achieved through adhering an embossable adhesive layer to a side of the substrate, providing grid-shaped grooves on a side of the embossable adhesive layer away from the substrate, embedding conductive grids of the wires in the grooves to form the wires. The gold finger is disposed on a sensing component, the wires of the gold finger are electrically connected with a circuit board through an anisotropic conductive adhesive. The contact area of the wire and the embossable adhesive layer is increased through embedding the conductive grid of the wire, which is grid-shaped structure, in the grooves such that the wires are tightly combined to the embossable adhesive layer and not easy to fall off or be scratched. The present invention further provides a touch screen containing the gold finger.
US09179532B2
A cross arm for X-ray equipment. The cross arm comprises a guide on the cross arm, a tube on the guide, and a linkage device, wherein the tube is configured to move along the guide when the cross arm rotates.
US09179530B2
A system for grounding in a electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a first electronic board, this latter comprising a first ground plane and at least one footprint intended to connect the first ground plane to a component, the at least one footprint defining a closed line on said first electronic board adapted to connect the component, at least a second electronic board comprising a second ground plane, the second electronic board being superposed on the first electronic board, a grounding metallic piece comprising a wall perpendicular to said first electronic board and a base parallel to said first electronic board. The system being notable in that the metallic piece is dimensioned such that the wall corresponds to a perpendicular projection of said closed line defined by one of the at least one footprints and such that the shape of base corresponds to the shape defined by the closed line, and in that the base comprises elements providing a contact with the second electronic board thus electrically connecting the second ground plane with the first ground plane. The elements providing a contact with the second electronic board are for example contact strips or balls.
US09179525B2
A terminal apparatus includes a display device; a first sensor configured to detect a proximity state of being in proximity to an object different from the terminal apparatus; a second sensor configured to detect vibrations; and a processor, wherein the processor determines whether or not a first detection value acquired from the first sensor indicates that the terminal apparatus is in the proximity state, turns off a backlight of the display device in accordance with the first detection value, and acquires, when it is determined that the first detection value does not indicate that the terminal apparatus is in the proximity state, a second detection value from the second sensor, determines whether or not the second detection value, which has been acquired, indicates that the terminal apparatus is vibrating, and turns off the backlight of the display device in accordance with the second detection value.
US09179523B1
A controller, which may be a controller for solid-state lighting, includes a transformer, and a control circuit having a bias voltage input. The control circuit activates when voltage applied to the bias voltage input reaches a threshold. The transformer has a feedback output to the bias voltage input. The controller also has a bias voltage circuit including a resonant circuit providing a resonant current, and a bias capacitor charged by the resonant current, applying start-up bias voltage to the bias voltage input. The controller further has a cutoff to shut down the resonant current when the transformer feedback output is above the threshold. A method of operating the a controller includes providing a resonant current to charge a start-up bias capacitor. The method also includes automatically cutting off the resonant current when the transformer feedback output is above the threshold. This may be determined by monitoring the bias voltage input.
US09179519B2
A phase-shift dimming circuit for LED controller having a delay signal generator configured to receive a PWM input signal, and to provide a plurality of pairs of set signal and reset signal, the set signal and the reset signal respectively having pulses; and a plurality of latches configured to respectively receive the plurality of pairs of set signal and reset signal to generate a plurality of PMW output signals, each of the PWM output signals having pulses, and wherein the rising edge of the pulses of the PWM output signals is based on the corresponding set signal pulses, and the falling edge of the pulses of the PWM output signals is based on the corresponding reset signal pulses.
US09179518B2
An organic light emissive device, which comprises: an anode; a cathode; and an organic light emissive region between the anode and the cathode, which region comprises: a layer of blue light electroluminescent organic material which emits light having first CIE co-ordinates by exciton radiative decay; and a layer of longer wavelength electroluminescent organic material which intrinsically emits light having second CIE co-ordinates by exciton radiative decay; wherein the layers of blue light and longer wavelength materials are selected so that the organic light emissive region emits white light falling within a region having a CIE χ coordinate equivalent to that emitted by a black body at 3000-9000K and CIE γ co-ordinate of said light emitted by a black body.
US09179516B2
This invention relates to a color controlled light source comprising a plurality of colored light elements, and a plurality of (filtered) photo detectors, having different spectral characteristics covering all or most of the total spectrum of the light elements. The (filtered) photo detectors detect the light output of the light source, and generate corresponding detection signals. The light source further has a color control unit for generating driving signals to the light elements on the basis of the detection signals and a predetermined target color point of the light output of the light source, and a modulator for individual signature modulation of the driving signal to each one of said light elements. A corresponding demodulator is provided for demodulation of the detection signals and extraction, from each detection signal, of actual values of the light outputs of the light elements. The color control unit has means for determining the spectral output of each light element on basis of the actual values, means for determining an actual color point from said spectral outputs of all light elements, and means for comparing said target color point with said actual color point and, if there is a difference, adjusting said driving signals in order to minimize the difference.
US09179504B2
To aim to reduce ripple current flowing through a capacitor in a power converter apparatus including a converter, the capacitor and an inverter. A current sensor 6 is connected between a capacitor 5 and an inverter circuit 7 for detecting current Iinv flowing from the capacitor 5 to the inverter circuit 7. A frequency detecting subunit 11 performs fast Fourier transform on a waveform of the current Iinv to detect a frequency of a frequency component having the largest amplitude. Also, the frequency detecting subunit 12 detects a zero-cross point of the frequency component having the largest amplitude. Then a carrier signal control subunit 13 performs control such that a frequency and a rise time of a PWM carrier signal for driving the converter circuit 4 match the frequency and the zero-cross point that have been detected by the frequency detecting subunit 11 and the phase detecting subunit 12.
US09179500B2
A method for transmitting Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) data in a radio base station is provided, which is applicable to the radio base station having at least two CPRI links between a Radio Equipment Control (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE). The method includes: dividing by the REC, in-phase/quadrature phase (I/Q) data that needs to be transmitted to the RE into multiple paths of I/Q data with different content, where the multiple paths of I/Q data with different content make up the I/Q data before being divided; transmitting, by the REC, all paths of divided I/Q data to the RE over the at least two CPRI links.
US09179498B2
A general wireless mesh network of communication devices with packet message transmission, especially for telemetry and automation, includes at least a single control communication device and a set of slave communication devices. The control communication device searches in the network and assigns a virtual routing number to each slave communication device. The virtual routing number reflects a distance of the slave communication device from the control communication device, expressed by the number of routings, and is stored in the slave communication device. The slave communication device, for further routing of packets in the mesh network, uses time slots assigned according to the difference between said virtual routing number and the virtual routing number of the sender of a received packet. Packet routing is based on successive flooding of the virtual routing structure and time division multiplexing.
US09179495B1
A technique is disclosed to schedule frame transmissions in a wireless network utilizing scheduled TDMA by synchronizing clocks in repeater and backhaul access points.
US09179494B2
The invention provides for a method and a node for integrating the devices (20a-20g) of a meshed multi-hop network (20) in a mobile communication network (10). The method comprises the following steps: attaching at least one device of said meshed multi-hop network to said mobile communication network, retrieving, in at least one node of said mobile communication network, from at least one base station of said mobile communication network, information about the devices of said meshed multi-hop network that may be accessed through said base station, and storing, in said node (11) for each device, said information such that said node knows, for each device, through which base stations (23) it may be accessed. Thereby, the meshed multi-hop network is integrated in the mobile communication network.
US09179491B2
Methods and arrangements for managing termination of a telephone call. A contemplated method includes: detecting a request by a first party to terminate a telephone call between the first party and a second party; detecting whether the second party is still speaking after detecting the request to terminate the call; and automatically forestalling termination of the call if the second party is still speaking, via affording the first party an opportunity to continue the call, via at least one of: sending a confirmation request to the first party, and sending an audio signal to the first party. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.
US09179484B2
Embodiments of the present invention discloses a method and a device for allocating a group identifier, which can allocate a non-conflict GID to a non-AP STA in an area covered by multiple BSS networks, so that the problem of GID conflict which is occurred when allocating the GID for the non-AP STA can be reduced. A method provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes: dividing all group identifiers (GIDs) into N parts according to number of the GIDs, and respectively allocating the N parts to N basic service set (BSS) networks, which communicate in a multi user-multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) mode, where the N BSS networks have a common area, N is a natural number which is bigger than 1.
US09179472B2
A circuit includes a first wireless interface circuit that communicates packetized data to a first external device in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol. A second wireless interface circuit communicates packetized data to a second external device in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol. A plurality of signal lines communicate at least four lines of cooperation data between the first wireless interface circuit and the second wireless interface circuit, wherein the cooperation data relates to cooperate transceiving in a common frequency spectrum.
US09179469B2
Enabling resource partitioning in a wireless communication is provided. A terminal can measure channel quality and other information in a wireless communication environment and prepare a VCQI report. The report can be transmitted to a serving base station and/or non-serving base stations. The report information can be utilized by the base stations to allocate resources and/or to facilitate handoff within the wireless communication environment.
US09179463B2
A method of mapping symbols of a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) is described. A start position of a resource element to map the symbols for the PCFICH is determined by flooring a value, obtained by multiplying the number of resource blocks by a variable proportional to a symbol index for the PCFICH and then dividing the multiplied result by 2, wherein the resource blocks are transmitted in downlink. The symbols are mapped in the start position. Therefore, a problem of wasting resource elements or not being able to implement mapping can be solved by applying a simple mapping rule while mapping symbols of the PCFICH.
US09179457B2
A wireless device receives a first RRC message configuring a plurality of cells, a primary cell group, and a secondary cell group. The wireless device receives a second RRC message to reconfigure cell group configurations. The second RRC message is configurable to cause the modification of the cell group configuration of a secondary cell without explicitly releasing the secondary cell if the second RRC message comprises mobility control information. The second RRC message is unconfigurable to cause modification of the cell group configuration of the secondary cell without explicitly releasing the secondary cell if the RRC message does not comprise mobility control information.
US09179451B2
Techniques of frequency spectrum usage in a wireless communication system include configuring two or more downlink carriers, each having a downlink carrier center frequency, to have a total occupied bandwidth that is constrained within an allocated downlink frequency spectrum. Further, the techniques include transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), two or more downlink carrier center frequency indicators that each identify a downlink carrier center frequency of each of the two or more downlink carriers. Also, the present techniques may include transmitting, to the UE, at least one uplink carrier center frequency indicator that at least relatively identifies at least one uplink carrier center frequency of at least one uplink carrier that is configured to have an independent, variable offset relative to one or more of the more than two downlink carriers. As such, these aspects allow new ways of squeezing carriers into the downlink while not impacting UE transmitter complexity.
US09179447B2
A method of allowing a data connection between a first node attached to a private IP network and a second node external to the private IP network and connected to a public IP network. The method comprises allocating a private network IP address, a hostname, and a service name to said first node, the service name associated with a service provided by the first node. A gateway allocates a unique public network side port number to the first node. A mapping between the private network IP address and public network side port is included in a connection table. Records are installed in a Domain Name System of the public IP network that include: a service record defining said hostname and public network side port number as the location for said service name; and an address record defining a public IP address of said gateway as the location for said hostname.
US09179445B2
Data is communicated between a network node and a user equipment in a first frame according to a first uplink-downlink configuration. In response to a configuration change that causes a second frame following the first frame to be according to a second, different uplink-downlink configuration, an acknowledgement indication for the data is sent in the second frame.
US09179438B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for determining device movement to and from an area of interest using a route update radius. In a particular embodiment, a method provides identifying an area of interest within a geographic area and determining a first access node of a wireless communication network having a first wireless signal coverage area that includes at least part of the area of interest. The method further provides setting a route update radius to a distance that reflects the size of the at least part of the area of interest and transferring the route update radius to the wireless communication device.
US09179437B2
Methods and systems for femtocell positioning using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals may comprise receiving LEO RF satellite signals utilizing a LEO satellite signal receiver path when medium Earth orbit (MEO) signals are attenuated below a threshold needed for positioning purposes by the MEO receiver path. A position of said wireless communication device (WCD) may be measured based on the received LEO RF satellite signals. The measured position of the WCD may be compared to a threshold radius defined by a stored initial position. Wireless communication services to the other WCDs may be enabled when the measured position is within the threshold radius. Reentry of the stored initial position may be requested when the measured position is outside of the threshold radius. The WCD may be disabled when the measured position of the WCD falls outside of the threshold radius more than a predetermined number of times.
US09179426B2
A method of adjusting the modulation and coding scheme for uplink channel power control in advanced telecommunication networks includes receiving an indication of a power adjustment mode for an uplink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission. The power of the uplink MIMO transmission is adjusted according to the received power adjustment mode.
US09179425B2
A wireless device may compute transmission power of an uplink packet employing a first parameter calculated by accumulation of an initial value and at least one power control value corresponding to a sequence of subframes. The sequence of subframes starts from an initial subframe and ends with the first subframe. The initial subframe is identified by the most recent subframe before the first subframe with one of the following events: a predefined transmit power parameter value is updated by higher layers; and a random access response is received corresponding to a transmitted random access preamble on a secondary cell.
US09179419B2
A method of determining uplink transmission power at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving channel status information-reference signal (CSI-RS) settings and downlink transmission power values for a plurality of transmission points (TPs) from a higher layer, receiving CSI-RSs from the plurality of TPs, estimating path loss values corresponding to the plurality of TPs based on the received CSI-RSs, determining the uplink transmission power using the estimated path loss values, and transmitting an uplink signal to one or more of the plurality of TPs based upon the determined uplink transmission power.
US09179408B2
Provided is a node probing method using an adaptive and asynchronous rendezvous protocol in an opportunistic network. The node probing method includes: selecting, by each of nodes in the opportunistic network, a prime number larger than two; using, by the node, the selected prime number to generate a wake-up pattern according to the following equation: x n = { 1 , if n ≡ 0 ( mod p ) or n ≡ 1 ( mod p + 1 ) 0 , others where Xn=1 represents a wake-up slot, Xn=0 represents a sleeping slot, and ‘mod p’ represents a modulo operation for the prime number p); and searching, by the node, for a neighbor node according to the generated wake-up pattern.
US09179398B2
Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating deployment and configuration of managed access points in hierarchical wireless network systems. An embodiment of the invention facilitates deployment and configuration of conventional, substantially autonomous access points operating in connection with a central management node, such as a server or appliance. In another embodiment, the present invention facilitates deployment and configuration of light-weight access points in a hierarchical wireless network system. In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a streamlined encryption key exchange protocol adapted to hierarchical wireless network system architectures.
US09179396B2
A method for detecting an Almost-Blank Subframe (ABS) configuration for an interfering macro cell of a heterogeneous network is implemented in a wireless terminal. For one or more resource blocks in a received signal, a first power metric is calculated as a function of channel response estimates determined for predicted cell-specific (or common) reference signal (CRS) resource element locations in a plurality of symbols. For the one or more resource blocks in the received signal, a second power metric is calculated as a function of channel response estimates determined for the predicted CRS resource element locations in a single one of the plurality of symbols. A difference between the first and second power metrics is compared to a threshold, and responsive to the comparison a determination is made as to whether the macro cell is operating in a Multicast and Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) mode or a non-MBSFN mode.
US09179395B2
Techniques for mitigating data loss during autonomous system information (SI) reading by a user equipment (UE) are described. For autonomous SI reading, the UE may autonomously determine when to read system information from neighbor cells and may not inform a serving cell. In one design, the UE may autonomously select a SI reading gap for reading system information from a neighbor cell. During the SI reading gap, the UE may suspend reception of downlink transmission from the serving cell, receive system information from the neighbor cell, and maintain capability to transmit on the uplink to the serving cell. In one design, the serving cell may determine SI reading gaps autonomously selected by the UE for reading system information from neighbor cells. The serving cell may communicate with the UE by accounting for the SI reading gaps of the UE, e.g., may suspend communication with the UE during the SI reading gaps.
US09179392B2
In embodiments of the present disclosure, improved capabilities are described for conserving back haul utilization in a wireless network, where base station optimization servers are provided within the wireless network to provide streaming data services required for applications streaming data to a plurality of mobile cellular devices, such as where a base station optimization server is connected to first and second mobile transceiver devices via redirected bearers such that the base station optimization server may route an application data packet stream, on behalf of an application that provides streaming application data, from the base station optimization server to each of first and the second mobile, where the application data packet stream is delivered to each of the plurality of mobile cellular devices at different times, and wherein use of the back haul network is minimized.
US09179389B2
A radio terminal (10) includes: an MIH user (14) for managing mobility from a first network to a second network; and an MIH function unit (13) for controlling handover from the first network to the second network. The MIH function unit (13) notifies a link control unit (12) of a condition setting request including a first judgment local formula as a condition for starting setting of the second network and the radio link and a second judgment logical formula as a condition executing a handover from the first network to the second network. The first judgment logical formula and the second judgment logical formula indicates a combination of threshold values to be satisfied by a plurality of radio parameters in the first network and the established radio link.
US09179379B1
Disclosed is a method and apparatus and system for managing frequency use in a system where multiple air interface protocols are in use. When a wireless communication device (WCD) is operating under a particular air interface protocol on a particular frequency channel, the WCD detects a threshold signal under another air interface protocol, and the WCD responsively transitions from operating under the particular air interface protocol on the particular frequency channel to operating under the particular air interface protocol on a different frequency channel. The method may thereby help to reduce likelihood of interference.
US09179376B2
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and provides a relay node handover method. The method includes: receiving, by a target base station, a handover request sent by a source base station serving a relay node; acquiring, by the target base station, first transport network layer TNL information from the source base station; and establishing, by the target base station, a connection with the relay node according to the first TNL information. The present invention further provides a base station and a communication system. The present invention may implement the handover of a relay node from a source base station to a target base station, thereby ensuring the establishment of a connection between the relay node and the target base station.
US09179365B1
A method includes, in at least one aspect, switching a mode of operation of a wireless communication device from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, wherein the first transmission mode supports transmission of packets comprising header information in accordance with a communication protocol specified for the first transmission mode, and the second transmission mode supports transmission of real-time data packets that do not contain the header information in accordance with the communication protocol specified for the first transmission mode; and configuring a transmission parameter associated with the wireless communication device for operation in the second transmission mode for transmission of a real-time data packet containing real-time data.
US09179360B1
A wireless communication system optimizes media services over a wireless network. The wireless communication system is HARQ enabled. The wireless communication system receives the number of HARQ retransmissions, communication status data, configuration data, and flow identifications (IDs) for media flows that use FEC packets. The wireless communication system determines if the communication status data exceeds a system status threshold. If the communication status data exceeds the system status threshold, then the wireless communication system adjusts the number of HARQ retransmissions.
US09179359B2
Wireless end-user device with differentiated network access status for different device applications
A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors apply a WWAN-specific differential traffic control policy to Internet data service provided using the WWAN modem. Based on the applied policy, an application program interface (API) can indicate to particular applications that Internet data service available via the WWAN modem to other applications is not available to those particular applications.
US09179350B2
The disclosure discloses a method for reporting interference information, which includes: User Equipment (UE) reports frequency information of a first radio technology or the frequency information of the first radio technology and additional interference information to a network side when detecting that an interference state of in-device coexistence interference is changed; or UE reports frequency information of a first radio technology to a network side when detecting that an interference state of in-device coexistence interference is changed, and the UE reports additional interference information to the network side after receiving from the network side an instruction of requiring reporting the additional information. The disclosure further provides a system for reporting interference information and UE. By means of the technical solution of the disclosure, the UE is capable of reporting the frequency information and the additional information to the network side.
US09179343B2
An apparatus may include a memory to store a first radio signal strength indicator (RSSI) data set comprising first data entries for RSSI detected from a multiplicity of transmission sources by a first wireless device of a first device type, and to store a second RSSI data set comprising second data entries for RSSI detected from the multiplicity of transmission sources by a second wireless device of a second device type; and a cross-device radio calibration engine to receive the first RSSI data set and second RSSI data set and generate a cross-calibrated RSSI function comprising a function that reduces differences between the first RSSI data set and the second RSSI data set. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09179340B2
Embodiments include systems and methods for over-the-air testing of wireless systems. Embodiments comprise separated chambers configured to contain devices to be tested. The chambers are connected by separately bounded propagation path corridors.
US09179339B2
A method and system for testing the wireless signal propagation model of the cellular network is provided in the invention. The method comprising: selecting a testing site to install a receiving testing apparatus; moving a transmission apparatus along a testing route transmitting a testing signal upon moving; the receiving testing apparatus receiving the testing signal, and detecting the strength of the received testing signal; and obtaining field strength testing data along the testing route based on a synchronization established between the transmission apparatus and the receiving testing apparatus. By this invention, the testing efficiency of the wireless signal propagation model correction in the area covered by the cellular network can be improved.
US09179338B2
Various techniques for routing a request message, which requests a service requiring a data operation on data which is stored in a data backend system, are discussed. The request message is received by a first application front end entity of an application layer. Based on the received request message, a data operation message is sent from the first application front end entity to a first data repository of the data backend system. The first data repository returns routing information to the first application front end entity, which enables the first application front end entity to route the request message to a second application front end entity of the application layer. The second application front end entity communicates with a given data repository which stores the data.
US09179336B2
WIFI management interfaces for microwave radio and reset to factory defaults are provided herein. Methods may include transmitting or receiving, on a dedicated management interface antenna of the wireless radio management signals, signals in a dedicated band for controlling operations of the wireless radio, and transmitting or receiving, on at least one additional antenna of the wireless radio management signals, signals that are not used for controlling operations of the wireless radio. The dedicated management interface antenna and the at least one additional antenna being physically separated from one another.
US09179335B2
The present invention relates to a wireless transmitter comprising a transmitter radio unit working a wireless transmitter comprising a transmitter radio unit working in the millimeter wave frequency band using a directional antenna and a bidirectional radio unit working in a frequency range different from said transmitter radio unit and using an omnidirectional antenna. The invention further relates to a wireless receiver and a wireless relay.
US09179333B1
Systems, methods, and software for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) block error rate (BLER) control in wireless communications are provided herein. A wireless access system receives a media packet. The wireless access system also determines a first time difference between an allowable end-to-end delay for the media packet and a first consumed end-to-end delay for the media packet. The wireless access system also processes the first time difference to select a first HARQ BLER and transfers the media packet from the wireless access system using the first HARQ BLER.
US09179322B2
Allocating spectrum to a secondary radio device includes determining a contour separation distance for the secondary radio device. The contour separation distance is a function of a minimum separation distance from protected areas of primary radio devices and an accuracy variance for the secondary radio device. The accuracy variance is specified as a distance and is a function of accuracy information for a reported location of the secondary radio device. If a distance between a contour of a protected area for a primary radio device and the reported location for the secondary radio device is less than the contour separation distance, a channel used by the primary radio device is not available for use by the secondary radio device for wireless communications. Otherwise the channel used by the primary radio device is available for use by the secondary radio device for wireless communications.
US09179315B2
A mobile device has a service monitor agent to categorize wireless network data usage by the device, according to network used (for instance whether a WWAN or a WLAN is used) and also according to the device application associated with the network data usage. A set of service usage counters track network data usage per application for at least one of the networks. An application data usage user interface displays, to a user, service usage on a per-application basis based on the service usage counters.
US09179307B2
A method and a device for protecting a security module connected to a near-field communication router in a telecommunication device, wherein a transmission between the router and the security module is only allowed in the presence of a radio frequency communication flow detected by the router.
US09179302B2
A Candidate Isolation System (CIS) detects subscribers of phone call services as candidates to be surveillance targets. A Voice Matching System (VMS) then decides whether or not a given candidate Communication Terminals (CTs) should be tracked by determining, using speaker recognition techniques, whether the subscriber operating the candidate CT is a known target subscriber. The CIS receives from the network call event data that relate to CTs in the network. The CIS detects candidate CTs using a unique candidate isolation process, which applies predefined selection criteria to the received call events data.
US09179298B2
Provided is a mobile communication terminal comprising: a display unit including a touch screen capable of receiving user's input through the touch screen for controlling the mobile communication terminal; a memory unit; a communication unit; and an activation sensing unit, wherein the activation sensing unit detects a change from an inactive state of the mobile communication terminal to an active state of the mobile communication terminal, wherein the inactive state is defined that the display unit being turned off while the mobile communication terminal being communicable and the active state is defined that the display unit being turned on while the mobile communication terminal being communicable, wherein the mobile communication terminal performs a predetermined operation by an application of the mobile communication terminal when the activation sensing unit detects the change from the inactive state to the active state.
US09179292B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that creates, manages, or maintains multiple device versions in a network of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices. The system can include components that detect whether a device has joined the network and based at least in part on such indication creates a device profile the first time that the device is detected, establishes a version trail containing configuration settings specific to the detected device, and thereafter builds and maintains the version trail when the device joins and/or leaves the network.
US09179288B2
According to the present description, data of a user can be detoured (offloaded) to a wired network such as a public communication network even through a Home (e)NodeB. In addition, when the data of the user is detoured (offloaded) to the wired network such as the public communication network even through the Home (e)NodeB, a local IP access (LIPA) service can be selectively supported according to the user or a UE.
US09179280B2
A system and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point may include receiving, at a network access point, an emergency 911 call signal including GPS location information and mobile directory number of a wireless device. The GPS location information and mobile directory information may be communicated to a selective muter associated with a public safety access point servicing an area including the network access point. The network access point may be a WiFi access point. The access point address information may be communicated using a type II caller ID data packet after the public safety answering point goes off-hook By communicating both the access point address information and GPS location information, both PSAPs that are configured as E911 Phase I and E911 Phase II may display address location information of an emergency 911 caller.
US09179277B2
Methods, systems and devices are provided for managing electronic communications on a communication device including receiving an incoming call indication from an originating device. The methods, system and devices may include transmitting a delay indication in response to determining the delayed call acceptance is warranted and receiving a first message segment and subsequently a second message segment from the originating device. Additionally, they may include outputting at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment in response to determining whether to output at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment. Further, they may include transmitting a playback status including a series of status indications reflecting an updated output progress of the first message segment at a recipient device in response to determining the first message segment should be output.
US09179276B2
An internet-based conferencing system simulates the experience of Citizens' Band (CB) radio communications without the use of CB radio transceivers. Instead of direct RF links between participants, the CBI system employs a combination of user-resident application software, central server-based conferencing software, GPS location data, and Voice over IP (VoIP) or voice over cellular technology. In the set-up procedure of the application software, the participant selects an alias CB-style “handle” and a caricature picture, neither of which disclose the true identity or location of the participant. Since the participants are known only by their alias and caricature, their anonymity is preserved, thereby enabling greater freedom of expression and interpersonal tolerance. Participants do not select the other participants in their conference, but are assigned to a virtual “channel” based on a selected conference category and proximity criteria, thereby simulating the serendipity of CB radio communications.
US09179275B2
A first message is sent by an MSC/VLR and it is determined that a user equipment is in an abnormal state according to the first message. A second message is sent to the user equipment. The second message is used to instruct the user equipment to initiate attachment to the MSC/VLR. An apparatus includes a receiving module, a first determining module and a sending module.
US09179274B2
Short message service (SMS) copy forward and carbon copy methods and systems are provided. An SMS message is received at a first network device and is delivered to a first mobile device. A copy indication associated with the sender or the first mobile device instructs the first network device to send a copy of the received SMS message to a second mobile device. Responsive to the copy indication, the first network device replaces a teleservice type identifier in a teleservice space of the received SMS message with a message copy indicator based on a predetermined mapping between the teleservice type identifier and the message copy indicator, to form a modified SMS message. The modified SMS message is sent to a second network device associated with the second mobile device. The second network device detects the message copy indicator to determine whether the modified SMS message is enabled for further copying.
US09179265B2
Methods, program products, and systems for reducing a location search space are described. A mobile device, when arriving at a venue, can determine a location of the mobile device using signals from one or more signal sources associated with the venue. The mobile device can use a coarse location estimator to estimate a coarse location of the mobile device at the venue. The mobile device can request, from a server, detailed location data associated with the coarse location. The detailed location data can include location fingerprint data associated with a portion of the venue that includes the coarse location. The mobile device can determine an estimated location that has finer granularity than the coarse location using the location fingerprint data.
US09179264B1
Methods, systems, and media for determining location information from real-time bid requests are provided. In some implementations, a method for determining device locations is provided, the method comprising: receiving a real-time data stream that includes location proxies corresponding to devices; generating a movement graph of interconnected nodes and edges, wherein each node represents one of the location proxies and wherein each edge represents movement information between the location proxies; calculating, for a node in the movement graph, location information by applying a predictive model having weights based on the movement information; and assigning, for the node in the movement graph, a census-based identifier to the calculated location information. The census-based identifier can be used, for example, to supplement or enrich bid requests within the real-time data stream.
US09179257B2
Systems and methods for determining a high-precision geo-fence boundary for a business utilizing the property boundaries of a business are provided. The property boundaries for a business are obtained, and the longest diagonal of the polygon of the property is determined. This diagonal is used as a diameter to create a circle for a primary geo-fence monitoring area for the business. When a user enters the primary geo-fence monitoring area, a location updating feature of the mobile device can be activated to get the real time coordinates of the mobile device. The real time coordinates of the mobile device can then be used to accurately determine if the user is actually in the polygon of the business property.
US09179253B2
Provided is a map service system and method for providing target content based on a location and/or position of a user device. The map service method includes identifying a pointer associated with a user device, the pointer indicating a position of the user device on a map. The method includes providing a spot finder in response to a position of the pointer, the spot finder having a desired radius based on a position of the pointer. The method includes providing a target content in the desired radius, the target content corresponding to a location within the desired radius.
US09179244B2
A method for detecting the proximity of a signal source using wireless systems is contemplated in which a wireless mobile device wirelessly receives packets from a signal source and determines a received signal strength for each packet. The wireless mobile device may store information based upon the received signal strength for each packet, and calculate from the information stored for all the packets, a current path loss value corresponding to a current distance from the wireless mobile device to the signal source. The wireless mobile device may then determine whether the current distance is sufficient to be an enabling condition such as tap, for example, for a data transfer or a transaction between the wireless mobile device and the signal source.
US09179241B2
A method and non-transitory computer readable medium for provisioning services for machine to machine communication devices in a communications network. For example, the method receives a request from a third party service provider to provision a service to a user of the third party service provider, determines whether a communication network service provider of the communications network and the third party service provider have a pre-existing agreement to provision the service, and provisions the service of the third party service provider to the user via the communications network in accordance with the pre-existing agreement, wherein the user is a subscriber of the communication network service provider.
US09179240B2
An intelligent backhaul system is disclosed for deployment in the presence of existing radio systems. A backhaul system for co-channel deployment with existing licensed and unlicensed wireless networks, including conventional cellular backhaul radios, Common Carrier Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave Service, Private Operational Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave Service and other FCC 47 C.F.R. §101 licensed microwave networks is disclosed. Processing and network elements to manage and control the deployment and management of backhaul of radios that connect remote edge access networks to core networks in a geographic zone which co-exist with such existing systems or other sources of interference within a radio environment are also disclosed.
US09179236B2
Embodiments are described for an adaptive audio system that processes audio data comprising a number of independent monophonic audio streams. One or more of the streams has associated with it metadata that specifies whether the stream is a channel-based or object-based stream. Channel-based streams have rendering information encoded by means of channel name; and the object-based streams have location information encoded through location expressions encoded in the associated metadata. A codec packages the independent audio streams into a single serial bitstream that contains all of the audio data. This configuration allows for the sound to be rendered according to an allocentric frame of reference, in which the rendering location of a sound is based on the characteristics of the playback environment (e.g., room size, shape, etc.) to correspond to the mixer's intent. The object position metadata contains the appropriate allocentric frame of reference information required to play the sound correctly using the available speaker positions in a room that is set up to play the adaptive audio content.
US09179233B2
An apparatus and method for interfacing with an earphone are provided. The method includes checking if the earphone is uninstalled promptly after the connection of the earphone is sensed in an external port and if it is sensed that the earphone is uninstalled, continuing to apply a voltage to a MIC_BIAS terminal. The generation of a noise of the MIC_BIAS terminal caused by applying of a periodic voltage resulted from loose insertion of the earphone is prevented.
US09179229B2
Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.
US09179221B2
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first plate, a second plate disposed over the first plate, and a first moveable plate disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The MEMS device further includes a second moveable plate disposed between the first moveable plate and the second plate.
US09179214B2
A mobile phone (100) detects at least a direction of an utterance position of a user from the voice input to a plurality of microphones (121,122) and controls an output direction of a voice out of a speaker unit (110) to match the detected utterance position. Accordingly, it is possible to provide sound with sufficient volume only for a specific user without causing noise in the neighborhood. The microphones may form a matrix together with piezoelectric vibrators that form a speaker unit, or may be formed separately from the speaker unit.
US09179210B2
A headphone cable (150) is connected to a headphone set (190) with one, two or more loudspeakers (191, 192). The headphone cable (150) includes at least a first signal wire (151) and at least one reference line (152, 154). An electronic filter unit (110) performs a filtering, e.g. a common mode filtering, which is effective on at least one of the signal wires and reference lines (151, 153). A differential audio signal between a signal wire and a reference line (152, 154) is passed. Common mode signals except signals within a VHF radio band may be attenuated. The electronic filter unit (110) may be arranged in a connector case (129) of a headphone connector (120) provided at a connector end of the headphone cable (150) or in a pluggable filter assembly (130) provided between the mobile electronic device (200) and the headphone cable (150).
US09179206B2
A sound box structure includes a sound box, a speaker, and a gas absorption element. The sound box includes a sound box space. A first hole is formed on one plane of the sound box, and a second hole is formed on another plane of the sound box. The speaker is mounted on the first hole. The gas absorption element is mounted on the second hole.
US09179202B1
A multi-frequency (also known as multiple-frequency) signal, such as a dual-tone signal, can be a repeating signal that indicates a character designated on a keypad. The signal can be processed such that the character is identifiable. This processing can include using first and second-order statistics of the signal to determine an estimated average frequency of the signal. A table can be accessed that lists individual characters of the keypad and specific average frequency values can be associated with the individual characters. The specific average frequency value that is closest to the estimated average frequency can be identified and the character associated with this closest specific average frequency value can be appointed as the character indicated by the signal. Thus, the multi-frequency signal can be classified as communicating the appointed character.
US09179197B2
Certain examples accommodate multicast and unicast frame forwarding via wired and/or wireless port connections. An example method includes identifying a message including a frame of data to be directed to a group of playback devices via a network protocol. The example method includes overriding the network protocol for the group of playback devices to transmit a unicast message via direct routing to each member of the group of playback devices that is a “neighbor” of the first playback device.
US09179187B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09179182B2
An interactive video control system that can control multiple displays, such as a panel image and/or a projected image using motion gestures from a moveable controller. Further, a plurality of display images may be modified such that the images appear at least partially aligned and combined. The control system may be comprised of a moveable, handheld controller and console.
US09179180B2
A method for providing customized information to a plurality of portable communication devices. A customer premises equipment (CPE) synchronizes with at least one of the plurality of portable communication devices. The CPE extracts descriptive data of media content stored in the at least one portable communication device. The CPE searches for a descriptive data of content available at the CPE based on the descriptive data extracted from the at least one portable communication device. The CPE determines that the extracted descriptive data matches the descriptive data of content available at the CPE. The CPE makes the content available to the at least one portable communication device.
US09179179B2
A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method includes receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a current next indicator field and a private indicator field indicating a private indicator, demodulating the digital television signal and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.
US09179173B1
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for processing a traffic log having an optional-promotion log entry. An example method involves (i) accessing a stored television-broadcasting traffic log, wherein the traffic log includes multiple ordered log entries including at least a first log-entry and a second log-entry; (ii) making a first determination that the first log-entry corresponds to a show-segment video-component (VC) of a live news program; (iii) making a second determination that the second log-entry corresponds to an initial show-segment VC of a show, wherein the show is scheduled to follow the live news program; (iv) identifying, among log entries scheduled between the first log-entry and the second log-entry, a set of optional-promotion log entries, each such optional-promotional log entry having a duration; (v) determining a cumulative duration of the optional-promotion log entries in the identified set; and (vi) providing the determined cumulative-duration to an output device for presentation.
US09179170B2
A circuit, electrical device or other apparatus for band stacking and/or band translating multiple transmissions. Such transmissions may be satellite transmissions, terrestrial transmissions, signals carried across a wired network such as a cable network, and so forth. Two sets of left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized signals may be accepted by an embodiment. One left-hand polarized signal and one right-hand polarized signal may be band stacked such that the left-hand polarized signal occupies a first frequency and the right-hand polarized signal occupies a second frequency, thereby permitting the two signals to be transmitted simultaneously across a single transmission line as a first unique signal. The second left-hand polarized signal and second right-hand polarized signal may likewise be combined into a second unique signal for transmission. The first and second unique signals may be stacked as a first stacked output and a second stacked output by a band translating circuit.
US09179168B2
One aspect of the invention is a method of providing video to attendees of a live concert. Video of different views of the live concert is captured. A plurality of video streams are provided to attendees of the live concert while the live concert is occurring. The plurality of digital video streams enable an attendee of the live concert to select which of the plurality of digital video streams to view using a portable digital device associated with that attendee such that the attendee may choose from among the different views of the live concert.
US09179167B2
Provided are a method of interpolating an image by determining interpolation filter coefficients, and an apparatus for performing the same. The method includes: differently selecting an interpolation filter, from among interpolation filters for generating at least one sub-pel-unit pixel value located between integer-pel-unit pixels, based on a sub-pel-unit interpolation location and a smoothness; and generating the at least one sub-pel-unit pixel value by interpolating, using the selected interpolation filter, pixel values of the integer-pel-unit pixels.
US09179166B2
The present invention facilitates efficient and effective detection of pixel alteration. The number and configuration of pixels in a block partition can be flexibly changed. The filter inputs in the multi-protocol filter can be flexibly changed to meet the deblocking requirement in the target video compression standard. In one embodiment, the deblock engine includes an input interface, a neighbor buffer, a current data buffer; and a multi-protocol filter. The input interface receives reconstructed data. The neighbor buffer temporarily stores neighbor information. The current data buffer receives the reconstructed data and the neighbor information. The multi-protocol filter filters information selected from the reconstructed data and neighbor information.
US09179161B2
A computerized method for encoding video comprising: dividing a video frame into macroblocks; for each macroblock finding a minimal movement or minimal error motion estimation compensation algorithm pair that encodes and decodes said macroblock with a smallest amount of motion or error; and encoding said frame by encoding each macroblock with a motion estimation algorithm of said respective minimal error motion estimation compensation pair.
US09179154B2
A video encoding control method for controlling encoding of an input video signal. The method includes the steps of detecting an underflow of a decoder buffer; if the underflow of the decoder buffer has been detected, suppressing an amount of generated code by skipping an encoding target picture or by encoding the encoding target picture so as to produce a minimum amount of generated code; after suppressing the amount of generated code, comparing a current rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer with a predetermined threshold for the rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer; and performing a control for continuously suppressing the amount of code generated for each encoding target image by using the above step of suppressing the amount of generated code until the rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer exceeds the threshold based on a result of the above comparison.
US09179153B2
Various implementations are described. Several implementations relate to a refined depth map. According to one aspect, depth information for a picture in a set of pictures is accessed. Modified depth information for the picture is accessed. A refinement is determined that characterizes a difference between the depth information and the modified depth information. The refinement, and the depth information, is provided for use in processing one or more pictures in the set of pictures.
US09179152B2
An image processing device that encodes image data including: an encoding unit which, with a small region line including, arrayed in the horizontal direction, small regions obtained by dividing large regions arrayed in the vertical direction of an image, performs encoding of image data of the large region, advancing the encoding order of small regions in the same order as a scan order, and advancing the encoding order of small region lines in an order different from the scan order; and a control unit that controls the encoding unit to encode in accordance with a state of a left small region situated at a left periphery of a small region to be processed, and a state of a lower small region situated at a lower periphery of the small region to be processed. The device suppresses deterioration in encoding efficiency due to high speed image encoding.
US09179126B2
Spatio-temporal light field cameras that can be used to capture the light field within its spatio temporally extended angular extent. Such cameras can be used to record 3D images, 2D images that can be computationally focused, or wide angle panoramic 2D images with relatively high spatial and directional resolutions. The light field cameras can be also be used as 2D/3D switchable cameras with extended angular extent. The spatio-temporal aspects of the novel light field cameras allow them to capture and digitally record the intensity and color from multiple directional views within a wide angle. The inherent volumetric compactness of the light field cameras make it possible to embed in small mobile devices to capture either 3D images or computationally focusable 2D images. The inherent versatility of these light field cameras makes them suitable for multiple perspective light field capture for 3D movies and video recording applications.
US09179121B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a subject detector that detects a predetermined subject in at least one of a first input image and a second input image between which parallax is present; and a combiner that combines a subject frame corresponding to the detected subject with each of the first and second input images stereoscopically displayed on a display section in such a way that the subject frames combined with the first and second input images also provide a depth sensation.
US09179117B2
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes, an error detector configured to make an error check of the stream received, a player configured to reproduce the stream, a memory configured to store a plurality of pieces of displaying data indicating formats of the streams that can be processed by the image processing apparatus, a transmitter configured to transmit the pieces of displaying data stored in the memory to the external device in response to a request from the external device, and a rewriting module configured to delete one piece of displaying data stored in the memory when an error is detected by the error detector.
US09179116B1
A plurality of scenes in a digital video are identified. The length of each scene is compared with a first threshold length and a second threshold length. When the scene is longer than the first threshold length and does not exceed the second threshold length, a first preview is generated for the scene. When the scene is longer than the first threshold length and longer than the second threshold length, a plurality of previews for the scene is generated.
US09179090B2
A moving image recording device comprising, an item superimposition unit configured to superimpose a superimposition item over a moving image in accordance with an input from a user, a storage control unit configured to cause a storage unit to store the moving image together with the superimposition item; and a control unit configured to control the storage unit to store information of an image over which the superimposition item has been superimposed in association with the moving image so that the image over which the superimposition item has been superimposed is used as a representative image of the moving image based on a change in a superimposed state of the superimposition item superimposed over the moving image by the item superimposition unit.
US09179087B2
An AV device is provided that can automatically perform OSD display setting of other AV devices at a time based on local ODS display setting even when a plurality of AV devices are connected. The AV device (depicted as TV 1) includes a connection means (depicted as an HDMI connector 21 and an HDMI connector 22) for making connection with external AV devices 3 and 4 capable of performing OSD display, an OSD processing portion 23 for performing OSD display on a display 17, and a system controller 20 for controlling the entire system. The OSD processing portion 23 generates ODS display setting data 23a from the display setting such as a character color and size in OSD display received from a user using a TV remote controller 2 or the like and stores it. The system controller 20 transmits the OSD display setting data 23a for the TV 1 stored here to the external AV devices 3 and 4 via the HDMI connectors 21 and 22.
US09179083B2
A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a plurality of light-receiving elements that generates a charge for each pixel according to an amount of received light; and a plurality of pixel circuits that operates so as to derive the charge generated by the plurality of light-receiving elements from the plurality of light-receiving elements for each pixel. The plurality of light-receiving elements is arranged in a light-receiving area that receives light from outside, and the plurality of pixel circuits is provided in a non-light-receiving area that does not receive the light from outside.
US09179078B2
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for combining multiple video streams. One method for combining the multiple video streams includes extracting a sequence of media frames (224-1/224-2) from presenter (222-1) video and from shared digital rich media (222-2) video (340). The media frame (224-1/224-2) content is analyzed (226) to determine a set of space and time varying alpha values (228/342). A compositing operation (230) is performed to produce the combined video frames (232) based on the content analysis (226/344).
US09179077B2
Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an imaging system and method in which an array camera is employed along with an image processor to make use of parallax convergence differences between different cameras or groups of cameras within an array camera to provide improved super resolution performance.
US09179071B2
An electronic device and an image selection method thereof are provided. The electronic device is configured to obtain a series of images; determine camera states corresponding to the series of images; select first images from the series of images according to the camera states; determine object states corresponding to the first images; divide the first images into a number of groups according to the object states; and select a candidate image from each of the number of groups. The image selection method is applied to the electronic device to implement the aforesaid operations.
US09179068B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to image an image within a first range on an imaging surface, a first correction unit configured to optically compensate for image shake on the image surface resulting from shake of a device, a second correction unit configured to electronically correct image shake on the image surface resulting from shake of the imaging apparatus, and output an image from a second range that is narrower than the first range, and a control unit configured to determine the moveable range of the first correction unit. The control unit performs control to increase the moveable range of the first correction unit when the second correction unit is used in comparison to when the second correction unit is not used.
US09179066B1
In some embodiments, a plurality of expected values of a drive current corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of potential values of a Hall sensor output is determined. An actual value of the Hall sensor output is measured. An actual value of the drive current is measured. A potential value of the Hall sensor output corresponding to the actual value of the Hall sensor output is selected. The expected value of the drive current associated with the selected potential value of the Hall sensor output is compared to the actual value of the drive current. A value of the drive current is adjusted to reduce a difference between the expected value of the drive current associated with the selected potential value of the Hall sensor output to the actual value of the drive current.
US09179052B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a camera module including a lens barrel part in which a plurality of lenses are stacked, a housing having the lens barrel part disposed therein, and an infrared (IR)-cut filter provided in the housing and disposed at a lower portion of the lens barrel part. According to at least one embodiment, the camera module further includes a circuit board having a window formed therein so as to penetrate through a central region thereof and supporting a bottom surface of the housing; an image sensor accommodated in the window of the circuit board and converting an external image into an electrical signal, and a plate coupled to a lower portion of the circuit board to radiate heat generated from the circuit board.
US09179049B2
An optical device for forming an image of an object, comprising: a semitransparent mirror surface disposed on an optical path of the image of the object; and a light projection unit configured to project light to the semitransparent mirror surface and thereby to combine, on the optical path, the projected light transmitting through the semitransparent mirror surface with the image of the object reflecting from the semitransparent mirror surface, wherein: a first wavelength region is defined in a visible light region to include a wavelength of the projected light; the semitransparent mirror surface has a substantially flat reflectance property within a second wavelength region which is defined in the visible light region not to include the first wavelength region; and transmissivity of the semitransparent mirror surface at the wavelength of the projected light is higher by 10% to 50% than transmissivity in the second wavelength region.
US09179044B2
Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, color calibration can be performed on a printing apparatus by using a preconfigured color map coded to reduce a color difference of a selected reference color sample relative to a color standard, where the selected reference color sample substantially matches a first test color sample printed by the printing apparatus. Installing the preconfigured color map can enable recalibrating the printing apparatus to use the preconfigured color map in adjusting an amount of a number of colorants utilized in printing a second test color sample to reduce the number of color differences of the second test color sample relative to the color standard.
US09179042B2
Novel methods and systems for color space conversions are disclosed, relating to the optimization of a transformation matrix to convert between wide gamut opponent color spaces. The optimization may be based on whether the color values are in or out of gamut.
US09179038B2
Disclosed is an image processing device which is provided with a determination section which determines texture direction in a vicinity region based on the vicinity region which includes a target pixel in the image and a detection section which detects whether or not the target pixel is a defective pixel based on a plurality of pixels including the target pixel which are lined up in the texture direction in the image.
US09179032B2
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a reading condition on a document; a first generation unit that reads, in accordance with the acquired reading condition, the document including a first area in which information-holding images containing readable information and each having a different color overlap each other, and generates image data; a second generation unit that reads data contained in the generated image data and corresponding to the first area, and generates the information-holding images having the respective different colors from values of color components contained in each pixel of the read data; and an execution unit that reads the information contained in each of the generated information-holding images, and executes processing based on the read information.
US09179025B2
An image reading device includes a reading portion, a document type specifying device, and a feed controller. At the reading portion, one side of a document is read. The document type specifying device is configured to specify whether the document is a first type document or a second type document of which length in a feed direction is longer than the first type document. The feed controller is configured or programmed to perform a U-turn control and a switchback control. In the U-turn control, after reading a first side of the first type document at the reading portion, the first type document is fed in a U-turn manner without switching back, and a second side of the first type document is read at the reading portion. In the switchback control, after reading a first side of the second type document at the reading portion, the second type document is caused to switch back, and then a second side of the second type document is read at the reading portion.
US09179022B2
Disclosed is an operation display device for carrying out a setting relating to an image forming device, including: a display device; an operating unit to receive an operation for starting a scroll display of a list in which a plurality of display items are listed, on a screen of the display device; and a control unit to control the scroll display so as to set a speed of the scroll display to a slow speed which is slower than a normal speed when the display item which satisfies a predetermined condition is displayed on the screen after the scroll display of the list is started by receiving the operation, wherein each display item has a plurality of attributes, and the control unit controls the scroll display in accordance with a satisfaction situation of the predetermined condition with respect to each of the plurality of attributes.
US09179011B1
A telephone communication system has at least two telephones and each telephone may be placed in activated mode or in the alternative, stand-by mode such that in stand-by mode a phone is incapable of making or receiving a call until or unless switched to active mode. The system includes a switch configured to activate one of the telephone to be an active mode telephone such that all remaining telephones are on standby mode prior to making an outgoing call or taking an incoming call. The system is configured such that a standby telephone may be switched to active mode during a telephone call on-the-fly.
US09179010B2
The present exemplary embodiment relates to a remote powered node for a hybrid fiber-copper network. The node may be powered using the dormant copper pair(s) linking the node to the telephone exchange to carry a ringer current. The ringer current can be controlled to power all the electrical load of the node. Alternatively, the ringer current may power all of the components common to all customers served by the node, with the customers feeding power to their customer specific components via a UTP cable.
US09179009B1
In general, techniques are described for facilitating usage monitoring control in mobile networks. A mobile gateway comprising one or more processors and a memory may be configured to perform the techniques. The one or more processors may be configured to transmit a usage monitoring report indicative of usage of a service provided via a session for which usage monitoring was previously activated. The memory may be configured to store a monitoring key that was configured as a result of activating the usage monitoring for the service. The one or more processors may also be configured to, in response to the indication to deactivate the usage monitoring, remove the monitoring key that was configured as a part of activating the usage monitoring for the session.
US09179007B1
In general, techniques are described for providing a continuous feedback system that dynamically updates data collection criteria and subscriber policies based on aggregated subscriber-specific and network usage data. For example, a method includes applying one or more subscriber specific policy and charging control (PCC) rules to network traffic to collect network traffic data for a plurality of subscribers, aggregating the network traffic data, and determining, based on the aggregated traffic data, whether subscriber independent data collection criteria need to be updated. The method may also include, responsive to determining that the data collection criteria need to be updated: updating the data collection criteria, translating the updated data collection criteria from updated subscriber independent data collection criteria into updated subscriber specific PCC rules, and applying the updated subscriber specific policy and charging control rules to additional network traffic to collect additional network traffic data.
US09179005B2
A process and apparatus to facilitate communication between callers and callees in a system comprising a plurality of nodes with which callers and callees are associated is disclosed. In response to initiation of a call by a calling subscriber, a caller identifier and a callee identifier are received. Call classification criteria associated with the caller identifier are used to classify the call as a public network call or a private network call. A routing message identifying an address, on the private network, associated with the callee is produced when the call is classified as a private network call and a routing message identifying a gateway to the public network is produced when the call is classified as a public network call.
US09179003B2
A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients.
US09178998B2
A call recording system for recording WebRTC calls between a user and an agent of an enterprise is provided. The call recording system includes a monitor module for monitoring and detecting at least one request to establish WebRTC call with an agent of the enterprise. The call recording system includes a fork module for forking media streams associated with the at least one WebRTC call. The call recording system further includes a record module for recording the forked media streams to record the at least one WebRTC call. The call recording system further includes a barge module for enabling a supervisor to barge into the at least one WebRTC call.
US09178994B2
According to one aspect, a request is received at a services application programming interface (API) of a support center from a user for support services of a product provided by a client of the support center. In response to the request, one or more articles associated with the product are identified that have been published in an online publication forum, where the articles have been extracted from a knowledgebase (KB) based on a support history of the product maintained by the support center. A list of support options is presented to the user, including a first one-touch button to contact an agent of the support center and a link to the one or more articles of the publication forum to allow the user to attempt finding a solution to the product without having to contact the agent of the support center.
US09178993B2
A line connection apparatus is disclosed. A hold/release recognition part records first person identification information by corresponding to second person identification information in a connection database stored in a storage part when a hold is recognized. The first person identification information identifies a first person who holds a line. The second person identification information identifies a second person for whom the line is held. The connection database maintains a state of holding a line and releasing a hold of the line. The connection control part refers to the connection control database and has a first person terminal of the first person in a hold state based on the first person identification information, which is corresponded to the second person identification information indicated by a re-connection request, in response to the re-connection request conducted by a same second person after the line is disconnected in the hold state.
US09178992B2
Audibly informing a recipient of an arrival of a digital communication from a sender includes receiving a digital communication from a sender directed to a recipient and determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier that identifies the sender of the digital communication and that is designated by the sender of the digital communication. Perception by the recipient of the audio identifier is conditioned on whether the digital communication is determined to be associated with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is perceived prior to or concurrent with perception of the digital communication by the recipient.
US09178989B2
A system and method for recording media for a contact center allows for call event tagging and call recording stitching. A processor receives call metadata for a telephony call. The call includes a link to a recording of media exchanged during the telephony call. The processor receives a call event associated with the telephony call. The call event includes a timestamp of when the event occurred during the telephony call. The processor stores the call metadata and the call event in a database record. The processor retrieves the database record for displaying the call event on a display device. A user command is received for identifying the call event in response to the display on the display device. A portion of the recording associated with the call event is retrieved in response to the user command. An audible rendering is then provided of the retrieved portion of the recording.
US09178983B2
A device to automatically provide differing information levels according to a predetermined social hierarchy includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores social templates corresponding to unique social signatures and being selectable to provide, for each level of the predetermined social hierarchy, a corresponding differing amount of information to each member of the predetermined social hierarchy and/or a social networking service. The processor receives sensor data from a sensor set which detects sensor data related to an environment of a communication device, creates a detected social signature from the received sensor data, determines which of the social signatures of the social templates has the greatest correspondence with the created social signature, retrieves from the memory the determined one social template having the greatest correspondence, and provides only as much information as allowed in the retrieved social template.
US09178982B2
In an apparatus and method for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, the external device is automatically enabled without the additional operation of the mobile terminal when plugged into a jack. The mobile terminal may be safeguarded against severe damage being done thereto by mistakenly choosing options to enable an external device while an earphone/microphone set is plugged in the jack of a mobile terminal.
US09178972B2
An exemplary system for providing remote deletion of contact information includes a first device associated with a first user. The first device is configured to generate and send a delete request message to a second device. In some embodiments, the delete request message includes a request to delete contact information for the first user from the second device. The second device can be configured to receive the delete request message and delete the first user's contact information. A method for providing remote deletion of contact information includes a delete request message being generated at a first device, associated with a first user. The delete request message can include a request to delete contact information for the first user. The first device can send the delete request message to a second device. The delete request message can instruct the second device to delete the first user's contact information.
US09178969B2
Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for processing Fiber Channel Fabric Login frames by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA) and a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A Fabric Login (FLOGI) Fiber Channel frame is encapsulated into a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) FIP FLOGI frame at a Fiber Channel device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The encapsulated frame is transmitted from the FIA to a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A FIP link service accept (LS_ACC) frame is transmitted by the FIAC to the FIA, and the FIP LS_ACC frame is received by the FIA. The FIP frame is decapsulated into a Fiber Channel LS_ACC frame at the FIA. The Fiber Channel LS_ACC frame is transmitted back to the said Fiber Channel device.
US09178964B1
A method and apparatus are disclosed for distributing content items to a handheld device using a personal computer. A user can browse and select content using a personal computer or other computer that may be more readily available or more convenient to use than the handheld device. The personal computer can communicate with a web server which receives the user's request for content to be distributed to the handheld device. The web server can retrieve configuration information pertaining to the handheld device and communicate with a content server to determine whether the user's request for content distribution is valid based on information identifying the handheld device and at least some of the configuration information pertaining to the handheld device. The content server can transmit the requested content item to the handheld device if the user's request is valid and if the handheld device is able to receive the content item.
US09178954B2
A system is provided for delivering push content to a wireless device. The system includes a central storage device, a push content delivery component, and a transfer protocol delivery component. The central storage device stores push content to be delivered to the wireless device. The push content delivery component generates a manifest identification (ID) of content to be delivered to the wireless device and delivers the manifest ID to the wireless device in a communication. The delivery component includes the central storage device and is connected to the push content delivery component. The delivery component delivers the manifest to the wireless device upon receipt of the manifest ID from the wireless device and delivers to the wireless device the content identified in the manifest upon request from the wireless device.
US09178939B2
A first computing device receives one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding one or more components, wherein each component is part of one or more systems and wherein each system includes one or more sub systems. The first computing device determines that a first system has changed based on the first computing device comparing the one or more messages to a hierarchical model, wherein the change to the first system includes a change associated with a first component of the first system. The first computing device determines a position of the first component within the first system and within one or more sub-systems of the first system based on the one or more messages. The first computing device updates the hierarchical model to include the first component in a hierarchical location that corresponds to the determined position of the first component.
US09178935B2
A method and system for forming hybrid cluster to process log files are described. In example embodiments, a method configures a node to execute as a first slave node. The first slave node executes in a first operating environment. The method also adds the first slave node to a Hadoop cluster. The Hadoop cluster includes a second slave node that operates in a second and different operating environment.
US09178931B2
A system and a method for accessing data by a client computer system from a server computer system, the client computer system including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, are described. The method includes receiving, by the client computer system from an application program, a read request to read at least a portion of a data file; sending, by the client computer system to the server computer system, a request for exact data corresponding to the at least the portion of the data file requested by the application program in the read request; receiving, by the client computer system from the server computer system, a response to the request including the exact data requested by the client computer system; and providing, by the client computer system to the application program, the exact data in response to the read request.
US09178922B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a provider network configured to redirect multimedia content between receiver devices associated with a user. A first multimedia stream representative of the multimedia content is transmitted to a first receiver device associated with the user. In response to detecting a triggering event corresponding to an occurrence of a monitored condition, a second multimedia stream representative of the multimedia content is transcoded and a redirection process is initiated to redirect transmission of the transcoded second media stream. The multimedia content is streamed to a second receiver device associated with the user based on a user-specified redirection rule. Transmitting of the first multimedia stream is halted in response to initiation of transmission of the transcoded second stream and a listing of receiver devices associated with the user is established for redirecting the multimedia content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09178916B2
A system and method for the late-biding of time-based media in real-time With late binding, the sender may create time-based media before or at the same time an active delivery route to the recipient is discovered. As soon as the route becomes available, the media is transmitted. The existing DNS and email infrastructure is possibly used for route discovery, while any real-time transmission protocol may be used for the actual delivery of the media. “Progressive” emails may also be used for the real-time delivery of time-based media.
US09178910B2
The present invention implements detailed access control according to access rights granted to users, by a simple configuration. A communication system includes: a plurality of forwarding nodes that process a received packet in accordance with a processing rule (packet handling operation) associating a matching rule for identifying a flow and processing content to be applied to a packet that conforms with the matching rule; a policy management apparatus provided with an access control policy storage unit that associates roles assigned to users and access rights set for each role, the policy management apparatus providing information related to access rights associated with a role of a user who is successfully authenticated, to a control apparatus; and the control apparatus that creates a path between a terminal of the user who is successfully authenticated and a resource that the user can access, based on information related to access rights received from the policy management apparatus, and sets a processing rule in a forwarding node in the path in question.
US09178909B2
Information associated with a port security state of a network device is received. The received information is converted into an icon that corresponds to the port security state of the network device. The icon is displayed to a user.
US09178908B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method can identify abnormal computer behavior. The method can receive, at a computer server subsystem and from a web server system, computer code to be served in response to a request from a computing client over the internet. The method can also modify the computer code to obscure operational design of the web server system that could be determined from the computer code, and supplement the computer code with instrumentation code that is programmed to execute on the computing client. The method may serve the modified and supplemented computer code to the computing client.
US09178907B2
A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting encoded shellcode. In use, network traffic that is encoded is identified. Further, it is determined whether the network traffic that is encoded includes shellcode.
US09178892B2
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program are provided for managing access to computer resources. An example method includes receiving a request, from a client process, for performing an operation on a computer resource, including receiving the request by a kernel of an operating system for creating a separate process to perform the requested operation on the computer resource; obtaining, by a resource manager, metadata of the computer resource, security policies for the client process to perform the requested operation on the computer resource, and data relating to operations requested by other client processes on the computer resource; and performing the requested operation on the resource upon detecting that the requested operation does not: alter the metadata, violate an isolation condition of the computer resource, violate rights of the client process, and distort the operations requested by the other client processes.
US09178883B2
An authentication service running on a processing device receives a request from a local area network (LAN) to authenticate a computing device (and/or a user of the computing device) that has attempted to access the LAN, the request comprising a first identifier (ID) that uniquely identifies the computing device. The authentication service determines whether to authenticate the computing device based on the first ID, information from a third party data set, and an authentication criterion of the LAN. Responsive to determining that the information from the third party data set satisfies the authentication criterion, the authentication service notifies the LAN that the computing device is authenticated.
US09178879B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing device-based authentication for secure online access are provided. An authentication request is received from an online service. The authentication request may be associated with a login request received by the online service from a user. The authentication request may further indicate a list of device identifiers for computing devices connected to a provider network and previously designated by the user as authorized to access the online service. Communication logs collected from the provider network are analyzed to determine whether the login request originated from one of the authorized computing devices based on the list of device identifiers. If it is determined that the login request originated from one of the authorized computing devices, an indication is returned to the online service that the login request was received from an authorized computing device.
US09178878B2
Physically access-protected service access, such as a service flap having a mechanical lock, for example, are used to ensure the secure establishment of security check information. Logical access security to service functions is produced using the security check information via additional, decentralized service interfaces. For this purpose, it is not the mobile service device that is connected to the physically access-protected communications interface, but rather a second authentication module associated with the mobile service device. Security check information is provided by the authentication module for secure service access to the network via additional, decentralized communications interfaces of the network.
US09178874B2
The current invention discloses methods, devices and systems for logging in a third party server through a browser application at a client terminal. After receiving a validation request from a third party server, the main server for the browser application may choose to grant or deny the request. The validation request, which may include a third party identifier, a user identifier, and a session key, can be triggered by a data access request from the browser application. If there is an active communication session between the client terminal and the server, the server may send an authorization request to the third party so that the third party server allows the client terminal to access non-sensitive data associated with the user identifier through the browser application without further validation of the data access request. The current invention provides additional convenience and security for third party login operations.
US09178870B2
A user authentication method using a self-signed certificate of a web server includes: receiving a log-in message generated by using a public key registered to the self-signed certificate of the web server from a client device; generating a response message by using the log-in message and a secret key corresponding to the public key; transmitting the generated response message to the client device; receiving a verification value from the client device via a secure socket layer (SSL) channel connected by using the self-signed certificate of the web server from the client device when a reliability of the response message is verified at the client device; verifying a reliability of the log-in message by using the received verification value; and confirming completion of user authentication if the reliability of the log-in message is verified.
US09178862B1
A method that includes using a user input device to allow a user to log-in to an e-mail account or user account, using the user input device to allow the user to enter an electronic message or select an electronic message, generating a first checksum based on the electronic message, transmitting the first checksum to a server, encrypting the electronic message, using a communications module to receive a unique postal identifier from a server and associate the unique postal identifier with the encrypted electronic message, and using a communications module to transmit the encrypted electronic message to a recipient client via a computer network.
US09178857B2
A system and method for supplying, to a provider of the device, requirements for information to be stored on a device, obtaining device data for provisioning the device on a network, storing device configuration information on storage associated with the network, receiving a service request from a user of the device, detecting attachment of the device to the network, authenticating the device utilizing a device identifier and shared credentials to enable the device to be configured without storing a network address for configuration in the device, providing network information to the device, and providing configuration information to the device.
US09178854B2
In one embodiment, two way communication between an IP phone behind a firewall and an IP phone behind a translation device is established. A network security device receives a remote packet from the translation device. The header of the remote packet includes the address of the translation device, and a payload of the remote packet includes an embedded remote address and the media port of the IP phone behind the translation device. A memory stores the media port matched with the address of the translation device. When the network security device receives a local packet from the IP phone behind the firewall destined for the IP phone behind the translation device, a controller rewrites the destination port of the local packet with the media port.
US09178852B2
Techniques for in-line filtering of insecure or unwanted mobile components or communications (e.g., insecure or unwanted behaviors associated with applications for mobile devices (“apps”), updates for apps, communications to/from apps, operating system components/updates for mobile devices, etc.) for mobile devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, in-line filtering of apps for mobile devices includes intercepting a request for downloading an application to a mobile device; and modifying a response to the request for downloading the application to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the response includes a notification that the application cannot be downloaded due to an application risk policy violation.
US09178851B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for processing a first plurality of packets using one or more processors and maintaining one or more flow records associated with the first plurality of packets, and processing a second plurality of packets without maintaining flow records associated with the second plurality of packets and allowing the second plurality of packets to pass to one or more destinations.
US09178850B2
A connection policy for a communications network has a local connection policy indicating which paths between a given one of the nodes (computer A, router A, host 898) and others of the nodes (computers B, C, filters B1, B2, C1, C2, hosts 890, 892) are allowable paths, by a symbolic expression of ranges endpoint addresses and other local connection policies in respect of other nodes. It is implemented in a distributed manner by determining, for the given node, which of the allowable paths, are dual authorized as allowable by the other local connection policy relating to the other node at the other end of that path, by Boolean operations on the symbolic expressions. For a given message for a given path between two of the nodes having their own local connection policies, both of these nodes determine whether the given path is currently dual authorized. This can provide reassurance that changes in versions of the connection policy won't transiently open a risk of undetected unwanted communication.
US09178849B2
A system for providing motion signals indicative of a motion to be performed by the motion platforms synchronously with video images comprising an input interface for extracting a motion signal from the input signal. A server provides a network address to each motion platform. A motion platform interface has control ports connected to arrays of motion platforms. Each motion platform being connected one to another by a wired connection according to a control protocol. The motion platform interface individually actuates each of the motion platforms by providing a client motion signal to each motion platform comprising the motion signal with a respective network address. Each motion platform is managed according to a respective feedback signal comprising the provided network address of each motion platform.
US09178845B2
The method is performed as a client device and includes receiving a first message that includes a first data usage value. The first message is formatted according to a respective format. After receiving the first message, the method further includes acquiring a data usage template corresponding to the respective format. The method further includes receiving a second message that includes a second data usage value. The second message is formatted according to the respective format. The method further includes parsing the second message according to the data usage template so as to obtain a second data usage value.
US09178843B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for sending an electronic mail receipt and a mobile terminal. In the method, a first mobile terminal obtains an electronic mail sent by a second mobile terminal. A header of the electronic mail contains indication information about whether it is required to send a receipt for the electronic mail. When the first mobile terminal determines according to the indication information that it is required to send a receipt, the first mobile terminal obtains a phone number of the second mobile terminal from the electronic mail and sends a short message with preset content to the phone number of the second mobile terminal.
US09178837B2
An example method is provided and includes receiving a data message from a first virtual local area network; determining at an edge switch-router of a Layer-2 network whether the message should be routed; and routing the message in the Layer-2 network at the edge switch-router if the message should be routed. The method also includes switching the message at the edge switch-router if the message should not be routed.
US09178836B2
Relating to a home network system and a home entertainment system, a method and an apparatus for transmitting packets in a home network system and a home entertainment system are disclosed. Additionally, a method for identifying devices to which the packets are to be transmitted and an apparatus for supporting the same are also disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, a method for transmitting a packet in a high definition base transmission (hereinafter referred to as HDBaseT) system includes the steps of receiving data from a source device in a transmission adaptor, converting the received data from the transmission adaptor to a downstream packet, in order to transmit the converted downstream packet to a receiving adaptor through an HDBaseT network, and transmitting the converted downstream packet to the receiving adaptor; At this point, the downstream packet may include a hierarchical identifier for identifying HDBaseT entities to which the downstream packet is to be transmitted.
US09178834B1
A communication technique which includes determining, at least in part by comparing data associated with a packet that has been pulled from a received packet queue with a highest sequence number among packets that have been placed in the received packet queue, that the received packet queue has space available to receive a further packet. A receiver with which the received packet queue is associated is sent, based at least in part on the determination, a next packet.
US09178817B2
Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for creating virtual links between Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) nodes. FIP Discovery Advertisement frames are received from multiple FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The FIP Discovery Advertisement frames comprises source Ethernet MAC addresses, a destination Ethernet MAC address of All-ENode-MACs, Fabric FIP descriptor, and a Priority FIP descriptor. A list is stored of one or more of the source Ethernet MAC address, FIP Priority descriptor, and FIP Fabric descriptor for each unique FIP Discovery Advertisement frame received as indicated by the Fabric descriptor. The Name Server is queried for each source Ethernet MAC address in said storage. For all FCoE devices that match in more that one Name Server, connect to those FCoE devices using the highest priority Ethernet MAC address from matching list items.
US09178816B1
In general, techniques are described for providing control plane messaging in an active-active (or all-active) configuration of a multi-homed EVPN environment. In some examples, the techniques include receiving a control plane message comprising at least one address that identifies that second PE network device. The techniques may include configuring, based at least in part on the control plane message, a forwarding plane of a first PE network device to identify network packets having respective destination addresses that match the at least one address. The techniques may include determining that at least one address of the network packet matches the at least one address that identifies the second PE network device. The techniques may include, responsive to the determination, skipping a decrement of the Time-To-Live (TTL) value of the network packet, and forwarding the network packet to the second PE network device.
US09178812B2
Presented herein are techniques useful in a network comprising a plurality of network nodes each configured to apply one or more service functions to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A network node receives packets encapsulated in a service header that includes information defining a variable set of context headers stacked into an association of metadata that is relevant to one or more service functions within a service path comprised of one or more network nodes. The network node interprets a forwarding state and a next-hop network node for the service path from the service header, and determines a service action or associated metadata from the set of context headers.
US09178809B1
An aggregation node establishes a first session using a traffic-engineering label distribution protocol. The first session has a next hop adjacent to the aggregation node and positioned within a same network as the aggregation node. The aggregation node also establishes a second session using a traffic-engineering label distribution protocol, wherein the second session has a remote next hop positioned at a border between the network and a second network. The aggregation node sends a message destined for the remote next hop over the second session for establishing an end-to-end traffic engineered label switched path for a FEC specified in a label request message received from an access node, wherein the message includes the same the data indicating constraint information that was received by the aggregation node in the label request message.
US09178804B2
Embodiments including methods, systems, and apparatuses for distributing, processing, and reacting to path information distributed via a service-agnostic packet fabric for the purpose of enabling path selection are disclosed. By configuring two ingress line cards to send path quality words to each other via the switch fabric, compare the path quality words, and determine whether to transmit traffic to an egress line card via the switch fabric based on the comparison of the path quality words, the embodiments enable a central switch fabric to be unaware of the paths that it carries, and enable both ingress and egress bandwidth of the switch fabric to be sized according to the facilities for which it is terminating. The switch fabric does not need to support working and protection paths simultaneously in some embodiments, allowing it to be scaled appropriately to termination facilities.
US09178803B2
A technique is disclosed, according to which a mobile node, having a plurality of interfaces and performing communication according to flow information when an operator is performing communication based on the flow information as defined by a policy, can select an interface suitable for the flow and can perform communication. According to this technique, a mobile node (MN 10) having a plurality of interfaces has a list to indicate domain limited flows to be transmitted only within a specific network (a trusted network), and a list to indicate the trusted networks. When a certain interface performs handover, and in case there is a domain limited flow that uses the interface, it is decided whether the network of handover destination is a trusted network or not, and in case the network of the handover destination is not a trusted network, it is decided whether it is possible or not to transmit and receive the domain limited flow via another interface that is connected to the trusted network.
US09178794B2
Conventional network quality monitoring systems require high monitoring cost, because: physical maintenance cost is high, since monitors are required to install on many portion of the network; the number of monitoring flows is apt to increase; the cost for information synchronization between monitors is required; and the network cost to collect information from apparatuses is required. In the present invention, based on a network whose route is definable by an external controller and changing the monitoring flow route appropriately, it is possible to perform monitoring of the communication quality under a small number of monitoring terminals and flows. Further, the role of the monitoring flow is divided into the monitoring flows to monitor the quality degradation occurrence and to specify the quality degradation point. The former is used for normal time, and the latter is for the quality degradation time. Consequently, the network monitoring system reducing the cost is proposed.
US09178782B2
Network devices add annotation information to network packets as they travel through the network devices. The network devices may be switches, routers, bridges, hubs, or any other network device. The annotation information may be information specific to the network devices, as opposed to simply the kinds of information available at application servers that receive the network packets. As just a few examples, the annotation information may include switch buffer levels, routing delay, routing parameters affecting the packet, switch identifiers, power consumption, and heat, moisture, or other environmental data.
US09178779B2
A server connectable to a client able to manage successively transitioned-to states. The server has a set storage unit for storing a set including a predetermined state; a server-side communication unit for communicating with the client using a privacy-preserving set-intersection protocol for detecting whether an element in a mutual set is a common element between mutual sets while preserving privacy; and a determining unit for determining whether the state of the client is included in the set stored by the set storage unit on the basis of ciphertext received in accordance with the privacy-preserving set-intersection protocol. Also provided is an information processing method which is able to manage successively transitioned-to-states.
US09178778B2
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for implementing real-time transport control protocol (RTCP) to obtain end-to-end session information. The system receives an RTCP extension that is associated with an RTCP packet in a communication session. The RTCP extension may include an instruction for transmitting RTCP data based on a triggering event. The RTCP extension can be configured to propagate along the communication session. Next, in response to the triggering event, the system can transmit the RTCP data to an address defined by the instruction as a destination address for receiving information associated with the triggering event.
US09178777B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products allow a user of DSL or the like to implement user preferences to the extent feasible in light of operational limits and conditions. In some embodiments, an operational profile is imposed on the user. User preference data is evaluated to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences can be implemented in light of the operational profile. One or more controllers can assist in collecting user preference data, evaluating the user preference data, operational data and other data and information, and implementing user preferences as feasible. Evaluation of the user preference data and operational profile and/or data can include considering the compatibility of the user's preferences and the operational profile and/or data. Controllers assisting users can include a local controller at the user's location, one or more upstream-end local controllers, one or more remote location controllers, and/or one or more other downstream-end device controllers at locations other than the user's location. Data and information can be shared among the various controllers, either using the DSL system itself or using a proprietary or other alternative data system.
US09178763B2
According to an example, an application performance measurement for an application for a current time interval, a performance specification for the application, and a resource consumption metric for a resource of a plurality of resources that are to process the application for the current time interval may be accessed. In addition, the application performance measurement, the performance specification, and the resource consumption metric may be used to determine a resource specification for a next time interval for the resource of the plurality of resources. Moreover, the resource specification may be used to determine, by a processor, a resource weight for the resource of the plurality of resources for the next time interval.
US09178758B2
A method for shortening a circuit switch fallback (CSFB) performing time includes determining a plurality of weighting values each associated with one of a plurality of frequencies to be measured during a CSFB procedure, determining a frequency measurement sequence for scheduling the frequencies to be measured in sequence according to the determined weighting values, and measuring a signal quality on the frequencies according to the frequency measurement sequence.
US09178743B2
A method includes buffering a plurality of video streams within a buffer of a video server and generating a unicast video output and a multicast video output at the buffer.
US09178741B2
A given data unit of a first protocol layer for transmission in a data unit based communication system is passed to a second protocol layer. A numeric value of a numerically quantifiable parameter associated with said given data unit of said first protocol layer is determined and the given data unit is embedded into one or more data units of the second protocol layer and transmission control for the one or more data units of the second protocol layer is performed in accordance with said numeric value of said numerically quantifiable parameter.
US09178737B2
An OFDM signal generator includes a time domain data signal generator configured to generate a time domain data signal, a partial signal generator configured to generate a plurality of partial signals based on a tail section of the time domain data signal, and a circuit element configured to form a difference between or a sum of the time domain data signal and the plurality of partial signals.
US09178734B2
A communications transmitter includes a combination modulator and a baseband processor configured to generate amplitude, angle, in-phase and quadrature signals. The combination modulator is configured to modulate in the quadrature domain or the polar domain, depending on an output power level of the transmitter and/or the type of modulation scheme being used. When configured to modulate in the quadrature domain, the baseband processor is configured to generate time-varying in-phase and quadrature modulating signals and time-invariant amplitude and angle signals for the combination modulator. When configured to modulate in the polar domain, the baseband processor is configured to generate time-varying amplitude and angle modulating signals and time-invariant in-phase and quadrature signals for the combination modulator. In another embodiment of the invention, the communications transmitter is configurable to operate in three different operational modes: linear, envelope tracking and switch modes. Which operational mode the communications transmitter is configured to transmit depends on the type of modulation scheme being used and/or the transmitter output power level.
US09178717B1
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for enabling leaf isolation in a multi-node tree network. In one exemplary embodiment, an Ethernet virtual network (EVC) system has a multi-node E-Tree network comprising a plurality of nodes (e.g., switches), including at least one ingress node and at least one egress node. The ingress node is configured to receive a data packet to be communicated through the E-Tree network and to modify a field, such as the tag protocol identifier (TPID), in the packet's header to indicate whether the data packet is received by the ingress node via a leaf port. As the data packet is communicated through the E-Tree network, the nodes determine the leaf status of the packet based on the modified field thereby enabling the nodes to enforce leaf isolation rules. The egress node upon receiving the packet is configured to adjust the modified field as appropriate such that the field on egress matches the field on ingress. Accordingly, the use of the field as a leaf indicator in the E-Tree network should not affect the ability of downstream components to properly handle the data packet.
US09178716B2
One example embodiment provides a method and system where a node in a utility network registers with one or more access point devices associated with one or more local area utility networks. The utility node generates a unique network address using a network address prefix of a network address associated with the access point device. The utility node registers with a DNS server. Messages sent to the utility node are routed through the access point corresponding to the received prefix used to generate the unique network address for the utility node. The network address for the utility node and access point may be IPv6 addresses and the network address prefix may be an IPv6 prefix, or may be an IPv4 address.
US09178714B2
A method for transmitting data from within a wired communication system is disclosed. A first network-enabled device can select one of a plurality of communication mediums for transmitting the data stream to the second device and transmit the data stream to the second device using the selected communication medium. The first device determines that the transmission of the data stream using the selected communication medium is being interfered with by transmission of other data from the first device to a third device on another of the plurality of communication mediums. In response to determining that the transmission of the data stream to the second device on the selected communication medium is being interfered with by the transmission of the other data to the third device using the other communication medium, the first device turns off the transmission of the other data to the third device on the other communication medium.
US09178713B1
In a line termination unit integrated circuit in a point-to-multipoint network, a receiver receives an upstream transmission from a network termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, a transmitter transmits a downstream transmission to a network termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, and an internal processor operatively coupled to the receiver processes sub-fields within the overhead field of the upstream transmission. The internal processor is also operatively coupled to the transmitter to assemble the overhead field of the downstream transmission. The upstream transmission is an upstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field, and the downstream transmission is a downstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field.
US09178708B2
A capture device such as a camera and/or sound recorder records an event, which includes a visual and/or audible presentation of a time value that is non-deterministic, yet a function of physical time. The non-deterministic time value (NDT) may be generated as a function of a calendar value created at time intervals as a root hash value of a distributed, hash-tree document authentication infrastructure. If the NDT value included in the recording of the event does not match the NDT value corresponding to the calendar value from which it was generated, the recording may be assumed to be altered. Digital time-stamping may be included for the recording of the event to reduce the opportunity for back-dating of the recording. NDT may also be generated simply for display by a clock, for example as an NDT time zone.
US09178707B2
In various example embodiments, a system and method for providing policy-based authentication is provided. In example embodiments, a request to access and sign a document is received from a device of an intended signer. A policy assigned to the intended signer is determined. Based on the policy, a determination is made whether an authentication mechanism is applicable to the intended signer. In response to the determining that the authentication mechanism is applicable to the intended signer, the intended user is required to perform the authentication mechanism. The intended user is provided access to view and sign the document based on the intended user satisfying the authentication mechanism.
US09178705B2
A method of validating parameters of a request from a Web client to a Web application. The validation rules are sent to a Web client, together with a response to a Web client. The parameters in a response are updated by the Web client. The updated parameters are sent in a subsequent request to the Web client, along with the validation rules. The updated parameters are validated using the validation rules in the request, thus achieving stateless validation. The validation rules are preferably digitally signed.
US09178697B2
Techniques are disclosed for improving security in virtual private network. In one embodiment, key information is generated for a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a first device and a second device. A plurality of shares is then generated based on the key information. A first set of one or more shares is stored on a dongle that is paired to the first device. A second set of one or more shares is stored on the first device. In response to a request to resume the VPN connection, the first set of shares is retrieved from the dongle. The key information is reconstructed based on the first set of shares and the second set of shares. The reconstructed key information may then be used to resume the VPN connection.
US09178695B2
The invention relates to a method for preventing the fraudulent use of an electronic device and thus for effectively combating the fraudulent dissemination of protected content. The invention further relates to such a device as well as to a method enabling permanent revocation thereof if the device is considered to be unlawfully used or optional reinstatement of the device.
US09178693B2
Example distributed media-protection systems and methods to operate the same are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises receiving a media stream at a first set top box (STB) via a content delivery system, splitting, at the first STB, the received media stream into at least two portions, allocating, using a processor at the first STB, a first of the at least two portions to the first STB and a second of the at least two portions to a second STB based on a pseudorandom seed, and storing the first of the at least two portions on the first STB and the second of the at least two portions on the second STB.
US09178692B1
A method is disclosed for handling packet data. The method includes assembling request packets for transmission along a plurality of serial lanes. For each lane, at least a portion of the request packets are framed into a request link frame having a plurality of words. The request link frame is defined by a preset word length. Request training words are inserted into the request link frame at intervals corresponding to the preset word length. Response packets are queued, where the response packets include response training words having an associated latency based on the programmed interval of the request training words.
US09178690B2
System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data over a multi-wire data communications link, particularly between two devices within an electronic apparatus. Each symbol in a sequence of symbols received from a plurality of signal wires is received in an odd transmission interval or an even transmission interval. A first clock signal is generated from transitions in signaling state of the wires occurring between each odd transmission interval and a consecutive even transmission interval. A second clock signal is generated from transitions in signaling state of the plurality of wires occurring between each even transmission interval and a consecutive odd transmission interval. The first and second clock signals are used to capture symbols received in even and odd transmission intervals, respectively.
US09178689B2
The present invention relates to a method includes: implementing, by the board in the BBU1, frequency synchronization between a system clock of the board in the BBU1 and a system clock of the board in the BBU0 by using a synchronous Ethernet clock that is output by the board in the BBU0; and implementing, by the board in the BBU1, time synchronization between the system clock of the board in the BBU1 and the system clock of the board in the BBU0 by using an IEEE1588 clock that is output by the board in the BBU0. The present invention can enable the multimode base station to support more standards.
US09178686B2
A technique capable of improving a packet catch rate when applied to a communication device, for example. An SNR improvement circuit for improving an SNR of an input signal includes a delay unit for delaying the input signal to generate one or more delay signals, and an adder for adding the one or more delay signals and the input signal before being delayed. The input signal contains a periodic signal in which the same signal is repeated a predetermined number of times with a predetermined period. The delay unit generates the one or more delay signals with delay time which is α times (α is a natural number, and is set at different values with respect to two or more delay signals) longer than the predetermined period.
US09178680B2
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and apparatus coordinating downlink multipoint transmissions. One embodiment of the method includes transmitting, from a first base station, first information indicating a first constraint on a starting position for downlink data transmission by the first base station or one or more second base stations. This embodiment of the method also includes transmitting, from the first base station, second information that includes a bit. A combination of the bit and the first information indicates the starting position for the downlink data transmission.
US09178679B2
A method and an apparatus for feedback transmission in a wireless communication system are provided. A terminal selects at least one subband among plural subbands constituting a set of subbands and transmits information about feedback measured for the at least one subband. The feedback information contains an index of the at least one subband, and the at least one subband is selected in consideration of resource mapping of the plural subbands.
US09178678B2
A method of supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) includes receiving an initial uplink grant on a downlink channel, transmitting uplink data on an uplink channel using the initial uplink grant, receiving a request for retransmission of the uplink data, determining at least one transmission parameter of a channel quality indicator (CQI) from the initial uplink grant, multiplexing retransmission data of the uplink data with the CQI, and transmitting the multiplexed data on the uplink channel. Amount of resources for transmission of the CQI is determined based on the at least one transmission parameter.
US09178677B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) with user equipment in a wireless communication system. The user equipment performs channel coding on information bits of UCI to generate encoded information bits; modulates the generated encoded information bits to generate complex modulation symbols; spreads the complex modulation symbols blockwise into a plurality of single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols on the basis of an orthogonal sequence; and transmits the spread complex modulation symbols to a base station.
US09178670B2
In the transmission of user data for a user equipment and control information on the user data to the user equipment using a plurality of carrier waves by a base station in a wireless communication system, the control information can be transmitted over a portion of the plurality of carrier waves, and carrier waves over which only the user data is transmitted can be generated without the control information. Here, the base station transmits, at a certain number of subframes following the subframes at which the control information is transmitted, the user data over the carrier waves to which only the user data is allocated. Thus, the user equipment can minimize the buffering of the user data during the detection of the control information, and decode the user data.
US09178666B2
Provided is a method for operating multi-type beacons by a first terminal connected with at least one second terminal through short-range communication. The method includes checking at least one variable related to the second terminal, allocating one selected from a plurality of beacons having different characteristics to the second terminal, taking into account the checked variable, and transmitting the beacon allocated to the second terminal.
US09178664B2
A method and apparatus for handling a downlink control information indication for retransmission, the method receiving a downlink control information indication for retransmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process; and if a transport block size in the downlink control information has changed compared with a transport block size associated with the HARQ process or a previous uplink grant for the HARQ process: handling the downlink control information indication for retransmission.
US09178658B2
A system and method for channel interleaver and layer mapping in a communications system with spatial multiplexing are provided. A method for transmitting information over M layers, where M is a positive integer value representing a number of spatial layers, and M≧2, includes receiving at least one codeword to transmit, grouping a plurality of symbols in the at least one codeword into M groups, mapping the M groups to the M layers, and transmitting the M layers. The at least one codeword includes the plurality of symbols, and each symbol includes two or more code bits.
US09178644B2
An apparatus comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine a plurality of available wavelengths that are available to transmit data over an optical network comprising a plurality of downstream nodes, select a plurality of encoding wavelengths from the available wavelengths, wherein the encoding wavelengths are a subset of the available wavelengths, apply a plurality of relative power levels to the encoding wavelengths, and encode the data using the encoding wavelengths and the relative power levels, wherein the encoding wavelengths and the relative power levels dictate the switching behavior of the downstream nodes when the data is received by the downstream nodes.
US09178638B2
A method for generating a de-mapping clock for service data is provided, comprising: receiving a data frame and obtaining a payload value from the data frame; obtaining distribution of valid service data in a certain time cycle according to the payload value in the data frame; generating a data writing clock according to the distribution of the valid service data, performing a homogenization treatment on the data writing clock, and obtaining the data writing virtual clock; comparing a non-gap statistical quantity of the data writing virtual clock with a non-gap statistical quantity of the service clock gap, and generating a de-mapping clock gap according to the comparison result; generating a service clock gap according to the de-mapping clock gap; and performing a phase-locked loop process on the de-mapping clock gap, so as to obtain a recovery clock signal required by a de-mapping process.
US09178633B2
An apparatus generally having an interface and a circuit is disclosed. The interface may be connectable to a network to monitor a media program streaming across the network to a media client. The circuit may be configured to (i) generate first information by modeling a buffer of the media client, the first information being representative of a plurality of events related to the buffer during a playback of the media program and (ii) generate a signal representative of a quality of experience of the media program in response to the first information.
US09178622B2
A multi-channel or bidirectional optoelectronic device comprises a two or more optoelectronic components, e.g., a photodetector and a light source. A protective encapsulant can be applied to the optoelectronic device that includes hollow dielectric microspheres to reduce electrical cross-talk, and that can further include an optical absorber to reduce optical cross-talk.
US09178616B2
Identifier information (LLID) of an ONU and transfer instruction information indicating a transmission system as the output destination of a downstream frame are registered in a table (22) in correspondence with each of the destination IDs of the ONUs or user apparatuses connected to the ONUs. Upon receiving a downstream frame from a host apparatus, a frame transfer processing unit (20) acquires an LLID and transfer instruction information corresponding to the destination ID of the downstream frame from the table (22).
US09178610B1
An optical communication device includes a transmitter having a transmitter port and a receiver having loopback and receiver ports. The transmitter transmits a first multiplexed signal in a first optical spectrum from the transmitter port. The receiver receives the first multiplexed signal in the loopback port and a second multiplexed signal in the receiver port. The second multiplexed signal is in a second optical spectrum different from the first optical spectrum. The receiver includes a demultiplexer in optical communication with the loopback port and the receiver port. The demultiplexer demultiplexes the first and second multiplexed signals received by the loopback and receiver ports.
US09178585B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for configuring additional CPICHs, e.g. third CPICH, fourth CPICH, etc., to support MIMO transmissions of rank three or higher. The additional CPICHs may be configured with two or more power levels. A radio network controller (RNC) sends configuration information for the additional CPICHs to a serving base station in a cell to configure the additional CPICHs. The additional CPICHs can be configured to have a fixed power level, or multiple power levels. When the additional CPICHs are configured with multiple power levels, the base station can select the appropriate power level for each CPICH in dependence on current scheduling decisions in order to reduce inference.
US09178579B2
A wireless device, including: an antenna configured to receive a reception signal, a processor configured to convert the reception signal into a first signal that includes a product of an upper triangular matrix and a transmission signal, to detect a first region, to which the first signal belongs, on an IQ plane, a memory configured to store a symbol ranking table that stores symbol candidates in an order of shorter distance from a region center, up to an order that is equal to a rank upper limit value that is set to be lower than a modulation multi-level number of the transmission signal, wherein the processor is further configured to select a first symbol candidate based on the first region and the symbol ranking table.
US09178578B2
A base station receiver, a computer program product operable at a base station, and a method operable at a base station receiver, for receiving uplink transmit diversity transmissions utilizing a master/slave scheme at the receiver. One or more tracking loops, such as a searcher task, a time tracking loop, or a frequency tracking loop may be implemented at the base station receiver to determine compensation values, such as finger timings for a rake receiver or frequency compensation values, in accordance with characteristics of a first received pilot channel transmitted utilizing a first precoding weight vector. Here, corresponding compensation values may be derived for the reception of a secondary pilot channel transmitted utilizing an precoding weight vector orthogonal to the first precoding weight vector, simply based on those determined for the first pilot channel.
US09178561B2
A plurality of samples of a signal are stored in a buffer, the signal corresponding to a navigation system. A plurality of starting locations in the buffer are determined, the plurality of starting locations corresponding to a plurality of correlations to be calculated. A plurality of correlations are calculated using i) a plurality of local replica signals, and ii) data read from the buffer using the plurality of starting locations, the local replica signals corresponding to pseudo random number (PRN) codes utilized by transmitting devices in the navigation system. The plurality of correlations are utilized to one or more of i) detect PRN codes in the signal, ii) detect one or more phase shifts associated with PRN codes, or iii) detect one or more frequency shifts associated with PRN codes.
US09178555B2
The present disclosure relates to a World Band Radio Frequency Power Amplifier and a World Band Radio Frequency Front End Module. The World Band Power Amplifier can contain at least one broadband power amplifier connected to a switch which can direct an RF input signal to a plurality of transmission paths, each transmission path configured for a different frequency. The World Band RFFE Module is more integrated version of the World Band Power Amplifier that can contain broadband RF PA(s), switches, logic controls, filters, duplexers and other active and passive components.
US09178552B1
In a method for channel adaptation, an analog input signal is received with a bimodal receiver via a communications channel. The analog input signal is converted to a digital input signal with an analog-to-digital converter of a digital receiver of the bimodal receiver. Channel coefficients are detected for the digital input signal associated with the communications channel. The channel coefficients indicate a number of post-cursor taps of the bimodal receiver to be used to provide an equalized digital output signal from the digital input signal. It is determined whether the number of post-cursor taps or a value associated therewith is equal to or less than a threshold number. A switch from the receiving of the analog input signal by the digital receiver to an analog receiver of the bimodal receiver is made to provide the equalized digital output signal for the analog input signal.
US09178538B2
The invention concerns a circuit for multi-standard wireless RF transmission comprising: input circuitry (302 to 314) for generating a transmission signal (IT(t), QT(t)) based on an input data signal (I, Q); a power amplifier (316) adapted to amplify said transmission signal to provide an output signal (S(t)) for transmission via at least one antenna; and feedback circuitry (320 to 340) comprising at least one variable low-pass filter (334, 336) for generating a feedback signal (IFB, QFB) based on said output signal, wherein said input circuitry further comprises pre-distortion circuitry (302) adapted to modify said input data signal (I, Q) based on said feedback signal.
US09178507B2
Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching are provided. In certain implementations, a transmit switch includes a bias polarity control circuit, a bias circuit, a first high voltage field effect transistor (HVFET), and a second HVFET. The sources of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a source node, the gates of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a gate node, and the drains of the first and second HVFETs are connected to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The bias circuit and the bias polarity control circuit are each electrically connected between the source node and the gate node. The bias polarity control circuit can turn on or off the HVFETs by controlling a polarity of a bias voltage across the bias circuit, such as by controlling a direction of current flow through the bias circuit.
US09178485B2
An EMI filter is described. The filter includes an input, an output, first and second line-side X capacitors, and a line-side Y capacitor. The input includes first and second input terminals. The output includes first and second output terminals. A first conductive path is defined between the first input terminal and the first output terminal. A second conductive path is defined between the second input terminal and the second output terminal. The first line-side X capacitor is coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path, and the second line-side X capacitor is coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path in series with the first line-side X capacitor. The second line-side X capacitor is coupled to the first line-side X capacitor at a common point. A first end of the line-side Y capacitor is coupled to the common point.
US09178484B2
In a filter, LC parallel resonators are arranged along an x-axis direction of a multilayer body and include coils and capacitors, respectively. LC parallel resonators adjacent to each other in the x-axis direction are electromagnetically coupled to each other. Each of the coils includes line conductor layers disposed on an insulating layer, a first via-hole conductor that extends from the line conductor layers to a negative direction of a z-axis direction and that is electrically connected to one conductor layer of the corresponding one of the capacitors, and a second via-hole conductor that extends from the line conductor layers to the negative side of the z-axis direction and that is electrically connected to the other conductor layer of the capacitor. A coupling conductor layer provides a capacitance between two line conductor layers which are adjacent to each other in the x-axis direction.
US09178473B2
A device includes a main low noise amplifier (LNA) stage configured to amplify a single-ended communication signal, an auxiliary LNA stage coupled to the main LNA stage, the auxiliary LNA stage configured to cancel non-linear second order products generated by the main LNA stage, and a load circuit configured to receive an output of the main LNA stage and an output of the auxiliary LNA stage, the load circuit configured to convert the single-ended communication signal to a differential signal.
US09178471B2
A resonating element has a quartz crystal substrate having a vibrating portion and a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the vibrating portion, and a pair of excitation electrodes respectively disposed on opposite surfaces of the vibrating portion. Moreover, in the excitation electrode, each of a pair of sides arranged in a Z′-axis direction is convexly curved toward the center so that the excitation electrode has a constricted portion in which a length in the Z′-axis direction increases gradually from a central portion toward both ends in an X-axis direction.
US09178467B2
A transportable photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic devices, a composite frame to which the plurality of photovoltaic devices are affixed, and a base structure to which the composite frame is movably attached through at least one variable-angle mount structure. The orientation of the frame and the light concentrating elements relative to the base structure can be altered employing the at least one variable-angle mount structure. The frame and the plurality of photovoltaic devices can be assembled prior to shipping, and the base structure can be manufactured on site. The transportable photovoltaic system is not affixed to ground or other fixture, but can be picked up at any time during the operational lifetime. The transportable photovoltaic system can be rapidly deployed with little or no site preparation requirement other than generally level ground, and can be retracted to a lower exposure position to avoid storm and/or hazardous conditions.
US09178466B2
A transportable photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic devices, a composite frame to which the plurality of photovoltaic devices are affixed, and a base structure to which the composite frame is movably attached through at least one variable-angle mount structure. The orientation of the frame and the light concentrating elements relative to the base structure can be altered employing the at least one variable-angle mount structure. The frame and the plurality of photovoltaic devices can be assembled prior to shipping, and the base structure can be manufactured on site. The transportable photovoltaic system is not affixed to ground or other fixture, but can be picked up at any time during the operational lifetime. The transportable photovoltaic system can be rapidly deployed with little or no site preparation requirement other than generally level ground, and can be retracted to a lower exposure position to avoid storm and/or hazardous conditions.
US09178460B2
A motor controller according to the invention includes a driving IC and a magnetic sensor. The driving IC receives a driving signal for driving a motor and controls the rotation speed of the motor using the driving signal. The magnetic sensor detects the rotation speed of the motor. The driving IC includes a sensor signal output terminal and a driving signal input terminal. The sensor signal output terminal outputs a sensor signal generated by the driving IC based on a pulse signal from the magnetic sensor. The driving signal input terminal receives the driving signal. The sensor signal output terminal and the driving signal input terminal are connected by a connecting portion. The driving IC rotates the motor at a first rotation speed different from the rotation speed of the motor driven according to the driving signal using the sensor signal input to the driving signal input terminal.
US09178438B2
A converter comprises a bridge and a resonant tank coupled between the bridge and an isolation transformer. The converter is configured such that the converter operates at a first constant-gain resonant frequency during a normal operation condition wherein a voltage gain of the converter is essentially insensitive to an output load change and the converter operates at a minimum-gain damping frequency during an abnormal operation condition wherein a voltage gain of the converter is approximately equal to zero.
US09178427B1
A converter generates an output voltage differential across a floating load, such as a string of LEDs. The converter receives an input voltage Vin from a power supply, and the floating output voltage differential may be greater than or less than Vin. The converter uses a first switch and first inductor in a boost mode type configuration, and uses a second switch and second inductor in a buck mode type configuration. The inductors have a common node. The first inductor has another end coupled to ground, and the other end of the second inductor is coupled to the load. Both inductors charge and discharge together depending on the conductivities of the switches. One end of the load will be approximately zero volts, while the other end will be at a negative voltage VEE. The two inductors smooth input current/voltage ripple and output current/voltage ripple, resulting in low EMI.
US09178425B2
A power supply device has a first delay circuit which delays a first clock signal and outputs a second clock signal, a pulse signal generating circuit which generates a first pulse signal, a first transistor which connects an output node to a power supply potential node according to the first pulse signal, a second transistor which connects the output node to a reference potential node according to the first pulse signal, an integration circuit which integrates and outputs a signal of the output node, and a comparator which compares an output signal of the integration circuit and the reference signal, wherein the pulse signal generating circuit generates the first pulse signal in synchronization with the first clock signal, the second clock signal and the output signal of the comparator, and the frequency of the first pulse signal is constant irrespective of voltage of the output node.
US09178422B2
A resonance-based DC-DC converter for converting a DC input voltage to a first DC output voltage (VOUT1) on a output conductor (9) includes an inductor (L) having a first terminal connected to a source (2) of a DC input voltage (VIN) and a second terminal coupled to a first conductor (4) and a capacitor (CRES) having a first terminal coupled to the first conductor. A first switch (SW1) is coupled between the resonance conductor and the output conductor to conduct inductor current (IL) into the output conductor during a first phase (Phase1). A second switch (SW2) is coupled between a second terminal of the capacitor and the output conductor to conduct inductor current through the capacitor into the output conductor (9) during a second phase (Phase2). A third switch (SW3) is coupled between the second terminal (31) of the capacitor and a first reference voltage (GND) to conduct inductor current from a source of the first reference voltage through the capacitor to the input voltage (VIN) during a third phase (Phase3).
US09178416B2
An adjusting apparatus sets a designated value of a current source circuit to be a predetermined value, and causes discharging of a capacitor to end by switching a switch to a discharging side when the capacitor is not being charged by current output from a switching power source circuit. After the discharging of the capacitor ends and the designated value is set, the adjusting apparatus causes the capacitor to be charged by switching the switch to a charging side. The adjusting apparatus further measures a time period from the time when the switch is switched to the charging side until an electric potential difference of the capacitor exceeds a threshold value. Based on the measured time period and the predetermined value, the adjusting apparatus calculates the designated value such that the measured time period is a predetermined time period.
US09178413B2
A power supply system includes an Offline Total Power Management Integrated Circuit (OTPMIC). The OTPMIC controls a Power Factor Correction (PFC) converter, a main AC/DC converter, and a standby AC/DC converter. A PFC Autodetect circuit in the OTPMIC monitors current flow in the PFC converter. If a high power condition is detected, then the PFC Autodetect circuit enables the PFC converter. The high power condition may be a voltage drop across a current sense resistor of a predetermined voltage for a predetermined time, within one half period of the incoming AC supply voltage. If a low power condition is detected, then the PFC Autodetect circuit disables the PFC converter. The PFC Autodetect circuit stores an IMON value that determines the predetermined voltage, and a TMON value that determines the predetermined time. The IMON and TMON values are loaded into the Autodetect circuit across an optocoupler link of the standby converter.
US09178412B2
A bidirectional switch circuit includes two switching elements connected to conduct a current in both directions. The two switching elements are connected in series to each other. Of the two switching elements, the switching element to which a reverse voltage is applied, a voltage of a source of one of the switching elements being higher than a voltage of a drain of the one, is configured to conduct a current from the source to the drain even when an on-drive signal is not being input to a gate terminal of the one.
US09178401B2
An armature of a linear motor includes a plurality of cooling pipe storage holes formed along a longitudinal direction of a core, and a plurality of cooling pipes stored vertically in the cooling pipe storage holes and having a meander shape. The cooling pipes vertically adjacent to each other are arranged such that inlets and outlets of the cooling pipes are alternately connected in parallel to a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet in order to allow a refrigerant to flow in the reverse direction.
US09178399B2
The invention relates to a laminated rotor structure for a permanent magnet synchronous machine wherein disks (1) of a ferromagnetic material constitute the body of the rotor. The body includes bars (3) of a damper winding that extend axially close to the surface (2) from one end thereof to the other, and a circle of permanent magnets (4) disposed in a V-shaped configuration inside the circle formed by the bars, in which permanent magnets the first ends (5) are disposed close to the outer perimeter of the rotor and the second ends (6) are disposed closer to the central axis of the rotor. According to the invention, two permanent magnets (4) constitute a pair of permanent magnets wherein the magnets are disposed at an angle (a) to each other so that their first ends (5) are disposed at a distance from each other and their second ends (6) in proximity to each other. In addition, a pair of permanent magnets includes an air channel (7) that extends axially through the laminar structure of the rotor in direct heat transfer contact with the second ends (6) of the magnets in the pair of magnets.
US09178397B2
A motor part of a fuel pump is a brushless motor having a stator and a rotor. The stator has a core, a coil set and an insulator, which holds the core and the coil set in an insulated manner. The coil set has a plurality of coils wound about a tooth part and a plurality of crossing wires connecting the coils. The insulator is formed by stacking central ring parts of a plurality of stator units in an axial direction. At least one of crossing wire holder parts is formed of a combination of guide projections, which are formed on the different central ring parts. The length of the brushless motor in the axial direction can thus be shortened.
US09178387B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer to an electronic circuit including a wireless charging receive antenna comprising a first loop of an energy receiving conductor and at least another loop of said energy receiving conductor electrically coupled to the first loop. The loops form a multi-turn loop antenna to resonate at a wireless charging frequency and provide wirelessly received power to the electronic device. The multi-turn loop antenna is configured for affixing to a housing of the wireless device.
US09178384B2
A power supply system of an electronic device and a power supply method thereof are provided. Directly detecting the power voltage, when a power anomaly of the power voltage is detected, the electronic device may enter the energy-saving mode immediately for reducing power consumption, and a required DC voltage may be provided directly from the battery.
US09178383B2
An electrical system for an automotive vehicle has a plurality of electrical generating machines having field windings energized by pulse width modulated drive signals generated by an external electronic voltage regulator. The pulse width modulated drive signals have a duty cycle determined by the electronic voltage regulator. A controller selects one of electrical generating machines to evaluate for failure and evaluates that electrical generating machine for failure by causing the PWM drive signal for the field windings of that electrical generating machine to be disabled. The controller then determines that this electrical generating machine has failed if the duty cycle for the PWM drive signals has then not been increased by the electronic voltage regulator by a pre-determined amount. The electrical generating machines are either generators or alternators. In an aspect, the PWM drive signals for the plurality of electrical generating machines are out of phase with each other.
US09178379B2
Disclosed is a charger for an electric vehicle. The charger includes a connector connected to the electric vehicle, a plug connected to an outlet of the commercial power source, a switching unit to selectively shut off the current according to a temperature of the charger, a display unit to display information about an operation of the charger, and a control unit to control the operation of the charger, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display two kinds of mutually different information when the current is shut off because the battery is fully charged or the connector is separated from the electric vehicle and when the current supplied from the commercial power source to the electric vehicle is shut off by the switching unit. The charger is prevented from being damaged due to overheat during the charging operation for the electric vehicle.
US09178374B2
A method of performing power management in a protective case for a mobile computing device is provided. The method includes receiving electrical current from a power source connected to the protective case. The methods also includes commanding the mobile computing device to consume no more than a specified amount of the received electrical current by transmitting a data communication from the protective case to the mobile computing device indicating the specified amount of the received electrical current. The method further includes monitoring an amount of the received electrical current consumed by the mobile computing device and distributing at least a portion of the received electrical current not consumed by the mobile computing device to a rechargeable battery of the protective case.
US09178373B2
An alternator control system for an alternator having an internal output voltage regulator that measures and regulates the charging voltage through an internal feedback line may include a switch on the internal feedback line; a variable voltage source connected to the internal output voltage regulator; an external feedback line configured to be connected to measure a condition of the battery receiving the charging voltage at the battery; and a controller connected to receive a signal corresponding to the condition of the battery over the external feedback line, and in response thereto, selectively open the switch, and selectively actuate the variable voltage source to selectively vary the voltage input to the internal output voltage regulator, thereby causing the internal output voltage regulator to signal the alternator to correspondingly vary the output voltage so that a voltage reaching the battery is at a pre-set value.
US09178349B2
A high-voltage DC (HVDC) power system and a method of controlling and protecting the HVDC power system includes a plurality of sending-end (SE) modules coupled in electrical series and a plurality of receiving-end (RE) power converter modules electrically coupled to said plurality of SE modules, the RE modules coupled in a switchyard configuration, the switchyard configuration including a plurality of load branches coupled together in electrical series, each load branch including a branch bypass switch configured to bypass load current around an associated load branch, and a branch protection system.
US09178348B2
A direct current circuit breaker has a first to fifth node. A first breaker is arranged between the first node and the fourth node, and a second breaker is arranged between the fourth node and the third node. A parallel circuit of a commutator device is arranged parallel to an energy absorber between the fourth node and the fifth node, and a switch is arranged in series to the parallel circuit. A series circuit containing a semiconductor switch and a resistor is arranged between the second node and the third node.
US09178341B2
The present invention concerns fishing adapters for pilling a cable or the like through a hole drilled in a wall or other structure and in one aspect comprises a drill bit connector to enable the adapter to be demountably attached to a drill bit and an item connector to enable a cable or other elongate/linear item to be attached to the adapter, wherein the adapter further has a rotary coupling between the drill bit connector and the item connector to permit the drill bit to rotate as the adapter with cable or other elongate/linear item attached is pulled through a drilled hole without significantly twisting said cable or other elongate/linear item.
US09178331B2
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a micro integratable tunable laser assembly (m-ITLA) which includes an electrical interface for interfacing with a host, a tunable laser module for conducting optical communication, and a control unit, for at least controlling operation of the tunable laser module according to information received from the host via the electrical interface. The m-ITLA can have a length of about 37 mm or less and a width of about 20 mm or less.
US09178328B2
Shielded sockets for microprocessors and fabrication of shielded sockets by overmolding and plating techniques are described. In an example, a socket for a packaged semiconductor device includes a plastic housing having walls surrounding a cavity. A plurality of contact strips is disposed in the cavity and supported by one or more of the walls of the plastic housing. Each of the plurality of contact strips includes a plurality of contacts. Each of the plurality of contacts includes a vertical region overmolded with plastic, a contact portion, and a J-lead portion. The plastic is coated with a metal layer.
US09178321B2
Disclosed herein are a modular tuner and a method for manufacturing the same. The modular tuner includes a metallic casing, a tuner adaptor and a plurality of metallic elastic pieces. The metallic casing has an opening, and the tuner adaptor has a metallic outer surface. The plurality of metallic elastic pieces and the metallic casing are integrally formed by stamping followed by bending, and the metallic elastic pieces extend outwardly from the edge of the opening of the metallic casing and respectively interfere with the metallic outer surface of the tuner adaptor.
US09178320B2
An electrical connector (50; 70; 80; 90; 91) includes a number of contact wafers (502; 61; 71; 822; 920) stacked with each other along a transverse direction. Each contact wafer includes a conductive body, one or more shielding members (53; 68; 720; 900) mounted to and electrically connecting with the conductive body, and a number of contact modules each including an insulator (550; 621) and a pair of contacts (551; 620; 921) fixed by the insulator, the pair of contacts of each contact module being shielded by the conductive body and the one or more shielding members.
US09178319B2
An electrical connector for mating with a plug and mounting to a printed circuit board, includes an insulative housing with a forwardly extending mating tongue thereof. A terminal module includes an insulator associated with a plurality of contacts commonly assembled into the housing. Those contacts are categorized with the differential pairs, the grounding contacts and the power contacts while each of the contacts includes a front contacting section exposed upon the mating tongue, a middle retention section retained to the insulator, and a rear tail section extending out of the housing. A metallic shielding/reinforcement plate associated with the terminal module is assembled into the housing, and includes a front region inserted into the mating tongue, a middle region with a spring tang to mechanically and electrically connected to the selected grounding contact, and a rear tail section extending out of the housing.
US09178318B2
High electrical isolation connector apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, an integrated connector module (ICM) is disclosed. The ICM includes a number of adjacent electronic subassemblies that are shielded through the use of an insert body shield. The insert body shield beneficially increases electrical isolation between adjacent subassemblies thereby further mitigating possible electrical noise. The insert body shield is configured to be received within a slot formed within the connector housing. An internal shield is also included that is received in a slot of an insert body of the electronic sub-assemblies, thereby effectively shielding adjacent component receiving cavities from one another. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed which make use and take advantage of these shielded ICMs. For example, telecommunications/networking equipment that incorporates these ICMs are also disclosed.
