US09221560B2

A vibrating device for uniformly filling granular ornaments includes a base, a vibration platform, a motor, a first vibrating assembly for generating vibration in an up-down direction, and a second vibrating assembly for generating vibration in a left-right direction. The vibration platform is articulated at the base and provided with multiple through-holes for holding workpieces, such as pen caps. The motor is fixedly mounted at the base. The first vibrating assembly and the second vibrating assembly both are provided between the motor and the vibration platform. The motor drives the first vibrating assembly to make the vibration platform vibrate in the up-down direction, and at the same time drives the second vibrating assembly to make the vibration platform vibrate in the left-right direction. Thus, granular ornaments can fill the cavities of pen caps located within the through holes in the vibration platform.
US09221547B2

There is provided a method for mitigating static discharge in a fuel container. The method provides a static dissipative coating having a volume resistivity of 1.0×109 Ω-m (ohm-meter) or less when measured at 40 V (volts) or less, having a surface resistivity of 1.0×1011 Ω/sq (ohm per square) or less when measured at 100 V (volts) or less, having a breakdown voltage of 4000 V (volts) or less, and having a charge decay of 60 seconds or less. The method further provides applying the static dissipative coating to a surface of the fuel container to form a coated surface.
US09221543B2

The invention relates to a compressor/turbine arrangement for use in an air conditioning unit of an aircraft air conditioning system comprising a process air supply line which is designed to supply process air generated by a process air source to a compressor. A detection device is designed to detect a characteristic signal for the temperature of the process air flowing through the process air supply line. A turbine is designed to drive the compressor. A cooling device is disposed in a process air line connecting the compressor to the turbine and is designed to cool the process air coming out of the compressor and flowing through the process air line in the direction of the turbine. Downstream of the cooling device a connecting line branches off from the process air line and opens into the process air supply line. A control device is designed to control a process air flow through the connecting line in dependence on the signal detected by the detection device.
US09221542B2

A device (50) for feeding electricity to equipment (3) of a vehicle (1), the device including a harness (5), a socket (6) electrically connected to said harness (5), and a plug (9) electrically connected to said equipment (3) and co-operating with said socket (6) to provide the electrical connection between said harness (5) and said equipment (3). The device (50) provides for said harness (5) to run in the thickness of a floor (2) of the vehicle (1), said socket (6) being embedded in the thickness of said floor (2) so that the top surface of said floor (2) does not present any projecting portion. The device (50) includes a movable protection cap (7) for opening and closing said socket (6), together with opening means (40) driven by mounting said equipment (3) on said floor (2), thereby causing said movable protection cap (7) to open.
US09221535B2

A system and method of adaptively managing a plurality of engines in a multi-engine system, where each engine comprises hot gas components and non-hot gas components, and each engine exhibits a performance margin and a remaining useful life, includes continuously, and in real-time, determining a plurality of different degradation mechanisms for each of the plurality of engines, and continuously, and in real-time, determining which of the determined degradation mechanisms is most limiting. The engines are controlled, based on the most limiting degradation mechanism, in a manner that the remaining useful lives of each engine are substantially equal. The plurality of different degradation mechanisms of each engine are determined based on the engine performance margin, modeled failure predictions of the hot gas components, and modeled failure predictions of the non-hot gas components.
US09221523B2

A disconnectable turret mooring system includes a mooring buoy, a turret structure, and a buoy locking system for locking the mooring buoy to the turret structure, whereby the turret structure includes an intermediate connection member, which includes the buoy locking system, wherein the intermediate connection member is rotatably supported by the turret structure. A method of mooring a vessel includes a turret structure to a mooring buoy, whereby the turret structure is arranged to receive the mooring buoy. The turret mooring system includes a turret structure that is rotatably supported by the vessel and an intermediate connection member that is rotatably supported by the turret structure. The method includes: receiving the mooring buoy into the turret structure, locking the mooring buoy to the intermediate connection member, and rotating the intermediate connection member and the turret structure with respect to each other.
US09221513B2

A bicycle may include a rear suspension system to absorb forces impacting on the bicycle by allowing a rear wheel of the bicycle to be displaced relative to the bicycle frame. The rear suspension system may be adjusted in some versions to affect the travel path of the rear wheel as well as the leverage ratio curve to suit the rider's preference.
US09221512B2

A routing structure for a saddle type vehicle for suppressing an increase in the number of parts while the appearance of play is suppressed. The routing structure for a saddle type vehicle includes a cable guide portion formed integrally with a storage box and configured to guide an operational cable of a wire cable structure. The cable guide portion is formed in a shape of a gutter along an outer side of a peripheral edge of an opening of the storage box.
US09221510B2

A lamp has a body 100 with a printed circuit board 102 and a battery 104 mounted in the body. An LED 105, mounted on an emitter plate 101, and a reflector 106 are housed on the body at an opposite end to a charging port 103. Adjacent to the port 103 an array of three illumination status blue LEDS 108 and an array of five battery-status red LEDs 109 are provided. Components 103 to 109 are connected to a power management circuit 110, including an Integrated Circuit 111, mounted on the PCB 102. The PCB 102 further includes a capacitive Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer 123.
US09221508B1

The present disclosure relates to three-wheeled vehicles. The three-wheeled vehicles disclosed herein are characterized by two front wheels and a single rear wheel, an engine located rearward of the cockpit and a drivetrain configured to power the front wheels. Three-wheeled vehicle configurations in accordance with the present disclosure may enhance various handling characteristics of the vehicle.
US09221506B1

A system in accordance with one embodiment comprises a marking device attached to a holonomic-motion crawler vehicle capable of movement on non-horizontal surfaces. Modular attachment and motion control interfaces on the platform allow attachment of various types of marking and non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor modules. The crawling vehicle marks the location of sub-surface features on an aircraft skin or overlaid patch (doubler) using a pen or sticker or tape applicator that is guided based on either a 3-D CAD model or NDI data collected as the vehicle crawls. A second embodiment utilizes an automated NDI scanner to collect 2-D image data of the substructure to enable manual or automated feature/edge selection for marking. Location tracking of the marking device can be implemented using a local positioning system or a motion capture system.
US09221505B1

An endless track adapter system for a wheeled vehicle includes a plurality of adjustable track links selectively interconnectable by a plurality of pins into an endless track for driving by wheels of the vehicle. Track links include track link base portions including medial wheel guides and track link sled portions including lateral wheel guides. A mechanism is provided for adjusting distance between the medial and lateral wheel guides.
US09221503B2

A front spoiler device configured to be installed on a vehicle having a vehicle width direction, a vehicle upward direction, a vehicle downward direction, a vehicle forward direction, and vehicle rearward direction, has a front bumper, a bumper fascia that forms an outer surface of the front bumper, a spoiler supporting flange portion extending in the vehicle rearward direction from a lower end of the bumper fascia, a spoiler body extending along the lower end of the bumper fascia in the vehicle width direction, the spoiler body being provided with a vertical wall portion facing the vehicle forward direction, and two diffuser portions, each of which is connected to each lateral end of the spoiler body, each of which extends in the vehicle downward direction and in the vehicle width direction along a corner portion of each lateral end on the lower end of the bumper fascia.
US09221501B2

A platform system (5) for use in a cargo compartment of a truck, lorry or trailer. The platform system (5) is provided with a plurality of elevation platforms (20) with a substantially rectangular outline, onto which, in use, goods can be loaded. The elevation platforms (20) can be elevated when loaded. Each elevation platform (20) is guided by horizontally spaced and vertically extending guides. Each elevation platform is suspended from a set of cables, each of these cables being associated with each of the vertically extending guides and a first end of each of the cables in the set being associated with one corner of the rectangular elevation platform. The platform system is also provided with a plurality of actuators (25) with one actuator associated with each elevation platform (20). The second end of the cables in the set being operably connected one of the actuators (25).
US09221500B1

A vehicle includes a pair of longitudinal frame rails and a bed above the frame rails. A plurality of roll-formed aluminum cross-members contact the bed and are disposed between the bed and the frame rails for additional support of the bed. Extruded aluminum spacers are disposed between and in contact with the one of the cross members and one of the frame rails. A crush tube is spin-welded to the spacer and contacts the underside of the bed for additional support to inhibit downward relative movement of the bed. The crush tube is formed with a longitudinal hole extending therethough to receive a fastener that extends from above the truck bed, through the crush tube hole, through the cross-member and spacer, and into the frame rail.
US09221497B2

A front part of a vehicle is provided with front side members, upper members and suspension towers. Also, the suspension tower is provided with a first connecting portion being connected to the upper member, a second connecting portion being connected to the front side member, and a third connecting portion connected to the front side member while being positioned forward of the second connecting portion in the vehicle front-rear direction. The second connecting portion is connected to the front side member, a connecting strength between the front side member and the second connecting portion is lower than a connecting strength between the upper member and the first connecting portion. Also, the third connecting portion is connected to the front side member.
US09221488B2

A remote controlled vehicle includes a chassis, front and rear axles mounted on the chassis and at least one wheel coupled to each axle. A front hydraulic drive drives the front axle and a rear hydraulic drive drives the rear axle. The remote controlled vehicle includes front and rear control valves in fluid communication with the corresponding front and rear hydraulic drives for regulating at least one of a fluid direction and a fluid flow through each control valve to each corresponding hydraulic drive. A controller communicates drive commands to each hydraulic drive and receives the drive commands front an external communicator. The chassis has a width substantially equal to the widest width of the reservoir and the motor.
US09221485B2

A sports cart with a folding tubular frame, a central steering column, a pair of real wheels, a centrally located front wheel, a lower basket member, a secondary holding rack, a handlebar assembly, a front wheel fork assembly, a brake member, a steering column to handlebar assembly folding and locking joint and a steering column telescoping member. The secondary holding rack forms a portion of the folding frame and includes centrally located upper and lower tubes that rotatably retain the central steering column. The lower basket member is attached to the lower portion of the horizontally folding frame. The secondary holding rack includes a folding lower support portion. The front wheel, front wheel fork and the rear wheels are easily detachable and capable of fitting within the lower basket member. A preferred embodiment includes a standard braking assembly engaging the front wheel.
US09221476B2

A method and an arrangement monitor a brake system of a brake arrangement of a rail vehicle. To carry out such a method comparatively cost-effectively and gently on the wheels and rails, the deceleration of the rail vehicle is detected with a deceleration measured variable being obtained and the frictional connection between the wheel and rail is detected with a frictional connection measured variable being obtained. In the event of a small deceleration measured variable and a normal frictional connection measured variable, an error message signal is generated. In a brake system with at least one brake actuator, the deceleration of the rail vehicle is detected with a deceleration measured variable being obtained and the brake force of the at least one brake actuator is measured. In the case of a small deceleration measured variable and a low brake force, an error message signal is generated.
US09221471B2

Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail with bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle defines a pivot location against the bearing surface and a constraint point on the contact surface for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created result in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone.
US09221466B2

In a method for automatically correcting a state variable of a vehicle, in the event of the vehicle having departed from the predefined lane a vehicle control system is re-parameterized in such a way that an intervention predefined by the driver is converted in a reduced manner into a change in a vehicle state variable.
US09221465B2

Computer-implemented techniques include determining, at a controller of a vehicle, a wheel speed for each of two front wheels of the vehicle and two rear wheels of the vehicle. The techniques include calculating, at the controller, a difference between (i) an average of the wheel speeds for the two front wheels of the vehicle and (ii) an average of the wheel speeds for the two rear wheels of the vehicle to obtain an error. The techniques include setting, at the controller, a rough road detection bit when the error is greater than or equal to a threshold indicative of an error corresponding to rough road. The techniques include monitoring, at the controller, the rough road detection bit for a period to obtain a hysteresis band. The techniques also include determining, at the controller, whether the vehicle is traveling on rough road based on the hysteresis band.
US09221464B2

A method and a system for controlling idle stop of a vehicle that can reduce braking noise and prevent startup delay may be included, wherein the method for controlling may include estimating a disk temperature, determining whether the estimated disk temperature may be lower than or equal to a first predetermined temperature, and prohibiting engine stop according to the idle stop when the estimated disk temperature may be higher than the first predetermined temperature.
US09221459B2

After an engine starts, a rotation speed of the engine is fed back to a target rotation speed that is defined in response to requested power for the engine. In addition, by operating a gear ratio of a CVT, a rotation speed of an output side of a one-way bearing is fed back to the target rotation speed.
US09221456B2

A vehicle power generation mode control method includes initiating a vehicle power generation mode request; determining whether at least one of the following conditions exists: high engine revolutions per minute is allowed; high voltage or amperage draw is allowed; current fuel level supports power generation mode; and carbon monoxide readings are within acceptable limits; denying requests for engagement of a vehicle transmission if at least one of the conditions exists; and allowing or commanding the vehicle power generation mode.
US09221455B2

An apparatus that both prevents excessive engine speed and satisfies a driver's requested drive torque. A control apparatus provides torque control to a hybrid electric vehicle and uses a calculated engine speed final target, and engine speed temporary target, which may not exceed an upper limit. In addition the control recalculates an engine operating point target based on the calculated engine speed final target and calculates an engine power final target based on the recalculated engine operating point target. An electrical power target is calculated based on the calculated engine power final target. Engine torque is controlled based on the calculated engine operating point target (especially the engine torque final target). In addition, motor generators are controlled to operate in power running mode or regenerating mode, based on the calculated engine operating point target and electrical power target.
US09221446B2

A technique for controlling an electrically actuable parking brake of a motor vehicle in the event of failure of a first signal indicating a speed of the motor vehicle comprises the steps of continuously closing the parking brake as long as a second signal indicating a driver request to close the parking brake is detected, and opening the parking brake, provided that the parking brake is in a partially open state, as long as an absence of the second signal is detected.
US09221445B2

An electronically controllable braking system includes a hydraulic brake-pressure generator which generates the brake pressures for the wheel brakes. In the hydraulic connection to the brake-pressure generator, a valve arrangement has been assigned to each wheel brake in order to adjust the brake pressures demanded for the wheel brakes in the multiplex mode, for the purpose of operating the braking system. A method has the following steps: establishing for which of the wheel brakes the adjusting of the brake pressure demanded for it has priority in a current multiplex cycle; generating the brake pressure demanded for the wheel brake that has been set to priority; opening the valve arrangement that has been assigned to the wheel brake that has been set to priority; and closing the valve arrangements that have been assigned to the wheel brakes that have not been set to priority.
US09221426B2

An automobile power supply control device for performing a control of switching a plurality of power supply circuits of a vehicle based on an operation of a push button type operation switch has a plurality of switching units for connecting the power supply circuits and a vehicle battery, and a control unit for performing a control of driving the switching units in a predetermined order according to number of operations of the operation switch. The control unit has a first detecting portion for detecting the operation of the operation switch, an output portion for outputting a drive command for driving the switching unit of next order when the first detecting portion detects the operation of the operation switch, and a second detecting portion for detecting the number of operations of the operation switch from a time point the drive command is output until a contact of the driven switching unit is switched. The switching units are driven in order by the number of operations detected by the second detecting portion, which driving is terminated when a last switching unit of the predetermined order is driven, or terminated when a first switching unit of the predetermined order is driven.
US09221423B2

The invention relates to a gripping device (1) which is used to detect a safety belt, for example a three-point safety belt in a motor vehicle, and which can be fastened separately from the plug-in tongue on the belt strap (2) of the shoulder part of the safety belt. The gripping device comprises a recess end (8) with a recess (10) for receiving the belt strap and a gripping end (9) which is designed to engage.
US09221409B1

A power distribution module for use in a vehicle's power control system is provided, the use of which helps to minimize parasitic battery losses while providing additional control over the vehicle's electrical components and subsystems. The power distribution module includes a plurality of control circuits, each of which is under the control of its own circuit switch, and each of which is coupled to one or more electronic control modules. The power distribution module also includes a processor that is configured to close each of the circuit switches, thereby providing power to the corresponding control circuits, in response to current vehicle conditions and in accordance with a preset set of conditions.
US09221399B2

An automotive communication system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location and a multi-pixel reconfigurable display device disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle. Data is wirelessly communicated to and is received by electronic circuitry of the vehicle and the data is at least in part customized to the geographic location of the vehicle as determined by the global positioning system. Information that is derived at least in part from the data is displayed by the display device and is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A user input for the wireless communication is operable within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The automotive communication system includes voice input. The data is wirelessly communicated to the vehicle from a data provider located external of and remote from the vehicle.
US09221389B2

A vehicle lamp includes a light source (LED) 2, a solenoid-type actuator 6, and a lamp control device LC. The light source 2 lights up when a current flows therethrough. The actuator 6 controls a light distribution of light that is illuminated from the light source 2. The lamp control device LC controls lighting-up of the light source 2 and driving of the actuator 6. The lamp control device LC includes a current control device 10 and an actuator control device 20. The current control device 10 outputs a constant current. The actuator control device 20 connects the actuator 6 to the light source 2 in series based on a predetermined signal so that the constant current, which is output from the current control device 10, flows through the light source 2 and the actuator 6.
US09221379B2

A method of transporting a wind turbine blade with a curved central longitudinal axis includes loading the wind turbine blade onto a transportation device including first and second support bearings. The wind turbine blade is loaded in a first orientation in which the curved central longitudinal axis is located in a generally vertical plane. When the transportation device is preparing to turn, the wind turbine blade is rotated to a second orientation before or during turning such that the curved central longitudinal axis is located in a generally horizontal plane and bends around the turn. As a result, the curved wind turbine blade and transportation device can traverse tighter curves and turns during travel to an assembly site or quayside.
US09221377B2

A frame rack is detachably positioned on a bed of a pickup truck. A winch is secured to one end of the frame rack. A pair of spaced parallel bottom rollers is secured to the opposite end of the frame rack. The bottom rollers are supported by a brace assembly, which engages a hitch receiver carried by the truck. A boat bow is tied to a rope and gradually pulled onto the bed of the truck by the winch pulling the rope. Once the boat is loaded on the truck it is supported by the frame rack during the transport.
US09221374B2

A spring for a vehicle seat comprising a foam body having an outer surface and a plurality of outwardly-extending walls defining a plurality of recesses, wherein top and bottom surfaces of the foam body are operable between an extended position and a compressed position, wherein the plurality of recesses are vertically compressed and the top surface rotates a predetermined distance relative to the bottom surface.
US09221371B2

The invention relates to a head restraint having a head rest element that is provided with at least one retaining rod, in particular on the seat back of a vehicle seat, wherein the head rest element can be reversibly moved from a working position into a stowage position and in particular can be locked in the working position.
US09221369B2

A seat pad (10) that is mounted in a vehicle and used as a seating portion is provided with: a first layer (11) that is formed by a first foam body (A), and a second layer (12) that is formed by a second foam body (B) and that is laminated to the first layer, wherein the first foam body has at least one of an Asker F hardness and a hysteresis loss that is greater than in the second foam body, and the second foam body has a greater modulus of repulsion elasticity than the first foam body.
US09221367B2

A vehicle load floor assembly includes a vehicle seat that has a seatback that pivots between upright and stowed positions. A cargo floor extends rearward from the seat. A first panel pivotally couples with an upper portion of the seatback and pivots to a raised position away from the seatback in a forward stowed position. A second panel pivotally couples with the first panel and is pivotally deployable rearward to define a support surface together with the first panel that engages the cargo floor.
US09221362B2

The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part, a backrest and a bearing device for supporting a backrest extension part, in particular an upper backrest part, relative to a lower backrest part of the backrest of the vehicle seat, wherein the bearing device comprises a plurality of plain bearing bush units for supporting elongated transverse elements of the backrest extension part along sliding axes arranged perpendicular to the backrest, wherein the plain bearing bush units are assembled from identically designed asymmetrical bearing bush parts.
US09221356B2

Telematic method and apparatus adaptively uses fuel cell power source in vehicle with integrated power system, electrical system, telematic system, and body/powertrain system. Telematic communications systems including internet, digital video broadcast entertainment, digital audio broadcast, digital multimedia broadcast, global positioning system navigation, safety services, intelligent transportation systems, and/or universal mobile telecommunications system. Network-accessible software enables integrated modular function for automated control and provision of fuel cell resources for telematic appliance and/or other vehicle electro-mechanical devices.
US09221340B2

A control system for a machine having a transmission system is provided. The control system includes a wheel speed sensor and a controller. The wheel speed sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a wheel speed. The controller is in communication with the wheel speed sensor. The controller is configured to modulate a parameter of a power source based, at least in part, on a comparison of the wheel speed and a localized speed of the machine near the wheel.
US09221338B2

An accelerator pedal feedback system is provided that utilizes a virtual spring assembly to provide controllable pedal resistance, thereby supplying the driver with a tactile indicator of changes in a monitored vehicle characteristic, such as a low battery pack level.
US09221334B2

A drive train (1) of a solely electrically driven motor has an axle (2) with first and second axle sections (4, 5) connected to different outputs of a differential (35). The drive train also has a first and second electric motors (13, 14) that co-operate with first and second transmissions (15) respectively to drive the axle (2). A first clutch can connect the first transmission (15) to an entry wheel (34) of the differential (35) for driving the two axle sections (4, 5) of the axle (2). A second clutch (37) can connect the first transmission (15) to the first axle section (4) while the first clutch (36) is open and a third clutch (38) can connect the second transmission (16) to a second axle section (5) while the first clutch (36) is open.
US09221322B2

Disclosed is a device for restricting wind turbulence in a moving open top automobile. The device comprises an elongate wind panel adapted to be secured to the double seat or the pair of non-contiguous juxtaposed seats thereof such that, the wind panel vertically, upwardly and contiguously extends from the seat.
US09221318B2

An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a casing having therein first and second air passages through which outside air and inside air flow respectively. A heating heat exchanger is arranged in the first and second air passages to heat air. First and second air mix doors are arranged respectively in the first and second air passages to adjust a ratio between a flow amount of air passing through the heating heat exchanger and a flow amount of air bypassing the heating heat exchanger. Each of the first and second air mix doors is a slide door in which a plate door body part slides in a direction being applied by its own weight. The second air mix door slides in a sliding direction inclined relative to a sliding direction of the first air mix door by an angle toward a horizontal direction.
US09221314B2

A wheel suspension for a wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel guide arm to which a wheel of the motor vehicle may be rotatably mounted remotely from the vehicle structure of the motor vehicle. The wheel guide arm may be attached via a point of attachment to an articulation member. The articulation member may be connected to the vehicle structure via at least one connecting member and be movably mounted relative to the vehicle structure. The wheel guide arm may be attached at the point of attachment to the articulation member via a changeable rotary joint. The rotary joint may be rotatable in a first switch position and fixed in terms of rotation in a second switch position.
US09221297B2

Disclosed are a dual surface-treated injection molding article, which is manufactured by dually surface-treating an injection molding substrate formed of a light-transmissive semi-transparent or transparent material in such a manner that a metallic appearance is expressed or any of a logo, a pattern, an ornamental design, and a picture is formed on each of inner and outer surfaces of the injection molding substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US09221289B2

Methods for creating sapphire windows are provided herein. In particular, one embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing sapphire windows. The method includes obtaining a polished sapphire wafer and applying decoration to the sapphire wafer. The method also includes cutting the sapphire wafer into discrete windows. In some embodiments, the cutting step comprises laser ablation of the sapphire.
US09221287B2

The invention relates to a self-inking stamp (1) comprising a housing (2), in which a stamp unit (5) coupled to an actuation part (3) which can be moved with respect to the housing (2) is mounted by means of axle parts (6), at least one of the axle parts (6) being maintained in a receiving element (7) of the actuation part (3). The receiving element (7) is formed in a bearing projection (8) of the actuation part (3), the bearing projection (8) being covered by a safety frame (15) surrounding the housing (2), arranged on the underside of the actuation part (3) and moving together with the actuation part (3).
US09221285B2

This image recording apparatus comprises: a sheet accommodation portion configured to accommodate a sheet therein; a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the sheet along a conveyance direction from the sheet accommodation portion; a recording unit configured to record an image onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; a housing accommodating the conveyance mechanism and the recording unit and having therein open space that opens toward an outside of the image recording apparatus while holding the sheet accommodation portion; and a speaker disposed inside the housing and configured to output sound to the open space.
US09221282B2

A media cartridge is disclosed for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of a printer. The media cartridge includes a cartridge, housing having one or more shifting ribs on the cartridge housing. At a position of initial insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, the shifting ribs are configured to center a length of media and an ink ribbon of the media cartridge between a print head and a platen roller in the cartridge receptacle. As the insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle continues, the shifting ribs shift the length of media and the ink ribbon toward one of the print head and the platen roller.
US09221281B2

A system for enabling the sequential loading of a plurality of products to be printed on a printing machine. The system comprises a printer machine frame supported conveyor belt with a gantry supported printer head arranged transversely thereover. The system includes a loading system for enabling a plurality of parts to be printed, to be aligned in a print orientation at the loading end of the conveyor belt, wherein the loading system comprises a pair of spaced-apart, vertically displaceable lift members arranged across from one another at the loading and of the conveyor belt, and a product-receiving template adjustably supported between the vertically displaceable lift members at the loading end of the conveyor belt so as to enable temporary support and alignment of products on the conveyor belt to be printed, prior to their being printed by the printer head beneath the gantry.
US09221277B2

The invention relates to the field of printing devices, more particularly to an E-paper printing device and an E-paper printing method. The E-paper printing device provided by the invention comprises a printhead for applying an electric field to the E-paper, the printhead comprises a first printhead and a second printhead disposed opposed to the first printhead, the E-paper is fed through between the first printhead and the second printhead, and portions of the first printhead and the second printhead contacting with the E-paper respectively are flat surface. The E-paper printing device may perform rapid printing on the E-paper with high precision.
US09221266B2

Fluid flux correction is disclosed. An example method of fluid flux correction includes displacing a fluid volume in a fluid reservoir with a compliant element. The method also includes absorbing fluid surges caused by variations in fluid flux to reduce distortion of at least one ink nozzle meniscus and maintain consistent fluid ejection.
US09221264B2

An image forming apparatus is provided, that includes a recording head including a plurality of nozzles to discharge droplets; and a droplet discharge sensor unit to detect whether a droplet has been discharged from the plurality of nozzles of the recording head or not. The droplet discharge sensor unit includes a resistor, on which the droplets discharged from the nozzles of the recording head lands, the resistor disposed opposite the recording head; and a sensor to detect a change in electrical resistance of the resistor when the droplets discharged from the plurality of nozzles of the recording head landed on the resistor.
US09221260B2

A liquid jet head includes a piezoelectric body substrate having an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two groove arrays each having ejection grooves penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a first opening portion penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface between the at least two groove arrays. Drive electrodes are provided on side surfaces of the ejection grooves and terminal electrodes are electrically connected to the drive electrodes. A flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the terminal electrodes and extends from the lower surface to the upper surface of the piezoelectric body substrate through the first opening portion.
US09221245B2

A functional amine release agent displaying reduced coefficient of friction as compared to standard silicone oils, comprises a polydimethylsiloxane oil and a functional amine selected from the group consisting of pendant propylamines and pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl. The concentration of functional amine to polydimethylsiloxane oil is approximately less than 0.0001 meq/g. According to certain embodiments, the functional amine release agent is operable to impart a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 or more to the print media, resulting in improved finishing and converting equipment interaction. The release agent may have a viscosity of about 50 cSt.
US09221241B2

A method and apparatus for removing a pad adhesively secured to a platen. The apparatus includes a barrel assembly having a clamp assembly fixedly attached to a perimeter of the barrel assembly; a rotatable handle assembly nested within the barrel assembly; and a ratchet assembly nested between the handle assemble and the barrel assembly the ratchet assembly configured to engage the rotatable handle assembly.
US09221237B2

An adhesive-applying method is disclosed herein. The method comprises: providing a film comprising pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a major surface thereof; heating the film to a softening point of the film; and pressing the film against a substrate with an application device, the application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film-contacting portion comprising a foam material and having a thermal conductivity of less than 1.8 BTU in /(hr ft2 °F.); wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive on the major surface of the film adheres to the substrate. Application devices and kits that may be used in conjunction with the method are also disclosed herein.
US09221216B2

An additive manufacturing system and process are described. In one example of the invention, a fiber optic cable connected with an ultraviolet (UV) LED and related lens forms an accumulation tool. The cable is then merged inside a tank filled with liquid resin that is UV-curable. By controlling the on/off state of the UV-LED and the multi-axis motion of the cable, a physical model, having a desired shape, can be built by selectively curing liquid resin into solid.
US09221214B2

A method for producing a substrate having a concavity and convexity pattern includes: a step for applying a sol containing a silica precursor on a substrate to form a coating film; a step for drying the coating film; a pressing step for pressing a mold having a concavity and convexity pattern against the dried coating film with a pressing roll; a step for peeling off the mold from the coating film; and a step for baking the coating film to which the concavity and convexity pattern has been transferred. The coating film is dried in the drying step so that the ratio of weight of the coating film to dried weight of the coating film is in a range of 1.4 to 8.8, the dried weight being obtained by baking the coating film at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. The coating film may be heated in the pressing step.
US09221213B2

A laminate film including a first polylactic acid layer; a second metal-receiving layer including PVOH, EVOH, or a blend thereof on a side of the first polylactic acid layer; and a metal layer deposited on a side of the metal-receiving layer opposite the polylactic acid layer. The metal-receiving layer may be coextruded with the polylactic acid first layer or may be a coating applied to one side of the polylactic acid first layer. This laminate film exhibits excellent gas and moisture barrier properties, appearance, and metal adhesion. It may also include a heat sealable or winding improving layer on the side opposite the metal receiving-layer of the first polylactic acid layer.
US09221208B2

The present invention relates to a device for controlling blowing mediums in a stretch blow moulding machine for producing hollow bodies of heated preforms, wherein the device comprises a housing block with a first through-bore for accommodating at least one blow nozzle. In addition, a first and a second valve are provided, wherein these valves are in fluid communication with the first through-bore and configured for selectively connecting a blow nozzle accommodated in the through-bore to a fluid connection. In order to simplify the construction of the device and to prevent leakages, the housing block furthermore comprises first and second valve channels for accommodating the first and the second valve within the housing block, wherein the first and second valve channels are in fluid communication with the first through-bore.
US09221207B2

A method for producing a long stretched film according to one aspect of the present invention includes at least a film forming step of forming a long film made of thermoplastic resin, an oblique stretching step of obliquely stretching the long film and a winding step of winding the long stretched film after the oblique stretching step. The oblique stretching device includes gripping tool travel support tools at opposite sides of the traveling long film. Each of the gripping tool travel support tools includes a plurality of gripping tools. In the oblique stretching device, the gripping tool travel support tools provided at the opposite sides of the long film include the same number of gripping tools. A combination of the gripping tools forming a gripping tool pair is constantly the same at grip start points where the long film is gripped by the gripping tools.
US09221197B2

The present disclosure includes improved systems and methods for recycling, including an improved method of recycling one or more polymers from a flooring material that has been contacted with a solvent to provide a reclaimed polymer composition. The improved method, in one embodiment, includes prior to the step of contacting the flooring material with the solvent, cutting the flooring material into portions that provide substantially complete contact between the flooring material and the solvent. The improved method, in this embodiment, further includes following the step of contacting the flooring material with the solvent, contacting the portions of flooring material with a mechanical disruptor that both pulls and separates the one or polymers concurrently in at least two different vectors for a time sufficient to separate the one or more polymers.
US09221181B2

A Support arm with brake mechanism, characterized in that: a resilient component generates a resilient force acting in opposition to gravity, such that a supporting rod can move an object steadily; and, in the course of moving the object, a brake is started as needed to brake the supporting rod and fasten the supporting rod to a predetermined position.
US09221177B2

A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.
US09221173B2

A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit.
US09221171B2

A complex device includes: a substrate having a thick portion, a cavity and a membrane for bridging the cavity; and multiple piezoelectric elements having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode. A part of the piezoelectric elements has a projecting portion arranged on the upper electrode. The part of piezoelectric elements (30) provides a vertical pressure detection element. The piezoelectric elements further have an ultrasonic element other than the vertical pressure detection element. The ultrasonic element is arranged over at least the cavity of the substrate in a horizontal direction.
US09221160B2

A system and method for guiding a motor into alignment with a transmission during assembly. The system may allow the motor to be placed into engagement with a motor mount in a first position, wherein in the first position, the position of the motor is constrained by guide structures such that the gear teeth of the drive gear and the gear teeth of a driven gear are not fully intermeshed, and a rotation axis of the drive gear is not parallel to a rotation axis of the driven gear. The motor may then be manipulated in the motor mount while constrained by the guide structures along a motion path until the gear teeth of the drive gear and the gear teeth of the driven gear are more fully intermeshed, and the rotation axis of the drive gear is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the driven gear.
US09221144B2

A universal sharpening jig for a cutting blade includes a base plate, a protractor plate coupled to the base plate, an incline plate hingedly coupled to the base plate and slideably connected to the protractor plate, the incline plate configured to secure the cutting blade and configured to set and fix the angle of the incline plate with respect to the base plate to define a sharpening angle of all or a portion of a bevel with respect to a flat back of the cutting blade. A push plate is slideably attached proximate a front of the base plate and co-planar with a bottom surface of the base plate, the push plate configured to position a user-applied force vector thereon and directly apply the force vector closely proximate the intersection of the bevel and an abrasive surface to reduce de-stabilizing moments and user energy need to create a sharpened edge between the bevel and the flat back of the cutting blade. At least one glide located proximate back of the base plate is configured to longitudinally and/or laterally level the base plate with respect to a level abrasive surface to allow movement of the jig in all horizontal directions by a user to create the sharpened edge on the cutting blade.
US09221141B1

A tuned mass tool holder having an axis of rotation has a mass that can be varied. The distribution of the tool holder mass can be adjusted along the axis of rotation, the center of gravity of the tool holder can be moved along the axis of rotation, and the moment of inertia of the tool holder can be changed relative to the holder-spindle interface.
US09221130B2

A material is for thermal bonding by metal fine particle sintering mediated by a metal sintered film, such that shorts do not occur readily between bonded sections, and bonding strength is higher than that achieved by plating or sputtering. The material is obtained by dispersing metal fine particles in an organic compound dispersion medium that melts or softens through heating at a temperature higher than 30° C., and is interposed between metal members, semiconductor members or ceramic members. The material includes 60 wt % or more of the organic compound dispersion medium containing one or more types of a polyol having a melting point or softening point of 30° C. or higher and having two or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule, and 80 wt % or more of the metal fine particles that have an average particle size of primary particles ranging from 5 to 200 nm.
US09221128B2

A method of inspecting a solder joint through which a lead of a semiconductor device is mounted on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The method includes setting an estimated solder joint region at an outside of an end of the lead of the semiconductor device, capturing an image of the estimated solder joint region, calculating a height of solder joint in the estimated solder joint region by using the captured image of the estimated solder joint region, and determining whether the solder joint is defective by comparing the height of the solder joint in the estimated solder joint region with a reference height of a solder joint, which is previously set. According to the method, reliability of inspection is enhanced regardless of environmental noises.
US09221121B2

A welding process, welding system and welded article are disclosed. The welding process includes directing energy from one or more fusion beams to join a first element to a second element and to join the first element to a third element. The directing of the energy is at a first lateral angle and a second lateral angle with respect to the first element. The welding system includes an energy emitting device, a first fusion beam and a second fusion beam. The first fusion beam and the second fusion beam are oriented to extend diagonally through an article. The laser welded article includes the first element joined to the second element, and the first element joined to the third element. A fillet weld is formed in a first inaccessible portion between the first element and the second element and a second inaccessible portion between the first element and the third element.
US09221093B2

The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger body defining an exit plenum chamber shaped for uniform flow of a hot primary heat transfer fluid through the chamber. A plurality of adjacent heat transfer members are connected to the heat exchanger body define a plurality of flow passages between the heat transfer members and open into the exit plenum chamber. Spacing of the heat transfer members by a predetermined distance evenly distributes flow of the primary heat transfer fluid through the flow passages, across the surfaces of the heat transfer members and into the exit plenum chamber. Heat transfer occurs from the hot primary heat transfer fluid to the cooler secondary heat transfer fluid as the primary heat transfer fluid flows through the chamber and as the secondary heat transfer fluid simultaneously flows through the flow channel of each heat transfer member.
US09221088B2

A method of forming includes applying a stretching force along a linear axis of a work piece and forming the work piece while the stretching force is applied.
US09221086B2

Rolling mill shear provided with at least one blade having characteristics of toughness and resistance to thermal shock typical of the family of tool steels for hot shearing and at the same time having sufficiently high characteristics of surface hardness and wear resistance, typical of tool steels for cold shearing. This shear is particularly suitable for carrying out, with greater efficiency and for a longer time, relative to the known shears, the shearing of sections or bars at a temperature between 150 and 800° C., downstream of the Quenching & Tempering heat treatment thereof.
US09221084B2

A cleaning tool (100) for a pipe is provided comprising a substantially cylindrical body (102) and a plurality of holes within the body section (102) for receiving resilient biasing means. A plurality of bristle heads (104) extend radially from the body. Each bristle head (104) is movable between an extended position and an inward position and the biasing means bias the bristle heads in the direction of the extended position. A housing may be provided for each resilient biasing means that is received in each of the plurality of the holes in the body.
US09221083B2

An air filter reconditioning apparatus is provided for cleaning air filters. There is a vessel body with a lid and an arbor axle tube provides a source of incoming air. A two stage live arbor is provided having a first roller bearing fitted on the arbor axle tube, a spacer ring fitted on the first roller bearing, a second roller bearing fitted on the arbor axle tube, an impeller ring fitted on the second roller bearing and a housing fitted on the spacer ring and the impeller ring, with an air redirection plate disposed in the housing and fitted to the arbor axle tube. A V-grooved arbor nozzle adapter is threadably connected to the housing such that the housing and the V-grooved nozzle adapter rotate around the arbor axle tube. Nozzles defined in the V-grooved arbor nozzle adapter direct air into the air filter during rotation.
US09221081B1

Disclosed herein are cleaning discs for cleaning one or more elements of a semiconductor processing apparatus. In some embodiments, the disc may have a substantially circular upper surface, a substantially circular lower surface, a substantially circular edge joining the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of pores opening at the edge and having an interior extending into the interior of the disc. In some embodiments, the pores are dimensioned such that a cleaning agent may be retained in the interior of the pores by an adhesive force between the cleaning agent and the interior surface of the pores. Also disclosed herein are cleaning methods involving loading a cleaning agent into a plurality of pores of a cleaning disc, positioning the cleaning disc within a semiconductor processing apparatus, and releasing cleaning agent from the plurality of pores such that elements of the apparatus are contacted by the released cleaning agent.
US09221079B1

A system and method by which mail sorting equipment can correct postal addresses utilizing cloud technology.
US09221076B2

A composition for producing an optically clear, well bonded superhydrophobic coating includes a plurality of hydrophobic particles comprising an average particle size of about 200 nm or less, a binder at a binder concentration of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.5 wt. %, and a solvent. The hydrophobic particles may be present in the composition at a particle concentration of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. %. An optically transparent, superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate, a plurality of hydrophobic particles having an average particle size of about 200 nm or less dispersed over the substrate, and a discontinuous binder layer bonding the hydrophobic particles to the substrate, where the hydrophobic particles and the binder layer form an optically transparent, superhydrophobic coating.
US09221073B2

A method of producing the high molecular weight polycarbodiimide comprises the steps of providing an isocyanate component comprising toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a carbodiimidization catalyst, and a first solvent. The method further comprises the step of polymerizing the isocyanate component in the first solvent and in the presence of the carbodiimidization catalyst to produce a reaction mixture including at least one carbodiimide compound and the first solvent. In addition, the method comprises the step of combining a second solvent and the reaction mixture. Finally, the method comprises the step of polymerizing the at least one carbodiimide compound for a second period of time in the first and second solvents and in the presence of the carbodiimidization catalyst to produce the high molecular weight polycarbodiimide.
US09221071B2

A method and apparatus of growing a thin film are provided. The method comprises at least (a) providing a number of substrates; (b) cleaning the substrates; and (c) placing the substrates into a reaction liquid; (d) vibrating the reaction liquid by ultrasonic waves such that a thin film is grown on the substrates evenly.
US09221070B2

Disclosed is two-tier fountain with a continuous scupper. A continuous scupper is a 360-degree, unrestricted border (i.e., continuous), scupper in an upper basin that creates an inward flowing laminar sheet of fluid. A continuous scupper maintains a laminar flow for great distances so that the fluid falls in a circular cascade sheet. On reaching the lower basin, the fluid creates a limited amount of turbulence during entry and therefore a reduced splash. The continuous scupper may be circular, or may have simple to complex variations that create different forms of circular cascade sheets. The upper basin may be open to the atmosphere, or may be closed to create even more spectacular circular cascade sheets.
US09221069B2

A powder spray for lengthy parts includes a booth wall structure comprised primarily of doors. A moveable roof may be raised and lowered to clean powder overspray from the interior surfaces of the booth. A cleaning process may be performed with a sideways extraction mode and a downward extraction mode. The mode change occurs when a bulkhead that travels with the moveable roof blocks the inlet duct to the recovery system. The recovery system may be a cyclone system for example. The doors of the booth are hinged so that they can be positioned for spraying operations and cleaning operations. Live hinge designs are provided and hose stress relief designs are also provided. The roof may carry accumulators for pressurized air that feed cleaning nozzles as the roof descends. In addition, exhaust air may be used to assist cleaning the interior surfaces as the roof descends. All of the energy provided for cleaning and color change may be provided by accumulators.
US09221068B2

An apparatus for non-contact cleaning a paint spray tip of a spray gun. The apparatus includes a housing with a top and an opening formed in the top to receive the spray tip. At least one drier nozzle is fluidly connected to a source of compressed air so that discharge from the nozzle impinges upon and dries the spray tip. Similarly, at least one solvent nozzle is also attached to the housing around the opening and discharges solvent on the spray tip when positioned in the housing opening. One or more down flow nozzles are also mounted to the housing to create a downdraft through the housing opening to facilitate cleaning and drying of the spray gun spray tip. A heated fluid also flows through the housing in close proximity to the fluid passageways for the drier nozzle and solvent nozzle in order to heat both the drier nozzle air flow and solvent flow to facilitate cleaning of the spray tip.
US09221065B1

One embodiment provides a helical restrictor insert for a sprinkler nozzle. The helical thread of the insert imparts a helical swirl into the water stream which changes the flow and distribution pattern of the water leaving the nozzle. The position of the end of the helical thread can be adjusted to direct a portion of the water stream downward, close to the sprinkler head without adversely affecting the nearby turf.
US09221061B2

Eddy current separation apparatus for separating particles from a particle stream. The eddy current separation apparatus comprises a separator drum adapted to create a first particle fraction and a second particle fraction, a feeding device upstream of the separator drum for supplying particles to the separator drum, and a splitter element provided downstream of the separator drum for splitting the respective fractions. The eddy current separation apparatus further comprises a sensor device arranged for detecting particles, and counting and/or detecting material properties of the detected particles, from at least part of one of the particle fractions. The eddy current separation apparatus is configured to adjust, in use, a position and/or orientation of the splitter element with respect to the separator drum and/or a transporting velocity of the feeding device in dependence of a signal from the sensor device based on a counted number and/or material properties of the detected particles.
US09221060B2

A method for processing rubber granules or rubber powders containing different types of rubber. Vehicle tires containing natural rubber in the tread and butyl rubber in the inner liner are granulated or ground to prepare rubber granules or rubber powders, which are processed in a flotation cell under stirring and with the addition of air. The natural rubber fraction of the rubber granules has a higher tendency to adsorb air bubbles and to rise in the flotation cell, while the butyl rubber fraction remains at the bottom. The rubber granules are separated into two or more rubber fractions with an increased amount of a specific rubber type in each fraction.
US09221054B2

The invention relates to a thermal validation apparatus including at least one lining, each lining defining a sink and intended to be inserted into a respective recess of the thermal processing device for heating or cooling biological samples, as well as a respective temperature probe arranged in each sink. Each sleeve is made of a plastic material.
US09221048B2

A drop dispenser including a fluid reservoir, a tube having a dispenser end and an actuation end, a fluid chamber of variable volume connected to the actuation end of the tube; a pusher that is axially movable between a high position and a low position so as to cause the volume of the chamber to vary and drive the fluid into the tube towards the dispenser end so as to form a drop of fluid; and a fastener ring including a threaded skirt for coming into engagement with the threaded neck, the tube and the chamber being secured to the ring. The drop dispenser have a mover for moving the pusher axially between the high and low positions, the mover also causing the fastener ring to turn, both so as to loosen it from the neck by unscrewing and so as to tighten it onto the neck by screw-tightening.
US09221041B2

A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition is capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand.
US09221037B2

A transalkylation catalyst for the transalkylation of a heavy reformate is provided. The catalyst includes two solid acid zeolites having different physical and chemical properties, and at least three metals selected from the group 4 lanthanthides, and the elements found in groups 6 and 10 of the periodic table.
US09221023B2

A liquid mixing apparatus includes a flow channel configured to supply a liquid therethrough; a vortex-flow generating unit including a conductive member and an electrode, and configured to generate a vortex flow in the liquid in the flow channel by an electric field, the conductive member being provided in the flow channel, the electrode applying the electric field to the conductive member; a directional-flow generating unit connected to an end portion of the flow channel and configured to generate a flow of the liquid in a direction along the flow channel; and a switching unit configured to switch between the vortex flow and the directional flow.
US09221020B2

Disclosed is the method for creating a reinforced hollow fiber membrane by applying reinforcing filaments to a core, casting a dope over the filaments and core, forming a membrane from the dope, and removing the core. The core may be a moving core, and the reinforcing yarns may comprise warp yarns and a spiral wrap yarn. The core may be soluble and removed by dissolving it. The core may be pre-wrapped with a yarn before the warp yarns are applied. The resulting reinforcing cage may be pre-shrunk before it is coated with a membrane dope. The pre-wrapped yarn may be removed, for example by dissolving it, after the reinforcing cage is coated. A precursor assembly for making a hollow fiber membrane is also provided.
US09221018B1

Forward osmosis methods and apparatus using a supported osmotic agent to establish or enhance an osmotic forward bias are disclosed. A supported osmotic agent may be assisted by osmotic agents not attached to a support and/or a pressure differential between an influent and effluent chamber and/or a temperature gradient and/or other means to increase the osmotic pressure in an effluent chamber.
US09221016B2

An exhaust aftertreatment system for a diesel-powered genset includes a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injection system, a housing, a Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) section disposed within the housing and a support configured to support the exhaust aftertreatment system. The DEF injection system includes a housing having an inlet region and an outlet region. A stationary upstream mixer increases turbulence of exhaust entering the inlet region. A stationary downstream mixer increases turbulence of exhaust exiting the outlet region. The DEF injection system includes a DEF injector. The SCR section includes a housing having an inlet and outlet, an SCR catalyst mounted in the housing, and a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the DEF injection section housing. A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) section can be disposed within the housing between the DEF injection section and the SCR section.
US09221007B2

The invention is directed to a method for separating acid gases from a gas mixture in which the gas mixture is contacted with an absorption medium which comprises water and at least one amine and has a phase-separation temperature in the range from 0 to 130° C. In addition, the invention is directed to a device which can be used for carrying out this method.
US09221003B2

A filter bag is longitudinally formed with at least a portion of the filter bag formed in a frusto-conical shape. The filter bag has a plurality of radially extending members that form a propeller shaped cross-section. A lower, frusto conically shaped lower portion balloon or billows during a reverse air cycle enhances dust fall from the exterior for cleaning. A manifold having multiple openings is also disclosed.
US09220999B2

An in-line filter is disclosed for filtering fluid flowing through a hydraulic system, particularly an automotive hydraulic system. The filter has a magnetic base with a central opening at its outlet and a seat with a central opening at its inlet. The base and the seat are joined by a cylindrical filter element made of a magnetically susceptible mesh screen material. A spring within the filter element biases a ball against the central opening of the seat normally sealing off the opening and forcing fluid to flow through the filter element to be filtered. If the mesh screen becomes clogged, backpressure forces the ball away from the seat against the bias of the spring to allow fluid to bypass the filter element and flow directly through the filter. Ferrous debris within the fluid flow continues to be captured by attraction to the magnetic base and the magnetized filter element.
US09220992B2

To provide a game device capable of sending air into a bag-shaped elastic sheet, even if distance is required between a blower or other air sending means and the elastic sheet.The present invention is a game device comprising a game device main body, an air flowpath that receives air sent by an air sending means, and an elastic sheet. The game device is characterized by the elastic sheet being formed in a bag shape that is expanded by air that is sent in from the air flowpath, and the elastic sheet being supported by the air flowpath formed using part of the frame of the game device main body.
US09220989B2

An apparatus for transporting a rider comprising a vehicle adapted to support the rider wherein vehicle has a driven portion disposed along a bottom surface thereof and a track having a path sized to slidably receive the vehicle therein and a plurality of water jets disposed along the track along a path of travel of the driven portion. Each of the plurality of water jets is adapted to sequentially discharge a portion of water in a desired direction of travel of the vehicle therethrough when aligned with the driven portion such that the portion of water engages the driven portion.
US09220984B2

A method to share challenges between users of a social game system is described. The method may include accessing relationship data reflecting a relationship between a first user and a second user, and accessing challenge data in a challenge database. Based on (1) the challenge data and (2) the relationship between the first user and the second user reflected by the relationship data, the challenge data is selectively communicated as part of a challenge about the first user to the second user, with the challenge forming part of a challenge game.
US09220979B2

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a program for implementing functions of managing a recording medium in an electronic device, includes a recording medium management module that includes: an acquisition module configured to acquire an upper limit to the number of recording media registered in the electronic device; and a registering module configured to register the recording medium in which the program is installed in the electronic device such that the acquired upper limit is not exceeded. The recording medium management module may link date and time information to a recording medium identifier identifying the recording medium in which the program is installed, and register the information and the identifier as linked in a management database used to manage the recording medium.
US09220968B2

A heel lock and release combination for a splitboard boot binding. For use in ski touring mode, the binding includes a baseplate for receiving a rider's boot and a spring clamp affixed to a ski member of a splitboard binding interface. The baseplate is pivotably affixed to the ski at the toe. The spring clamp is mounted on a heel rest and may be repositioned between a heel locking and a free heel position. When locked, the spring clamp engages the heel end of the baseplate and prevents heel release. The engagement of the spring clamp is configured so that release of the heel occurs under stress: reducing injury.
US09220964B2

Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.
US09220961B1

A golf tee is provided, including a head portion, a neck portion, a stem portion, and a tip portion. The head portion is provided on a top of the golf tee and having a right-left symmetry. The neck portion is extended from the head portion and having a the right-left symmetry. The stem portion is extended from the neck portion and having a broken right-left symmetry. The tip portion is extended from the stem portion and configured for being pushed into a ground. The stem portion provides top-down and right-left aerodynamic unbalances to the golf tee, such that the golf tee rotates about a middle portion much more rather than flies away when the golf tee receives an external impact.
US09220956B2

A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head form a club head for a fairway wood that has a high moment of inertia, a low center-of-gravity and a thin crown.
US09220955B2

A golf club head comprises a metal member made of at least one kind of metal material and a resin member made of a resin material welded to the metal member. A method for manufacturing the golf club head comprises a step of welding the resin member to the metal member.
US09220954B2

A golf club head includes a portion with different thickness in a face portion. A region having a maximum thickness and a region having a minimum thickness are formed on a back of the face portion. An inclined portion with varying thickness is provided between those regions.
US09220930B2

A component in a mask in a closed-circuit breathing apparatus includes a lever that actuates a wiper in the mask as well as mount for a communication amplifier. The combined amplifier mount and actuating lever can reduce the profile of the means of actuating the wiper and provide an alternative to using chemical means for preventing the deposition of condensation on the inside of a viewing lens of the mask.
US09220913B2

Techniques and methods for determining the number and type of leads that are connected to an implantable medical device (IMD) system are disclosed. The IMD system is configured having at least two modes of operation, the modes of operation corresponding to the number and type of leads that are coupled to the IMD system. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, one of the at least two modes may be selected based on the determination of the number and type of leads that are connected to the IMD system.
US09220904B2

A rules engine acquires sensor data from sensors applied to the heart and detects an intrinsic beat of the heart. The rules engine determines whether an electrical waveform should be applied to the heart and, if so, the type of electrical waveform.
US09220900B2

An embodiment relates to a method for delivering a vagal stimulation therapy to a vagus nerve, including delivering a neural stimulation signal to non-selectively stimulate both afferent axons and efferent axons in the vagus nerve according to a predetermined schedule for the vagal stimulation therapy, and selecting a value for at least one parameter for the predetermined schedule for the vagal stimulation therapy to control the neural stimulation therapy to avoid physiological habituation to the vagal stimulation therapy. The parameter(s) include at least one parameter selected from the group of parameters consisting of a predetermined therapy duration parameter for a predetermined therapy period, and a predetermined intermittent neural stimulation parameter associated with on/off timing for the intermittent neural stimulation parameter.
US09220884B2

Multi-connectors are disclosed for arranging a tubing segment and feeding/discharging lines of an extracorporeal blood circulation on a tube roller pump, the multi-connectors including a base and connectors for connecting the tubing segment to the feeding/discharging lines. A first connector includes a convex contour. The multi-connectors may be arranged on a medical device pump housing having a bearing surface and a rotor within the bearing surface, wherein a tube can be introduced between the bearing surface and the rotor and blood can be fed/discharged via feeding/discharging lines. A concave receiving portion is provided for the first connector, forming a pivot bearing to pivot the multi-connector. Pump housing means for locking adapted to interact with multi-connector means for locking are provided so the multi-connector can be detachably fastened.
US09220880B2

The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of visualizable or treatment compositions or therapeutic agents comprising device elements for diagnosis and/or treatment of conduits. A delivery system comprising an introducer shaft having at least one exit port and at least one delivery catheter for placement of compositions into the conduit, such as a fallopian tube.
US09220872B2

A vascular introducer sheath includes a sheath body having an interior lumen for accommodating a dilator. The vascular introducer further includes a guidewire positioning means operatively associated with the interior lumen of the sheath body for directing a guidewire in either a vascular direction or an arterial direction within a venous system.
US09220871B2

An extravascular system is provided which includes a catheter assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle cap containing a needle shield. The needle shield may be a V-clip having a pawl. The pawl may communicate with an extension on the needle shield by forming a bend between the pawl and the extension. The bend may include at least one dent, and the dent may be formed within the center of the bend. Alternatively, the bend may include a plurality of dents. The plurality of dents may be placed at various locations over the pawl width. The pawl may be folded back onto itself. Indeed, the pawl may be folded back on itself to form essentially a pawl of double thickness. In addition, the pawl may be constructed with a bend of various angles. The angle of the bend between the pawl and the extension may be less than 90°. The angle may be in the range of from about 90° and about 70°. The pawl may also include a corrugated design or structure.
US09220868B2

A medical device has a distal member with a configuration that can be changed by means of a control handle with a control assembly employing a rotational cam, a shaft, and a pulley, where the rotational cam is rotationally mounted on a portion of the control handle for rotation by a user. The rotational cam operates on the shaft to move it proximally or distally depending on the direction of rotation which in turn rotates the pulley to draw or release a puller wire to change the configuration of the distal member of the medical device. The shaft is oriented along a diameter of the control handle. The shaft has two ends which extends through two axial guide slots in the portion of the control handle to sit two opposing helical tracks formed on inner surface of the rotational cam. The guide slots are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the control handle and therefore maintain the shaft's diametrical orientation as the rotational cam is rotated to move the shaft proximally or distally. Actuation of the puller wire by means of the control assembly can result in a change of the distal member's configuration, including deflection, contraction and/or expansion.
US09220864B2

A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use where the usable life of the sieve beds, adsorbers, is monitored and communicated to the user or service provider through a user interface or a transmitted signal. The concentrator is designed so that the beds are easily replaced by the user or a field technician. Preferably PSA cycle operating parameters appropriate to the replaced beds can be easily reset if needed by the user or service provider.
US09220860B2

A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and an element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.
US09220857B2

A ventilator intended to be connected to a patient for breathing therapy has a control unit having an input for receiving EMG signals from an EMG detector and an output for an EMG based control signal and a pneumatic unit for generating breathing gas flows dependent on the EMG based control signal is described. The ventilator has a detector for determining a parameter related to breathing dynamics for the patient, this detector being connected to the control unit and control unit controlling the pneumatic unit dependent on the parameter related to breathing dynamics in the case of loss of EMG signals at the input.
US09220856B2

An air delivery system includes a controllable flow generator operable to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas to be provided to a patient for treatment and a pulse oximeter configured to determine a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator.
US09220854B1

The present disclosure involves a breathing apparatus that is particularly well suited for use by water sports enthusiasts. The device provides a breath of air to a swimmer or surfer at depth without the use of compressed air tanks. Physically innocuous to the wearer, the device can be repeatedly recharged with minimal interruption to the sports activity.
US09220851B2

A dual-chambered drug delivery device (301) includes a first chamber (342) in which medicament is stored and a second chamber (331) in fluid communication with the first chamber (342). A medicament dose is transferred to the second chamber (331) from the first chamber (342) prior to injecting the medicament dose. A needle (363) communicates with the second chamber (331) for injecting the medicament dose into an injection site.
US09220847B2

The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a generally elongated housing (10; 100, 102), a drive assembly disposed in said hosing and an actuation assembly operably connected to said drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly comprises a guard member (12; 104) and an actuator member (44; 180), characterized in that the actuation assembly further comprises a locking member (28; 32) disposed between the guard member and the actuator member, wherein said locking member is configured to be moved by the guard member when the guard member is pressed against a delivery site between a first locking position in which the locking member is blocking the actuator member and a released position in which the locking member allows the actuator member to be operated.
US09220844B2

A syringe comprising a cylinder and a plunger arranged in the latter has a sealing element which, with a contact region, abuts an inner wall of the cylinder and seals an annular gap between the plunger and an inner wall of the cylinder. The contact region has a front section which, in the rest state, abuts the inner wall of the cylinder with an abutment pressure. The plunger is connected to the sealing element in such a way that the sealing element does not follow an initial movement of the plunger out of the rest state and such that the sealing element follows a continued movement of the plunger. The abutment pressure between the sealing element and the inner wall in the front section of the contact region decreases during the initial movement. With the syringe, less force is required in order to overcome the static friction between the sealing element and the inner wall of the cylinder.
US09220840B2

A modular external infusion device that controls the rate a fluid is infused into an individual's body, which includes a first module and a second module. More particularly, the first module may be a pumping module that delivers a fluid, such as a medication, to a patient while the second module may be a programming module that allows a user to select pump flow commands. The second module is removably attachable to the first module.
US09220839B2

The present invention relates to an assembly for a drug delivery device comprising a dispensing container and a reservoir container for holding a fluid medicinal product, wherein the dispensing container and the reservoir container are connected to one another and are in fluid communication, and wherein the dispensing container is squeezable for dispensing a dose of the fluid medicinal product from the dispensing container, the dispensing container being refillable with the fluid medicinal product from the reservoir container.
US09220838B2

A puncture device comprising a hollow needle, a fixing portion fixed to the hollow needle, a sheath portion covering a part/entirety of the hollow needle and including a plastically deformable elongating member, a holding portion holding the hollow needle and the sheath portion in an integrated manner, with the holding portion positioned between the tip portion of the hollow needle and the plastically deformable elongating member, a holding release mechanism that releases the holding of the holding portion between the hollow needle and the sheath portion after the hollow needle and the sheath portion puncture the living body. The sheath portion elongates and is held in an elongated condition when the holding portion moves by the holding release mechanism, or when the holding of the hollow needle using the holding portion in an integrated manner is released, and the elastic portion contracts.
US09220834B2

A pressure sensor for a medical injection system includes a cuff, a transducer embedded in the cuff, and a force transmitting member coupled to the transducer and exposed at an inner surface of the cuff, such that an outer surface of a tubing line of a fluid circuit of the system, when fitted within the cuff, contacts the force transmitting member. A limited length of the tubing line may have a greater compliance than a remainder of the line, in which case, the pressure sensor cuff fits around and encloses the limited length to provide support against plastic deformation, when pressures within the line are significantly greater than atmospheric. The pressure sensor may detect whether or not the cuff is properly fitted around the tubing line, and/or determine a characteristic of the tubing line.
US09220831B2

A miniaturized, integrated, microfluidic device pulls materials bound to magnetic particles from one laminar flow path to another by applying a local magnetic field gradient. The device removes microbial and mammalian cells from flowing biological fluids without any wash steps. A microfabricated high-gradient magnetic field concentrator (HGMC) is integrated at one side of a microfluidic channel. When magnetic particles are introduced into one flow path, they remain limited to that flow path. When the HGMC is magnetized, the magnetic beads are pulled from the initial flow path into the collection stream, thereby cleansing the fluid. The microdevice allows large numbers of beads and materials to be sorted simultaneously, has no capacity limit, does not lose separation efficiency as particles are removed, and is useful for cell separations from blood and other biological fluids. This on-chip separator allows cell separations to be performed in the field outside of hospitals and laboratories.
US09220828B2

A method of preparing a dialysate solution for hemodialysis, the method including the steps of providing a mixing pump comprising a pump chamber covered by an actuable membrane, the chamber having a first inlet for admitting water into the chamber, a second inlet for admitting dialysate base solution into the chamber, and an outlet from the chamber, the method including the further steps of providing pump means for dispensing a predetermined volume of dialysate solution base into the chamber at a first pressure, actuating the membrane to draw a volume of water or water mix into the mixing pump chamber at a second pressure, wherein the magnitude of the first pressure is higher than the magnitude of the second pressure so as to ensure the complete dispense of the dialysate solution base into the chamber.
US09220827B2

The invention describes an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment with a dialyzer which is separated by a semipermeable membrane in to a first and second chamber (29, 30), wherein the first chamber (29) is arrange in a dialysate pathway and the second chamber (30) is connectable to the blood circulation of a patient by means of a blood supply conduit (32) and a blood return conduit (31), an inlet (20) for fresh dialysate, an outlet (30) for spent dialysate, a measuring device (37) arranged in the outlet (36), wherein said measuring device (37) has at least one radiation source consisting of several light sources (1) for electromagnetic radiation. The invention is characterized in that the measuring device (37) is designed to generate substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths, and to lead only one of these wavelength (at the same time) though the outlet (36) for spent dialysate, wherein at least one detector system (5) is provided for detection of the intensity or the absorption of the substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation passing through the outlet (36) for spent dialysate.
US09220826B2

Improved devices and methods for tracking power consumption and available charge in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system are provided. The method includes measuring the available charge in a battery and the current rate of power consumption in an implanted medical device, determining the remaining time before the charge level of the battery reaches a predetermined threshold level, and communicating the remaining time to a user.
US09220823B2

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for applying negative pressure to a wound site. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a source of negative pressure, a processing element, and a memory comprising instructions configured to, when executed on the processing element, cause the apparatus to attempt to generate, via the source of negative pressure, a desired negative pressure at the wound site. If the desired negative pressure has not been generated after a first predetermined period of time, the instructions cause the apparatus to: deactivate the source of negative pressure for a second predetermined period of time, and subsequently attempt to generate the desired negative pressure at the wound site.
US09220821B2

The invention relates to a fastening device for a negative-pressure therapy appliance, in particular for negative-pressure treatment of wounds on the human or animal body, comprising a holding means, a hollow body and a receiving area.
US09220813B2

Cells of the B cell lineage including pre-pro-B cells, pro-B cells, pre-B cells, immature B cells, and some mature B cells, and/or cells of the T cell lineage, especially those with helper or regulatory function, most preferably autologous to the recipient, can be transplanted into damaged tissue to enhance recovery following injury. In a preferred embodiment, the cells are selected based on those cells which appear at the site of injury a few days after injury, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, which accelerate clean up and repair of the injured site and to mitigate the overzealous inflammatory response, presumably by inhibiting the inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and signals released thereby immediately following injury.
US09220810B2

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for growing and expanding MSC while maintaining their undifferentiated phenotype, self-renewal ability, and/or multi-lineage potential. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises i) seeding freshly isolated MSC on a planar surface or a 3-D scaffold and growing the cells under physiological or low O2 tension for a period of time sufficient to support formation of 3-D ECM network; ii) decellularizing the planar surface or 3-D scaffold; and iii) reseeding the decellularized planar surface or 3-D scaffold with MSCs, whereby the reseeded MSCs can be grown on the scaffold and maintain an undifferentiated phenotype. In one embodiment, the 3-D scaffold comprises or is composed of PET. In one embodiment, the MSC are human MSC (hMSC).
US09220808B2

Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications. Some embodiments are directed towards methods of use degradable bioprostheses in wound healing, tissue repair, and tissue supplementation.
US09220806B2

The present invention relates to a biocompatible material and in particular to a two-phase or composite biocompatible ceramic material, wherein the first phase is a doped calcium zinc silicate and the second phase is a metal oxide. In an embodiment, the invention has been developed for use in tissue regeneration including bone tissue. In other embodiments, the invention has been developed as a coating to improve the long-term stability of prior art implantable medical devices.
US09220805B2

The invention concerns the control of female body odors, particularly odors associated with body fluids, namely products of the genito-urinary tract, such as menstrual or catamenial fluids, vaginal fluids, urine, by use of low odor compositions of fragrance materials. The composition of fragrance material includes at least 5% of one or more musks and at least 5% of one or more salicylates.
US09220802B2

Provided is a photocatalytic air purification vehicle wrap for at least partially covering an exterior surface of a vehicle. The vehicle wrap comprises a film or laminate material comprising a first surface area and a second surface area, the first surface area adapted to adhere to the exterior surface of the vehicle. The vehicle wrap further comprises a coating layer disposed on the second surface, the coating layer comprising a titanium dioxide solution cured onto the film or laminate material with ultraviolet radiation, wherein the coating layer is an outermost layer of the vehicle wrap such that the cured titanium dioxide solution is exposed to air surrounding the vehicle when the first surface area is adhered to the exterior surface of the vehicle.
US09220792B2

The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and modified mRNA (mmRNA) molecules.
US09220789B2

This document relates to conjugates of TNF inhibitors or derivatives thereof and functionalized (e.g., mono- or bi-functional) polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol and related polymers) as well as methods and materials for making and using such conjugates.
US09220771B2

The invention relates to the use of the Peptide of the formula Cyclo-(Arg-Gly-Asp-DPhe-NMe-Val) and/or the pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, solvates and/or salts thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of breast cancer and/or bone metastases in humans, wherein the medicament is optionally to be used in combination with one or more cancer cotherapeutic agents, preferably selected from a) hormone modulating agents, b) osteoclast activity modulating agents, c) cancer chemotherapeutic agents, and/or d) radiotherapy, alone, concurrently or not in the dosage regime of the present invention.
US09220759B2

Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of vascular disease in diabetic patients. The methods include both implantation of a stent including a first drug. Some embodiments include additional therapy, such as the co-administration of another drug. Some embodiments involve different stent selection for a diabetic patient compared to a non-diabetic patient.
US09220758B2

Calcitonin products and therapies for treating inflammatory or degenerative diseases are disclosed herein. The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein include a first therapeutic agent that is calcitonin, in free or salt form; a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of a protease inhibitor, an antibiotic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor and a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent other than glucocorticoid; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier or diluent. The methods disclosed herein for treating inflammatory or degenerative diseases in a subject include administering a therapeutically effective amount of calcitonin, in free or salt form, to the subject; and co-administering, as part of a combination therapy, a therapeutically effective amount of a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of a protease inhibitor, an antibiotic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a COX-2 inhibitor and a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent other than glucocorticoid to the subject.
US09220757B2

The present invention relates to an implantable composition for treating a damaged tissue and a method for inducing an in vivo migration of a cell for treatment to a damaged tissue region. The present invention treats the damaged tissue by inducing/promoting homing of a cell for tissue generation by implanting a biodegradable scaffold reacted with chemotactic factors (for example, IL-8 or MIP-3α) to a damaged location (for example, joint cartilage or skin). Thus, the composition of the present invention can not only be applied to the treatment of a damaged bone tissue, a joint cartilage, or a skin tissue more conveniently and efficiently compared to the conventional technology, but can also be used as a useful treatment supplement agent in cell treatment using allogeneic cell by enabling efficient utilization of cell resources for treatment, the cell resources which are high in scarcity.
US09220754B2

A bone graft composition is described, with one or more of: (a) keratose; (b) kerateine; (c) optionally, particulate filler; (d) optionally, an antibiotic; and (e) water or saline. The composition may be provided in sterile form in a container, and optionally lyophilized. Methods of treating a bone deficiency or fracture making use of such compositions are also described.
US09220746B2

The present invention provides peptides and methods of their use in treating bone disorders and bone-related conditions and in treating obesity.
US09220745B2

The present invention relates, inter alia, to a method comprising administering to a subject having high output shock and undergoing treatment with a catecholamine at a dose equivalent to at least about 0.2 mcg/kg/min of norepinephrine a dose of angiotensin II which is effective to raise the blood pressure of the subject to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of about 65 mm Hg or above, and which is effective to reduce the dose of the catecholamine required to maintain a MAP of about 65 mm Hg to the equivalent of about 0.05-0.2 mcg/kg/min norepinephrine or less, or to the equivalent of about 0.05 mcg/kg/min norepinephrine or less.
US09220735B2

This invention discloses methods of using krill oil and compositions comprising krill oil to treat risk factors for metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disorders. The present invention also relates to methods of using compositions comprising krill oil to modulate biological processes selected from the group consisting of glucose metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis, and the mitochondria respiratory chain. The present invention further includes pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical formulations made from krill oil, methods of making such formulations, and methods of administering them to treat risk factors for metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disorders.
US09220723B2

The present invention provides agents useful in the treatment of cancer, as well as systems for identifying and/or characterizing such agents, and systems for identifying and/or characterizing patient populations responsive to particular agents.
US09220721B2

Methods for heart regeneration are provided. The invention provided herein includes methods of modulating proliferation of cardiomyocytes using small molecules and micro RNAs. In embodiments, the methods provided may be used to increase proliferation or cardiomyocytes. Further provided are methods to be used for the treatment of myocardial infarction.
US09220720B2

A method for reducing arrhythmic risk associated with cardiomyopathy includes administering a composition containing NAD+ or a mitochondrial targeted antioxidant to an individual in need thereof.
US09220717B2

Methods relating to local injections of corticosteroids are provided. More specifically intralesional injections of corticosteroids and preferably Triamcinolone and its derivatives are suitable to produce medicaments to be injected in the subcutaneous fat at deep levels to provoke cosmetic lipoatrophy of small fat deposits on the face and body.
US09220709B2

This invention provides an improvement to methods of drug loading of ultrasound contrast agents. Echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof produced by the method of the invention wherein the echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof contain at least 10% more of a drug as compared to (1) echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof prepared by adding drug prior to emulsifying or (2) echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof prepared by adding drug to lyophilized polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof.
US09220701B2

A storage stable ointment of the present invention comprises a vitamin D compound, a corticosteroid, and an N,N-di (C1-C8)alkylamino substituted, (C4-C18)alkyl(C2-C18)carboxylic ester a (C1-C4)-alkyl(C8-C22)carboxylic ester in a petrolatum ointment base, and optionally containing mineral oil and/or tocopherol. Preferably, the vitamin D compound is calcipotriene, the corticosteroid is selected from the group consisting of clobetasol propionate and betamethasone dipropionate, and the N,N-di(C1-C8) alkylamino substituted, (C4-C18)alkyl(C2-C18) carboxylic ester comprises dodecyl 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-propionate (DDAIP).
US09220697B2

Compositions and methods for diagnosis or treatment of epilepsy disease with EFHC1, EFHC1 agonists, or EFHC1 analogs are provided. Compositions and methods for diagnosis or treatment of epilepsy disease with EFHC1a, EFHC1a agonists, or EFHC1a analogs are provided.
US09220696B2

The present invention relates to the field of oncology and provides compositions and methods for treating specific cancers, including non small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, hepatoma and adenocarcinoma. Particularly, compositions and methods involving administration, either simultaneously or sequentially, of pharmaceutical combinations comprising (S)—N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1 -(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide with other compounds, to patients suffering from cancer are described.
US09220695B2

The present invention provides a method of inhibiting the growth of or promoting differentiation and destruction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprising contacting the cancer stem cells with a compound having the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09220670B2

Described are novel monocationic polyhydroxyl compounds and their uses in personal care compositions.
US09220668B2

The present invention concerns a cosmetic composition comprising the following fluorinated analog of prostaglandin F2α: The cosmetic composition may further comprise a complexing agent and/or a humectant. The present invention further relates to a cosmetic kit, comprising the cosmetic composition and an applicator for application thereof.
US09220665B2

The invention provides an oral care composition comprising: (a) a continuous phase comprising water or polyhydric alcohol or a mixture thereof; and (b) a particulate calcium carbonate abrasive composed of primary particles which are acicular and which have a length of 2 microns or greater; in which the level of the particulate calcium carbonate abrasive ranges from 10 to 70%, preferably from 20 to 60%, more preferably from 30 to 40%, by total weight of the particulate calcium carbonate abrasive based on the total weight of the composition. The composition of the invention demonstrates satisfactory levels of cleaning, yet is not unduly abrasive and damaging to the teeth.
US09220664B1

A patch facilitates transportation, application, and emission of fragrances for perfume wearers. A plurality of structural and adhesive layers provide a manufacturable patch with structural and functional integrity. The material selection, and perfume selection and concentration, provides efficacy of fragrance emission for a predetermined period.
US09220660B2

A liquid-transfer adapter operatively interposable between an injector and a vial is provided. The adapter has an injector engaging portion configured for fluidly coupling to an injector and a vial coupling. The vial coupling includes a spike that has a spike axis and a tip portion configured for piercing a septum of a vial. The tip portion includes a plurality of facets that meet each other at one or more edges and at least one of the one or more edges is sloped with respect to the spike axis. The spike defines a channel extending therethrough in fluid communication with the injector engaging portion. A channel opening is defined in at least one of the facets and disposed without interrupting the edges.
US09220656B2

The object of the invention is to provide a device and means for artificial insemination. The present invention provides two methods of sperm delivery that aim to increase the success of intracervical artificial insemination. The shape and design of the present invention also allows artificial insemination to be a pleasurable experience.
US09220654B2

The present invention relates to a therapeutic system and methods of using the therapeutic system. In particular, the present invention relates to systems having hardware, software, and appliance components for assessing and entraining a neuromuscular pattern or behavior in a patient. The methods include configuring the hardware and software systems to receive data from an orofacial stimulation appliance and to generate a precise therapeutic pulse profile that is actuated as a tactile stimulus. In one embodiment, the system and methods also include collecting data using the orofacial stimulation appliance and delivering the tactile stimulus via the orofacial stimulation appliance to entrain an organized neuromuscular pattern or behavior.
US09220647B1

The present invention is a rigid collapsible litter having a base and a plurality of collapsible rib members. The rib members are capable of being folded or collapsed in a first direction while remaining rigid in a second direction to support weight placed on the litter.
US09220645B2

The present invention describes a novel absorbent core for the absorbent article in which the top surface of the core is embossed in a pattern that is made from curves rather than straight lines or polygons. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface is embossed with a pattern made by circles with spacing between consecutive circles. The novel article is not only less rigid and smoother on the body surface, but also exhibits better absorptive capacity. Various other embodiments are described and are within the scope of the invention.
US09220644B2

A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis, an absorbent core, a pair of elastically elongatable ears and a pair of fastening tabs. The elastically elongatable ears and the fastening tabs have a transverse axis. The ears are connected to the chassis such that the transverse axis of the fastening tabs is located in specific portions of the article. The absorbent core is free of cellulosic fibers.
US09220640B2

Absorbent articles are disclosed that convey information to a user. In particular, the absorbent articles include an active graphic that comprises a machine readable code. The active graphic, for instance, may comprise a disappearing graphic, an appearing graphic, and/or a color-change graphic. The change in appearance of the graphic may occur once contacted with a suitable activation agent, such as urine. The machine readable code contained in the active graphic, once scanned by a suitable reader device, may convey information to a user related to the absorbent article.
US09220639B2

A pant-type article having a boxer-short configuration. The article includes first and second panels which are joined via a crotch region joining. Folding and inverting the panels, and sealing along side-seams and inner legs seams provides a boxer-short. Methods for manufacturing the pant-type article are also provided. The pant-type article can be manufactured in a continuous side-by-side fashion.
US09220627B2

The abdominal elevator comprises a body portion made from a flexible foam, a polymer, paper or fabric having at least one upper edge and, optionally, two or more side edges, with a shape ranging from triangular to rectangular to oval with one or more straps attached to one or more of the edges and also having an anterior surface and a posterior surface having a adhesive applied to the posterior surface. The straps of the abdominal elevator are attached to the bedrail using a secure method that comfortably elevates, retracts and retains the abdominal pannus during a surgical procedure that requires access to the lower abdomen and/or groin area that would otherwise be obstructed.
US09220625B2

A thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis includes an upper body support for use with a torso orthosis. The upper body support has an anterior assembly including an anterior plate secured to the torso orthosis, a sternal assembly connected to the anterior plate, and a pectoral assembly connected to the sternal assembly. A posterior assembly is connected to the torso orthosis and is connected to the pectoral assembly by at least one strap. The sternal assembly has at least one pivot point arranged to pivot the sternal assembly relative to the anterior plate.
US09220618B2

Medical catheter apparatus used for implanting a vascular stent into a vessel of a living body comprising a catheter including a distal portion where a balloon attaching a vascular stent is provided, and a sheath into which the catheter is inserted and to be moved relative to the catheter between the section where it covers the balloon on which a vascular stent is mounted and the section where it exposes the vascular stent mounted on the balloon. The sheath comprises a first tubular member covering the distal portion at which the balloon is provided, and a second tubular member covering the proximal portion of the catheter and connected with the first tubular member. The first tubular member is formed of a tubular member capable of flexible deformation and the second tubular member is formed of a tubular member less extensible in the axial direction than the first tubular member.
US09220615B2

A stent may include a connector having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion positioned between the first and second portions. The connector may be configured to interconnect axially adjacent stent segments. The connector may be further configured such that the third portion severs in response to a threshold amount of axial force, axial foreshortening, and/or cyclic loading or fatigue, in order to predispose the severance of one or more pre-configured connectors in a controlled manner to minimize any potential harm to the surrounding vasculature of a patient.
US09220608B2

A bone graft implant device for treating a tissue site is provided, the device including an implant body including a demineralized allograft bone material portion, and at least one engagement member protruding from the implant body including a mineralized allograft bone material portion. The engagement member may be integrally formed with the implant body, or alternatively, the implant body may include an aperture and the engagement member may be insertable therein. At least one of the amount of demineralization or area of the demineralized allograft bone material portion is adjustable to impart a desired flexibility to the implant body.
US09220607B2

An interbody implant system is provided. The interbody implant system includes an implant having an engagement surface and an instrument including a first member and a second member that is movable relative to the first member. The first member is configured to capture the implant and the second member includes an interface configured to engage the engagement surface to releasably lock the implant in at least one orientation relative to the second member. The at least one of the engagement surface and the interface include at least one planar face. Methods of use are disclosed.
US09220606B2

An implant device is provided for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae comprising an implant body, a rotatable portion and a piercing portion configured to pierce the adjacent vertebra.
US09220605B2

A spinal fixation device that includes a first engagement member. The first engagement member includes a first body and at least one extension. The first body includes a first aperture for receipt of a fastener. The at least one extension extends outwardly from the first body. Also included in the device, a second engagement member including a second body and a threaded extension that extends from the second body. The second body includes a second aperture for receipt of a fastener. Further, an expansion ring including a first end and a second end is included. The first end includes a threaded surface in threaded communication with the threaded extension. The second end is in rotatable communication with the at least one extension of the first engagement member. Where a torque is applied to the expansion ring, the second engagement member moves with respect to the first engagement member.
US09220604B2

An intervertebral implant frame that is configured to be attached to a spacer body can include a pair of arms that extend longitudinally from a support member such that the arms extend substantially around the spacer body. The arms may be configured to expand, crimp, or otherwise engage the spacer body to thereby hold the spacer body to the frame. The spacer body may be made from bone graft.
US09220596B2

Compositions, materials, methods and kits for bone grafting are described. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes about 15% to about 20% by weight collagen, about 55% to about 70% by weight bioactive glass, and about 15% to about 30% by weight a calcium phosphate. The bioactive glass and the calcium phosphate together are about 80% to about 85% by weight of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes a collagen matrix and a plurality of bioactive glass particulates dispersed throughout the collagen matrix. The collagen matrix is about 20% to about 60% by weight of the bone graft composition, and the bioactive glass is about 40% to about 80% of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a majority of the bioactive glass particulates are about 53 μm to about 425 μm in size.
US09220595B2

Injectable bone graft material having a biocompatible, resorbable polymer and a biocompatible, resorbable inorganic material exhibiting macro, meso, and microporosities.
US09220588B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods and devices for providing embolic protection in a patient. In some embodiments, the device is configured for implantation in a body vessel including fluid flow. The device may assume, or be constrained to assume, an undeployed state and a deployed state. In the undeployed state, the device or a portion thereof has a substantially linear shape configured to reside in the lumen of a thin needle having a diameter of less than about 0.5 mm (for example), in the deployed state, the device has a primary axis. When the device is implanted the primary axis is approximately perpendicular to the fluid flow. In some embodiments, the device comprises a thin filament body. In the deployed state the filament takes a helical shape. Emboli that are larger than the distance between consecutive turns or windings of the helix are thus filtered by the device and are prevented from causing deleterious conditions such as stroke or pulmonary embolism. The device may be made of a super-elastic alloy. Thus, the device may transition between the undeployed and the deployed states without plastic deformation. Delivery systems and method for implanting such devices are also disclosed.
US09220583B2

The present invention relates to a dental care device for detection and removal of plaque automatically and independently, comprising: a) a motion controlled and pressure sensitive plaque removal head having at least one array of bristles; b) a plaque detection unit adapted to capture images of the teeth and gums, wherein said plaque detection unit includes an imaging device and a light source with specific wavelength for illumination said teeth and gums; and c) a plaque detection engine adapted to process the captured images in order to detect plaque infected areas on said teeth, and accordingly to generate instructions for automatically guiding said motion controlled plaque removal head, thereby executing all the necessary movements for automatically and independently removing the plaque from said teeth while minimizing abrasiveness by controlling the pressure applied and avoiding brushing to clean areas of the teeth and gums.
US09220580B2

Embodiments for determining a dental treatment difficulty are described herein. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial and subsequent position of each of a first tooth and a second tooth and calculating a change in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can also include projecting the changes in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth onto a reference line and calculating a change in position on the reference line for the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can further include determining the dental treatment difficulty based on the changes in position on the reference line.
US09220567B2

A robot system for use in surgical procedures has two movable arms, each arm having a six of degrees of freedom of movement and an end effector which can be rolled about its axis and an actuator which can slide along the axis for operating different tools adapted to be supported by the end effector. Each end effector including optical force sensors for detecting forces applied to the tool by engagement with the part of the patient. The robot is MRI compatible and can be configured to operate within a closed magnet bore. The arms are driven about vertical and horizontal axes by piezoelectric motors.
US09220566B2

Fluid collection pouches and surgical drapes for use in surgical procedures are described. The described fluid collection pouches can be configured in some cases to define a region of greater depth of the pouch beneath a patient's limb extending through the pouch on the lateral side of the limb than on the medial side. In some cases, the fluid collection pouches can be configured to define an upper surface with a region that extends at a greater height above a patient's limb extending through the pouch on the lateral side of the limb than on the medial side.
US09220560B2

A treatment instrument for an endoscope is provided that is suitable for cutting submucosa in endoscopic submucosal dissection. The treatment instrument for an endoscope includes a treatment portion having a cutting unit at a tip of an insertion portion that is to be inserted into the body. The main unit of the treatment portion is formed in a sawtooth shape having a peak portion and a valley portion. An electrode plate serving as the cutting unit is provided in the valley portion.
US09220557B2

An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.
US09220553B2

A method for treating a vertebral bone comprises providing a bone filling material and mixing the bone filling material in a vessel to form a bone augmentation material. The method further comprises pressurizing the vessel with a pressurization source to retain a plurality of voids within the bone augmentation material. The method further includes inserting a material delivery device into the vertebral bone and injecting the bone augmentation material with the retained plurality of voids from the material delivery device and into the vertebral bone.
US09220535B2

A process for introducing a stabilizing element into a vertebral column, in which the stabilizing element is introduced in such a manner that the stabilizing element connects two adjacent vertebral bodies to one another.
US09220532B2

A working cannula is advanced through the urethra into the bladder. Gas is infused through the cannula into the bladder, pressurizing the bladder. A fenestrating shunt catheter is then advanced through the urethra into the bladder and against the wall of the bladder, fenestrating it. A distal segment of the shunt catheter is then advanced through the wall into the peritoneal space, while a more proximal segment of the shunt catheter remains in the bladder. Shunt holes are formed in both the distal segment and more proximal segment so that gas from the pressurized bladder flows through the shunt holes into the peritoneal space, insufflating the peritoneal space.
US09220523B2

Snaring systems and methods involve engaging objects such as pacemaker pacing leads within a patient. Physicians can use snaring systems having loops, tags, and roller mechanisms to remove a pacing leads from a patient. For example, snaring systems can be inserted through a jugular access site, engaged with a pacemaker pacing lead, and withdrawn through the jugular access site so as to remove a portion of the pacing lead. Lead extraction techniques can be employed to further dislodge the pacing lead from the patient.
US09220522B2

Systems for treatment of ischemic stroke can include tethered baskets. A basket can be tethered to a pusher or elongate member. A temporary reperfusion device or temporary capture device also can be tethered to the pusher or elongate member.
US09220514B2

A system (1010, 1110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (1016, 1116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopaedic implant (1030, 1130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (1028, 1128), a removable probe (1029, 1129) with a first magnetic sensor (1026, 1126), a landmark identifier (1016, 1116) with a second magnetic sensor (1020, 1120) and a processor (1012, 1112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks.
US09220511B2

An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an orthopaedic surgical instrument including a first surface, and a measurement gauge removably coupled to the orthopaedic surgical instrument. The gauge includes an arm having a tip positioned proximal to the orthopaedic surgical instrument, and a plurality of markings defined on the arm. Each marking indicates a predetermined distance from the first surface of the orthopaedic surgical instrument. The assembly may be used during an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a femur, which is also described herein.
US09220507B1

A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge and a hinge lock. A male head element near the free end of one arm is configured to spread tissue when the male head element is urged towards a head mating element near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. An applicator holding feature, such as a boss, near the hinge prevents the clip from yawing and becoming askew during application.
US09220506B2

A stretch-resistant occlusive device, and method of manufacturing such a device, having a helically wound coil defining a coil lumen extending along the entire axial length of the coil from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The device further includes a headpiece having a proximal end, a distal end attached to the proximal end portion of the coil, and a headpiece lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the headpiece. An anchor filament extends through the headpiece lumen, has at least one proximal end secured to the proximal end of the headpiece, and has a distal portion defining an eye positioned distal to the distal end of the headpiece. A stretch resistant member is positioned within the coil lumen, has a proximal portion extending through the eye, and has at least one distal end secured to the distal end of the coil.
US09220505B2

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis comprises a stapling head assembly, an actuator handle assembly, a shaft assembly, a safety latch, and a locking member. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil that moves relative to a staple holder and a staple driver to drive staples from the staple holder into tissue and against the anvil. The actuator handle assembly has a first actuator that controls motion of the anvil and a second actuator that controls motion of the staple driver. The shaft assembly couples the stapling head assembly to the actuator handle assembly. The safety latch prevents operation of the second actuator when the gap between the anvil and staple holder is outside a predetermined range. The locking member is configured to prevent adjustment of the anvil gap after the desired staple height has been set inside the predetermined range.
US09220500B2

A fastener cartridge assembly for an end effector of a surgical instrument can comprise a cartridge body, a deformable tube, and a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position. The deformable tube can be longitudinally positioned along a length of the cartridge body. When the fastener is moved to the fired position, the fastener can compress a portion of the deformable tube. The deformable tube can comprise a resilient material such that deformation of the deformable tube generates a restoring force. The deformable tube can comprise a lattice of strands woven together to form a tube wall. Further, the deformable tube can be bioabsorbable and can hold a therapeutic agent. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise multiple, substantially parallel deformable tubes positioned side-by-side and/or within each other.
US09220497B1

A suture passer device for creating a suture loop in tissue has a handle having a fixed handle portion and a movable handle portion, a tubular shaft with a proximal and a distal end for capturing a suture, and a needle attached to the movable handle and positioned internal of the fixed handle and the tubular shaft. When the movable handle closes the needle is passed through a distal opening transverse to the tubular shaft. The needle has an end to hold a suture and form a loop in the tissue.
US09220495B2

One aspect provides a suture system including a tool and a suture assembly. The tool includes a head having a proximal portion housing a needle and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the needle is movable through a needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head to a cavity formed in the distal end of the head. The suture assembly includes suture connected to a suture clip that includes a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end and a slot formed in the cylindrical body between the proximal end and the distal end that allows the cylindrical body to flex in a radial direction, a tab extending from the distal end and configured to be crimped onto an end of the length of suture, and a rib formed on an interior surface of the cylindrical body.
US09220488B2

A targeting catheter is used to locate an arteriotomy, such as is formed during a femoral artery catheterization procedure. The targeting catheter includes one or more targeting aids, such as an inflatable balloon or sensor (e.g., Doppler or temperature sensor), to locate the arteriotomy. The targeting aid may be positioned at the arteriotomy. An ultrasonic beacon on the catheter may then be located relative to a therapeutic ultrasonic applicator (e.g., by using acoustic time-of-flight) so that the focus of ultrasonic energy from the applicator can be aligned with the arteriotomy.
US09220486B2

A system for mixing or reconstituting agents including engageable syringe barrels, one of which having a male engagement region and the other a female engagement region. Each of the male and female engagement regions is provided with a screen. The screens are closely spaced from one another when the first and second syringe barrels are engaged with one another. The screens may take the form of a mesh, a plurality of protuberances, or cantilevered wedges having tapering thicknesses.
US09220484B2

A biopsy device is disclosed that includes a housing maintaining a stylet and a cannula, a control device operable to actuate the stylet and the cannula with respect to the housing and a removable handle coupleable to the control device to load the stylet and the cannula, wherein the handle is configured to modify the device from to a loading configuration a delivery configuration such that the device has a reduced profile for obtaining a tissue sample.
US09220477B2

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a controller, to which a probe and a monitor are connected, the probe having an array of transducers, in which a number of transducers are arranged in a first direction. The controller controls transmission of an ultrasonic beam using the array of transducers and reception of an echo signal reflected from a region of interest, generates image data based on the echo signal, and gets echo signals received from multiple points of the region of interest by either moving or swinging the array of transducers in a second direction that intersects with the first direction at right angles. If the sum of image data ranges of measured value retrievable portions of the region of interest at the multiple points synthesized based on the echo signals, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the controller calculates a detected value of the region of interest.
US09220470B2

There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 μm. With the settings, the abovementioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.
US09220462B2

A diagnostic system for biometric mapping of facial skin includes a light filter a light sensor, a non-transient memory, a correlation processor, and an output unit. The light filter filters light reflected from an object to a filtered light signal. The light sensor receives the filtered light signal and generates a first electronic image signal representative of an image of the object in accordance with the filtered light signal. The memory stores a first electronic diagnostic signal representative of a predetermined mal-condition of the object. The processor determines a correlation between the first electronic image signal and the first electronic diagnostic signal, generates a correlation signal representative of a strength of the correlation, determines a diagnosis of the associated object based on the correlation signal, and generates a diagnosis signal in accordance with the diagnosis. The output unit generates a diagnosis result signal in accordance with the diagnosis signal.
US09220460B2

A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyse the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyser component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyser component.
US09220459B2

A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyze the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyzer component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyzer component.
US09220457B2

A device for correlating trend data with respect to a patient's weight and lower extremity displacement can identify conditions indicative of congestive heart failure. An imaging mechanism is operable to measure lower extremity displacement over a period of time. An over-time trend analysis of both the patient's weight and the lower extremity displacement measurements is performed to determine whether over a particular sample period an increase in a patient's lower extremity displacement can be correlated with an increase in the patient's weight. When such a correlation does not exist, an alert can be issued of conditions indicative of congestive heart failure.
US09220453B2

A cognitive disorder diagnostic and treatment system having a plurality of wireless sensors strapped to the arms and legs of a human being for improved diagnostic capability. The wireless sensors are in the form of cubes which are mounted on apparatus comprising a pair clips, and a Velcro strap. The strap is connected to the mounting apparatus through angled apertures whereby the top surface of the wireless sensor is canted toward the user for better visibility of graphics which are displayed on the top surface of the sensor.
US09220434B2

Techniques are provided for updating a morphology template used to discriminate abnormal cardiac rhythms. In one example, a non-weighted candidate morphology template is generated based on far-field R-wave morphology. A weighted candidate morphology template is generated based on an ensemble average of the non-weighted candidate morphology template and a previous (i.e. active) morphology template. The previous morphology template is then selectively updated based on a comparison of additional R-waves against both the non-weighted and the weighted candidate templates. Thereafter, abnormal cardiac rhythms such as ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia are discriminated using the updated morphology template based on newly-detected far-field R-waves. These techniques provide a method for updating the morphology discrimination template in response to long-term changes in morphology due to cardiac remodeling or cardiac disease progression.
US09220432B2

Disclosed herein are a method and a medical system for utilizing of a intravascular ECG signal for central venous catheter placement. The medical system is capable of detecting the position of a catheter tip and assessing its location relative to the cavoatrial junction. The detection and assessment are performed by a multiscale analysis of the complexity of the intravascular signal data points.
US09220431B2

There is disclosed a system of electrodes used for transdermal conduction of electrical signals and a method of use thereof, the system comprising a plurality of electrode parts connected by means of electrical conductors to electric impedance tomography apparatuses, as well as other devices, the parts being secured to an outer side of a flexible and porous blade coated on both sides thereof by layers of electrically conductive and adhesive materials, such electrically conductive and adhesive materials being in mutual contact through the pores of the blade, the inner face of the latter being removably secured, by means of adhesion, to the patient. The invention comprises means for positioning the electrode parts, as well as means for external protection thereof and of their respective conductors.
US09220427B2

In a system and method for reconstructing cardiac activation information, an analysis cardiac signal and a reference cardiac signal are processed to determine a first point of change in a derivative of the analysis cardiac signal with respect to a derivative of the reference cardiac signal. The analysis cardiac signal and the reference cardiac signal are processed to determine a second point of change in a different derivative of the analysis cardiac signal with respect to a different derivative of the reference cardiac signal. An activation onset time is assigned in the analysis cardiac signal at a point based on a mathematical association of the first point of change and the second point of change to define cardiac activation indicating a beat in the analysis cardiac signal.
US09220426B2

A neural tube capable of complexly playing roles of a support for regenerating a nerve and a nerve electrode has a support connected to a terminal of an injured nerve, and a sieve electrode having an electrode hole formed in a body thereof and a circular electrode formed around the electrode hole, wherein the body of the sieve electrode is buried in the support, wherein a cavity-type channel is formed at the support to extend to the inside of the support, wherein the electrode hole is aligned with the channel, and wherein a nerve cell growing along the channel at the terminal of the injured nerve is capable of contacting the circular electrode.
US09220423B2

A physiological monitoring system may determine physiological information, such as physiological rate information, from a physiological signal. The system may receive a calculated value indicative of a period associated with a physiological rate. The system may generated a first sorted difference signal based on a segment of the physiological signal having a size corresponding to the period. The system may generate second and third sorted difference signals based on segments of the physiological signal having sizes corresponding to a fraction of the period and a multiple of the period. The system may analyze the first, second, and third sorted difference signals, and qualify or disqualify the calculated value based on the analysis.
US09220412B2

Method and apparatus for obtaining qualitative and quantitative analysis of the optical properties or structures of tissue or turbid medium at one or more wavelengths via 1) detection at a single spatial location on the surface of a turbid medium (such as tissue) under two or more structured light conditions or 2) detection at two or more spatial locations on the surface under a single structured light condition.
US09220407B2

Systems for performing sequential multiple function ophthalmic measurements using separate measurement instruments, by mechanical switching between the instruments. In prior art systems, the separate measurement instruments are stacked, and transfer between them is performed by means of a linear mechanical motion stage. The separate measurement instruments of the present application are mounted on a base which is rotatably pivoted around a joint at a location remote from the optical entry apertures of the instruments. The entrance apertures of the measurement instruments then traverse the eye being measured sequentially. A rotational motion around the pivoted joint is thus transformed into a linear motion at the eye of the subject, without the need for a linear motion stage. A Scheimpflug camera corneal thickness measurement is also described, in which the measurement head is tilted during the corneal scan such that the illuminating slit beam always impinges on the cornea normally.
US09220405B2

A method for adaptively determining a model of visual performance of a test subject comprising the step of exposing a test subject to a plurality of trials. Each trial comprises the steps of identifying the stimulus pattern to test, generating a stimulus pattern on a display, determining whether the stimulus pattern generated an OKR, updating the model to incorporate the OKR results, and determining whether the updated model is acceptable. The trials can be iteratively repeated until the model for visual performance is acceptable.
US09220403B2

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device and method for detecting an amyloid protein in an eye of a mammal. A method comprises illuminating the eye with a light source having at least one of a wavelength property, a polarization property or a combination thereof, each appropriate to produce fluorescence in at least an amyloid-binding compound when the amyloid-binding compound is bound to the amyloid protein, the amyloid-binding compound having been introduced to the eye and specifically binding to the amyloid protein indicative of the amyloidogenic disorder; and determining a time decay rate of fluorescence for at least the fluorescence produced by the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein, the determining permitting distinguishing of the presence of the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein in the eye based on at least the time decay rate.
US09220400B2

The current invention relates to an endoscope having a distal end being arranged to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient to be examined and a proximal end which is arranged to be held by the user of the endoscope. The endoscope further comprises a control handle arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope and an insertion portion arranged at the distal end of the control handle. The insertion portion comprises a camera housing arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion, said camera housing being a molded component comprising an outer surface, a camera device embedded in the material of the camera housing, and a light source embedded in the material of the camera housing.
US09220394B2

A console assembly for an appliance has a light transmissive indicia assembly having at least one indicator and one operator control, a printed circuit assembly (PCA) mounted to the indicia assembly with touch circuit and light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to both sides of the PCA, and a light reflector disposed adjacent to the PCA and the LEDs.
US09220393B2

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one cycle of operation and methods for operating a dishwasher. The dishwasher may have a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a rotatable sprayer, a drive system operably coupled to the rotatable sprayer to effect movement of the rotatable sprayer, and a liquid recirculation system for recirculating sprayed liquid. The dishwasher may have a sump including a sensor enclosure, a first sensor element located within the sensor enclosure and configured to sense at least a portion of the rotatable sprayer, and a controller configured to receive output from the first sensor element and control the drive system and the liquid recirculation system to rotate the rotatable sprayer while selectively supplying liquid to the rotatable sprayer.
US09220392B2

A filter for use in a washing appliance is disclosed. The filter includes an inlet, an outlet, a filter chamber and a mesh strainer placed between the inlet and outlet. The mesh strainer strains water or liquid flowing into the filter as the water flows into the inlet and out of the outlet. The mesh strainer filters out particulate matter from the flow through the filter. The liquid flowing into the filter flows across the mesh to clean the filter and dislodge at least some of the particulate matter trapped in the mesh. The filter chamber includes at least one baffle within it. The baffle divides the filter chamber into an upper portion and lower portion. The particulate matter washed off collects in the lower portion of the filter chamber due to rotational flows created in the filter due to the filter chamber boundaries and the baffles.
US09220382B2

An auto-sensing hand dryer includes an airflow generating device, a guiding duct connected to the airflow generating device, and a sensing unit disposed in the guiding duct. The airflow generating device generates a hand drying airflow. The guiding duct includes a connecting portion communicating with the airflow generating device, an air outlet portion communicating with the connecting portion. The air outlet portion comprises an air discharge opening and a housing encircling the air discharge opening and forming an internal space. The sensing unit is disposed in the internal space and electrically connected to the airflow generating device to determine whether to generate the hand drying airflow. The sensing unit includes a sensing region at least covering the air discharge opening. When a user hand is placed at the air discharge opening, the sensing unit senses the user hand and drives the airflow generating device to generate the hand drying airflow.
US09220381B2

To provide a hand dryer that is capable of reducing the amount of noise without reducing the drying performance, and is capable of preventing foreign substances from entering from an air outlet thereof. A hand dryer is configured to blow water off hands with airflow emitted from nozzles. The hand dryer includes a hand insertion section that is open toward the outside, and the nozzles disposed on wall surfaces of the hand insertion section. A nozzle hole at the distal end of each of the nozzles is a wave-shaped slit.
US09220379B2

A dispenser for wipes materials and for enabling convenient dispensing of wipes from a roll. At least one side port with a cap is provided to enable the removing of a wipe. An orifice within the port may frictionally engage the wipes. A curved barrier sheet of material between the wipes roll and the dispenser body aids in loading a replacement roll of wipes into the dispenser. The barrier sheet is has an opening for a wipe to pass. The dispenser is refillable through a removable end. Axial spindles suspend the roll for rotation within the dispenser. A spool for use with the dispenser has linearly disposed channels on an outer surface to reduce adhesion with some materials and to improve frictional engagement with others.
US09220378B2

A soap holding device for holding a bar of soap. A water permeable sheet of material is provided that has a periphery defined by a first edge, a second edge, and two side edges. The sheet of material is folded to have overlapping sections so that the sheet of material proximate the first edge overlaps the sheet of material proximate the second edge. The side edges are sealed closed to define an internal pocket within the soap holder that is only accessible through an open slot. The open slot extends between the overlapping sections from the first edge and the second edge. A bar of soap can be inserted into the internal pocket by sliding the bar of soap between the overlapping sections. Once the bar of soap is inside the internal pocket, it becomes trapped.
US09220377B2

A dispenser comprises a liquid piston and a gas piston coupled for movement. The pistons are mounted for movement relative to one another to define a mixing chamber therebetween. An actuator simultaneously moves the pistons in a first direction such that the air piston delivers air from an air chamber to the mixing chamber and the liquid piston delivers a liquid from a liquid chamber to the mixing chamber where the air and liquid are mixed in the mixing chamber to create a foam. Movement of one of the air piston and the liquid piston is stopped such that the pistons move relative to one another such that only air is delivered to the mixing chamber. The movement of the pistons in a second direction draws residual foam from a delivery tube and delivers the residual foam to the air chamber.
US09220365B1

An electromagnetic appliance for stovetop cookware comprising an electromagnetic plate-like appliance position able on a stove surface element having a switch for generating a magnetic field so that when paramagnetic cookware is placed on the electromagnetic plate-like appliance and the electromagnet is energized, the superjacent cooking ware will be magnetically prevented from accidental movement of the cookware without de-energizing the electromagnet.
US09220355B2

A merchandise display system is presented. The display system includes a support frame, a plurality of shelves disposed on the support frame, and a plurality of divider walls moveably secured to each shelf. Each shelf includes a base defining an arcuate upper surface having one or more channels formed therein. The divider walls are selectively positionable in a deployed position and/or a stowed position. In the deployed position the divider walls extend above the arcuate upper surface and in the stowed position the divider walls are disposed in the channel and are recessed below or level with the arcuate surface. In the deployed position, pairs of the divider walls cooperate with one another and the arcuate upper surface to define a lane therebetween. The lane is dimensioned to accommodate a front to back column of merchandise items.
US09220351B2

A mattress cover assembly, for use with a mattress supported upon an adjustable foundation having at least one movable frame portion, includes a cover in which the mattress is at least partially positionable. The cover has a head portion coinciding with a head of the mattress and a foot portion coinciding with a foot of the mattress. The mattress cover assembly also includes a pocket located at one of the head portion and the foot portion of the cover. A first movable frame portion of the adjustable foundation is at least partially receivable in the pocket for securing the one of the head portion and die foot portion of the cover to the first movable frame portion.
US09220350B2

The present invention provides methods and systems for a fitness device that includes a frame having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion that are hingedly connected, a back engaged to the vertical portion of the frame, a seat engaged to the horizontal portion of the frame, and two pairs of legs extending away from the horizontal portion of the frame for positioning the fitness device on a surface.
US09220346B1

A pedal-ring tightening structure includes a pedal ring coupled to a supporting central tube of a seat at a predetermined height. At least two clamping elements are coupled to the periphery of the central tube at a predetermined height, such that a sleeve disposed centrally at the pedal ring formed peripherally and integrally with a predetermined width is coupled to the periphery of the clamping elements. A protruding portion extending from an inner rim of a fixing ring is inserted into a space concavely disposed at the upper end of each said clamping element to abut against precisely and press inward each said clamping element coupled to the periphery of the central tube, such that the pedal ring is steadily clamped and positioned at the central tube upon assembly.
US09220345B2

The invention is directed to a device comprising a body that defines a first surface and a second surface and defines a first, second, third and fourth lateral sides. In one embodiment, the first surface defines a first aperture and a second aperture. In one embodiment, the thickness of the body along the first lateral side is greater than the thickness of the body along the third lateral side such that the first surface slopes downwards from the first lateral side towards the third lateral side. The device not only reduces the pressure on the tailbone or on the hemorrhoids for a person in a seated position, but also reduces the discomfort or pain associated with settling into a seated position or emerging from a seated position.
US09220336B1

An interproximal brush apparatus for dislodging and removing food particles and other debris is stuck between structures in a user's mouth comprises a curved handle defined by a rigid body having a hook shape, a bristle end defined by an elongated body having a plurality of bristles extending radially from its outer surface, and a docking member is defined by a rigid body connected to the shank of the curved handle on one end and the bristle on the other end. The curved handle enables the interproximal brush apparatus to be grasped and manipulated by a user with a single finger, while the bristle end is narrowly sized to enable it to slide between adjacent teeth of an individual, with the plurality of bristles contacting the teeth as the bristle end passes, making the bristle end operative to dislodge particles stuck in between teeth.
US09220334B1

A hydration bag comprising a storage bag sealed to a collapsible quick filling and self-sealing fill tube, a reusable drink port connection, and a drinking tube with mouthpiece. After filling the storage bag, through the fill tube, to a desired level with water or other fluid, the storage bag is inverted, thereby collapsing and effectively sealing the fill tube against itself. Air is bled from the storage bag through the drinking tube or port. After use, the storage bag may be re-filled, or recycled. In one example, the delivery fluid delivery fittings are detachable from the storage bag and re-usable so that the storage bag and fill tube assembly is curbside recyclable. In one example, a 4 inch wide fill tube extends at 6 inches into the storage bag, with the last 5 inches creating a funnel to a 2 inch bottom width.
US09220329B1

A packaging includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated member is elongated along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. At least one hair product having a plurality of hair strands is wound around the elongated member. The packaging also includes at least one wrap wound around the elongated member over the hair strands so as to keep the hair strands wound around the elongated member.
US09220326B2

An article of luggage, such as a trolley suitcase, comprises a shape defining framework. The article of luggage may comprise a shape defining framework and a towing handle telescopically incorporated into the shape defining framework. The shape defining framework may be formed from a plurality of elongate members interconnected at their end regions by connection pieces. At least one wheel can be positioned on the shape defining framework such that when the article of luggage is moved from a standing position to a towing position, the wheel(s) enables the article of luggage to roll along the ground in the direction it is being towed.
US09220314B2

Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers.
US09220306B2

An apparel liner for cooling is provided. The apparel liner includes a liner for a user's outer garment, formed from three layers. The first panel is in contact with the wearer's outer clothing, the second panel is spacer fabric having thickness and cellular structure. The second spacer panel is disposed over the first panel. The third panel faces the wearer's clothing (e.g. a shirt) under the outer garment. Holes are distributed over the surface of the third panel. All three layers may be sewn or fixed into a single fabric. An air inlet fitting is provided near the waistband for attachment of an air distribution hose. This air distribution hose is then connected to an air movement device.
US09220305B2

Convertible swimwear comprising a top piece and extendable bottom piece. The bottom piece having an intermediate portion with an upper edge that can be positioned adjacent to a lower edge of top piece and held in position by an elastic strap. The upper edge of the intermediate section includes an elastic strap to maintain the upper edge in position to form a one piece bathing suit. The top piece may further include a cover flap to conceal the edge of the intermediate section for a seamless appearance. The upper edge of the intermediate section can be rolled, folded or scrunched toward the bottom piece to effectively convert the one piece style bathing suit to a two piece style bathing suit.
US09220299B2

The present invention is a smoking device which departs from a traditional “bowl and stem” design utilized for centuries, and rather comprises a series of generally cylindrically shaped layers that when stacked and secured together provide the user an effective means to safely store, transport and smoke a plurality of smoking materials. The smoking device may incorporate a bowl selection ranging in number between seven (7) to an unlimited amount, depending upon the size, desired portability and intended use. A rotatable bowl selector dial which positions a flame inlet over one of the plurality of bowls in an adjacent smoking material retention cartridge offers a means for easy bowl selection. The user may draw from the plurality of smoking materials without inhaling smoke from, or through excess burnt ash. The smoking device may further be utilized as a practical means of proportionally and consistently regulating each draw of tobacco smoke.
US09220283B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for completely separating from the carcass of a gutted poultry body breast fillets that have already been partially detached from the carcass, comprising a pair of separating means for separating the breast fillets hanging down on both sides of the breast bone of the carcass from the breast bone as well as guiding means for guiding the carcass in the direction of the two separating means arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the guiding means comprises two guiding elements lying next to one another and at a distance from one another, which between them form a gap which is directed in the transport direction T of the poultry bodies for receiving and guiding the breast bone of the carcass, and wherein the separating means enter this gap from below in such a way that the separating means for separating the breast fillets from the breast bone protrude upwards beyond the guiding means in the direction of the carcass, which is distinguished by the fact that the guiding elements are pivotable out of a guiding position forming the gap into a waiting position increasing the distance A to the separating means and vice versa and in that a spreading element for spreading the breast fillets away from the breast bone during the separating operation is provided. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.
US09220260B2

The invention relates to biocidal granules composed of a mineral core coated with at least one porous inorganic layer including at least one organic compound capable of limiting or preventing the growth of microorganisms, in particular of algae.The invention also relates to a sol-gel process for the preparation of the biocidal granules and to the use of these biocidal granules in building materials, in particular shingles and siding coatings.
US09220254B2

A bed bug device to trap or stop bed bugs may include a substantially vertical back wall having a first layer of detachably connected adhesive to detachably attach to a bed, a top wall being connected to the vertical back wall to prevent a user from interfering with the operation of the bed bug device, a bottom wall being connected to the top wall, and a second adhesive being connected to the vertical back wall to trap the bed bugs. This bed bug device or a double sided adhesive tape or a slippery tape (one face is slippery and the other face is adhesive) may be stuck to a special mattress cover to generate an upside down rectangular prism box shaped bed bug device, so that bed bugs hiding anywhere in the bedroom may not be able to travel to the top of the bed.
US09220247B2

The present invention is related to an fishing lure (10) having a mechanically-actuated tone generation device (15, 25) which produces one or more lower frequency tones alone. Additionally, the tone generation device (15, 25) may also generate a higher frequency tone through mechanical actuation (15, 50) and/or may be combined with a separate mechanically-actuated higher frequency tone generation device (1185).
US09220244B2

The invention provides transgene constructs for expressing chimeric antibodies, and transgenic non-human host animals carrying such constructs, wherein the chimeric antibodies comprise human variable regions and constant regions of the non-human transgenic host animal. The presence of immunoglobulin constant regions of the host animal allows for generation of improved antibodies in such transgenic host animals. Subsequently, the chimeric antibodies can be readily converted to fully human antibodies using recombinant DNA techniques. Thus, the invention provides compositions and methods for generating human antibodies in which chimeric antibodies raised in vivo in transgenic mice are used as intermediates and then converted to fully human antibodies in vitro.
US09220240B1

An animal waste collection bag including a foldable bag, a pair of vertical fold lines, a pair of horizontal fold lines, a plurality of interconnected pliable support frames having a front right support frame, a front left support frame, a rear right support frame, a rear left support frame, a front bottom support frame, a rear bottom support frame, a right bottom support frame, and a left bottom support frame. The animal waste collection bag further includes a pair of static handles having a right handle and a left handle. The right handle and the left handle are hingedly attached to a top edge of each of a rear right edge and a rear left edge, respectively.
US09220234B1

A soybean cultivar designated 6007521658 is disclosed. Embodiments include the seeds of soybean 6007521658, the plants of soybean 6007521658, to plant parts of soybean 6007521658, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean 6007521658 with itself or with another soybean variety. Embodiments include methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments also relate to soybean cultivars, breeding cultivars, plant parts, and cells derived from soybean 6007521658, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean 6007521658, and the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments further include hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing 6007521658 with another soybean cultivar.
US09220233B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH207178. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH207178, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH207178 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH207178.
US09220226B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1W5N and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1W5N with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1W5N through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1W5N or a locus conversion of PH1W5N with another maize variety.
US09220219B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH857429. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH857429, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH857429 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH857429.
US09220216B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH125166. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH125166, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH125166 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH125166.
US09220214B2

The present invention is in the field of soybean variety BY1113148 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety BY1113148 and its progeny, and methods of making BY1113148.
US09220213B1

A novel maize variety designated PHW5T and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHW5T with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHW5T through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHW5T or a locus conversion of PHW5T with another maize variety.
US09220205B2

An electronic control unit for programmed watering of lawns, gardens, flower boxes and similar spaces, comprises a front panel, a display, watering program selection push-buttons for selecting the watering duration and the watering repetition frequency and at least one start push-button for starting the selected program. The control unit comprises an electronic micro controller which, in response to the operation of said selection push-buttons, controls the visualization of the duration and frequency of the selected program and, in response to a single operation of the start push-button, controls the immediate start of the selected watering program. If the start push-button is operated for a variable number of times, the micro controller programs the delayed start of the selected program.
US09220200B2

A combine harvester has a crop processing rotor and a concave assembly having at least one concave extending at least partially beneath the rotor in a circumferential manner. The concave assembly is pivotable about pivot point to move the concave in a generally concentric manner toward and away from rotor. An operating mechanism pivots the concave assembly to adjust the operating clearance between the concave assembly and the rotor. The operating mechanism includes an actuator and a linkage assembly connecting the actuator to the concave assembly. The linkage assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder that applies a substantially constant force to the concave assembly to control the pressure put on the crop while the rotor is rotating. A hydraulic supply ports hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder. The combine harvester also has an accumulator located between the hydraulic supply and the hydraulic cylinder.
US09220199B2

A crop lifter for a mower of a harvesting machine has a support bar attachable to the mower. The support bar has a carrier. A lifter rod is detachably mounted on the carrier. The lifter rod is connectable at a multitude of positions to the carrier distanced in the longitudinal direction of the lifter rod, to the carrier.
US09220193B2

A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.
US09220190B2

A composite article comprises a substrate element with a first cover element spaced from the substrate element. A second cover element is disposed between the first cover element and the substrate element. A first adhesive layer is disposed between the first and second cover elements, where the first adhesive layer is configured to adhere the first cover element to the second cover element. A second adhesive layer is disposed between the second cover element and the substrate element, where the second adhesive layer is configured to adhere the second cover element to the substrate element. At least one seed abuts the first adhesive layer. The first cover layer is configured to be separated from the first adhesive layer thereby exposing at least a portion of the seed(s). Also disclosed are a method of forming a composite article, and a method of planting a seed with a composite article.
US09226436B2

A component mounter includes: a nozzle having a nozzle main body and a reflecting part provided behind the nozzle main body and reflecting light from the front, the nozzle main body including a greatest outer periphery section provided to a front section of the nozzle main body, and the greatest outer periphery section of an outer periphery of the nozzle main body provided in front on the reflecting part; a first illuminating unit provided in front of the reflecting part and illuminating the reflecting part from the front with light; and an imaging unit provided in front of the nozzle and capturing the greatest outer periphery section positioned in front of the nozzle main body, using the light from the first illuminating light and reflected off the reflecting part.
US09226427B2

A docking station suitable for a portable electronic device includes a base, a supporting component and a first fan. The base includes an airflow guiding slope. The supporting component is disposed on the base and has an airflow guiding structure, in which the portable electronic device is configured to be supported on the supporting component. The first fan is disposed in the base and provides a cooling airflow, in which the airflow guiding slope and the airflow guiding structure guide the cooling airflow to flow into the portable electronic device.
US09226425B2

A rack includes a frame rack and a chassis, for hosting a server. The frame rack has a fixing part. The chassis includes a shelf disposed detachably on the frame rack, a fastening element and a guide member. The shelf has a guiding groove and a first fastening portion. The fastening element has a fastening end and a pivot end fastened to the shelf allowing the fastening end to move pivotally at a release position and fastening position. The guide member is connected to the midsection of the fastening element and slideable in the guiding groove. The guide member is drawn off the guiding groove when the fastening element turns pivotally to its release position. When the fastening element rotates to the fastening position, the fastening end of the fastening element clasps with the first fastening portion, whereas the pivot end clasps with the fixing part.
US09226413B1

Integrated Data and Power Cord for use with Modular Display Panels In one embodiment, a display panel includes a plurality of display elements, and image control circuitry coupled to the display elements. A power supply circuitry is coupled to the display elements. A housing encloses the display elements and the image control circuitry. The housing is sealed with respect to external elements. A first integrated data and power cable extends from outside the housing, through a housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry. A second integrated data and power cable extends from outside the housing, through the housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry.
US09226412B2

A housing is described that may include a main portion having at least one wall defining an opening that may have a perimeter. The at least one wall may have a rib and an inner wall extending therefrom about the perimeter of the opening. The inner wall may have an air relief slot formed therein. The housing may further include a cover. The cover may have an edge defining a perimeter. The cover may include a rib extending from the edge about the perimeter of the cover. The main portion rib, the inner wall and the cover rib may cooperate for attachment of the cover to the main portion and to define an air chamber between the cover rib and the inner wall.
US09226411B2

A method of making a multi-layer micro-wire structure includes providing a substrate having a surface and forming a plurality of micro-channels in the surface. A first material composition is located in a first layer only in each micro-channel and not on the surface. A second material composition different from the first material composition is located in a second layer different from the first layer only in each micro-channel and not on the surface. The first material composition in the first layer and the second material composition in the second layer form an electrically conductive multi-layer micro-wire in each micro-channel.
US09226406B2

By connecting together connecting electrodes having an organic film serving as an oxidation-preventing film using a conductive adhesive, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and a highly reliable connection structure can be constructed at low cost. An electrode connection method, in which a first connecting electrode 2 and a second connecting electrode 10 are connected together through a conductive adhesive 9 that is interposed between the electrodes, includes an organic film formation step in which an organic film 6 is formed on at least a surface of the first connecting electrode, and an electrode connection step in which the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are connected together through the conductive adhesive. In the electrode connection step, by allowing an organic film decomposing component mixed in the conductive adhesive to act on the organic film, the organic film is decomposed, and thus connection between the connecting electrodes is performed.
US09226395B2

In a suspension board, a conductor layer having a predetermined pattern is formed on the upper surface of a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer has a thick portion having a large thickness and a thin portion having a small thickness. A reinforcing layer is formed on the upper surface of the first insulating layer so as to overlap with a boundary between the thick portion and the thin portion.
US09226392B2

A data transaction apparatus includes a housing, a system circuit board comprising a tamper detection circuit disposed in the housing, and a tamper protection device configured to seal the system circuit board within the housing in a detachable manner. The tamper protection device includes a tamper resistant board and a resin layer covering the tamper resistant board, wherein the tamper resistant board includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of fence-like lead wires disposed on the flexible substrate. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tamper detection circuit is triggered to generate a secure response when a tamper event is detected.
US09226390B2

For a method for producing a circuit board consisting of a plurality of circuit board areas, wherein the individual circuit board areas comprise at least one layer made of an in insulating base material and a conducting pattern located on or in the base material, the following is provided: a substrate material, at least one registration mark formed in the substrate material, a first circuit board area arranged on the substrate material, at least one additional circuit board area, which substantially adjoins the first circuit board area or at least partially overlaps the first circuit board, the additional circuit board areas being oriented relative to the registration mark, and a plurality of connections of the conducting patterns of the first circuit board area and of the at least one additional circuit board area. Thus improved registration and orientation can be achieved when circuit board areas are coupled.
US09226387B2

A network communication device is disclosed. The network communication device includes a circuit board, a network connector, a network chip and a plurality of network magnetic assemblies. The network connector, the network chip and the network magnetic assemblies are disposed on the circuit board. The network magnetic assemblies are electrically connected with the network connector and the network chip, respectively. Each of the network magnetic assemblies includes an Ethernet transformer and at least one inductor. The Ethernet transformer is electrically connected in series with the inductor via a conductive trace of the circuit board. The spaced distance or a path length of the conductive trace between the Ethernet transformer and the inductor of the at least one network magnetic assembly is less than a first specific length.
US09226383B2

A circuit substrate has one or more active components and a plurality of passive circuit elements on a first surface. An active semiconductor device has a substrate with layers of material and a plurality of terminals. The active semiconductor device is flip-chip mounted on the circuit substrate and at least one of the terminals of the device is electrically connected to an active component on the circuit substrate. The active components on the substrate and the flip-chip mounted active semiconductor device, in combination with passive circuit elements, form preamplifiers and an output amplifier respectively. In a power switching configuration, the circuit substrate has logic control circuits on a first surface. A semiconductor transistor flip-chip mounted on the circuit substrate is electrically connected to the control circuits on the first surface to thereby control the on and off switching of the flip-chip mounted device.
US09226379B2

The present invention relates to a plasma source which is arranged in floating fashion on a vacuum chamber, wherein the plasma source comprises a source housing, and a filament is provided in the source housing and is arranged so as to be insulated therefrom, wherein means for measuring the potential drop between the source housing and the filament are provided. The measured potential drop can be used for regulating the voltage heating the filament. According to the invention, corresponding means are provided.
US09226375B2

Provided is a system for controlling lighting effects. The system comprises a controller and one or more wireless dimmer devices with incorporated digital effects engine. The controller transmits wirelessly and effects parameters to the wireless dimmer devices. The dimmer devices receive the effects parameters, generate output effects parameters using the digital effects engine, and provide the output effects parameters to either dimmer output channels or DMX output channels. The digital effect engine comprises a low frequency oscillator and several random number generators. The random number generators may be used to modulate frequency of the low frequency oscillator and modulate a level of each dimmer output channel. The random number generators are configured to generate independent strings of pseudo-random numbers.
US09226374B2

An illumination light source includes: a light-emitting unit; a disturbance detecting unit which detects a specific disturbance; a timer circuit that times a first period and a second period, the first period starting from when the disturbance detecting unit detects the specific disturbance, a second period immediately following after the first period; and a driving circuit that turns ON the light-emitting unit at a start of the first period, causes the light-emitting unit to emit light during the first period, causes the light-emitting unit to emit light that is different from the light emitted during the second period, and turns OFF the light-emitting unit at an end of the second period.
US09226370B2

A lighting control device for controlling one or more lighting parameters of each of one or more light sources is disclosed. The lighting control device comprises at least a first user interaction element, an element appearance control unit, a light setting control unit, and a memory for saving at least a first light setting, the first light setting comprising values of the one or more lighting parameters. The light setting control unit is adapted to set the lighting parameters according to the first light setting in response to an input via the first user interaction element. The element appearance control unit is adapted to set a first appearance associated with the first user interaction element based on at least one of the lighting parameters of the first light setting. Corresponding system, use, methods and computer program product are also disclosed.
US09226367B1

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an intelligent lighting system. The intelligent lighting system includes a system-on-chip electronically coupled to N lighting LED arrays. The N lighting LED arrays are configured to operate in light emission mode, light detection mode, and data transmission mode. The system-on-chip is configured to provide lighting with the N lighting LED arrays, to detect ambient lighting intensities and control the N lighting LED arrays based on the detected ambient lighting intensities such that the intelligent lighting system provide sufficient lighting and minimize the energy consumption. The system-on-chip has (a) a high voltage unit configured to control the operation of the N LED arrays in light emission mode and data transmission mode, and (b) a low voltage unit configured to control the operation of the N lighting LED arrays in light detection mode.
US09226360B2

A boosting circuit, a backlight driving circuit and a backlight module are provided. The boosting circuit comprises a boosting chip (U1), an energy-storage inductor (L1), a freewheeling diode (D1), a first capacitor (C1), and a current mirror unit (U2), wherein an input terminal of an inputting branch of the current mirror unit (U2) IS connected with the cathode of the freewheeling diode (D1), and an output terminal of the inputting branch is connected with the signal input terminal (Vin) of the boosting circuit through a first resistor (R1), an input terminal of an outputting branch of the current mirror unit (U2) IS connected with the cathode of the freewheeling diode (D1), an output terminal of the outputting branch is grounded through a second resistor (R2), an ungrounded terminal of the second resistor (R2) is connected with a signal feedback pin of the boosting chip. The boosting circuit realizes the tracking of changes of the input voltage by the output voltage under the precondition that parameters of respective elements are unchanged, and achieves the effect that a voltage difference between the output voltage and the input voltage is fixed.
US09226356B1

A light emitting device can comprise a light emitter for emitting light at a defined light intensity and circuitry connecting a power source to the light emitter. The circuitry can adjust power provided to the light emitter over time to compensate for inefficiencies due to circuit and light emitter degradation. A more consistent light intensity of the emitted light over a life of the light emitting device and an improved life expectancy of the light emitter can be achieved than what would result if the power was not adjusted over time to offset degradation effects.
US09226355B1

A current supply is coupled to a light source. The current supply is further coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to provide a stochastic control signal to the current supply, wherein the stochastic control signal controls a light intensity output of the light source.
US09226344B2

Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.
US09226343B2

Embodiments of an exemplary induction cooktop apparatus or system, may include an induction cooking unit; an interface adapted to receive, store, and execute a plurality of instructions of a multistage programmable recipe using said induction cooking unit; a power supply adapted to be coupled to a power source; a controller coupled to said power supply, said interface, and said induction cooking unit adapted to control said induction cooking unit according to said plurality of instructions of said multistage programmable recipe. An embodiment may include a system, method, and computer program product comprising: an induction cooking unit; receiving at an interface a plurality of instructions of a multistage programmable recipe; storing instructions in a memory; executing instructions in a controller coupled to the memory and induction cooking unit, so as to control the induction cooking unit in accordance with instructions of the multistage programmable recipe.
US09226332B2

Techniques are presented herein for providing hybrid contention mechanisms for a wireless medium. A first wireless device (e.g., a wireless access point) that serves a plurality of second wireless devices (e.g., client devices) in a wireless network, groups the plurality of second wireless devices into sets based on commonality of the second wireless devices in terms of one or more of: power requirements and throughput requirements. A time interval on a wireless channel during which the second wireless devices may contend for usage of the wireless medium is partitioned into a plurality of disjoint or overlapping contention periods. Each set of second wireless devices is assigned to a corresponding one of the plurality of contention periods such that only second wireless devices in each set contend for access to the wireless channel during the corresponding contention period assigned to that set.
US09226330B2

A device, system or method may include a body-wearable user device including a user device wireless transceiver configured to communicate directly with a secondary device wireless transceiver associated with a secondary device, a sensor configured to sense a physical motion of at least one of the user device and a body part of a user of the user device and output a signal based on the physical motion, and a processor configured, based on the output from the sensor, to cause the user device wireless transceiver to transmit to the secondary device wireless transceiver a pair signal according to a first wireless modality based, at least in part, on the signal and complete a wireless pairing between the user device wireless transceiver and the secondary device wireless transceiver according to a second wireless modality different than the first wireless modality.
US09226329B2

A method and user equipment operating in or near a network without a central controller, the method receiving a device signal from a second user equipment, the second user equipment being within a contention region of the first user equipment; and utilizing the device signal to determine a transmission opportunity at the first user equipment. Further, disambiguation processes include removing network, new device and bootstrapping ambiguity.
US09226325B2

A method for attaching a user terminal to a base station of a network is disclosed, said network comprising base stations. The method including defining a global cost function which is a weighted sum of the user terminal transmission delays, over all the user terminals in the network, using a user terminal's context weighting factor representing a user terminal's characteristic; defining a local cost function for each user terminal from said global cost function, said local cost function taking into account said user terminal's context weighting factor for each user terminal, and being a function of the base station to which this user terminal is associated; running a Gibbs sampler with said local cost function for producing user-base station association probabilities; choosing the user-base station association probability which favors low local cost; and attaching said user terminal to a base station according to the user-base station association probability chosen.
US09226323B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting a relay frame in a relay end are provided. The method includes: receiving a relay request frame requesting data transmission to a receive end from a transmit end; transmitting a relay response frame including information on data to be relayed to each of the transmit end and the receive end; receiving the data from the transmit end; and generating a relay frame including the data to transmit the relay frame to the receive end. According to the present invention, the data is transmitted to the receive end positioned outside a transmission coverage of the transmit end, such that a wireless LAN service coverage may be expanded, and an adjacent terminal connected to the receive end is used as the relay end, such that the transmit end that may not be connected directly to the receive end may communicate with the receive end.
US09226322B2

The mobile communication terminal includes an emergency call unit that includes a pressure detector detecting a pressure caused by an operation of a user and generates an emergency detection signal when the pressure detector detects a pressure of a predetermined reference value or more; a control unit that generates an emergency call signal when the emergency detection signal is received from the emergency call unit; and a communication unit that receives the emergency call signal from the control unit and transmits the emergency call signal to at least one of a guardian terminal and a management server, wherein the pressure detector includes position pins and an elastic unit located between the position pins and detects a pressure applied to the elastic unit when a pressure of a predetermined reference value or more is applied and the position pins are broken.
US09226320B1

Systems and methods of pre-allocating identifiers to wireless devices for use in requesting resources over a random access channel are described. A wireless communication system includes a random access channel over which wireless devices can anonymously send requests for resources. The base stations receiving and processing the anonymous requests reduces the probability of random access channel collisions and conserves the resources needed to support the anonymous requests by pre-allocating one or more identifiers to select wireless devices. The wireless devices having the pre-allocated codes can transmit a particular code over the random access channel as a request for resources that uniquely identifies the requester.
US09226316B2

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of communicating during an Association-Beamforming-Training (A-BFT). For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit to communicate a beacon frame during a beacon transmission interval (BTI), the beacon frame including a responder address field including a responder address representing one or more client devices, which are allowed to transmit during an A-BFT period following the BTI.
US09226312B2

A resource management system and method for inter-cell interference coordination and channel information feedback in a mobile communication system are provided. The resource management method includes transmitting an Almost Blank Subframe (ABS) set from a first base station to a second base station, transmitting a reference resource configuration set for channel measurement and a Radio Link Monitor/Radio Resource Measurement (RLM/RRM) for radio resource measurement from the second base station to a terminal, and scheduling, at the second base station, the terminal in a subframe selected from the ABS set.
US09226303B2

A method and apparatus in a base station serving a first cell in a cellular network, for supporting radio resource management, RRM, in the cellular network. The base station obtains measurements (M) of signals transmitted in the first cell and of signals transmitted in at least one neighboring cell and determines a cell isolation factor of the first cell, based on the obtained measurements, the cell isolation factor indicating insusceptibility to interference from signals transmitted in the neighboring cell(s). The determined cell isolation factor is then used to support RRM for terminals in the network, e.g. as a basis for determining whether to employ an RRM scheme or not. Thereby, it is possible to decide to employ the RRM scheme for cells where it is effective and helpful and not in other cells.
US09226302B2

System and method embodiments are provided for interference alignment in a wireless local area network (LAN) with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). In an embodiment, a method includes instructing a first access point (AP) in the wireless LAN to broadcast a null data packet (NDP) sounding packet to a plurality of stations when no other AP is broadcasting, wherein the NDP sounding packet comprises a plurality of long training field (LTFs), and wherein a total number of LTFs is equal to a total number of transmission streams, receiving channel beamforming (BF) information and a signal plus interference to noise ratio (SINR) from each of the stations, wherein each of the stations computes the channel BF information and the SINR from sounding packets received from each of the APs in the wireless LAN, and determining a transmission schedule according to the SINRs and the channel BF information.
US09226301B2

A wireless base station apparatus includes an interference report receiver configured to receive interference reports transmitted on a shared radio resource from a plurality of wireless terminals that are present in a plurality of adjacent cells that are adjacent to a target cell, the shared radio resource being comprised of a plurality of carriers and being shared between the plurality of adjacent cells, and an adaptive fractional frequency reuse controller configured to control adaptive fractional frequency reuse processing in a downlink of the target cell, based on the received interference reports showing a downlink reception quality, wherein the interference reports are transmitted using selected carriers from the plurality of carriers by the plurality of wireless terminals, based on the downlink reception quality.
US09226294B1

A first communication device determines that each second communication device in a plurality of second communication devices has respective data to be transmitted to the first communication device. The first communication device transmits a request to the plurality of second communication devices to transmit data to the first communication device simultaneously during a transmit opportunity period of the first communication device. The first communication device receives data transmitted simultaneously by the plurality of second communication devices during the transmit opportunity period of the first communication device.
US09226289B2

Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing wireless communications in a machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless Wide Area Network (WAN). A traffic slot map is generated. The traffic slot map identifies one or more first time slots and one or more second time slots. First data is transmitted during the one or more first time slots at a first data rate. Second data is transmitted during the one or more second time slots at a second data rate. The traffic slot map is broadcasted to one or more M2M devices during a traffic slot of a first forward link frame at a beginning of a traffic channel cycle.
US09226278B2

Technology for transmitting a distributed control channel element (CCE) for an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) and a localized CCE in a physical resource block (PRB) pair from a node and technology for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) physical resource block (PRB) allocation with at least one enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) at a wireless device is disclosed. One method can include a node precoding at least one distributed CCE and at least one localized CCE for the PRB pair. The node can transmit the at least one distributed CCE for transmit diversity using at least two user equipment-specific reference signal (UERS) ports and transmitting the at least one localized CCE in the PRB pair. The at least two UERS ports can be used to transmit two CCEs.
US09226274B2

A method and apparatus are described for performing a Proximity-based Service (ProSe) by a ProSe-enabled user equipment (UE) in a cellular communication system. A connection is established with a network via a public safety band. A scheduling request (SR) signal is transmitted to the network via the public safety band. A first resource allocation is received from the network. The ProSe is performed using the first resource allocation. If a condition including a lack of channel resources is not satisfied, the SR signal carries a first identifier used for requesting resource of the public safety band. If the condition including the lack of channel resources is satisfied, the SR signal carries a second identifier used for requesting resource of a non-public safety band.
US09226265B2

A method or system for managing demand-based multicast services in a wireless communications system (WCS) capable of both unicast and multicast signaling may include providing content requested by a mobile entity in an area of the WCS via a unicast session, determining that a concurrent demand level for the content exceeds a defined threshold for the area of the WCS, and initiating a multicast session for the content in the area of the WCS, in response to determining the concurrent demand level has exceeded the threshold. The method or system may include more detailed operations or aspects for measuring the concurrent demand level, transitioning signaling between unicast and multicast modes, communicating between network components, or related functions.
US09226255B2

Systems and methods for small cell idle mode mobility include receiving, at a first small cell of a preconfigured cluster of small cells, a mobility area update request from a user equipment (UE). The method can also include registering location information of the UE with a small cell gateway, and retrieving a core network periodic timer for the UE from a mobility server. If certain conditions are met, the first small cell forwards the mobility area update request to a core network via the small cell gateway. Otherwise, the method can include the first small cell updating the location information of the UE with the mobility server, generating a locally-generated mobility area update accept message, and sending a locally generated mobility area update accept message to the UE along with a local periodic timer instructing the UE to send another mobility area update request when the local periodic timer expires.
US09226248B2

In a first configuration, an apparatus determines subframes, in a radio frame, used by one or more neighboring BSs for providing services, and sends information to a UE indicating the determined subframes. In a second configuration, an apparatus determines subframes, in a radio frame, used by one or more neighboring BSs for providing services, transmits with a first power in remaining subframes other than the determined subframes in the radio frame, determines a second power based on the first power such that a difference between the second power and the first power is less than a threshold, and transmits with the second power in a subset of symbols in the determined subframes. In a third configuration, an apparatus receives information from a BS indicating subframes, in a radio frame, used by one or more neighboring BSs for providing services, and adjusts an AGC gain based on the indicated subframes.
US09226245B2

An access node is configured to adapt uplink power control procedures based on the device attributes of a wireless device. The device attributes may, for example be the mobility, energy profile, or characteristic traffic pattern of the wireless device. The adaptive uplink power control procedure may be used to minimize or reduce power consumption, to improve resource utilization efficiency, or to reduce interference levels.
US09226240B2

Embodiments provide techniques for device power management in wireless networks. For instance, an apparatus may include a power management module, and a transceiver module. The power management module determines a beacon interval and a wakeup interval. The transceiver module to send a transmission to one or more remote devices that includes the beacon interval and the wakeup interval. The beacon interval indicates a time interval between consecutive beacon transmissions of the apparatus, and the wakeup interval indicates a time interval between when the apparatus receives two consecutive beacons from a peer device.
US09226234B2

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for aligning data packet transmission calls to a modem processor 304, 306, 308 of a mobile communication device 300 in order to enable the modem processor 304, 306, 308 to remain in a dormant state for a greater percentage of time. Alignment can be carried out via a function of a library at the applications layer or via an automated method carried out at the network protocol stack where modification of applications via an API provided by the library is not required. For alignment at the applications layer, calls for data packet transmissions can be timed such that periodic calls occur at substantially the same time. For alignment at the network protocol stack, periodic data packet transmission calls can be identified, their periodicity determined, and certain of the calls can be delayed such that periodic calls occur substantially at the same time.
US09226230B2

A handheld device and a power saving method are provided. The handheld device comprises a transceiver and a processor electrically connected to the transceiver. The processor executes a sync procedure every a sync period to enable the transceiver to establish an internet connection with a mail server to receive a mail data, determine that the handheld device works in an idle mode, and automatically adjust the sync period by extending the sync period gradually.
US09226221B2

A mobile communication system hybridly allows, in a case where an access group consisting of one or more user equipments and one or more base stations is registered, the base station included in the access group to have access in a closed mode from the user equipment included in the same access group and access in an open mode from a user equipment that is not included in the same access group, wherein a communication area of the base station in the open mode is identical to a communication area of the base station in the closed mode. This eliminates a communication area in which the base station serving as an access destination differs between the user equipment in the closed mode and the user equipment in the open mode.
US09226211B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, methods, computer-readable media and systems configurations for control of a heterogeneous wireless network. Embodiments described may improve upon one or more utility metrics of the heterogeneous network. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09226207B2

A communication terminal (30) includes a wireless communication unit (31) for transmitting and receiving radio signals, and a determination unit (transmission/reception timing adjustment unit 132) for determining a transmission period and a reception period in which the wireless communication unit (31) transmits and receives radio signals. In a case where a connection destination is switched from a first communication device currently in communication into a second communication device, when the second communication device transmits a predetermined signal in a transmission period for the communication with the first communication device, the determination unit changes a part of the transmission period for the communication with the first communication device into a reception period, to receive the predetermined signal from the second communication device.
US09226205B2

Dual-cell or multi-cell Wireless Transmit Receive Units (WTRUS) configured to implement mobility procedures are described. The WTRU configurations implement methods to optimize and allow mobility for the procedures of cell search and cell reselection, measurement reporting and inter-frequency handovers, compressed mode measurements, and soft handovers.
US09226202B2

A method and apparatus of feedback signaling using a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH) includes transmitting to a first cell a first uplink feedback signal that includes channel quality information (CQI) associated with the first cell A second uplink feedback signal that includes CQI information associated with a second cell is transmitted to the second cell.
US09226191B1

Systems and methods of managing uneven data flow in a wireless communication system are provided. A network node can receive a load parameter of an access node. The network node can receive a measurement gap criteria of a wireless device in communication with the access node. The network node can receive a traffic characteristic associated with the wireless device. The network node can calculate an anticipated data burst based on the load parameter, the measurement gap criteria, and the traffic characteristic. The network node can determine an adjustment measurement gap criteria for the access node based on the anticipated data burst. The adjusted measurement gap criteria can be transmitted from the network node to the wireless device.
US09226189B1

At a current time, a current intermodulation content of a predistortion system is determined. An intermodulation ratio is determined using the current intermodulation content and a previous intermodulation content for the predistortion system. The previous intermodulation content is determined at a time previous to the current time. The determined intermodulation ratio is compared with stored intermodulation ratios. A warning is communicated in response to the comparing indicating the predistortion system is unhealthy. Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed.
US09226187B2

Methods, network server, and mobile communication devices for reporting an MDT log are provided. The method, adopted by a network server, requesting a Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) log from a mobile communication device is disclosed, including: transmitting a first request message for the MDT log to the mobile communication device; in response to the first request message, receiving a first response message comprising a part of the MDT log from the mobile communication device, wherein the first response message indicates whether the MDT log reporting is finished or whether at least one more part of the MDT log is available; and transmitting a second request message for the MDT log to the mobile communication device when the first response message indicates that the MDT log reporting is not finished or at least one more part of the MDT log is available.
US09226184B2

A first device having a plurality of antennas wirelessly transmits multiple series of test packets to a second device having one or more antennas, each series of test packets being transmitted with a different level of interference imposed on the test packets. The first device determines a packet error rate for each series of test packets transmitted by the first device. The first device derives an estimate of an interference cancellation capability of the second device based on the packet error rate for different levels of interference.
US09226178B2

Optimizing a plurality cell sites or sectors in a wireless network including receiving network data regarding a plurality of cell sites or sectors; determining a critical zone in which communication is degraded; determining best neighbor cell sites or sectors among the neighbor cell sites or sectors associated with the critical cell sites or sectors; determining if the critical cell sites or sectors in the critical zone have available resources for achieving a desired improvement in communications; determining if the best neighbor cell sites or sectors have available resources for achieving the desired improvement in communications; and altering wireless network parameters of the critical cell sites or sectors, or the best neighbor cells sites or sectors for achieving the desired improvement in communications. Altering wireless network parameters of the critical cell sites or sectors, or the best neighbor cell sites or sectors is performed continuously until the desired improvement in communications in the wireless network is achieved.
US09226175B2

A method for adaptively disabling receiver diversity is provided. The method can include a wireless communication device determining an active data traffic pattern; defining a threshold channel quality metric based at least in part on a threshold channel quality needed to support a threshold quality of service for the active data traffic pattern; comparing a measured channel quality to the threshold channel quality metric; and disabling receiver diversity in an instance in which the measured channel quality metric satisfies the threshold channel quality metric.
US09226173B2

A method for wireless communications includes determining a time division duplex (TDD) configuration of a non-serving network. The method also includes detecting interference from the non-serving network based at least in part on the TDD configuration of the non-serving network. The method further includes signaling an eNodeB of the interference based at least in part on the detecting.
US09226170B2

A mobile data network includes a breakout appliance at the edge of the mobile data network and an appliance in the core network that includes multiple enclosures. Each appliance has defined interfaces and defined commands on each interface that allow performing all needed functions on the appliances without revealing details regarding the hardware and software used to implement the appliances. An aggregate appliance in the mobile data network defines high-level commands, which each have a corresponding set of steps that are performed when the high-level command is executed. Each step causes one or more of the defined commands to be executed on the breakout appliance and/or the appliance in the core network and/or one a related software entity. This aggregated appliance allows configuring and controlling the breakout appliance and the appliance in the core network in a way that is transparent to most existing components in the mobile data network.
US09226169B2

A device, system, and machine-readable medium for headless sensor measurements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device is exclusive of a display. The device includes a sensor head to retrieve an amount of measurement data from an environment. The device also includes an I/O interface, a memory, a non-volatile storage, processing logic, and sensor data access protocol (SDAP) manageability code. The SDAP manageability code may cause the processing logic to provide a sensor type and a measurement data payload type to a mobile communication device. The SDAP manageability code additionally may cause the sensor head to take a measurement, receive measurement data from the sensor head, packetize the measurement data, and transfer the measurement data payload to the mobile communication device.
US09226166B2

A method for locating mobile devices in a mobile radio network having first, second, and third mobile devices in first, second, and third locations, includes: transmitting a pilot signal to the second mobile device; measuring a signal strength of the pilot signal; transmitting information related to the signal strength of the pilot signal to the first mobile device; determining the second location relative to the first location based on the information related to the signal strength; transmitting a further pilot signal to the third mobile device; measuring a further signal strength of the further pilot signal; transmitting further information related to the further signal strength to the second mobile device; determining the third location relative to the second location based on the further information related to the further signal strength; and transmitting information related to the third location to the first mobile device.
US09226161B2

A base station includes a time-division-multiplexer that time-division-multiplexes control signals and data signals; a culling unit that culls from the signal time-division-multiplexed by the time-division-multiplexer, data signals temporally overlapping control signals of a neighboring cell; a transmitting unit that transmits the data signal culled by the culling unit; and a determining unit that determines conditions concerning the culling corresponding to transmission power of a portion temporally overlapping the control signals of the neighboring cell, in the signal transmitted by the transmitting unit. The culling unit culls the data signals based on a result obtained by the determining unit.
US09226156B2

A captive portal technology for registering and authenticating attendees, and for collecting the personal-preferences and social-profile details of individuals participating in a live-event in real-time, is disclosed. Wi-Fi connections within the live-event location are used to register and authenticate the individuals onto a proxy server. Once registered and authenticated, the proxy-server enables a monitoring main server to collect and store the preferences, activities and social profile of the individual in a dedicated database. The authentication provides the individual access to the web for social networking, blogging and other activities at the live-event site. Authorities of live-events are thereby able can identify the individual participants and their habits to provide real time information to improve ticket sales methods, provide incentives, on-site purchase capability and focused advertisements relating to the live-event to improve the live event experience of each individual.
US09226140B2

A Mobile Station (MS), a Base Station System (BSS) and a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of a cellular network, such as GSM, are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the MS is arranged to carry out one or more security features in its communication with the network. For example, the MS may be arranged to: • by means of information received in a signalling message (0) from the network, discover if the network supports one or more of said security features, • exchange information with the network in order to enable the use of one or more of the above-mentioned supported security features in the communication, • carry out at least one of the one or more of the supported security features in the communication with the network.
US09226139B2

Methods and apparatus for extending Mobile IP to enable a Mobile IP Home Agent to forward to a default proxy MN server when it does not have a current binding for a MN home address. This can be used to route traffic when the MN is absent and to add processes onto the Proxy MN server that enables application intelligence at the Proxy MN server to act on behalf of the MN when the MN so wishes, e.g., substituting for the MN while the MN is in sleep mode or otherwise unavailable.
US09226136B2

A method and an apparatus for reporting a capability of a User Equipment (UE) supporting advanced functions such as Carrier Aggregation (CA) are provided. The method includes checking, when a control message requesting a capability report is received, a Radio Access Technology (RAT) type and transmitting, when the RAT type is set to Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA), at least one band combination information on at least one band combination supported by the terminal. The UE capability report method is capable of reporting the UE capability related to advanced functions, such as CA and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), to a network efficiently with the least amount of information, thereby resulting in an improvement of radio resource efficiency.
US09226132B2

The invention relates to a method for optimizing routing to a first user equipment (T1, T2) roaming in a visited network (OP B, OP C) in a communications system comprising at least a home network (OP A), a visited network (OP B, OP C) and a relaying network (IPX, IPX1, IPX2, IPX3, IPX4). The method of the invention comprises storing (2-4, 3-2, 3-4, 3-6) a location information of a first user equipment (T1, T2) to a database (DB) external to the home network (OP A) and the visited network (OP B, OP C), the location information being associated with an identification information of the first user equipment (T1, T2); receiving (2-6, 3-10) a message from a second user equipment (T1, T2); recognizing (3-12) at least one identification information of the first user equipment (T1, T2) in the message; comparing (3-14, 3-16) the identification information stored in the database (DB) with the identification information received in the message; and if the both identification information matches, routing (2-8, 3-26) a communication according to the location information of the first user equipment (T1, T2).
US09226131B2

Systems and methods for the management of communications related to telecommunications-based devices are provided. Telecommunications-based devices initiate requests to gateway computing devices corresponding to a radio communication network to establish data communications. The gateway computing device accepts the communication request and specifies an ordered preference of one or more communication protocols that will be used telecommunications-based devices accessing the wireless communication network. The telecommunications-based device processes the acceptance and selects a communication protocol from the ordered preference provided by the gateway computing device.
US09226130B2

Mobility history relating to a plurality of cells visited by the user equipment (130) is obtained (210) from the first radio network node (120), Next, mobility control information (120) is generated (220) based on the mobility history. Further, the mobility control information is provided (240, 245) to the radio communication system (100), Moreover, a first radio network node (120) for enabling a network node (110, 150, 160, 170, 180) to generate mobility control information to be used by the radio network node (120) for managing signalling and processing due to mobility events in a radio communication system (100) is provided. The first radio network node (120) collects (260) mobility history relating to a user equipment connected to the first radio network node (120). The first radio network node (120) sends (210) the mobility history to the network node (110), and receives (240) from the network node (110) mobility control information associated with the first radio network node (120).
US09226123B2

A communication node processes a call supported over a voice coded channel in a wireless communication network. The node tentatively designates the call as a voice call as soon as the call is initiated. While the call is designated as a voice call, the node limits processing of the call as a text telephony call to passively monitoring for one or more partial or complete text characters in the call. Responsive to detecting one or more partial or complete text characters in the call via this passive monitoring, the node designates the call as a text telephony call. While the call is designated as a text telephony call, the node fully processes the call as a text telephony call by passively detecting one or more complete text characters in the call, and conditioning and de-conditioning signals of the call for reliable transmission and reception over the voice coded channel.
US09226117B2

A method and apparatus for broadcast communication from a broadcast entity to terminals of a wireless communication network. A request for broadcast access to the wireless communication network is received, the request comprising an indication of a predetermined feature. In response, a dynamic association is established between the feature and an identifier selected from a pool of currently unused identifiers. Messages are then received from the broadcast entity, the messages associated with the predetermined feature. The messages are then broadcast along with the identifier. Broadcasting may be via Cell Broadcast Service (CBS), with the CBS Message Identifier as said identifier. The terminals are configured to optionally use the identifier for selective message processing. Upon a predetermined expiry condition, the identifier may be returned to the pool for re-use. Information regarding the temporary association may be published to the terminals.
US09226111B2

Methods, program products, and systems for estimating a location of a mobile device in a venue are provided. The venue can have pathways represented by a path network that includes segments connected by junctions. Estimating the location can include determining a first set of candidate locations for the mobile device, and mapping some of the candidate locations to updated candidate locations that are on or closer to one or more segments of the path network based on distances between the candidate locations and respective segments, resulting in a second set of candidate locations for the mobile device. The location of the mobile device can be derived from the second set of candidate locations.
US09226108B2

The claimed subject matter provides a method for publishing location information. The method includes receiving the location information from an entity. The entity may be associated with a geographic location. The method further includes identifying one or more entities to be notified of the location information. Additionally, the method includes sending the location information to the identified entities.
US09226107B2

A method of controlling a mobile terminal apparatus includes selecting, using a processor, a sensor from a plurality of sensors installed on the mobile terminal apparatus based on both of power consumption for determining whether the mobile terminal apparatus has moved based on an output of at least any one of the sensors and power consumption for identifying a position of the mobile terminal apparatus, determining whether the mobile terminal apparatus has moved based on an output of the sensor selected in the selecting, and identifying a position of the mobile terminal apparatus when it is determined that the mobile terminal apparatus has moved in the determining.
US09226102B1

In a wireless network, a first wireless device may send a first frame instructing a second wireless device to suspend a block acknowledgement session while the first wireless device is facilitating a Bluetooth operation. When the Bluetooth operation is complete, the first wireless device may send a second frame instructing the second wireless device to resume the block acknowledgement session.
US09226094B2

Computationally implemented methods and systems include soliciting to provide to a limb wearable computing device from one or more functional devices that are within the communication range of the limb wearable computing device gesture indicative data that is indicative of one or more user gestures, the communication range being a spatial volume that includes the limb wearable computing device and being externally defined by an enveloping boundary, where low-power signals transmitted by the limb wearable computing device being discernible over background noise within the enveloping boundary and not discernible over background noise outside the enveloping boundary, the limb wearable computing device being designed to be worn around a limb of a user; and facilitating the limb wearable computing device to receive the gesture indicative data from the one or more functional devices. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09226092B2

In communication device comprising a plurality of distributed transceivers and one or more corresponding antenna arrays, a first distributed transceiver is configured to receive signals comprising one or more first data streams and a second distributed transceiver is configured to receive signals comprising one or more second data streams. One or more components within a transmit processing chain of the first distributed transceiver and/or one or more components within a transmit processing chain of the second distributed transceiver are adjusted to maximize beamforming gain for the one or more first data streams and/or second data streams. A phase of the one or more first data streams and/or the one or more second data streams may be adjusted by the one or more components within a transmit processing chain of the first distributed transceiver and/or the one or more components within a transmit processing chain of the second distributed transceiver.
US09226085B2

A hearing aid device comprising a receiver unit arranged in a compartment in a shell, wherein the shell comprises a venting passage between first and second opposite faces of the shell to provide air passage from one side of the shell to another, and wherein the shell comprises an opening in the first face into the compartment and a closing member positioned to close off the compartment. The opening is shaped to allow the receiver unit to be inserted into the compartment through the opening, and the compartment is acoustically connected to the venting passage to allow the sound to emit through the venting passage. The receiver unit may be releasably mounted in the compartment such that the receiver unit can be retracted from the shell through the opening.
US09226072B2

Systems and methods are provided for providing media content based on playback zone awareness. In one aspect a server associated with a service provider may be configured to receive zone data identifying a name of a zone associated with a playback device, identify, based on the zone data, media content based on the zone data, and provide the media content to the playback device. In another aspect, a playback device may be configured to associate the playback device with a zone, and provide to a service provider zone data identifying a name of the zone associated with the playback device. In yet another aspect, a controller device may be configured to receive an input identifying a playback zone, and sending to a service provider, a message including zone data identifying the playback zone.
US09226071B2

Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for providing temperature limiting for a voice coil of a speaker. The system and method provide the aforementioned temperature limiting based upon monitoring (e.g., measurement) of an amplifier output signal provided to the speaker. Providing the aforementioned temperature limiting promotes improved protection for the speaker.
US09226065B2

An interpolation circuit for interpolating a first and a second microphone signal and for generating an interpolated microphone signal includes a first input (100) for receiving the first microphone signal (am), a second input (101) for receiving the second microphone signal (am+1), an output (102) for outputting the interpolated microphone signal (s), a control input (103) for receiving a control signal (r), and a first circuit branch (104) including first (105) and second (106) inputs coupled to the first (100) and the second (101) input, respectively, of the interpolation circuit, and an output (107) coupled to the output (102) of the interpolation circuit, wherein the first circuit branch is provided with a means (108) for power-specific summing of the signals supplied to the first and second inputs of the first circuit branch and for outputting a power-specific summation signal at the output (107) of the first circuit branch (104).
US09226062B2

A telepresence video conference endpoint device includes spaced-apart microphone arrays each configured to transduce sound into corresponding sound signals. A processor receives the sound signals from the arrays and determines a direction-of-arrival (DOA) of sound at each array based on the set of sound signals from that array, determines if each array is blocked or unblocked based on the DOA determined for that array, selects an array among the arrays based on whether each array is determined to be blocked or unblocked, and perform subsequent sound processing based on one or more of the sound signals from the selected array.
US09226049B2

A system and method for previewing calls in communications system is provided. The system includes a first communications device operated by a sender, the first communications device executing first call preview code for allowing the sender to provide relational context information relating to a call, and a second communications device operated by a receiver, the second communications device executing second call preview code for receiving the relational context information from the sender and displaying the relational context information to the receiver. The receiver can decide how to respond to the call from the sender based upon the relational context information. A plurality of user interface screens can be generated for allowing the receiver to participate in a survey relating to the call.
US09226047B2

System and method for identification of ownership to media objects through analysis of semantic information in the media objects are disclosed Semantic information is a term that can be used to describe aspects of the content of a media object that are apparent to a human viewing or listening to the content One embodiment of the invention includes extracting semantic information from a specified media object, matching said semantic information of the specified media object against known semantic information of known media objects, and taking action based on the result of the companson.
US09226043B2

A method to communicate content is disclosed. An apparatus also performs the functions of the method. The method includes capturing a rendering of at least a portion of an image. The image has an embedded cryptographic representation of at least one character in a code and the code corresponds to a unit of content. The embedded cryptographic representation of the at least one character identifies an orientation of the at least a portion of the image. The method includes decoding the embedded cryptographic representation of the at least one character in the code, determining an orientation of the rendering of the at least a portion of an image, and retrieving the unit of content corresponding to the code from a storage location. The method includes displaying the unit of content in an orientation corresponding to the orientation of the rendering of the at least a portion of the image.
US09226038B2

Systems and methods for distributing an audio/visual feed of a live event include mixing ambient audio signals, from ambient microphones monitoring the live event, with sound board feed from the event public address system, thereby forming a mixed audio signal. A video input signal is received at each video input in a plurality of video inputs at a video board from corresponding cameras recording the event. One such video input signal is selected as the video board output and is combined with the mixed audio signal thereby producing an audio/visual signal. This signal is encoded using a video codec, at each of several bitrates, and an audio codec, thereby forming bitrate streams each comprising the video portion of the audio/visual signal at a unique bitrate. The streams are received by a satellite router and transmitted to a satellite which sends them to one or more downlink servers for Internet distribution.
US09226034B1

Apparatus and devices are described for generating clips by executing one or more tasks contained in a recipe. The recipe can be received at a server, such as a content server, perhaps as part of a clip request. The server can generate a clip by parsing the recipe. Parsing the recipe can include determining whether a given task of the one or more tasks is a data-source task and, in response to determining that the given task is a data-source task, extracting one or more slices of data from a data source specified in the data-source task and adding the one or more slices to the clip. The data source can include a video data source or a combined video and audio data source. Once generated, the clip can be sent from the server.
US09226032B2

A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor can have a controller to transmit to a media source a request to access media content of a personal television (TV) channel composed by a subscriber of a media communication system according to one or more graphical user interface (GUI) templates that define a plurality of segments of a presentation area of the personal TV channel and one or more modules that arrange media content of the subscriber in the plurality of segments of a select one of the plurality of GUI templates. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09226023B2

In one embodiment, a method activates a first device for using a service. A second device receives, from a third device, a user identifier for a user and a unique identifier for the first device. The user identifier originates from the third device and the unique identifier originates from the first device in a representation outputted by the first device. The second device determines a user account for the service, the user account being associated with the user identifier for the user. The second device associates the unique identifier for the first device with the user account. Then, the second device communicates with the first device to activate the first device to use the service in response to receiving the user identifier and the unique identifier. The second device allows access to the service from an application running on the first device.
US09226021B2

The invention discloses a method and system for realizing mutual control of multimedia terminals in the home. The method comprises the following steps: when a registered user logs on the multimedia terminals, an interactive server establishes network connection with the multimedia terminals, and obtains the identification and the type of the multimedia terminals; the interactive server receives a control message which is sent by a control terminal and is used for controlling a player terminal, the control message containing a control command description and an identification of the player terminal; the interactive server parses the control message according to the type of the control terminal, converts the control command description into a control command corresponding to the player terminal according to the identification of the player terminal, and sends the control command to the player terminal so that the player terminal executes the received control command. By the present invention, the problem of mutual control between multiple multimedia terminals in the home environment can be solved.
US09226015B2

A mobile terminal capable of giving an instruction for a device linkage by simple operations, without any special hardware. The mobile terminal which is connected to a TV through a communication path includes: a communication I/F unit for communicating with the TV, a storage unit which stores content to be displayed on the TV; a display unit having a touch pad and a display screen; and a control unit which displays, on the display screen, a content icon associated with the content. When detecting that the content icon is pressed and held and then is flicked on the display unit, the control unit reads the content from the storage unit and transmit it to the TV through the communication I/F unit, so that the content is displayed on the TV.
US09225996B2

A motion refinement engine can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion refinement engine includes a motion search module, that generates at least one motion search motion vector for a macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on a first plurality of directions. A motion refinement module generates at least one refined motion vector for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on a second plurality of directions, wherein the second plurality of directions differ from the first plurality of directions. In a further embodiment, motion search, motion refinement, and motion compensation are selectively performed in a single pass.
US09225994B2

A global motion vector for a first video frame identifies a shift that, when applied to second video frame, increases the similarity between the two frames. A method comprises: selecting picture elements from the first frame; comparing the selected picture elements with correspondingly positioned picture elements of the second video frame to produce a measure of similarity corresponding to zero shift; comparing, for each of a plurality of trial shifts, the selected picture elements with picture elements of the second video frame that have the same mutual positions but shifted by the respective trial shift, to produce a measure of similarity in respect of that trial shift; identifying the trial or zero shift which gives rise to the highest measure of similarity; and estimating a global motion vector from the identified shift. The selected picture elements are less than 5% of the total number of lines in the frame.
US09225988B2

An encoder system may include an analyzer that analyzes a current image area in an input video to select a transform. A selectable residue transformer, controlled by the analyzer, may perform the selectable transform on a residue image generated from the current image area and a predicted current image area, to generate a transformed residue image. An encoder may encode the transformed residue image to generate output data. The analyzer controls the encoder to encode information to identify the selectable transform and to indicate that the selectable transform for the current image area is different from a transform of a previous image area of the input video. A decoder system may include components appropriate for decoding the output data from the encoder system.
US09225984B2

A video codec comprising a processor computing an average of a plurality of reconstructed chroma samples located in neighboring blocks of a chroma block and adjacent to the chroma block, computing an intermediate variable by applying an integer function on the average of the reconstructed chroma samples, and generating a predicted chroma sample for the chroma block based on the intermediate variable.
US09225979B1

A method and apparatus for remote access encoding is provided. Remote access encoding may include receiving, at a host device, from a client device, a remote access request indicating a portion of a display area of an operating environment of the host device, rendering a representation of the portion of the display area, wherein rendering includes generating rendered content including a plurality of frames, generating an encoded block, and transmitting encoded content to the client device, wherein the encoded content includes the encoded block. Generating the encoded block may include identifying a current block from a plurality of blocks in a current frame, wherein the current frame is one of the plurality of frames, determining whether the current block is a static block, determining a coding quality for encoding the current block, and determining whether to encode the current block as a skipped block.
US09225977B2

An example system for testing camera modules includes: a structure for holding camera modules under test, where each of the camera modules includes an image sensor, and where the camera modules are arranged in a same plane on the structure and offset from each other in the plane; and a target for use in testing the camera modules concurrently, where the target includes multiple tiles that are repeated, where each tile contains information for use in testing a camera module, and where the camera modules and the tiles are arranged so that different camera modules face different tiles but see at least some of the same information at the same angle.
US09225976B2

A method for operating a graphics subsystem of a reproduction device for display of video information comprising auxiliary information is described. Wherein the graphics subsystem is capable of generating left and right channel data for stereoscopic 3D display of auxiliary information in a 3D mode and of generating 2D data for 2D display of auxiliary information in a 2D mode, and can be switched between the display modes. The method has the steps of: providing 3D auxiliary information in the 3D mode, receiving a signal indicative to a change of the display mode, and leaving the graphics subsystem in the 3D mode while providing 2D auxiliary information to the graphics subsystem in response to said signal so as to provide the left and right channel with identical 2D auxiliary information to provide a 2D display of the same.
US09225975B2

Described herein is a multi-view display (based on spatial and/or temporal multiplexing) having an optimization mechanism that dynamically adjust views based upon detected state changes with respect to one or more views. The optimization mechanism determines viewing parameters (e.g., brightness and/or colors) for a view based upon a current position of the view, and/or on the multi-view display's capabilities. The state change may correspond to the view (a viewer's eye) moving towards another viewing zone, in which event new viewing parameters are determined, which may be in anticipation of entering the zone. Another state change corresponds to more views being needed than the display is capable of outputting, whereby one or more existing views are degraded, e.g., from 3D to 2D and/or from a personal video to a non-personal view. Conversely, a state change corresponding to excess capacity becoming available can result in enhancing a view to 3D and/or personal.
US09225970B2

An image depth generation device and method thereof is disclosed in the present invention. The device includes at least a processing circuit and at least a calculator. The processing circuit receives an input image and determines a visual distance of a pixel Pi according to a color of the pixel in the input image and at least a reference value to generate a depth offset of each pixel. The calculator is coupled to the processing circuit and uses the depth offset of each pixel and a predetermined depth to generate an output depth value of each pixel in the input image.
US09225969B2

A computer system that provides stereoscopic images is described. During operation, the computer system generates the stereoscopic images at a location corresponding to a viewing plane based on data having a discrete spatial resolution, where the stereoscopic images include image parallax. Then, the computer system scales objects depicted in the stereoscopic images so that depth acuity associated with the image parallax is increased, where the scaling is based on the spatial resolution and a viewing geometry associated with a display. For example, the viewing geometry may include a distance from an individual that views the stereoscopic images on the display and the display. Alternatively, the viewing geometry may include a focal point of the individual. Next, the computer system provides the resulting stereoscopic images to the display. In this way, the computer system may optimize the depth acuity for data having discrete sampling.
US09225967B2

Provided is an image processing apparatus, method and computer-readable medium. When encoding a multi-view color and depth video, a motion vector calculator of the image processing apparatus may calculate a block motion vector with respect to a first viewpoint color image. A motion vector borrowing unit may borrow, as a block motion vector with respect to a second viewpoint color image, a block motion vector with respect to the first viewpoint color image based on a disparity calculated from a depth video.
US09225958B2

In a video signal processor, a difference value calculation section calculates a difference value between video signals at two or more different points of view, which have been input to a video signal input section, at each predetermined timing. A compensation value calculation section holds the difference value between the video signals, which have been obtained at the predetermined timing, at each predetermined time interval. The compensation value calculation section calculates a compensation value with reduced compensation variations along a time axis using the held difference value. A video signal compensation section compensates the video signals using the obtained compensation value. Furthermore, the compensation value calculation section also calculates the compensation value with reduced compensation variations along the time axis based on information at imaging, which has been obtained by an information input section at each predetermined timing.
US09225947B2

An image pickup apparatus includes an image capturing unit which captures an image, a control unit which controls the image capturing unit to generate a wide-angle image, a composition calculating unit which calculates an optimum composition of image pickup using the generated wide-angle image, and a user interface unit which provides composition guide information to capture the image according to the calculated optimum composition of image pickup.
US09225943B2

Disclosed is a PTZ video visibility detection method based on luminance characteristic, which includes acquiring a road condition video image by utilizing a PTZ video camera, extracting the region of interest ROI of the road surface to obtain high constancy of selected pixels; acquiring precise road surface region by utilizing region-growing algorism based on Nagao filtering to ensure the illuminance constancy of the selected pixels in world coordinates; in the road surface region, extracting the contrast curve which reflects the luminance variation of the road surface, and searching the feature points of the luminance curve to calculate the human eye distinguishable and maximum far pixels in the image with an extinction coefficient; calculating the maximum visibility distance in combination with camera calibration to determine the visibility value. The present invention can take full advantage of existing PTZ camera to video the road condition and acquire the image without the need of providing any artificial marker. Monitoring can be in real time and has a low monitoring cost, and the monitoring requirement of large area road condition can be satisfied. Monitoring is stable and can not be disturbed by environment. It is a visibility detecting method with the advantages of simpleness, easy realization, high precision and excellent use effect.
US09225942B2

A method for displaying a captured image on a display device. A real image is captured by a vision-based imaging device. A virtual image is generated from the captured real image based on a mapping by a processor. The mapping utilizes a virtual camera model with a non-planar imaging surface. Projecting the virtual image formed on the non-planar image surface of the virtual camera model to the display device.
US09225941B2

Customer-specific information such as billing information, a listing of available services or the like can be provided to multiple receivers via a satellite or other high-bandwidth connection. The customers to receive customer-specific information are selected, and a broadcast message is created that includes the customer-specific information, as well as an identifier for each receiver associated with the selected customers. The broadcast message is transmitted on the high-bandwidth connection to thereby allow each of the receivers associated with the selected customers to extract the customer-specific information based upon the identifier and to display the customer-specific information to the customer.
US09225940B2

With regard to the exemplary method, a first communication is received from an IPTV subscriber at an IPTV application server via the subscriber's Web-accessible device. The server accesses level of service data for the subscriber and displays a new Web page based on the level of service data. The Web page includes a list of applicable channels. The server also determines whether the subscriber has a set-top box that is powered on. Where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered off, data received from the subscriber is saved in the database. Where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered on, the subscriber is allowed to perform a switching function for each applicable and currently viewable channel on a search result list. Finally, a signal to the set-top box to change the channel.
US09225937B2

Presented herein are techniques for controlling the level of ultrasound pairing signals generated in a teleconferencing environment. The levels of ultrasound pairing signals transmitted in a meeting room are adjusted automatically based on the ultrasound signal levels received at one or more of the sound receiving devices that can communicate with a teleconferencing endpoint in the meeting room.
US09225931B2

A controller included in a moving image data recording apparatus controls an editor and a recorder so as to generate a moving image file composed of a plurality of moving image data each having a predetermined length of time, and in a case where an error occurs when newly acquired moving image data is being added to the moving image file, the controller controls the editor and the recorder so as not to add moving image data to be next acquired to a moving image file containing moving image data acquired during occurrence of the error.
US09225918B1

An imaging system has an imager comprising a plurality of jots. A readout circuit is in electrical communication with the imager. The readout circuit can be configured to facilitate the formation of an image by defining neighborhoods of the jots, wherein a local density of exposed jots within a neighborhood is used to generate a digital value for a pixel of the image.
US09225915B2

The calibration/verification system and method for gas imaging infrared cameras standardizes the procedures to objectively and consistently check performance of gas imaging infrared cameras. This system includes a background board maintaining a uniform temperature, a target cell filled with a target compound and disposed in front of the background board, a reference cell filled with a reference compound and disposed in front of the background board, and an analyzer coupled to the camera that captures images of the gas cell and the reference cell. The analyzer compares the intensity difference and the temperature difference of rays passing through the target cell and reference cell to a reference relationship data of a quality control chart to determine whether the camera is in a working condition. The method is further extended to provide a quantitative measurement of a hydrocarbon plume from a gas imaging infrared camera.
US09225905B2

An image processing method and apparatus that minimizes a delay time until the image is detected and captured when shooting photographs where various shooting options (effects) are set. The image processing method includes displaying a preview in a shooting mode; receiving a shooting option based shooting command while displaying the preview; and processing image compensation applying a shooting option to an image having full resolution as a background, and substantially parallel operations, entering a preview mode to display a preview a display image.
US09225890B2

An image processing system includes a portable information device and an image processing device. The portable information device includes a shooting portion, a shooting control portion, and a remote operation portion to remotely operate the image processing device. The image processing device includes an image processing portion and a remote control portion to control the image processing portion. The remote operation portion includes a cooperation notice portion to notify the image processing device of a cooperation state. The shooting control portion includes a transmission portion to transmit image data output by the shooting portion shooting an image of a subject to the image processing device while the remote operation portion is remotely controlling the image processing device. The remote control portion includes an input mode switch portion to set the portable information device as an input source of data to be input to the image processing portion after the notification.
US09225889B1

A photographic image acquisition device comprising a primary image sensor optically coupled to a primary imaging lens and at least one secondary image sensor optically coupled to a secondary imaging lens, the optical axes of the primary and the secondary lenses set parallel to each other, both image sensors set in the same geometric plane, such that both focal planes arrays receive optical projections of the same scene.
US09225882B2

A ferromagnetic body is provided at a front-surface side of a reference plane and located outside a region that overlaps an electronic device in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, and a conductor is provided at a back-surface side of the reference plane and that overlaps the electronic device in the direction perpendicular to the reference plane.
US09225876B2

Systems and method for improving the quality of document images are provided. One method includes identifying a plurality of image fragments within a previously received document image that includes text. The method further includes separating the plurality of image fragments into a plurality of classes. Each class includes a subset of the plurality of image fragments that are substantially similar to one another. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of classes: (1) processing a class of image fragments to generate a combined and substantially enlarged image fragment for the class; and (2) filtering the combined and substantially enlarged image fragment to generate a filtered image fragment for the class. The method further includes generating an improved document image by replacing or modifying the image fragments within the document image based on the filtered image fragments.
US09225870B2

A data conversion apparatus which converts data including a K pixel amount of bit data expressed as N bits/1 pixel, where N and K are plural, using conversion data of predetermined bits comprising: a holding unit configured to hold input data in K×N bits; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the conversion data a number of bit patterns corresponding to a decimal value expressed by N bits among a conversion target to convert the input data held by the holding unit by N-bit units; a storage unit configured to store a pattern of N bits corresponding to a decimal value obtained from a bit pattern acquired by the acquisition unit in a bit position of the conversion target; and an updating unit configured to update the bit position of the conversion target each time the acquisition unit and the storage unit perform processing.
US09225868B2

An image forming apparatus settable for a custom size or a standard size includes an index sheet setting section, a print engine control processing section, and a print execution processing section. The index sheet setting section sets information pertaining to an index sheet having an index tab. Based on the information set by the index sheet setting section, the print engine control processing section switches between control in accordance with a setting for the custom size and control in accordance with a setting for the standard size. The print execution processing section executes control of printing on the index sheet.
US09225866B2

A scanner module comprises an illuminator configured to illuminate a document by emitting light onto the document. The illuminator comprises a light source configured to emit the light and a light guide unit configured to guide the light emitted from the light source to illuminate at least two areas on the document, the center positions of the at least two areas on the document being spaced apart from each other.
US09225856B2

A relay server may register combination information in an information memory. The combination information may include specific account information for a user who uses a communication device and first account information for the user. The first account information may be registered in the service providing server. The relay server may relay a data communication between the service providing server and the communication device by using the first account information included in the combination information including the specific account information in a case where the specific account information is received from the communication device after the combination information has been registered in the information memory. The data communication may be a communication for the communication device to receive a provision of a service from the service providing server.
US09225853B2

Technology is described for a handheld device with multimedia content recording and printing (“the described technology”). In various embodiments, the described technology can capture and record images, video, and sound, e.g., by using an image capture sensor and/or scanner. In various embodiments, the described technology can print various types of images, e.g., photographs, postcards, legal documents, and so forth.
US09225848B2

The method of operating a network includes receiving a measurement of total traffic intensity, receiving an expected quality of service associated with a packet, and assigning the packet to one of two or more priority queues based on the measurement of total traffic intensity and the expected quality of service, the two or more priority queues having different delay metrics.
US09225845B2

An example method of collecting information on a mobile device about interactive gaming via a hosted service over the Internet involves monitoring usage of the mobile device. The monitoring is performed on the mobile device while the mobile device is being used for the interactive gaming. The example method also involves collecting usage information corresponding to the interactive gaming between the mobile device and a second end-user device in communication with the mobile device via the hosted service over the Internet.
US09225842B2

An improved determination of an acoustic coupling between a loudspeaker and a microphone, which results in a better estimate of the acoustic coupling during double talk, is achieved in a device for determining an acoustic coupling between a far-end talker signal as produced by the loudspeaker and a combined signal as picked up by the microphone. The combined signal comprises an echo of the far-end talker signal and a near-end talker signal. The acoustic coupling is derived from a ratio of changes in an envelope of the combined signal to changes in the envelope of the far-end talker signal in a predetermined time interval. In this way, a systematic error during double talk is strongly reduced.
US09225840B2

A system and method for providing a telephony endpoint information service at a communication platform includes obtaining information of a first endpoint through a set of information collection processes; storing the obtained information in an endpoint repository; receiving an endpoint query request of a communication event, wherein the endpoint query request specifies at least a first endpoint; accessing endpoint information for the first endpoint; and augmenting the communication event according to the accessed endpoint information.
US09225839B2

A system and method for reestablishing a voice communications session moderated by a group call server between two or more telephony devices. The method is performed by a processor monitoring the communications session. The method comprises: storing one or more data records representing group call information; detecting disconnection of at least one participating telephony device from the group communications session, and determining that the disconnection was not intentionally initiated; accessing the stored call group information data and causing signals to enable reestablishment of participation by the disconnected device to be sent to the disconnected device; and upon receipt by the group call server from the disconnected device of signals representing a request to reconnect the disconnected device, outputting command signals for reestablishing a communications session between the disconnected device and at least one other device participating in the group communications session.
US09225830B2

A child cell telephone for toddlers and preschoolers, providing young children with a safe and simplified introduction to utilizing cellular technology, can comprise a processor, a memory, an input/output, a contact manager, a message manager, and a phone controller. The child cell phone offers young children the ability to make and receive calls only to and from those known to the child. The child cell phone also can display a picture of the person calling or being called, and can play back a message. Also disclosed is a method for using a child cell phone, including acts of uploading approved contacts, selecting a contact, playing a message, receiving a call, and making a call.
US09225811B2

A mobile terminal includes a sub-device that is attached thereto or detached therefrom, to remotely control the operation and state of the terminal. The mobile terminal includes: a sub-device having an input/output unit and attached to or detached from the terminal; and a controller configured to receive a user input via a certain communication path from the sub-device when the sub-device is separated, and control elements and applications of the terminal according to the user input.
US09225809B1

Systems and methods for communicating data between client and server are provided. Method includes facilitating creation of connection comprising tunnel with channels between client side logical interface and server side logical interface. Each channel is associated with port forward of the client side logical interface and the server side logical interface. Client side logical interface and server side logical interface reside on opposite sides of firewall. Client side logical interface is for client protocol interfaces. Server side logical interface is for server protocol interfaces. Method includes receiving data unit for transmission between one of plural clients of client side logical interface and one of plural servers of server side logical interface via connection comprising tunnel. Data unit is associated with OSI model stack identifying source or destination of data unit. Client or server side logical interface provides access to protocols for modifying identified source or destination of data unit.
US09225803B2

The invention described here deals with implementing custom data processing of HTTPS based on a Browser-Plugin Method. Such custom data processing may include, but is not limited to, custom data compression, custom data encryption, data monitoring, data modification. There are two distinct methods to implement the Browser-Plugin Method for Advanced HTTPS Data Processing of the subject invention (BPAHDP). In both cases, BPAHDP provides the option of conducting custom data processing that co-exists with data compression, data encryption, or other types of data processing operations supported by the HTTP standard. Additionally, both BPAHDP methods ensure that the web-browser still implements and executes the underlying SSL/TLS channel setup and encryption operations. In both embodiments of BPAHDP, the most critical functionality is the ability to modify HTTP request/response headers and data sent over a TLS/SSL channel. In the regular HTTP case (HTTP over TCP) headers and data are sent as clear-text (i.e., as unencrypted data). Therefore, any HTTP proxy component can intercept and modify header/data as it chooses—allowing custom data processing operations (including a custom compression operation) to be implemented. For HTTPS traffic, the data leaving a web-browser is encrypted. Therefore, a proxy cannot modify encrypted data, hence the novelty of the BPAHDP methodology. Both methods require specific implementation methods that are described. In particular, both embodiments of BPAHDP require specific techniques to facilitate the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer as a BPAHDP enabled web-browser. Microsoft COM (Component Object Model) interfaces and IE's Pluggable Protocol capabilities are utilized to meet all requirements of both BPAHDP embodiments.
US09225797B2

A system is described for providing a wireless ambient service to a mobile end-user device operating on a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN). An ambient service has a primary policy that allows a user to directly access primary ambient content, but not other content, through the service. A secondary policy allows the user to access, as ambient content, content outside of the primary policy. The secondary policy allows the access of the content outside of the primary policy based on a dynamic association with primary content. The system includes one or more device agents and an ambient service proxy server that cooperate to implement the service. Policy control elements can be implemented, for example, either by the device agents or by the proxy server.
US09225787B2

Techniques for enabling users of a social networking application or service to share information and additional resources with other users of the service are provided. A content item from a first user of the social networking service is registered as a resource within the social networking service. In response to receiving a query for the content item from a second user of the social networking service, the availability of the resource associated with the first user is determined for use by the second user. A notification indicating the availability of the resource is sent to a device of the second user. The notification may include a current geographic location of the first user, which can be graphically represented on a digital map displayed at the device of the second user.
US09225783B2

A sensor event assessor input/output controller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-channel sensor input configuration provides two-way communication with a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors having its own channel. An electronic signal receiver receives electronic signals from one or more of the plurality of sensors at a pre-defined sample rate. A signal combiner bundles the electronic signals from one or more of the plurality of sensors into a single electronic signal. A single channel output is used to provide the single electronic signal to the sensor event assessor.
US09225780B2

A method of writing data to a distributed file system including a file system client, a server and a storage resource target, includes generating, on the client, a write request including a byte stream to be written to the storage resource target; formatting, on the client, the byte stream into sectors in accordance with the T10 protocol, the sectors including a data field and a protection information field, the protection information field including a guard field, an application field and a reference field; computing, on the client, checksum data for the guard field; sending, across a network, the data and the protection information to the server; verifying, in T10-capable hardware on the server, the checksum data for the guard field; verifying, on the storage resource target, the checksum data for the guard field; and storing the data on the storage resource target.
US09225775B2

A global server load balancing (GSLB) switch serves as a proxy to an authoritative DNS communicates with numerous site switches which are coupled to host servers serving specific applications. The GSLB switch receives from site switches operational information regarding host servers within the site switches neighborhood. When a client program requests a resolution of a host name, the GSLB switch, acting as a proxy of an authoritative DNS, returns one or more ordered IP addresses for the host name. The IP addresses are ordered using metrics that include the information collected from the site switches. In one instance, the GSLB switch places the address that is deemed “best” at the top of the list.
US09225772B2

A method, system and program product, the method comprising determining a first rule set comprising a plurality of patterns of run-time data; obtaining a second rule set comprising a respective priority assigned to respective of the application context IDs and/or user IDs and/or business priorities or combinations of two or more thereof; receiving run-time data for a first plurality of the user IDs; determining application context IDs running on desktops; generating allocation data and/or prioritization data for allocation of electronic resources for user IDs, based at least in part on the second rule set; and sending signals, based on the allocation data and/or the prioritization data.
US09225768B2

The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for providing appropriate content to a client based on the network capability associated with the client. One example method includes identifying a first set of content requested by the client, the first set of content associated with a default set of components for presentation; performing a network capability check associated with the client; determining, based on the capability check of the client, whether the default set of components associated with the first set of content is applicable for use with the client; providing the default set of components associated with the first set of content for presentation where the default set is determined to be applicable with the client; and responsive to determining that the default set is not applicable with the client, identifying at least one alternative component associated with the first set of content for presentation; and providing the least one alternative component associated with the first set of content for presentation.
US09225757B2

A method for generating a plurality of messages for inviting communication devices to a communication conference. The method includes establishing a first communication conference with a plurality of first communication devices, receiving a plurality of communication device identifiers from a communication device participating in the first communication conference, which communication device identifiers identify communication devices to be invited to at least a second communication conference, determining communication devices from the plurality of the communication devices, which are already involved in the first communication conference, and generating messages for inviting communication devices to the second communication conference only for those communication devices which are not involved in the first communication conference.
US09225756B2

According to a general aspect, a method can include receiving a request, triggered via a consumer account, to access, using a social media application, a plurality of sharer content. The sharer content can be associated with a sharer account using the social media application. The method can include retrieving, in response to the request, a consumer value and a relationship value. The consumer value can represent an interaction with the social media application via the consumer account and the relationship value can characterize a relationship between a consumer identifier of the consumer account and a sharer identifier of the sharer account. The method can include selecting a subset of sharer content from the plurality of sharer content based on a combination of the consumer value and the relationship value, and can include defining a portion of a presentation customized for the consumer account using the selected subset of sharer content.
US09225754B2

A method of ad-hoc network communications comprises a computer server transmitting a communications session request to a primary logical communications device of a logical ad-hoc communications network. The logical ad-hoc communications network comprises the primary logical communications device and at least one secondary logical communications device that is registered to the primary logical communications device. The communications session request requests a communications session with one of the at least one secondary logical communications devices. Upon receipt of the communications session request, the primary logical communications device transmits to the one secondary logical communications device a session initiate message requesting the one secondary logical communications device initiate the communications session with the computer server. The one secondary logical communications device replies to the computer server with a communications session reply initiating the communications session and identifying the one secondary logical communications device to the computer server.
US09225751B2

A PUCI system is designed to process an incoming call originated by the user equipment toward the counterpart user equipment via an EMS node having a PUCI-light functionality, which includes an IBCF/I-CSCF, a S-CSCF, and a database storing the PUCI-light information. Through a query to the database indicating a suspicious session in relation to the incoming call, the IMS node immediately blocks the suspicious session or simply marks the suspicious session for the further processing at a subsequent node. The reason for rejection is included in a SIP BYE/ERROR message of an original session setup message, which is interpreted by a previous IMS node so as to obtain the relevant information from a SIP header. The relevant information is stored in either a global operator policy database or a local database, thus enabling a PUCI-negating IMS node to reject an unsolicited call related to the blocked session.
US09225750B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a base station communicatively coupled to a communication system, and a communicative device communicatively coupled to the base station for providing voice communication services to a user, wherein the communicative device serves as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalf of a set-top box presenting media services to a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09225746B2

According to some exemplary embodiments, a computer-implemented timestamp method includes maintaining, at a cryptographic service provider (CSP), one or more timestamp policies specifying when digital timestamps should be issued. A timestamp request is received at the CSP from a timestamp authority that manages timestamping and is accompanied by a corresponding timestamp data structure. With a computer processor, a difference is determined between a first time specified in the timestamp data structure and a second time indicated by an internal clock of the CSP. The timestamp request is rejected if the first timestamp data structure fails to comply with a predetermined timestamp policy, where the predetermined timestamp policy requires that the difference between the first time and the second time be below a predetermined threshold.
US09225734B1

Methods and systems for Data Leak Prevention (DLP) in a private network are provided. According to one embodiment, a data packet is received by a network security appliance. The data packet is originated by a first networking device within a network protected by the network security appliance and is directed to a second networking device that is outside the network. The data packet is decoded in accordance with an upper layer protocol through which the data packet is being transmitted. A command, request or method of the upper layer protocol that is specified by or represented by the data packet is determined. A field of the command, request or method, which is not designed for carrying a message or a file, is scanned for sensitive or confidential information based on a sensor rule. When the scanning results in a match, then an action associated with the sensor rule is performed.
US09225729B1

A computer-implemented method includes serving, from a computer server system and to a plurality of different computing devices remote from the computer server system, web code and code for reporting status of the computing devices; receiving from one or more of the computing devices, first data that indicates a parameter of the one or more computing devices, the first data in a compressed format; receiving from one or more others of the computing devices, second data that indicates the parameter of the one or more others of the computing devices, the second data in an uncompressed format; and compressing the second data and comparing the compressed second data to the first data to correlate the first data to the second data. The code for reporting status of the computing devices can include code for allowing the computing devices to determine whether to send the first or second data.
US09225725B2

A method of controlling access to web content at a client computer. The method includes registering an access control status at the client computer, and detecting an attempt to access a website having an access control mechanism. In response to such detection, the access attempt is suspended and said access control status registered at the client computer compared with an access control status currently registered at the website. If these do not correspond, then the access control status registered at the website is changed to correspond with that registered at the client computer.
US09225717B1

Methods and apparatus are provided for signing data transactions using one-time authentication passcodes. User authentication passcodes are generated by generating a time-based user authentication passcode based on a forward-secure pseudorandom number, wherein the generated time-based user authentication passcode is used for authentication of the user; and generating an event-based user authentication passcode based on a forward-secure pseudorandom number, wherein the generated event-based user authentication passcode is used to sign one or more data transactions. The generation of an event-based user authentication passcode can be performed on-demand. The generation of the event-based user authentication passcode can optionally be performed substantially simultaneously with the generation of the time-based user authentication passcode.
US09225714B2

Approaches for facilitating spatial and temporal verification of users and/or user devices are disclosed. In some implementations, a user device may be detected within a short wireless communication range. A wireless communication session with the user device may be initiated based on the detection. Information identifying a first integrity-based certificate may be received from the user device during the wireless communication session during a first time period. Information identifying a second integrity-based certificate associated with a second time period may be provided responsive to determining that the first integrity-based certificate is a valid integrity-based certificate associated with the first time period. The second integrity-based certificate may be configured to allow network access for the user device during the second time period.
US09225713B2

The present invention performs control to realize an appropriate access by executing mapping processing of single sign-on by associating SP side user information and IdP side user information using a unique AUID.
US09225712B2

Techniques are described for providing enhanced security for electronic communications, such as by including in a message sent between two services a digital signature that is generated by using secret information known to the services, so that the recipient receives assurance regarding the sender's identity if the recipient can replicate the received digital signature using the secret information known to the recipient. In some situations, the enhanced security is used in communications to and/or from an access manager system that provides single sign-on functionality and other functionality to other services for use with those services' users, such as to prevent malicious phishers from inappropriately gaining access to user information. Various services may use the enhanced security techniques when interacting with the access manager system at various times, such as to initiate sign-on for a user and/or to take subsequent action on behalf of a signed-on user.
US09225710B2

Systems and methods for managing concurrent secure elements on a mobile device to coordinate with an application or “app” running on the mobile device and an appropriate communications protocol for conducting transactions using the mobile device include: informing, by the processor, the reader device of a preferred app and a communication protocol usable by the preferred app; receiving, by the processor, information about which apps and communication protocols are supported by a reader for processing a transaction; locating, by the processor, a secure element supporting an app and a communication protocol supported by the reader; channeling the communication protocol for the specific configuration of the app and the supporting secure element; activating the secure element that supports the app; and processing, with the activated secure element, using the supported app and communication channel, the transaction with the reader.
US09225703B2

An approach is provided for protecting endpoint devices against unauthorized network connections. An endpoint device to be protected initiates a security test by requesting that a security detection service attempt to establish a network connection with the endpoint device. The endpoint device receives, from the security detection service, a response to the request sent to the security detection service. The security detection service attempts to establish a connection with the endpoint device. If a new network connection is received between the security detection service and the endpoint, then one or more actions are performed to secure network communications with the endpoint device.
US09225691B1

Exemplary methods for deduplicating encrypted files are described herein. The exemplary methods include receiving a first encrypted data file from a remote source that is encrypted by a first security key. In one embodiment, the methods include transmitting to a remote security manager a first key identifier (ID) that is extracted from the first data file, the first key ID identifying the first security key. In one aspect of the invention, in response to receiving the first security key from the remote security manager based on the first key ID, decrypting the first data file using the first security key provided by the remote security manager. In at least one embodiment, the methods include deduplicating the decrypted first data file.
US09225689B2

A hardware security agent may include a request inspector configured to receive an alias at the hardware security agent by way of a network interface of an untrusted computer, and a mapper configured to map the alias to corresponding protected data stored within the hardware security agent. The hardware security agent may further include a substitution manager configured to provide the corresponding protected data from the hardware security agent over a network to a target network site.
US09225681B2

Techniques are presented to enable a network element in a network to receive a request from an application on a device, the request being encapsulated in a packet that includes a header that contains a physical layer identifier of the device to which the application does not have access. The physical layer identifier at the network element may be obtained. A response may be sent to the application on the device, the response containing at least one of the physical layer identifier of the device and location information of the device.
US09225680B2

Method for providing an identity identifier of an electronic terminal device. According to the method, via an interface, the electronic device receives a request from the party to provide an identity identifier, which has at least a request identifier. Via a communication link between the electronic terminal device and a server device assigned to the first communication network, a key to encode an identity identifier assigned to the electronic terminal device is transmitted from the server device to the electronic terminal device. By means of the key, at least the identity identifier in the electronic terminal device is encoded. The at least encoded identity identifier is linked to the request identifier received in the electronic terminal device, transmitted from the electronic terminal device to the server device, and decoded in the server device. The decoded identity identifier, together with the linked request identifier, is provided for transmission to the party.
US09225677B2

In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a digest of messages and notifications without launching applications associated with the messages or notifications, receiving a user input selecting an interactive element in the digest corresponding to a message or notification, displaying the message or notification corresponding to the selected interactive element without launching the application associated with the message or notification, receiving a second user input interacting with the message or notification, executing a messaging or notification function corresponding to the interaction without launching the application associated with the message or notification.
US09225675B2

An application programming interface for a data storage service provides a convenient mechanism for clients of the data storage service to access its various capabilities. An API call may be made to initiate a job and in response a job identifier may be provided. A separate API call specifying the job identifier may be made and a response providing information related to the job may result. Various API calls may be used to store data, retrieve data, obtain an inventory of stored data, and to obtain other information relating to stored data.
US09225671B2

In some embodiments, a virtual device context (vDC) domain may be advertised to other network devices. If at least a partition of each device is determined to belong to the same vDC domain, the network interface communicating with the at least one device may be activated.
US09225667B2

A port switch includes ports that are to serve as communication sources of communication lines extending to a plurality of fabric switches, and sets a link aggregation for the ports. The port switch further includes a fabric switch table indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the addresses of the fabric switches and the corresponding one of the ports. When the port switch receives a frame from a terminal, the port switch detects a destination address in the frame, determines, if the destination address is one of the addresses in the fabric switch table, a port corresponding to the one of the addresses, on the basis of the fabric switch table to transfer the frame from the port.
US09225665B2

The invention is a transaction interface protocol wherein the interface protocol has a transaction identifier signal in each of the request and response channels. It is used between a target network interface unit (NIU) master and an initiator NIU slave that are directly connected through a transaction interface. The target NIU response channel uses the transaction ID signal to identify the entry in a context array associated with the corresponding request. The coupling of target NIU and initiator NIU enable the formation of an on-chip interconnect comprising multiple network-on-chip (NoCs) wherein the topology of the interconnect is simpler, smaller, faster, and has lower latency.
US09225664B2

Systems, methods, architectures and/or apparatus for implementing Multi-Segment Pseudo Wire (MS-PW) arrangements in an efficient and scalable manner.
US09225663B2

The present invention provides a system, method and computer-readable media for generating virtual private clusters out of a group of compute resources. Typically, the group of compute resources involves a group of clusters independently administered. The method provides for aggregating the group of compute resources, partitioning the aggregated group of compute resources and presenting to each user in an organization a partition representation the organization's virtual private cluster. The users transparently view their cluster and have control over its operation. The partitions may be static or dynamic.
US09225662B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for identifying commands for virtual resource instances in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of commands for an instance of a virtual resource may be received in a computer memory medium or the like. The commands may then be analyzed and information pertaining to the commands may be stored in a computer storage device or the like. When a user/requester later wishes to identify a command to be utilized for another instance of the virtual resource, the requester can access the information and make a determination as to what commands are typically utilized for similar and/or previous instances of the virtual resource.
US09225658B1

A networking device includes a transmitting device and a host circuit. The transmitting device is configured to store packets in a transmit queue. The transmitting device is further configured to transmit the packets from the transmit queue in accordance with a local area network protocol. The transmitting device is further configured to selectively generate a signal indicating an available capacity of the transmit queue. The host circuit is configured to receive input packets for transmission by the transmitting device. The host circuit is further configured to, in response to an aggregation mode being enabled, (i) generate an aggregate packet using ones of the received input packets, and (ii) in response to the signal, provide the aggregate packet to the transmitting device for transmission. The host circuit is further configured to, in response to the aggregation mode being disabled, individually provide the received input packets to the transmitting device for transmission.
US09225651B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to method and apparatus for load balancing in scheduling traffic flows in networks. In one aspect, there is provided a method of load balancing for use in scheduling a traffic flow, comprising: selecting, based on a mapping entry, a first processing engine (PE) from a plurality of PEs as a target PE for a packet of the traffic flow, the mapping entry indicating an association between the packet and the first PE; determining whether load of the target PE exceeds a threshold; and in response to determining that the threshold is exceeded, updating the selection of the target PE based on a scheduling status of the traffic flow, the scheduling status indicating a dispatch of a previous packet of the traffic flow, such that the packet is dispatched to the same target PE as the previous packet. Corresponding apparatus is also provided.
US09225649B2

A system, method and apparatus for controlling traffic forwarding at a label switched router (LSR) to implement thereby a constrained traffic forwarding application, such as a data plane fate separation between different FEC types.
US09225648B2

A method and apparatus for implementing multiple Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) Label Switch Router (LSR) instances sharing a common data plane at a network element or node.
US09225647B2

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a copy of or make a copy of one or more packets of a flow of packets between a source and a destination. While or after the one or more packets are forwarded to the destination, the content of the one or more packets is compared to a policy to determine if the flow of packets triggers a policy response. A map of devices within a datacenter cluster of devices is maintained and used to select one or more available devices when packet inspection is distributed.
US09225636B2

In one aspect, the teachings herein provide point-to-point communication between all the virtual machines (VMs) belonging to the same tenant in a cloud-based virtual network environment without using any intermediate routing functions, and while providing full virtualization at the L2 and L3 levels. That is, the approach preserves completely isolated address spaces for each tenant at both L2 and L3 levels and supports multiple subnets for each tenant, and thereby allows tenants to define their own virtual networks without requiring the addition of expensive centralized routing and without requiring inter-subnet communications for the same tenant to traverse sub-optimal paths, as happens with software-based routers implemented in one of the VMs belonging to the tenant. Moreover, the methods and apparatuses taught herein provide a distributed solution for communicating between subnets belonging to the same virtual or logical network, thereby avoiding single-point-of-failure issues and offering improved scalability.
US09225631B2

Switches in a virtual networking environment may be synchronized by providing virtual networking policies to multiple switches connected to a virtual machine. The multiple switches may form a virtual link aggregate group. Virtual networking policies corresponding to the virtual machine may be provided via packets sent to the multiple switches in the link aggregate group. In some embodiments, the packet may be sent under the IEEE 802.1Qbg protocol.
US09225628B2

A method in a network element that forwards packets to destination nodes includes identifying groups of the destination nodes. Respective performance metrics of multiple different candidate network paths, over which the destination nodes in a given group are reachable from the network element, are estimated jointly for all the destination nodes in the given group. A network path is selected from among the candidate network paths based on the estimated performance metrics. The packets addressed to the destination nodes in the given group are forwarded over the selected network path.
US09225627B2

A method, system and computer readable medium for redistributing routes in backbone edge bridge multi-chassis link aggregation group topologies between two routing protocols is described. The method can include learning, at a first node and a second node, a first routing table entry originating from a first side of a network and being received in a first protocol and creating, at the first node and the second node, and generating second routing entry information corresponding to the first routing table entry, in a second protocol different from the first protocol. The method can also include exchanging the second routing entry information between the first node and the second node. The first node and/or the second node add the second routing entry information to the routing table when the first routing entry is not present in the routing table and ignores the second routing entry information when the first routing entry is present in the routing table.
US09225626B2

An exemplary system and method for providing virtual multiple lines in a communication system is provided. The exemplary system allows a plurality of simultaneous phone calls to be conducted via a single access identifier (e.g., phone number). In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a hub configured to route calls via PSTN and VoIP. The determination as to how the call should be routed may be performed by the hub, a call services server, or a combination of both. At least one client device may be coupled in communication with the hub and configured to enable placement or receipt of a second or subsequent call when a first call is active. The client device is coupled to a communication device which places or receives the second or subsequent call.
US09225625B1

Computerized techniques are described for detecting performance degradation during features ramp up. A first version of web content is sent to first client devices. The first version of the web content lacks a particular feature. First performance data that indicates performance of each first client device with respect to processing the web content is received. A second version of the web content is sent to second client devices. The second version of the web content has the particular feature. Second performance data that indicates performance of each second client device with respect to processing the web content is received. The first performance data is compared with the second performance data to determine a difference between a processing metric associated with the first version of the web content and a processing metric associated with the second version of the web content.
US09225622B2

Echo messaging for operation, administration, and management of a service-based distribution path and associated services are disclosed. Service-based distribution paths or transport tunnels include services mapped or bound to a path associated with the transport tunnel. Echo messaging provides OAM capabilities to monitor the operational state of a service-based distribution path, including determining configuration, connectivity, and other characteristics of the path and associated services that transport data. OAM functions provided by echo messaging enable OAM functions despite service volume along a core network, path or set of paths.
US09225621B2

A data processing method, comprising: using computing apparatus, causing instantiating a plurality of baseline application instances that are running a first version of software, and one or more canary application instances that are running a second version of the software; using computing apparatus including a load balancer, causing selectively routing a first proportion of incoming requests to the baseline instances, and routing a second proportion of the incoming requests to the canary instances; monitoring the plurality of canary instances to collect performance data for performance metrics; determining that the performance data indicates a negative performance issue, and in response thereto: using computing apparatus, automatically updating the first proportion to be larger and updating the second proportion to be smaller, and then reconfiguring the load balancer based upon the first proportion and the second proportion; terminating one or more of the canary application instances.
US09225620B2

Systems and methods are described for reducing an interference level associated with frequency drift in a wireless base station. The base station monitors an interference level in a frequency resource caused by a first frequency resource colliding with a second frequency resource. If the interference level is outside of an expected range, the base station adjusts a parameter of the base station such as a reference oscillator frequency to compensate for frequency drift. This method may be used in a femtocell wireless base station.
US09225619B2

The present invention improves control rules requests between reporting periods, and provides for enhanced PCRF and PCEF carrying out a method of controlling usage of network resources. This method comprises: determining at the PCEF events requiring control rules; requesting control rules and providing information about usage of network resources during the reporting period from the PCEF to the PCRF; determining at the PCRF first control rules by using the information about usage of network resources; determining at the PCRF second control rules by using an initial value for usage of network resources during a next reporting period; submitting from the PCRF to the PCEF the first and second control rules; enforcing at the PCEF the first control rules received from the PCRF; and upon starting the next reporting period for the user, inactivating the first control rules and enforcing at the PCEF the second control rules received from the PCRF.
US09225617B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for tracking the lifecycles of client-side browser windows in the context of a web application. In one set of embodiments, a server component of a web application can receive a request originating from a client-side browser window, where the request includes a resource locator (e.g., a URL) and a window identifier. In response, the server component can send a script to the window for retrieving the window's actual identifier/name. Based on the actual identifier returned by the script and the window identifier included in the initial request, the server component can determine whether the window is a new window or an existing window and can process the request as appropriate.
US09225611B1

A method and computer program product for intercepting and blocking the mouse move and resize events on mobile devices transmitting remote application. The remote access client installed on the mobile device send the coordinates of user's touches to remote computer. The remote access agent, running on a remote host, blocks the consequences of user finger (or stylus) actions performed on a captured window of the remote application. The method defines the areas and elements of a captured remote application window that are not affected by the move/resize commands emulated by a mobile device user. This functionality is implemented by a control-agent component running on a remote host for receiving and processing the commands from a mobile device and for transmitting video stream and some metadata about remote applications to the mobile device.
US09225610B2

A user interface includes a graphical topological representation of an information system. Information is collected regarding connections between switches, storage nodes and computer nodes in the information system. Any sub networks in the system are identified based on the collected information and classified as LANs or SANs. Connections between the various components are determined, and a layout of any identified LANs, computer nodes, SANs, and storage nodes is established for generating the topological representation in the user interface. The graphical topological representation of the information system is displayed in the user interface with the LAN icons, computer node icons, SAN icons and storage node icons laid out in a matrix-like arrangement of columns and rows, such that for LANs, computer nodes, SANs and/or storage nodes that are connected to each other, the corresponding icons are located on or near a same row in the graphical topological representation.
US09225605B2

Embodiments generally provide techniques for mapping service modules on a network device. Embodiments identify a plurality of service modules, each configured to perform a respective service. A first one of the plurality of service modules is mapped to a first one of a plurality of virtual switches on the network device. Service policy information for a plurality of virtual switches is retrieved. The service policy information is indicative of service requirements for each of the plurality of virtual switches. Upon detecting an occurrence of a predefined event, embodiments determine a second one of the plurality of virtual switches to map the first service module to, based on the service policy information. The first service module is then mapped to the second virtual switch.
US09225601B2

A network-wide verification system may be adapted with a data plane verification layer positioned between a set of multiple network devices and a controller in network communication with the devices, where the controller is configured to transmit packet-forwarding rules to the devices. The data plane verification layer monitors network rule modifications, such as monitoring modifications initiated by the network devices and/or by the controller, and verifies the validity of invariants of the monitored network according to multiple stored network invariants. The verification may be executed on parts of the network taking actions that are capable of being influenced by a new rule modification. The network invariants include conditions expected to be upheld in valid network operation as related to packet routing and the packet-forwarding rules.
US09225599B2

A functionality is adapted to a client and server combination. Responsive to a request of a client for a functionality, pre-configured properties of the client, requested functionality, and a server on which the functionality is run are retrieved. An availability check is performed, based on the retrieved pre-configured properties of the client, server, and requested functionality, to eliminate properties of the functionality which are not capable of functioning on the client-server combination. The result of the availability check is provided as a set of properties which is available for the requested functionality to run on the client-server combination. The pre-configured properties define different property types, property values of the different property types, functionality values for each property value, and rules that instruct a processor how to perform the availability check based on the property types, the property values and the functionality values.
US09225597B2

Some embodiments provide a network system. The network system includes a first set of host machines hosting virtual machines that connect to each other through a logical network. The network system includes a second set of host machines hosting virtualized containers that operate as gateways to process packets entering the logical network from external sources. Each of the virtualized containers advertises itself to an external router as a next hop for packets entering the logical network such that the external router uses equal-cost multi-path forwarding to distribute the packets across the virtualized containers on the second set of host machines.
US09225596B2

Guest domains (virtual machines) may execute at a virtualization server. During execution, the guest domains may request various services to facilitate their operation. The virtualization server may disaggregate the services requested by the guest domains among various service domains. A service domain may be configured to provide one the services. The virtualization server may also maintain a pool of partially initialized service domains. When a guest domain requests a particular service, one of the partially initialized service domains may be selected from the pool, and the partially initialized service domain may complete initialization to become an initialized service domain. The initialized service domain may thus be configured to provide the service requested by a guest domain. The virtualization server may periodically replenish the pool of partially initialized service domains to ensure that a partially initialized service domain is available upon demand from one of the guest domains.
US09225594B2

An Ethernet local management interface (E-LMI) protocol for use at a user-to-network interface (UNI) of a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) is disclosed. The E-LMI protocol allows configuration and status information for the services at the UNI to be transferred from the MEN to a customer edge device coupled to the MEN at the UNI. Various embodiments involve sending or receiving a message via a User-to-Network Interface (UNI) of a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN). A customer edge device extracts configuration and status information for the services at the UNI from a received message. The configuration and status information can correspond to a multipoint Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC).
US09225578B2

A high order modulation method, a demapping method, and a corresponding device are provided. With the high order modulation method, important bits is distinguished, and the important bits are divided into important bits for distinguishing large regions and important bits for distinguishing small regions according to the difficulty of judgment areas. Therefore, the judgment accuracy rate of a demodulator is further improved.
US09225553B2

An information management system is described comprising one or more workstations running applications which allow a user of the workstation to connect to a network, such as the Internet. Each application has an analyzer, which monitors transmission data that the application is about to transmit to the network or has just received from the network, and which determines an appropriate action to take regarding that data. The analyzer may consult policy data containing a supervisor-defined policy to govern the workstations in order to determine what action to take. Such actions may be extracting data from the transmission data, such as passwords and usernames, digital certificates or eCommerce transaction details for storage and record keeping; ensuring that the transmission data is transmitted at an encryption strength appropriate to the contents of the transmission data; determining whether a check needs to be made as to whether a digital certificate received in transmission is valid; determining whether a transaction about to be made by a user of one of the workstations needs third party approval before it is made; and controlling the transmission of messages, such as e-mails according to a policy.
US09225545B2

Determining a path for network traffic between a source compute node and a destination compute node in a parallel computer including identifying a group of compute nodes, the group of compute nodes having topological network locations included in a predefined topological shape; selecting, from the predefined topological shape, in dependence upon a global contention counter stored on the source compute node, a path on which to send a data communications message from the source compute node to the destination compute node; and sending, by the messaging module of the source compute node, the data communications message along the selected path for network traffic between the source and destination compute nodes.
US09225544B2

To provide a communication system and a communication method that are capable of determining with a simple configuration the validity of a message that is communicated with the communication system, a plurality of ECUs is connected in the communication system to a communication bus, allowing communication of messages. A communication interval, which is defined for each message being communicated, is set for each ECU. The ECU that transmits the message transmits the message on the basis of the defined communication interval. The ECU that receives the transmitted message detects the communication interval of the received message, and determines the validity of the received message on the basis of a comparison between the detected communication interval and the defined communication interval.
US09225542B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting and/or receiving digital content through an Internet protocol (IP) network are provided. The method of receiving a digital content file from a content server by a device in a home network, includes: receiving access information of the digital content file from another device in the home network which is permitted to access the digital content file; directly requesting the content server to transmit the digital content file, based on the received information; and receiving the digital content directly from the content server. In this way, an overload that can occur in a device relaying digital content, as the device relays digital content to a plurality of devices on a home network, can be prevented.
US09225540B2

Provided is are method of relaying communication between a remote user interface (RUI) client and a universal plug and play (UPnP) device in a home network. The method includes: searching for a UPnP action mapped to an RUI element corresponding to an RUI control message received from an RUI client,; generating a simple object access protocol (SOAP) message for calling a found UPnP action; and transmitting the SOAP message to the UPnP device.
US09225531B2

Techniques for verifying a user is human as opposed to a machine are provided. A series of images may be presented to the user sequentially along with a challenge question that instructs the user to select the image that is responsive to the challenge question. If the user selects the correct image, there likelihood that the user is a human as opposed to a machine is greatly increased. Techniques for varying certain parameters associated with display of images and challenge question are also provided. The variations in these parameters may further help distinguish human users from machines.
US09225526B2

A hashed value is computed from an encrypted password value and a displayed code value from a hardware token at a client. The encrypted password value is based on a username, a context identifier, and a password. The client provides the username and the hashed value to a server. The encrypted password value associated with the username is retrieved at the server. An expected hashed value is computed at the server. The client is validated based on a comparison of the hashed value and the expected hashed value.
US09225524B2

A system and method of sending an e-mail message associated with a wireless device is provided. A request to forward or reply to an original e-mail message is sent from the wireless device to a server. The request contains one or more recipients and includes a message identifier of an original e-mail message. A portion indicator is provided for retrieving portions of the original e-mail message identified by the message identifier. An e-mail message is sent to the one or more recipients comprising any added user text and the one or more retrieved portions of the original e-mail message such that text of the original message that the user may not be aware is not forwarded to new recipients.
US09225522B2

Techniques for populating a content stream of a mobile application are described. A content request for content to be presented in a personalized activity or content stream of a member of a social networking service is communicated from a mobile computing device to a content server. The content request includes a member identifier, location information indicating the current location of the member, and/or an activity status identifier indicating an inferred physical activity state of the member. Using the information received with the content request, a content selection and relevance module will process the request and provide contextually relevant content for presentation in the member's activity or content stream, at the mobile device.
US09225520B2

Various embodiments of a system and method for deterministic generation of a common content encryption key on distinct encryption units are described. Embodiments may include, for each given content item of multiple content items that represent one or more portions of a common media object, controlling a different encryption unit of multiple distinct encryption units to i) generate a content encryption key for the given content item based on: a common base secret shared by the multiple distinct encryption units, and an identifier specific to the media object, and ii) encrypt the given content item with the respective content encryption key generated for that content item in order to generate a respective encrypted content item. Each content encryption key generated for a given content item may be equivalent to each other content encryption key such that decryption of each encrypted content item requires a common decryption key.
US09225519B1

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises receiving attributes data for a tagged item that are measured or recorded by sensors of a user equipment such as a smart phone. Attributes of record can be securely stored and can be controlled remotely. By comparing measured attributes with attributes of record according to a predetermined algorithm, a preset functionality, associated with said tagged item, is selectively enabled. In some implementations, the present invention is used to validate the authenticity of documents or objects. In some implementations, an optical code is used to tag said item.
US09225516B1

A system and methods are provided for establishing an authenticated and encrypted communication connection between two devices with at most two round-trip communications. During establishment of an initial authenticated, encrypted communication connection (or afterward), a first device (e.g., a server) provides the second device (e.g., a client) with a token (e.g., a challenge) that lives or persists beyond the current connection. After that connection is terminated and the second device initiates a new connection, it uses the token as part of the handshaking process to reduce the necessary round-trip communications to one.
US09225510B1

Methods of the present inventions allow for determining website secure certificate status via a partner browser plugin. An exemplary method may comprise storing, on a server communicatively coupled to a network, a plugin configured to determine the secure certificate status of a website browsed in the browser. A request for the plugin, from a partner having a unique identifier, may be received at the server. The plugin may be coded with the partner's unique identifier and transmitted to the partner. The server subsequently may receive, from the plugin, the website's uniform resource locator and secure certificate status along with the partner's unique identifier, which may be used to identify the source of the data.
US09225503B2

In the present invention, a method for transmitting/receiving data in a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation/multiple cells and a base station for same are disclosed. More particularly, the method comprises: receiving from the e Node B through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of a first cell resource allocation information, which is set as a flag value indicating uplink resource allocation information, when performing cross-cell scheduling on a second cell through a first cell, according to an uplink-downlink configuration of the first cell from a plurality of cells which are set to a user equipment; determining the resource allocation information as a downlink resource allocation information, when the resource allocation information is received from a subframe perspective in which an uplink transmission time is not defined, based on the uplink-downlink configuration of the second cell; receiving the uplink resource allocation information from the e Node B via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), according to the downlink resource allocation information; and transmitting to the e Node B via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of the second cell uplink data, according to the uplink resource allocation information.
US09225501B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for non-linear modeling of a physical system using look-up tables with polynomial interpolation. A non-linear function is evaluated for a complex input value by obtaining at least one look-up table with polynomial interpolation that represents the non-linear function, wherein entries in the look-up table comprise polynomial coefficients of at least degree two for different segments of the non-linear function; obtaining a point from the look-up table that is near a magnitude of the complex input value; and generating a complex output value by evaluating the polynomial coefficients at the point to perform a Taylor Series expansion from said point. The non-linear function characterizes, for example, a power amplifier or an inverse of a power amplifier and the look-up tables can be used, for example, to implement digital pre-distortion.
US09225499B2

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and methods of transferring information between elements of a communication device. For example, a device may include a front-end to receive an analog downstream input including a plurality of downstream data channels, and to provide a digital serial downstream output including at least one continuous stream of constant-size downstream frames including a plurality of constant-size downstream data frames, which include downstream sample data of the plurality of downstream data channels; a serial interface including at least one serial lane to transfer the at least on stream of the digital serial downstream output; and a processor to receive the digital serial downstream over the serial interface, and to process the downstream data frames.
US09225498B2

Embodiments of systems and methods are presented to provide diverse multiple channel aggregation for wireless broadband edge devices with existing wireless technologies. A method and apparatus for supporting aggregation of multiple diverse RF carriers are disclosed. A wireless edge device capable of transmit and receiving on multiple diverse RF carriers using one or multiple wireless standards A wireless edge device may utilize carrier aggregation using the same radio access scheme with different frequency bands and possibly different rf bandwidths. Additionally a wireless edge device which can utilize different radio access schemes with different frequency bands. The radio access scheme and the frequency bands that the wireless edge device can use may be provided by one wireless network operator or by multiple wireless network operators.
US09225492B2

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for interference cancelation are provided. One method includes forming, by a wireless system, a signal structure to match a structure of an interfering signal with repetitive time structure. The method may further include using the formed signal structure to eliminate interference caused by the interfering signal. The signal structure includes parts that are synchronized with the repeated parts of the interfering signal structure to cancel the repetition of the interference, and the signal structure further comprises another part synchronized with the non-repeated parts of the interference signal.
US09225486B2

Systems and methods of enhanced real-time communications between WiFi devices. In one embodiment of the present invention a method for enhanced payload protection in a WiFi system includes transmitting multiple copies of data packets in successive frame body transmissions. In another embodiment, a method for enhanced communications over a WiFi link includes examining a unit ID packet to determine a destination of a data payload when errors are detected in IP and/or MAC headers. If a destination is determined, the packet is corrected and forwarded to the device based on the unit ID determination. In another embodiment, a method for enhanced real-time communications in a WiFi network includes establishing a communications frame that includes an active timeslot, preferably based on U-APSD, for a WiFi device to use for transmission of successive audio data packets transmitted between the WiFi handset and AP.
US09225483B2

In one embodiment, a system includes processor; and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being adapted to: assign a VLAN type to each of a plurality of VLANs of an architecture; generate a VLAN list type-length-value (vTLV) message; and transmit information to resources based at least in part on the vTLV message, wherein the resources comprise at least one virtual switch and one or more of: at least one physical switch; at least one virtual port; at least one physical port; at least one virtual machine; at least one converged network adapter (CNA); and at least one fiber channel forwarder (FCF).
US09225462B2

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for transmitting and receiving a client signal. A client signal is mapped to a low-order ODU via a GFP scheme, wherein the low-order ODU is sized to M equal sized timeslots of a high-order OPUk, wherein the high-order OPUk is divided into N equal sized timeslots, wherein M is any one of a group from 1 to N; wherein if k=2, then N=8, if k=3, then N=32 and if k=4, then N=80. The low-order ODU with the client signal is mapped to M equal sized timeslots of the high-order OPUk via a GMP scheme; and an OTU with the high-order OPUk and overheads is formed, and then the OTU is transmitted.
US09225461B2

A method and a device for optical data transmission are proposed. Incoming optical signals having respective incoming waveguide modes are mapped into outgoing optical signals having respective outgoing waveguide modes, using optical spatial modulators, whose multiplicative patterns correspond to the respective electrical field patterns of the respective incoming or outgoing waveguide modes. An incoming optical signal, whose respective incoming waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero, results in an outgoing optical signal, whose respective outgoing waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero. Furthermore, two incoming optical signals, whose respective second incoming waveguide modes are of a same azimuthal order greater than zero, of a same radial order, and orthogonal to each other result in respective outgoing signals, whose respective outgoing waveguide modes are off a same azimuthal order greater than zero, of a same radial order and orthogonal to each other.
US09225460B2

A communication network in which p-cycles are used to rapidly, simply and efficiently provide for the direct replacement of failed fiber sections with whole replacement fibers. As long as the loss budgets are adequate, entire DWDM wavebands can be restored with no switching or manipulation of individual lightpaths. Following a substitution transient, the DWDM layer would never know the break happened. In environments where fiber switching devices are low cost, and ducts are full of dark fiber, this could provide a very low cost alternative to protect an entire DWDM transport layer (or working capacity envelope) against the single largest cause of outage.
US09225456B2

Methods and systems for post-transient gain control of optical amplifiers may include using a gain offset control module in an optical amplifier to generate a gain offset cancelling signal. The gain offset cancelling signal may be output to a gain control module in the optical amplifier to generate at least one of a pump signal and an attenuation control signal. In this manner, a gain offset may be cancelled for a plurality of wavelengths in an optical signal transmitted by an optical network.
US09225453B2

An optical receiver comprises an optical port configured to receive an encoded optical signal, and a demodulation block indirectly coupled to the port and comprising a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer is configured to receive an encoded electrical signal, wherein the encoded electrical signal is associated with the encoded optical signal, and wherein the encoded electrical signal is encoded using a code division multiple access (CDMA) scheme, receive a code associated with the scheme, perform a dot multiplication of the encoded electrical signal and the code, and generate a differential voltage based on the dot multiplication.
US09225449B2

Technology for performing a handover in a heterogeneous wireless network (HetNet) is disclosed. One method comprises receiving, at an anchor serving cell in the HetNet, channel measurement reports made by a user equipment (UE) for a plurality of cells. A transmission point change request can be sent, based on the channel measurements for the UE, from the anchor serving cell to a target transmission point. The target transmission point is located in one of the plurality of cells. A transmission point change indicator is sent from the anchor cell to the UE to indicate a change in TP with which the UE will communicate via an air interface, while maintaining a connection to the anchor serving cell.
US09225447B2

Disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting an aperiodic SRS in a TDD system. In the technical solution of the present invention, a symbol is defined for the transmission of the aperiodic SRS in a special subframe in the TDD system. This avoids a scenario in which the transmission position of the aperiodic SRS is undefined when a plurality of symbols that can be used to transmit the aperiodic SRS are available in an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS). The problem of transmitting aperiodic SRS in a TDD system special subframe is thus solved. The modification to corresponding instruction messages is not extensive, and there is no overuse of system resources.
US09225446B2

A client receive circuit receives client data from a network, decodes the client data and stores the client data within the memory. A frame transmit circuit is provided that includes a justification control logic and a framer and a justification control logic is provided that 1) determines each of a plurality of fill levels and 2) determines an average of the plurality of fill levels. The framer has circuitry to generate a wrapper including a justification opportunity having data based upon a difference between the average and a predetermined threshold.
US09225445B2

A display control apparatus includes a reception frequency acquisition unit configured to acquire a reception frequency, a reception quality acquisition unit configured to acquire reception quality, a first data acquisition unit configured to acquire first data at a reception frequency, a second data acquisition unit configured to acquire second data from a signal of a reception frequency, a display control unit configured to control display of first data until acquisition of second data after acquisition of first data, and a display unit configured to display first data and/or second data in accordance with control of a display control unit.
US09225443B2

Provided is a method for receiving a broadcast service. The method includes: receiving a first packetized stream; extracting presentation time information from a header of the first packetized stream; extracting trigger information comprising a target service identifier and a trigger action from a payload of the first packetized stream; and performing the trigger action to an object corresponding to the target service identifier at a time indicated by presentation time information.
US09225432B2

Embodiments are provided for a novel multi-wavelength coherent receiver (MWCR) design and operation capable of detecting multiple optical wavelength channels. The embodiments include an optical receiver comprising a polarization-diversity optical hybrid module, a multiple wavelength local oscillator (MWLO) coupled to an input of the polarization-diversity optical hybrid module, a plurality of PIN diodes coupled to the polarization-diversity optical hybrid module, a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to the PIN diodes, and a digital signal processing (DSP) module coupled to the ADCs. The polarization-diversity optical hybrid module splits an optical signal into multiple polarization components, wherein the optical signal includes multiple channels at multiple wavelengths. The MWLO locks the optical signal to the multiple wavelengths of the channels simultaneously. The DSP combines the signals from the ADCs corresponding to the polarization components and detects the channels at the wavelengths.
US09225427B2

A transmitter for transmitting an optical signal based on a baseband signal, including an up-transformer for up-transforming the baseband signal to obtain a bandpass signal and a converter for converting the bandpass signal into a signal having a DC-offset. The transmitter further includes a modulator for modulating a light source with the signal having the DC-offsets to transmit the optical signal.
US09225422B1

In an example, an integrated system-on-chip device is configured on a single silicon substrate member. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member. The device has an input/output block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the data input/output interface. The device has a signal processing block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the input/output block. The device has a driver module provided on the substrate member and coupled to the signal processing block. In an example, the device has a driver interface provided on the substrate member and coupled to the driver module and configured to be coupled to a silicon photonics device. A control block is configured to receive and send instruction(s) in a digital format to the communication block and is configured to receive and send signals in an analog format to communicate with the silicon photonics device.
US09225420B2

A communication method in the present disclosure is a communication method for obtaining information from a subject, including: taking a picture of the subject in a picture-taking mode, thereby obtaining image data; performing, after the taking, visible light communication in a visible light communication mode which is a different mode from the picture-taking mode, thereby obtaining visible light data of the subject; and embedding the visible light data obtained, into the image data, and thus saving the visible light data obtained.
US09225418B2

The invention relates to a device for measuring the profile of a single pulse or a pulse with a very low repetition rate, comprising replication means (100,105,120,125,130) for generating a series of replica pulses of an initial optical pulse (I), with a recurrence period (τ); means (100b,150) for extracting said replica pulses; optical sampling means (160,161) for sampling the extracted replica pulses (Ri) to output optical samples (Ei) from the extracted replica pulses (Ri) with a sampling period (Te), the deviation between the sampling period and the recurrence period being chosen to be not equal to zero and very much less than the recurrence period; detection means (180) for obtaining an electrical signal from optical samples (Ei) output by said optical sampling means (160,161); said replication means comprising parametric amplification means (120,140,141,142) for amplifying said replica pulses.
US09225415B2

A wireless network includes a base station and a relay station for extending wireless coverage of the base station. Downlink data is sent by the base station and relayed through the relay station to a mobile station, where the downlink data is associated with a preamble that is sent directly from the base station to the mobile station. A transmit power of the relay station is adjusted for transmitting the downlink data from the relay station to the mobile station to reduce a difference between a first power level of the preamble received at the mobile station and a second power level of the downlink data received at the mobile station. The uplink transmit power of the mobile station for the data sent to the relay station is adjusted to compensate for the difference in path loss from mobile station to base station and mobile station to relay station and to compensate for the difference in noise_plus_interference level at relay station compared to that of the base station.
US09225408B2

A method determining a configuration of a wireless telecommunications network, each source device transmitting at least one flow of complex modulation symbols on a same resource to an associated destination device, including: obtaining a first channel matrices set representing transmission channels between the source devices and each destination device and a second channel matrices set representing transmission channels between a relay device and each destination device; selecting at least one flow of complex modulation symbols for which the relay device applies a pre-coding; determining a pre-coding matrix used by the relay device for applying the pre-coding to transmit pre-coded complex modulation symbols, on same resource as the complex modulation symbols transmitted by the source devices, the pre-coding matrix determined based on the first and second channel matrices sets, the selected at least one flow of complex modulation symbols, and a transmission power constraint applicable to the relay device.
US09225403B2

A transmission method and system for use in a base station of a mobile communication network. It provides a simple and efficient technique which improves the performance of prior art solutions for MIMO user equipments (especially in bad or medium radio conditions scenarios).
US09225395B2

A subscriber unit, including an antenna array and an antenna array interface coupled to the antenna array, is described. Wireless transmissions, at least two of which are based on different directional transmissions from a transmitter, are received at the antenna array. Feedback messages are generated using the antenna array interface. The feedback messages are communicated using the antenna array to adjust settings of the transmitter.
US09225392B2

A coil assembly is disclosed. The coil assembly includes a coil that is provided on a substrate. The coil includes a trace element that is wound on the substrate. The trace element includes an interior gap that extends or is present along at least a portion of the trace element. The interior gap is dimensioned to reduce a presence of eddy currents that would otherwise be generated when the coil is active to inductively transmit or receive signals.
US09225387B2

A method to test a signal path with vacant bandwidth by sending a test signal twice and processing two resulting nonlinear distortion signals captured in the vacant bands to determine presence of nonlinear distortion. If the signals correlate, the energy in the vacant bands is nonlinear distortion. If the test signal is sent followed by an inverse (in time-domain) of itself, and a resulting correlation peak is negative, the nonlinear distortion is determined to have been created by odd-order nonlinear distortion.
US09225384B1

Methods and apparatus for generating composite code sequences are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first number of samples to be contributed into a first unit duration of a composite code sequence from respective component code sequences. The method also includes, based on the number of samples determined, randomly selecting samples from a plurality of samples of the respective ones of the component code sequences to enable the selected samples to more accurately represent the plurality of samples of the respective ones of the component code sequences. The method also includes compiling the selected samples into the first unit duration of the composite code sequence.
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