US09227910B2
This invention relates to a gem-dinitro ester energetic material represented by Chemical Formula 1 below, which is synthesized using esterification, and to a preparation method thereof: wherein R is a C5˜C15 substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl group.
US09227909B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing nitrobenzene, in which the waste gas streams accruing in the process and containing benzene and (traces of) nitrobenzene, possibly low- and medium-boiling components, possibly non-condensable gases and possibly water, optionally after removal of nitrogen oxides, are scrubbed in an absorption column with nitrobenzene, which comprises only very small amounts (maximum 50 ppm) of benzene and is distributed by means of a liquid distributor at a rate of 50 to 200 drip points per square meter, preferably 60 to 120 drip points per square meter, wherein (i) a liquid stream containing benzene and nitrobenzene, possibly organic low- and medium-boiling components and additionally containing sulfuric acid if sulfuric acid is used as the scrubbing agent and (ii) waste gas depleted in benzene and possibly in organic low- and medium-boiling components are obtained. A waste gas purified by the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for burning in a thermal exhaust air treatment process.
US09227908B2
In a process for producing a tetrabromophthalic diester composition, a liquid reaction mixture is prepared comprising tetrabromophthalic anhydride (TBPA), a C2 to C6 polyhydric aliphatic alcohol (PAA) and an alkylene oxide (AO) selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, said reaction mixture being substantially free of an organic solvent. While agitating the reaction mixture, the temperature of the reaction mixture is raised to at least 50° C. to allow the TBPA to react with the PAA and AO to produce a diester composition. The reaction is terminated when the diester composition has an acid value equal to or less than 0.25 mg KOH/gm of the diester composition.
US09227906B2
The disclosure provides a benzene ring containing compound, sealing gel, a process for preparing the same and use thereof. The compound has the following Formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and represent alkyls of 1˜4 carbon atoms, respectively. The sealing gel of the disclosure comprises one or more compounds as shown by Formula (I). The sealing gel of the disclosure not only has high binding strength to a glass substrate, but also has a good binding performance to the oriented film, thereby preventing the drop of the binding performance between the colored film substrate and the array substrate, while also decreasing the contamination of external impurities to the liquid crystals in the box.
US09227904B1
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing glucaric acid, and more particularly, to a method for producing glucaric acid including the steps of: (1) inputting aldohexose and potassium hydroxide to an aqueous solution; and (2) deriving a catalytic oxidation reaction after adding a supported noble metal catalyst to the aqueous solution under the presence of oxygen gas.
US09227903B2
The oxidation of isobutyraldehyde produces isobutyric acid and byproducts, such as isopropyl formate. A method of reducing the isopropyl formate byproduct in the oxidation of isobutyraldehyde is described. The method uses a co-solvent, such as acetone, to the isobutyraldehyde feed to increase both the selectivity of the reaction to isobutyric acid and the production rate of isobutyric acid so that the isopropyl formate byproduct is significantly reduced.
US09227890B1
A process for component separation in a polymer production system comprising: (a) separating a polymerization product into a gas stream and a polymer stream; (b) processing the gas stream in distillation columns to yield a light hydrocarbon stream (LHS) comprising ethylene and ethane; (c) contacting LHS with a purged hydrocarbon adsorber to yield a loaded hydrocarbon adsorber and a non-adsorbed gas stream, wherein ethane is adsorbed by the purged hydrocarbon adsorber at a first pressure to yield adsorbed ethane, and wherein the non-adsorbed gas stream comprises recovered ethylene; (d) contacting the loaded hydrocarbon adsorber with a sweeping gas stream at a second pressure to yield an unloaded hydrocarbon adsorber and a recovered adsorbed gas stream comprising the sweeping gas stream and desorbed ethane; and (e) contacting the unloaded hydrocarbon adsorber with the sweeping gas stream at the first pressure to yield the purged hydrocarbon adsorber and a spent sweeping gas.
US09227889B2
An exemplary embodiment can be a process for sweetening natural gas to liquefied natural gas specifications. The process can include providing a membrane contactor having a lumen side and a shell side. A feed natural gas is introduced to the lumen side of the membrane contactor. An absorption solvent is introduced to the shell side of the membrane contactor. CO2 and H2S are removed with the absorption solvent from the feed natural gas resulting in a sweetened natural gas containing less than 50 ppmv CO2 and less than 4 ppmv H2S. Corresponding or associated systems for such sweetening of natural gas are also provided.
US09227882B2
Reinforced natural or conglomerate stone plate-like element and multilayered protective coating that includes a substrate of natural or conglomerated stone material and a multi-layered coating providing protection of the substrate against chemical and wearing mechanical agents acting on the element. The multi-layered coating includes three single or multiple film forming composition layers.
US09227880B2
Methods of making a porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article are provided. In example methods, a batch composition includes a quantity of non-crosslinked pore former provided as a superaddition of about 20% or less of a dry weight of a quantity of inorganic components. Batch compositions are also provided that include a quantity of clay and other substantially nonfibrous inorganic components sufficient to yield an article including cordierite. Example batch compositions can include clay having a median particle size of about 7 μm or less and/or provided in an amount that is 10% or less of the dry weight of the quantity of inorganic components.
US09227877B2
Ceramic nanocomposites and methods for manufacturing the ceramic nanocomposites are disclosed. One method includes introducing to a fired green ceramic body having a ceramic matrix submicron particles having coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries. One ceramic nanocomposite includes a ceramic matrix with submicron particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix, the submicron particles having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one dopant that covers the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, at a concentration that does not exceed the bulk solubility limit of the dopant in the ceramic matrix at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.
US09227874B2
An extrusion method and apparatus are described for producing ceramics, glass, glass-ceramics, or composites suitable for use as proppants. The method includes forming one or more green body materials, extruding the green body materials to form a green body extrudate, separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and sintering the green bodies to form proppants. The apparatus includes a means for forming an intimate mixture of green body materials, means to produce a green body extrudate, means for separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and means to sinter the green green bodies to form proppants.
US09227868B2
Methods and apparatus for machining substrates are disclosed, as are articles formed from the separated substrates. A method of machining a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface can include forming a first recess in the substrate extending from the first surface toward the second surface, forming a second recess in the substrate extending from the second surface toward the first surface, and removing a portion of the substrate extending from the first recess to the second recess to form an opening in the substrate.
US09227865B2
Methods and systems produce a molten mass of foamed glass in a submerged combustion melter (SCM). Routing foamed glass to a fining chamber defined by a flow channel fluidly connected to and downstream of the SCM. The flow channel floor and sidewalls have sufficient glass-contact refractory to accommodate expansion of the foamed glass as fining occurs during transit through the fining chamber. The foamed glass is separated into an upper glass foam phase and a lower molten glass phase as the foamed glass flows toward an end of the flow channel distal from the SCM. The molten glass is then routed through a transition section fluidly connected to the distal end of the flow channel. The transition section inlet end construction has at least one molten glass inlet aperture, such that the inlet aperture(s) are positioned lower than the phase boundary between the upper and lower phases.
US09227863B2
A water treatment system including a media filter having a filter chamber with a volume to accommodate filter media and a sludge outlet and a charge chamber for storing air. The charge chamber is fluidly connected to the filter chamber and has: (i) an air outlet for admitting air into the filter chamber; and (ii) an air inlet. The system also includes a trigger for selectively allowing the passage of air from the charge chamber air outlet into the filter chamber upon reaching a trigger release point and a sludge concentration/storage volume having at least one wall extending upward to form an upper opening. This wall has a height substantially above the trigger release point and substantially isolates the sludge volume from the charge chamber, except for the upper opening. Finally, an inlet to the sludge volume is at a height which allows pressure within the media filter during a filtration stage to move water above the wall height and into the sludge volume.
US09227861B2
A dredging system agitates the bottom sediment of a waterway to remove particles and oxygenate the water. The system diffuses air through a grid mounted on a waterway floor, raising particle clouds. The particle clouds are transported downstream by water currents while releasing dissolved oxygen throughout the water column. The method of particle removal and oxygenation is used in shallow depths, less than thirty-three feet (2 bars) with minimum favorable water currents of one-half to one knot. The grid is used for diffusion of air to alleviate hypoxic environments in depths less than sixty-six feet (5 bars).
US09227860B1
A system for sensing and measuring water characteristics or an external factor and initiating controlling the water characteristics of the body of water which may be based on external factor where the controlling of the water characteristics can be achieved through dosing or nondosing of an inactive material through an active material or dosing both an active material and an inactive material in the body of water in response to measured levels of water characteristics to enable the water to be used for either internal or external use in controlling harmful organisms.
US09227850B2
[Problem to be Solved]There can be provided a lithium secondary battery which, when used as a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, is particularly excellent in cycle characteristics and rate characteristics and low in direct current (DC) resistance and in which the swelling resulting from the generation of gas accompanying the reaction with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution is suppressed. There is also provided a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries in which the positive electrode active material can be industrially advantageously produced.[Solution]The positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries according to the present invention includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide containing from 0.20 to 2.00% by weight of Ti atoms, which is produced by mixing a lithium compound, a cobalt compound and titanium dioxide and then firing the resulting mixture, wherein the Ti atoms are present in the depth direction from the surface of the particles of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide and have a concentration gradient that is highest at the surface of the particles.
US09227846B2
Disclosed herein is a method of purifying and doping a population of semiconductor nanocrystals. The method includes mixing the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having a first material system and a first ligand with a set of particles in the presence of a first solvent, the set of particles having a second material system which is different from the first material system and a second ligand which is different from the first ligand, to form a mixture. The method also includes facilitating a ligand exchange and an ionic exchange in the mixture, altering the first material system of the population of semiconductor nanocrystals to a third material system, different from the first material system and the second material system. The method includes sonicating the mixture and isolating the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having the third material system and the second ligand from the mixture.
US09227844B2
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a heat exchanger reformer, wherein a cooling medium is added to the heat exchange reformer.
US09227841B2
One embodiment discloses an apparatus integrating a microelectromechanical system device with a circuit chip which includes a circuit chip, a microelectromechanical system device, a sealing ring, and a lid. The circuit chip comprises a substrate and a plurality of metal bonding areas. The substrate has an active surface with electrical circuit area, and the metal bonding areas are disposed on the active surface and electrically connected to the electrical circuits. The microelectromechanical system device comprises a plurality of bases and at least one sensing element. The bases are connected to at least one of the metal bonding areas. The at least one sensing element is elastically connected to the bases. The sealing ring surrounds the bases, and is connected to at least one of the metal bonding areas. The lid is opposite to the active surface of the circuit chip, and is connected to the sealing ring to have a hermetic chamber which seals the sensing element and the active surface of the circuit chip.
US09227832B1
A pressure sensor using the MEMS element and the manufacture method thereof utilize the semiconductor processes to form the micro channel connecting to the chamber, open the micro channel, coat the anti-sticking layer on the inner surface of the chamber, and then seal the micro channel to keep the chamber airtight. Therefore, the manufacture method may essentially simplify the process to coat the anti-sticking layer on the inner surface of the airtight chamber to prevent the sticking and failing of the movable MEMS element.
US09227830B2
The present application provides an automated beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage and ice into a cup. The automated beverage dispenser may include an ice dispensing station with an ice auger and a weight sensor, a beverage dispensing station, and a control device. The control device instructs the ice auger to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of ice and instructs the beverage dispensing station to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of the beverage in response to a weight of the cup as determined by the weight sensor.
US09227825B2
A bottle coupling device for connecting a first bottle to a second bottle is provided. The first bottle has a first threaded opening and the second bottle has a second threaded opening. The first bottle holds a first substance and the second bottle holds a second substance. The bottle coupling device comprises a hollow female coupling having an outer surface and an inner surface with a first end and a second end. The inner surface of the first end and the second end are threaded. The first opening of the first bottle is threadably connectable to the first end of the female coupling and the second opening of the second bottle is threadably connectable to the second end of the female coupling. Wherein the second substance is transferrable to the first bottle through the female coupling.
US09227817B2
An exemplary elevator toe guard assembly includes a first panel. A second panel is slidable relative to the first panel in a first direction between an extended position and a retracted position. The first panel moves in a second, different direction from an extended position toward a folded position responsive to the second panel moving toward the retracted position.
US09227815B2
A method for controlling movement of an elevator car during an emergency stop includes the steps of determining the load of the car; determining the travel direction of the car; and monitoring the speed of the car. When the car is determined to be either lightly loaded and travelling downwards, or heavily loaded and travelling upwards, brake torque is applied only when the speed of the car reaches zero, as slowing of the car can be accomplished solely by virtue of the balancing factor of the car's counterweight.
US09227804B2
A recording apparatus includes: a recording section that performs recording on a recording medium; a driving roller disposed in a transportation path; a plurality of driven rollers driven to rotate by abutting against the driving roller, and biased to the driving roller; and a frame defining positions of the driven rollers. A biasing member that biases driven rollers applies a biasing force including a first direction component that is in the transportation direction to the frame in a state of being mounted thereon. At least a part of the driven rollers are disposed by being deviated in the position thereof in a second direction opposite to the first direction in a state where the biasing member is not mounted thereon.
US09227800B2
A multi-function card dispenser and related apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing credit cards, phone cards, in-store gift cards, and the like at customer-operated kiosks and other machines. In one embodiment, a card apparatus can include a card hopper having a card eject surface and a card track having a card transport surface positioned below the card eject surface. A first roller is configured to rotate to draw a first card from a card port and onto the card track. A second roller is configured to rotate to dispense a second (ejected) card from the card hopper and onto the card track and further toward the card port. In one embodiment, the second roller is further configured to rotate to deposit cards below the card hopper.
US09227796B2
In order to improve workability of an operation to adjust the interval between two members, leveling devices (3) support an air rail (2) on base frames (1), and adjust the height of the air rail (2) with respect to the base frames (1). The leveling devices (3) have: disc spring groups (31) which expand and contract in the height direction of the air rail (2) with respect to the base frames (1); a columnar indenter (32), in which a stepped through-hole (324) for inserting a bolt (4) is formed from one end face (321) to the other end face (323), with a first edge part (322) formed outward on the one end face (321) side; a columnar spring guide (33), in which a through-hole (334) for inserting the bolt (4) is formed from one end face (331) to the other end face (333), with a flange part (332) formed outward on the one end face (331) side; and a tubular housing (34) in which a second edge part (342) is formed inward at one opening (341) thereof.
US09227792B2
A Longwall equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in underground coal mining, having a face conveyor arranged along the coal face, having an extraction machine which can be displaced along the face conveyor and having shield support units attached to the face conveyor at an angle thereto, is characterized in that, in order to determine the absolute height position of determined elements of the longwall equipment, a liquid-filled hydrostatic tube balance (17) is installed along the coalface (10) on the selected elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment and is connected to a base station (19) arranged in one of the gate roads (13, 14) and determined precisely in its height as a reference point, wherein pressure sensors (22) are incorporated into the tube conduit (18, 23, 24) of the hydrostatic tube balance (17), distributed over the course of the longwall equipment on individual elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment, and are connected to a central evaluation and control unit.
US09227790B2
A method and a system are provided for feeding a biomass material feed into a fluidized bed gasifier. The system includes a first plurality of screw conveyors disposed circumferentially around and connected to or integral with a gasifier shell of the fluidized bed gasifier, such that each of the first plurality of screw conveyors is in feed communication with a gasifier chamber defined by the gasifier shell. The system also includes a plurality of secondary receptacles, each individually coupled to a respective screw conveyor of the first plurality of screw conveyors, such that each of the plurality of secondary receptacles includes a secondary receptacle shell defining a secondary receptacle chamber in feed communication with the respective screw conveyor. The system further includes a plurality of primary receptacles, each including a primary receptacle shell defining a primary receptacle chamber in feed communication with at least two of the plurality of secondary receptacles.
US09227767B2
There are provided a package bag capable of surely preventing stay of ambient air or the like in the package bag and intake thereinto even in the filling by handwork or the like of an operator as well as a method for filing and packing the liquid material to be packed into the package bag. A package bag is characterized by comprising a bag main body made of thin laminate films for packing, a fusion part formed at a position spaced from a bottom portion of the bag main body not forming a nozzle through fusion and extending in a widthwise direction of the bag main body, an insert port for a pipe-like filling nozzle provided in a middle portion of the fusion part, a filling part of one-way function formed between the fusion part and an opening end of the bag main body.
US09227762B2
The invention relates to a bottle container with a handle. A mounting projecting portion projects from the bottle body, and the handle member has a handle portion connected to a mounting hole that allows the mounting projecting portion to be inserted thereinto. The handle member is mounted on the bottle body by inserting the mounting projecting portion into the mounting hole, and then rotating the mounting projecting portion around a central axis of the mounting projecting portion relative to the bottle body. The inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole has an abutting portion that abuts with an engaging recessed groove in the outer surface of the mounting projecting portion. The mounting portion has a guide portion that slides on a sliding surface of the outer surface of the mounting projecting portion with the relative rotation of the handle member and the bottle body, and guides the relative rotation.
US09227761B2
A protective device for at least partially encasing a bottle includes an elastomeric sleeve type member for receiving at least a first predetermined portion of such bottle, such sleeve type member having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.
US09227757B1
A pallet comprised of a first deck, a second deck, a dampening device and a shield. The first deck includes an interior surface, an exterior surface and an edge. The second deck includes an interior surface. The dampening device located between the interior surface of the first deck and the interior surface of the second deck. The dampening device configured to contract to counteract a compression force when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together and further configured to deform to counteract an expansive force when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart. The shield having a first planar member adjacent to the exterior surface of the first deck opposite the dampening device and a second planar member extending from the first planar member to the interior surface of the second deck and adjacent to the edge of the first deck.
US09227754B2
A folding box includes a rectangular base, two side boards, two end boards, and two mounting apparatuses mounted to each side board. The base includes a bottom plate, two side plates protruding up from two opposite sides of the bottom plate, and two end plates protruding up from two opposite ends of the bottom plate. The side boards are rotatably connected to the two side plates. The end boards are rotatably connected to the two end plates. Each mounting apparatus includes a first inserting member slidably installable on the corresponding side board. A flange protrudes inward from each end of each end board. A protrusion protrudes inward from each flange. Each protrusion defines a latching hole aligning with the corresponding first inserting member. Each first inserting member is inserted into the corresponding latching hole, to connect the side boards to the end boards.
US09227750B2
A package comprises a top-sealed gable-top carton, a flowable substance contained in the carton, and a pour spout fitment (72) openable to pour the substance from the carton, the carton including a top closure including a front roof sub-panel (130) carrying and sealed to the fitment (72), the carton also including a front body sub-panel (140), the boundary zone between the roof sub-panel (130) and the front sub-panel (140) comprising an edge protruding into the front sub-panel 140, and the fitment (72) extending to adjacent to that edge. It is thereby possible to provide on a gable-top carton a pour spout fitment having a greater through-flow cross-sectional area than would be the case if the above-mentioned boundary zone were not to protrude into the front sub-panel.
US09227749B2
The present invention provides cold climatic protection to the hydro tanks and associated fluid conduits present on a frac pad. A modular endoskeleton is provided and covered by a plurality of rip resistant tarps. A heat entrapment canopy results which maintains an inner temperature above freezing even in extreme cold outside temperatures.
US09227741B2
The invention relates to equipment for producing cool packs containing an amount of carbon-dioxide snow, which includes: a set of at least two cells, each of which is capable of receiving and supporting a shell to be filled; a feeding tube connected, at the upstream portion thereof, to a liquid CO2 source; a set of at least two injection manifolds, each injection manifold being located opposite a cell in which a casing to be filled is to be positioned, and each manifold being connected, at the upstream portion thereof, to the feeding tube, wherein each manifold comprises an injection port at at least one location along the length thereof, the equipment being characterized in that: i) the end of each manifold opposite the feeding tube is formed as a sealed end provided in the form of a substantially rounded tip; j) each injection port located on a manifold is a provided as a threaded opening having a given diameter D and is capable of receiving an injection nozzle by means of screwing; k) said equipment comprises at least two injection nozzles, each injection nozzle being provided in the form of a part that is cylindrical over at least a portion of the length thereof, said cylinder being a hollow cylinder, the threaded outer diameter of which is equal to the diameter D of at least one of the threaded openings of at least one of the manifolds, and the inner diameter d of which is less than D.
US09227738B2
A system and method to diagnosis an actuator of a flight control system. The system and method includes interfacing a diagnostic computer to the flight control system, commanding movement of an actuator with the diagnostic computer via the flight control system, measuring performance of the actuator via the diagnostic computer, and comparing the measured performance of the actuator with allowable performance values.
US09227737B2
A helicopter tug system features a helicopter with skids. A powered track assembly features a microprocessor connected to a power supply, a drive hub and an idler hub, a track located on the drive hub and the idler hub, a motor connected to the drive hub and the power supply, a receiver connected to the microprocessor, and a clamp located on a track assembly top. A caster support features a caster support frame having a wheel and the clamp located on a caster support frame top. The system features a radio control unit with a transmitter and a radio control power supply. A first powered track assembly is attached to the first helicopter skid and a first caster support is attached to the second helicopter skid. The radio control unit sends a first signal to the first track assembly to move the helicopter.
US09227736B2
A method for assessing and responding to a level of awareness of a flight crew member onboard an aircraft is provided. The method assesses an eye-scanning behavior of the flight crew member to determine whether the flight crew member is aware of a system-initiated change to a flight parameter; and when the flight crew member is not aware of the system-initiated change, orients the flight crew member to the system-initiated change.
US09227732B2
An electro-thermal ice protection system includes a controller for managing and controlling electrical power generated to heat and de-ice surfaces, such as aircraft wings. The system is comprised of a number of power control modules (PCMs) and at least one master control unit (MCU). These elements can be stacked together and mounted into rack systems in order to provide scalable organized power distribution for a de-icing and ice protection system. The electro-thermal system can be used with a load leveling system and method capable of controlling switches such that it appears to a generator that the load is constant. Switches can be scheduled such that, ideally, the power load seen by the power source has emissions of no more than one PWM load superpositioned with zero or more constant, non-modulated loads.
US09227727B2
A lighting system includes a lighting apparatus provided along one side of an aisle and a specular reflection plate provided along the other side of the aisle to reflect the light emitted from the lighting apparatus toward a region where the lighting apparatus is provided. According to the above configuration, the lighting apparatus can illuminate the region where the lighting apparatus is provided. Therefore, it is possible to effectively illuminate a cabin of an aircraft with less lighting apparatuses as compared to conventional lighting apparatuses which are provided along both sides of the aisle. Moreover, since the number of the lighting apparatuses can be reduced, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency of the aircraft by reducing the total weight of the aircraft.
US09227720B2
An edge flap arrangement is provided for an aircraft wing and includes a main flap element and an actuator for moving the main flap element relative to the wing. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap element from the aircraft wing for movement relative to the wing, and includes including a drop hinge link arrangement having a fixed strut secured to the aircraft wing and a drop link secured to the main flap element. The fixed strut and drop link are pivotally connected by a hinge point having a bearing installed therein. The bearing includes an outer race, an inner race and an annular seal assembly snap-fit into the outer race. The annular seal assembly includes first and second annular retaining rings and a resilient ring disposed between the first and second annular retaining rings.
US09227711B2
An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.
US09227704B2
A support system is configured to increase buoyancy and stability of a paddle board having a central axis running from bow to stern. The support system includes a port side float connected to the paddle board such that the port side float is parallel to the central axis. A starboard side float is connected to the paddle board such that the starboard side float is parallel to the central axis. The port side float and the starboard side float increase lateral stability on the paddle while reducing draft on the paddle board making it safer to float in shallow water.
US09227703B2
A buoyant structure having a hull, a planar keel defining a lower hull diameter, a lower cylindrical portion connected to the planar keel, a lower frustoconical portion disposed above the lower cylindrical portion with inwardly sloping wall at a first angle, an upper frustoconical portion directly connected to the lower frustoconical portion, and the upper frustoconical portion with outwardly sloping wall, the inwardly sloping wall abutting the outwardly sloping wall forming a hull neck with a hull neck diameter. The buoyant structure having a main deck, a moon pool, and propellers attached to the planar keel, which are operated by a motor or a generator. The buoyant structure connects over a chambered buoyant storage ring.
US09227701B2
A vessel has a hull, a contact area at the hull near keel level for attaching to a structure, a lifting device and a lifting cable attached thereto and extending along a heave compensating member. The lifting cable extends along a substantially vertical lifting trajectory to a connect position below keel level. The heave compensating member includes a guide element for guiding the lifting cable and which is connected to a displacement device. The heave compensating member includes a compensator arm with a pivot end pivotally connected to a pivot point on the vessel at a predetermined transverse distance from the lifting trajectory, the cable guide element being attached to a free end of the compensator arm at or near the lifting trajectory, guiding the lifting cable in the direction of the pivot point, the arm being at or near the free end connected to the displacement device.
US09227700B2
A top connector for a tether of a subsea buoy is disclosed. The connector has a support, a lever member movable about a pivot axis, and a chain stop mechanism mounted on the lever member to be situated below the pivot axis in use. The lever member is pivotably connected to the support via a flex joint arranged to bear a tensile load exerted by a top chain of the tether when engaged with the chain stop mechanism. The flex joint improves bending fatigue life of the top chain. A frame extends upwardly from the support to carry a sheave for the top chain. A pivotably connected lever member extends downwardly from the support. The lever member is pivotable relative to the support and the frame, allowing a compact arrangement that avoids the frame, the top chain or the sheave clashing with the shell of the buoy.
US09227676B2
A rear spoiler arrangement (2) for a vehicle has at least one rear spoiler (6), that can be moved in the vertical direction of the vehicle between a rest position and a functional position. The rear spoiler arrangement (2) is placed on a rear spoiler support (5) and substantially follows the shape profile in the rear area of the vehicle body when the rear spoiler arrangement (2) is in the rest position. Rear light units (4) of the vehicle are integrated into lateral end regions (3) of the rear spoiler support (5) and/or of the rear spoiler (6).
US09227671B2
A vehicle instrument panel reinforcement capable of raising ease of vehicle installation is provided. The instrument panel reinforcement is formed with a cross-section profile of square shaped closed cross-section profile from an upper member and a lower member, is disposed along a vehicle width direction at the inside of a vehicle instrument panel. Plural first protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the upper member, and plural first projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. Similarly, plural second protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the lower member and plural second projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. The first protruding portions and the second projection portions, and the first projection portions and the second protruding portions, are projection welded together at plural points simultaneously.
US09227666B2
A vehicle frame structure includes a pair of hat-shaped panels that form a portion of a vehicle, each hat-shaped panel having a hat-shaped cross-section, the pair of hat-shaped panels facing each other and forming a closed sectional portion; a partition panel that is sandwiched by the pair of hat-shaped panels, and divides an inside of the closed sectional portion; and a laser welded portion where all of four or more plates including the pair of hat-shaped panels and the partition panel are overlapped and welded together at an identical position by laser welding.
US09227662B2
Motorcycles are provided which include a frame, two front steering wheels, a steering pipe rotatably connected to the frame and rigidly connected to two supporting assemblies, one for each front steering wheel and a steering group consisting of two pairs of transversal arms—upper front, lower front, upper rear and lower rear—arranged inverted at the opposite sides of a central steering pipe and laterally connected through two lateral posts. On each of the supporting assemblies the fixed portions of two telescopic elements may be constrained. Each pair of telescopic elements may be cantilever-mounted with respect to the steering wheel.
US09227659B2
Methods and systems are provided for implementing a lane control feature for vehicles having a passenger side, a driver side, one or more wheels on the passenger side, and one or more wheels on the driver side. A sensor is configured to obtain information pertaining to operation of a vehicle with respect to a lane of a roadway. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate determining, using the information, whether the lane control feature is activated, and providing differential torque between one or more driver side wheels and one or more passenger side wheels when the lane control feature is activated.
US09227657B2
In a vehicle steering system configured to reduce the burden placed on an operator when steered wheels are returned to a neutral position, a knob for operating a steering wheel is turnably attached to the steering wheel. A switch is attached to the knob. A steered system ECU includes a target steered angle setting unit. The target steered angle setting unit changes a target steered angle to a steered angle corresponding to a position closer to the neutral position of the steered wheels when the switch is turned on in a state where the turning amount of the steering wheel from a turning angle of the steering wheel corresponding to the neutral position of the steered wheels is within a prescribed range.
US09227653B2
An EPS includes a first rack and pinion mechanism that converts rotation of a pinion shaft due to a steering operation, to reciprocating motion of a rack shaft; and a steering force assist device that applies a motor torque of a motor as an assist force by using a second rack and pinion mechanism; and an ECU that controls an operation of the steering force assist device. Rack teeth of the rack shaft constituting the first rack and pinion mechanism are formed so that a steering gear ratio is changed depending on a steering angle. The ECU computes a motor neutral point by subtracting a conversion value from a motor angle detection value. The conversion value is computed based on a steering angle detection value by referring to a conversion map that is set taking into account the steering gear ratio corresponding to the steering angle.
US09227649B2
A jogging stroller frame with a wheels automatic flattening folding mechanism is disclosed, which includes a foldable frame, a front wheel set, a pair of rear wheel sets and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is associated with the foldable frame for pivoting the front and rear wheels about 90 degrees away from the longitudinal direction automatically during the jogging stroller frame is converting into its folded configuration for storage.
US09227644B1
A rolling cart comprises a frame unit defining an interior space in which items are transportable; a wheel, the wheel having a boundary defined by a circumference, a left edge maximum extent, and a right edge maximum extent; and the interior space at least partly within the boundary. The rolling cart may further comprise a container in which the items are transportable suspended within the interior space. The container can be integral to the frame unit. In another variation, the rolling cart further comprises: a plurality of left rollers rotatably connected to the frame unit; a plurality of right rollers rotatably connected to the frame unit; a left inner surface defined by the wheel, the left inner surface contacting the left rollers for rotatable support; and a right inner surface defined by the wheel, the right inner surface contacting the right rollers for rotatable support. The wheel may include inflatable segments and a distributions system for an inflation fluid including a bi-directional pump and valves.
US09227642B2
Techniques for improving safety at railroad track crossings are described. Example embodiments provide a train detection and collision avoidance system configured to detect potential collisions between vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, motorcycles) and trains. The system detects potential collisions based on location information obtained by tracking modules installed in or carried by the trains and vehicles. When a potential collision between a vehicle and a train is detected, the train detection system alerts an operator of the vehicle and/or the train, so that the operator can take steps to avoid the collision. The operator may be alerted in various ways, including by audio, visual, or tactile output.
US09227639B1
A system and method for separating a vehicle system into separate vehicle segments, separately moving the vehicle segments, and re-connecting the vehicle segments without initiation of a brake penalty application are provided. The system and method communicate a suspend command signal between vehicle segments to suspend operations of vehicles in a cooperative mode. The vehicles in the vehicle system are decoupled into plural separate vehicle segments. The system and method also move one or more of the vehicle segments separately from one or more other vehicle segments. The vehicle segments are reconnected to form the vehicle system, and the system and method communicate a reconnect command signal between the vehicle segments to resume operations in the cooperative mode, without incurring a penalty brake application of the vehicle system.
US09227637B2
When a braking/driving force on each wheel is used for vehicle motion control, in order to reduce a noise generated by a zero cross of a motor torque, provided is a distribution setting part, which is to be applied to a vehicle configured so that a conversion rate of converting a braking/driving force on the wheel into a force in a vertical direction of a body by a suspension is different between a front wheel side and a rear wheel side. The distribution setting part sets distributions of a driver-requested driving force to front/rear wheels so as to be larger to the wheels coupled to the suspensions smaller in conversion rate than to the wheels coupled to the suspensions larger in conversion rate. As a result, a zero cross of a motor torque is restrained, resulting in a reduction in generation of a noise caused by a backlash of speed reduction gears.
US09227631B2
In a method for safely parking a vehicle, it is checked whether an emergency situation is present, and the vehicle is driven by the driver assistance system to a road shoulder upon recognition of an emergency situation. In controlling the driving operation, information is requested from an external database and taken into account by the driver assistance system.
US09227628B1
A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and an electric machine (M/G) connected by an upstream clutch, and a gearbox connected to the M/G by a torque converter. A controller is configured to, in response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, operate the engine at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency. A method is provided for controlling a vehicle. In response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, the engine is operated at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency.
US09227626B2
A method of providing assistance to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle using an electric motor coupled to the engine is provided. The method comprises predicting a driving range based on historical driving range data. The historical driving range data includes one or more distances that the vehicle was driven during one or more previous driving cycles. The method further comprises selectively operating the motor to provide assistance to the engine at predetermined operating conditions of the engine. The assistance provided to the engine at one or more of the predetermined operating conditions is determined based at least in part on the predicted driving range.
US09227625B2
A method for operating a driving system of a motor vehicle, in particular, the driving system having an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor, and during warm-up of the internal combustion engine, the latter being loaded with a specifiable torque; and the at least one electric motor generating a torque at least at times, to unload or load the internal combustion engine. An actual torque of the internal combustion engine is compared to a specifiable first setpoint torque of the internal combustion engine; a difference of the actual torque from the first setpoint torque being formed; and a time integral being formed over the difference formed; and a fault being detected in the warm-up of the internal combustion engine, as a function of the time integral formed.
US09227620B2
An engine start using an electric motor during a vehicle travel is performed by increasing an output torque of the electric motor in a slip state where a second frictional engagement element 3 connecting the electric motor 1 and a driving wheel slips. A controller determines a requested acceleration amount from a depression amount of an accelerator pedal. When the requested acceleration amount is significant, a different torque increment characteristic is applied, compared to a case where the requested acceleration amount is not significant. Thus, the internal combustion engine starts in a high response depending on the requested acceleration amount input by the driver, thereby improving a vehicle acceleration response.
US09227617B2
Methods for testing the operation of an aircraft braking system utilize the steps of applying a predetermined electrical energy level to an electromechanical actuator attached to a brake assembly, followed by discontinuing electrical energy to the electromechanical actuator. In some test methods, an actuation level of the electromechanical actuator is determined and used to evaluate braking performance. In other tests, a voltage generated by an electric motor in an actuator is measured and used to evaluate braking performance.
US09227614B2
In a check valve in which a valve part is disposed in a valve part accommodating recess movably relative to a piston part, among the valve part accommodating recess, an anti-valve seat side accommodation space formed between a surface of the valve part accommodating recess in an anti-valve seat side of the valve part and a wall surface of the valve part accommodating recess are communicated to exit side fluid passages.
US09227603B2
A traction control system in vehicle comprises a detector for detecting a monitored value which changes according to a degree of a drive wheel slip; a condition determiner for determining whether or not the monitored value meets a control start condition and whether or not the monitored value meets a control termination condition; and a controller for executing traction control to reduce a driving power of the drive wheel during a period of time from when the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control start condition until the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control termination condition; the condition determiner being configured to set at least the control start condition variably based on a slip determination factor which changes according to a vehicle state and such that the control start condition changes more greatly according to the vehicle state than the control termination condition.
US09227601B2
The vehicle includes a horizontally placed compartment for one or several batteries lying parallel to each other, a robot includes a transport plane that can be extended and withdrawn in one direction, and displaced along two mutually perpendicular directions relative to the one direction. The vehicle takes up a predetermined location relative to the robot close to the cover, the robot determines via an optical element the position of the battery in the compartment, and displaces the transport plane to a predetermined position relative to the battery. A withdrawal member attaches to the battery and withdraws it from the compartment to the transport plane. The robot transports the battery to a charging station, and transports a charged battery from a store of charged batteries to the transport plane. A displacement element inserts the battery at a predetermined position into the compartment, and the cover is closed.
US09227598B2
The invention is based on a wiper blade adaptor device, in particular for a wiper blade (14), with a wiper blade adaptor (10) and a coupling element (12) for coupling the wiper blade adaptor (10) to a wiper blade (14). It is proposed that the wiper blade adaptor (10) be releasably connected to the coupling element (12).
US09227593B2
An anchor plate mounting structure of a vehicle seatbelt includes an anchor plate that is provided on a mounting portion provided on a surrounding portion of a vehicle seat, and has a belt connecting portion to which an end portion of a lap belt of the vehicle seatbelt, the lap belt corresponding to a waist of an occupant, is fastened; a fastening portion that is provided in a position away from the belt connecting portion, and by which the anchor plate is fastened to the mounting portion; and a rotation-stopping portion that is provided in a position away from both the belt connecting portion and the fastening portion, and by which the anchor plate engages with a mounting portion side. An alignment direction of the belt connecting portion and the fastening portion intersects with an alignment direction of the fastening portion and the rotation-stopping portion.
US09227588B2
The present invention aims to provide a steering wheel in which a decorative member is easily mounted and fixed to a steering main body without a need to employ fixing parts such as screws, and which is capable of effectively absorbing an impact by appropriately deforming the decorative member at the time of input of a load. The steering wheel of the present invention has: a plurality of engaging fixed units by which the decorative member is mounted and fixed to the steering main body's side via a fixing unit, and demounting of the fixing unit is restrained at the time of deformation of the decorative member; and an engaging unit which is arranged on a site configured to produce a bending deformation of the decorative member, and by which demounting is disallowed to be restrained at the time of deformation of the decorative member.
US09227585B1
A vehicle bumper system, comprises a first bracket fixedly mounted to a bumper. A second bracket is fixedly mounted to a vehicle frame horn, the second bracket including at least one vertical slot. At least one bolt is inserted through an opening in the first bracket and the at least one slot.
US09227572B2
A container for flowers and other plant parts as well as other items, and adapted for use in, inter alia, motor vehicles. The container can further include a ring such as a detachable grooved ring for holding aromatic substances and to prevent water from splashing out of the container.
US09227571B1
A sturdy, compact storage container configured expressly to be easily mounted to the top of the center consoles found in most automobiles providing consumers with a simple, secure and organized means in which to store personal items such as handbags, cell phones, parking receipts and other necessities needed during travel, while also affording easy access to these items on demand.
US09227570B2
The Trunk Caddy Insert (TCI) is an essentially rectangular storage system having a small rectangle along one long side to accommodate the tapered shape of many trunks and cargo areas. The Trunk Caddy Insert components interlock and snap together easily and securely to accommodate a variety of trunk spaces, cargo areas and personal preferences. TCI is manufactured in a variety of lengths, widths and configurations to accommodate the schematics of various motor vehicles on the market.
US09227569B2
A loading shelf for a luggage compartment of a vehicle has one rear panel and at least one front panel coupled by means of a guide-and-slide device, which has two longitudinal channels, fixed relative to the rear panel, and two front slides and two rear slides, which are carried by the front panel and engage the channels; the rear slides are coaxial along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in which the front panel may slide; channels have respective openings having position, shape and size so as to let the front slides coming out of the channels; when the front slides are outside of the channels, the front panel is rotatable about the axis of the rear slides.
US09227558B2
A vehicle includes a body that defines an opening and a door configured to selectively open and close the opening. The vehicle also includes a lock that operatively connects the door to the body and can be either unlatched or latched for maintaining closure of the opening. The vehicle also includes a control device positioned on the door for unlatching the lock, and also a vehicle electric system and a lighting system. The lighting system includes a light-emitting element arranged on the control device and in electric communication with the electric system. The lighting system also includes a portable transmitter configured to transmit a signal and thereby commence an unlatching sequence for the lock. The lighting system additionally includes a controller configured to receive the signal and activate the light-emitting element in response to the received signal to display a visual lighting sequence signifying the status of the lock.
US09227557B2
A vehicle rearview mirror with indicator function includes a mirror mount, a mirror face mounted in the mirror mount and defining a first light transmissive zone, and an indicator device mounted between the mirror mount and the mirror face and including a reflector defining one or multiple reflecting surfaces and LED substrates and light-emitting devices mounted in the reflector. Each LED substrate defines a mounting face facing toward the reflecting surfaces. The light-emitting devices are mounted at the mounting faces of the LED substrates and kept beyond the first light transmissive zone, and controllable to emit light onto the reflecting surfaces so that the reflecting surfaces reflect the light through the first light transmissive zone toward the outside of the vehicle rearview mirror in a uniformly distributed manner.
US09227553B2
Method and device for adjusting lighting for a vehicle in consideration of the visibility of a curve, light having a glare effect (high beam light) being deactivated before negotiating a curve, if the curve is not visible, or optionally the illumination being increased if the curve is visible. Adjusting the lighting, in particular of headlights, for a vehicle having a first step, in which an upcoming curve is recognized, its visibility is ascertained, the visibility representing the possibility of glare, in particular to other road users, in particular to oncoming traffic, and a second step, of adjusting the lighting between the least possible glare and the best possible illumination, characterized in that the adjustment is carried out as a function of the visibility.
US09227550B2
A multi-stage transmission tensioning device for automobile safety comprises a base group (1), a handle group (2) and a multi-stage transmission group (3); the multi-stage transmission group (3) comprises a transmission shaft (25) for pivoting both with the base of the base group (1) and the handle of the handle group (2), a main rotating shaft (28) used for winding a long strap (31), and a transmission wheel fixed on the transmission shaft (25). A fairly large binding force on the straps ultimately can be achieved from a small force applied to the handle by multiple conversions. Different binding forces in the case of applying the same handle force may be got via the increase or decrease of the transmission stages and the change of the transmission ratio of the transmission at all stages.
US09227549B2
A lock assembly for retaining a chain binder handle in a locked position includes a grip that has a first end and a second end. The second end of the grip insertably receives the chain binder handle. The first end of the grip curves toward the second end of the grip. A groove is defined between the first end of the grip and a body of the grip. A chain of the chain binder is positionable within the groove. A ring is operationally coupled to the grip. The ring is resiliently positionable over the chain after the chain is positioned within the groove. The chain is retained in the groove. The chain binder handle is retained in the locked position when the chain is positioned within the groove.
US09227540B2
A height- and/or inclination-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat includes at least one holding element, a head restraint cushion, a head restraint structure and an inclination-adjustment mechanism that includes at least one latching plate, a toothed profile and an actuating element. The latching plate is arranged on the holding element and, in a locked state of the inclination-adjustment mechanism, engages in a form-fitting and/or frictional manner in the toothed profile, which is arranged on the head restraint structure. The lower end of the head restraint structure is coupled pivotably to the holding element and, upon pivoting of the head restraint about the holding element; in a non-locked state of the inclination-adjustment mechanism, the form-fitting and/or frictional connection between the latching plate and the toothed profile is released and a relative movement is thereby brought about between the latching plate and the toothed profile.
US09227529B2
The invention relates to a utility vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest part and with a seat substructure for arrangement on a bodywork part of a utility vehicle. The seat substructure includes a rotation adjustment device for rotating at least the seat part with respect to the bodywork part with a ball bearing unit, and with a rotating shell part which is rotatable with respect to a stationary shell part. The utility vehicle seat further includes a rotation adjustment device overload protection unit with support elements by means of which the rotating shell part and the stationary shell part are additionally capable of being supported with respect to each other when the carrying capacity of one of the circular ball tracks reaches or exceeds a critical deformation value.
US09227527B2
An assisted rescue system to extract a seatbelt harnessed person from a vehicle. The system comprises a seatbelt harness and seat liner which together form a sling. The seatbelt harness is connected at anchor points with a releasable securing mechanism that is operable with a single release action.
US09227526B2
An occupant detection device for a vehicle seat is provided. The device includes a sensor and a spring. The sensor is configured to indicate a first state when a seat is not occupied and a second state when the seat is occupied. The spring is configured to urge the sensor toward the first state. The spring is also configured to provide a return force that varies with a temperature of the spring.
US09227524B2
An electric-powered vehicle is equipped with a power storage system having power storage devices each including a plurality of serially connected cells, and an integration control device. Contactors and current sensors are connected in series to the power storage devices. Control devices capable of managing statuses of the power storage devices are provided in addition to the power storage devices, the contactors, and the current sensors, thereby forming unit power storage modules. The unit power storage modules are connected in parallel. An electrical load whose driving is controlled by using powers of the power storage devices is provided. The integration control device is connected to the electrical load and the control devices of the unit power storage modules.
US09227518B2
A rotary electric machine includes a rotor; a stator magnet core; a transformer primary coil wound around the stator magnet core in an insulation state and connected to a power circuit; a transformer secondary coil wound around the stator magnet core in an insulation state and connected to a battery by interposing a DC/AC converter.
US09227515B2
A control system for a vehicle comprises a control unit configured to be electrically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The drive system includes at least one traction motor for providing motive power to the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control a torque output of the traction motor to hold zero speed or near zero speed of the vehicle on a grade without knowing information, in at least one mode of operation, about the grade and/or a load of the vehicle, and without a service brake of the vehicle being activated.
US09227513B2
The invention relates to a control unit that includes a case able to receive a first device which may in particular be a printed circuit, a fascia intended to be placed against the case, the fascia being able to receive a second device which may in particular be a force sensor, a connection link connecting the first device to the second device. The control unit is in addition provided with an integrated device for assisting assembly keeping the control unit in an open state (EO), the case and the fascia being at a distance one from the other in a first position (P1) and this so as to facilitate inter alia the assembly of the connection link, the integrated device for assisting assembly then permitting placing of the control unit in a closed state (EF), the fascia and the case having been brought one towards the other and being one against the other.
US09227505B2
A hybrid vehicle driving device includes a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, and a clutch, wherein a sun gear of the first planetary gear mechanism is connected to a first electric rotating machine, a carrier of the first planetary gear mechanism is connected to a driving wheel, a ring gear of the first planetary gear mechanism is connected to an engine, a sun gear of the second planetary gear mechanism is connected to a second electric rotating machine, the carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear mechanism and the engine through the clutch, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear mechanism is connected to the driving wheel.
US09227503B1
An electric power split hybrid system comprises a case, a linkage unit, an electric power part, and a switching part. An engine, a generator, a motor, and a transmission mechanism are installed in the case. The generator is used to start the engine, and is capable of adjusting a torque of the engine and of generating electricity via driving of the engine. The transmission mechanism is used to link and move a wheel to rotate. The linkage unit is used to link and move the engine and the motor. The electric power part is used to store electrical energy generated by the generator and to supply electric power to the motor. The switching part is connected to the generator, the motor, and the electric power part. Electric power generated by the generator is switched by the switching part to supply to one of the motor and the electric power part.
US09227500B2
A weather strip (50) has: a body section (51) which extends along a door sash (12) and an edge of a door body (11); a ridge section (52) which extends from the body section (51) so as to rise toward the outside of the vehicle; and an extension section (53) which extends at the root of the ridge section (52) from the body section (51) so as to be capable of being located between a door mirror (14) and the surface (23) of an upper piece section (21), the surface (23) facing the outside of the vehicle. The extension section (53) is gripped between a gap absorbing member (33) and the surface (23) of the door sash (12), the surface (23) facing the outside of the outside of the vehicle. Also, a protrusion section (54) is engaged with an engagement recess (55). The weather strip (50) is held down not at a fitting section (56) but also at the extension section (53) and the protrusion section (54). As a result, the weather strip (50) is less likely to come out of the door sash (12).
US09227499B2
The subject invention provides for a weatherstrip assembly for sealing between a frame and a closure member of a vehicle. The assembly includes a trim portion having a body and a flange extending from the body. The flange is capable of moving between an initial position and a final position. A seal extends from the body for abutting and sealing the closure member. An adhesive is disposed on the body for coupling the trim portion to the frame. The adhesive is disposed opposite the seal such that the seal extends away from the adhesive. A retaining member is selectively mounted to the flange and spaced from the adhesive for selectively engaging the frame to selectively hold the flange in the initial position relative to the frame. The retaining member is removed from the flange while concurrently moving the flange toward the final position.
US09227488B2
A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible elongate member, such as a cord, comprises a first winding member which can rotate around an axle for, directly or indirectly, winding and unwinding the elongate member at a first end thereof, and a second winding member which can rotate around said axle for, directly or indirectly, winding and unwinding the elongate member at the second end thereof. The first and second winding members are interconnected by a tensioning member striving to cause a relative rotation between the first and second winding members for creating a prestress or tension in the elongate member. A restriction device is provided for limiting the maximum possible relative rotation between the first and second winding members.
US09227487B2
A sliding headliner for a motor vehicle that is movably guided on guides on both sides and that comprises a flexible shading element, whereby the invention provides that the shading element is tightened by two side profile strips of the sliding headliner, which strips are movably guided on the two guides, that each guide has a front guide section and a rear guide section, that the two side profile strips are held at a distance from one another by the rear guide sections under tightening of the shading element in the transverse direction and are guided in a non-tightened manner in the transverse direction by the front guide sections, and that the side profile strips are held at a distance from one another in the transverse direction on the front guide sections by their own bending stiffness and/or by a cross bow.
US09227481B2
A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof; an air-conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
US09227477B2
A vibration damper for a motor vehicle with a support spring, includes a damper tube with a longitudinal extension axis A, a spring disk, a protective insert, and a protective accordion boot which has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the protective accordion boot is secured at least indirectly to a piston rod by its first end portion, and wherein the protective accordion boot encloses damper tube in circumferential direction by its second end portion. The protective insert has at least one radially outwardly extending supporting portion, wherein the protective accordion boot is axially supported by the second end portion thereof at the supporting portion of the protective insert accompanied by a defined axial pre-loading, and wherein, with respect to the longitudinal extension axis A of the damper tube, the supporting portion extends radially beyond the inner diameter d of an end coil of support spring supported at the spring disk.
US09227469B2
The present invention provides an air compressor having inflating and aerosol spraying functions for tires. The air compressor has an innovative actuator with an eccentric cam so that the present invention can not only perform singly inflating function for the flat tire but also perform fixing function for the rupture tire. The present invention comprises a case containing an air compressor and a tire fixing aerosol containing chemical sol therein with an actuator, which enables the present invention to shift the operation of the air compressor and tire fixing aerosol between the singly inflating and fixing functions for tire with easy manipulation.
US09227456B2
A three-dimensional memory is formed as an array of memory elements across multiple layers positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Cylindrical stacks of memory elements are formed where a cylindrical opening has read/write material deposited along its wall, and a cylindrical vertical bit line formed along its central axis. Memory elements formed on either side of such a cylinder may include sheet electrodes that extend into the read/write material.
US09227450B2
The invention relates to a self-inking stamp (1) comprising a stamp housing (2) in which a reversible stamp unit (20) and a receiving space (6) for an ink pad container (5) are arranged, an actuation part (3) which is mounted on the stamp housing (2), and which can be displaced relative thereto from an upper rest position to a lower printing position, which pivotably supports the stamp unit (20), and a window part (4) which is at least partially transparent, detachably mounted by a clip connection on the actuation part (3) and through which the print card (12) arranged inside the window part (4) is visible. When the window part (4) is mounted on the actuation part (3), two opposing walls cover the actuation part (3) when it is in the upper rest position, and extend downwards over the receiving space (6), and cover the latter, the window part being mounted so that it can be displaced up and down on the actuation part (3). In the upper rest position, the actuation part (3) releases the receiving chamber (6) for the ink pad container (5).
US09227449B2
A stamp face forming apparatus includes: a stamp face forming unit having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface on which a porous stamp face material being able to become nonporous by heating is held, and a drive circuit for controlling the heating states of the plurality of heating elements, the stamp face forming unit being configured to form a stamp face on the stamp face material while pressing the stamp face material; and a control unit configured to control the drive circuit of the stamp face forming unit in such a manner as to reduce the heating amount per one dot to be heated of the stamp face material in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating elements corresponding to a decreasing length of the stamp face material in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating elements.
US09227441B2
A tension fluctuation alleviating device, for use in a fabric printing apparatus including a fabric supplying device, a printing mechanism, a guide between the fabric supplying device and the printing mechanism, and a fabric take-up device, the fabric printing apparatus configured to perform printing on the fabric while intermittently sending the fabric to the printing mechanism, includes a support member provided between the fabric supplying device and the guide device and extending across a width direction of the fabric, and a tension relieving member including an elastically deformable elastic portion supported by the support member and extending from the support member toward the fabric, and a contacting portion closer to the fabric than the elastic portion and contacting with the fabric.
US09227434B2
A printing system for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, including a plurality of printheads for printing on the web of media, each of the printheads being configured to print at one or more corresponding print locations along the web transport path. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. Each of the plurality of web transport rollers has a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations.
US09227419B2
A liquid circulation device includes a supply unit that forms a flow path supplying a liquid from a reservoir unit; a collection unit that forms a flow path collecting the liquid to the reservoir unit; and N number of the connection units provided respectively corresponding to N number of ejection units ejecting the liquid forming a flow path connecting the supply unit and the collection unit via the ejection units, wherein with regard to each of N number of the connection units, a connection order of the connection units with respect to the supply unit, which is counted from upstream in a flow direction of the liquid in the supply unit coincides with a connection order of the connection units with respect to the collection unit, which is counted from upstream in the flow direction of the liquid in the collection unit.
US09227417B2
A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.
US09227414B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid; a first flow path through which liquid is supplied from a first container provided at an upstream to the liquid ejecting head provided at a downstream; a second flow path that forms a circulation flow path in which the liquid is capable of circulating through the circulating flow path including the first flow path and the second flow path; and a third flow path through which liquid is supplied from a second container provided at an upstream to the circulation flow path provided at a downstream, and a downstream end of the third flow path is coupled to one of the second flow path and a section on an upstream side of the downstream joint with the second flow path in the first flow path.
US09227413B2
To provide a waste ink absorber excellent in permeability and retaining performance, a waste ink absorber to be mounted in a waste ink tank to absorb waste ink discharged from a head for ejecting ink, includes, in a state of a single piece of the waste ink absorber not mounted in the waste ink tank, a portion low in density and a portion higher in density as compared with the portion low in density in a direction along a plane surface having a largest surface area.
US09227409B2
To provide a waste ink absorber excellent in permeability and retention performance, it is directed to a waste ink absorber for absorbing waste ink discharged from a head for ejecting ink. In a side cross-sectional view of the waste ink absorber, a portion low in density and a portion higher in density as compared with the portion low in density are laid alternately obliquely.
US09227388B2
Devices and methods for attaching support frames to substrates to form articles such as implantable stent grafts can include providing a first laminate material; positioning a support frame onto the first laminate material, the support frame having a pre-formed shape; positioning a second laminate material onto the support frame and first laminate material; bonding the first laminate material to the second laminate material; cutting the first and second laminate materials along opposite sides of the support frame thereby forming a laminated support frame having generally the same pre-formed shape of the support frame; and attaching the laminated support frame to a substrate.
US09227387B2
In an electronic component mounting method, a light-emitting element is temporarily fixed to a board by solder paste and adhesive, the adhesive is cured to fix a main body of the light-emitting element to the board, and solder is melted to bond a terminal of the light-emitting element to the board. The method includes: detecting a positional deviation of an emission portion in a top surface of the light-emitting element; detecting a position of the light-emitting element in a state in which the light-emitting element is held by an absorption nozzle; positioning the emission portion to a prescribed position on the board based on the positional deviation and the position of the light-emitting element; mounting the light-emitting element on the board at a position deviated from the prescribed position by the positional deviation; curing the adhesive; and heating the board to melt the solder.
US09227386B2
A method for manufacturing a resin-based composite material includes: a stage in which prepregs are stacked on a jig; a stage in which the stacked prepregs and the jig are covered and pressurized heat treatment is applied thereto to form a first semi-molded article and a second semi-molded article; a stage in which board thicknesses of the first semi-molded article and the second semi-molded article are measured, a stage in which the number of additional plies is determined based on the measured board thicknesses, a desired board thickness of the resin-based composite material, and physical properties of the additional plies; and a stage in which a layered product is formed by stacking the predetermined number of additional plies between the first semi-molded article and the second semi-molded article, the layered product and the jig are covered with a bagging material, and pressurized heat treatment is applied thereto.
US09227381B2
A moisture vapor and oxygen transmission resistant flexible film has a polymeric base layer and a barrier layer of discrete particles of a first organic polymer dispersed throughout a matrix of a second organic polymer. Preferably, the first and second polymers are water insoluble and water soluble, respectively. The barrier layer is formed by depositing onto the base layer a coating composition of finely divided insoluble organic polymer particles suspended in an aqueous solution of the water soluble organic polymer, a crosslinking agent and surfactant. The coating composition is heated to crosslink the barrier layer polymers and evaporate solvent to provide a barrier film suitable for packaging applications. Optionally, the film can be metalized to increase barrier properties.
US09227379B2
The sublimation capability of a porous metal plate used in a sublimator is maintained by heating the porous metal plate at an elevated temperature in a flowing stream of oxygen for an extended period of time to form an oxidized surface. A short chain molecule, such as citric acid, is attached to the oxidized surface having multiple functional carboxylate groups and no hydrophobic tail.
US09227378B2
Devices include multiple phase change materials connected in parallel between electrodes. Memory cells with multiple parallel phase change materials can be programmed to transition among more than two states representing multiple bits of information. Methods for manufacture and use are also disclosed.
US09227374B2
A method for forming a tubular sheet product roll includes providing a sheet product roll having a first configuration and a void, centering a rotational axis of the sheet product roll on a longitudinal axis of a first tool, and inserting the first tool into the void of the sheet product roll to define an inner diameter of the void and to form the sheet product roll having a second configuration different from the first configuration.
US09227370B2
A continuous fastener element including: a coupling head; upper and lower leg portions; and a connecting portion wherein surfaces of the coupling head, the leg portions, and the connecting portion are each formed as a rough surface with a plurality of recesses. Furthermore, a head surface of the coupling head of the continuous fastener element is formed to have an average roughness Ra smaller than that of outer peripheral surfaces of the leg portions. Accordingly, gloss and luster of the continuous fastener element may be easily reduced or removed. Furthermore, when the slide fastener is formed, the resistance between the coupling heads of the left and right continuous fastener elements may be made small and the left and right element rows may smoothly engage with each other or disengage from each other.
US09227368B2
This disclosure relates to golf balls having a cover layer made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The cover layer may have certain properties, such as a desirable flexural modulus value and a desirable Shore D hardness value, that further contribute to the golf ball having a high degree of scuff resistance.
US09227367B2
A method of manufacturing a porous fluid treatment element, e.g. a filter element, includes forming a layered structure having at least two layers and subjecting the layered structure to at least a heat treatment. The step of forming a layered structure includes forming a first layer including particulate matter including at least a binder and applying a second layer including particulate matter including at least a binder directly onto the first layer on a first side thereof. The step of forming a layered structure further includes applying at least one of radiation and heat to at least the first side of the first layer prior to applying the second layer.
US09227358B2
An Apparatus for heating plastic preforms, with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein the transport device has a plurality of holding elements for holding the plastic preforms, with at least one heating device which heats the plastic preforms transported by the transport device. The heating device has a movable wall element which is arranged for at least part of the time below the transport path of the plastic performs. The apparatus also includes a detection device which detects an incorrect position and/or a falling of at least one plastic preform in relation to the holding element holding this, as well as a control device which initiates a movement of the wall element on the basis of an incorrect position and/or falling of the at least one plastic preform detected by the detection device.
US09227355B2
An extrusion blow molding machine comprises an extrusion apparatus, an electrically-driven parison thickness programming apparatus, an electrically-driven mold-clamping apparatus with a dual-driving function, and a frame, wherein the extrusion apparatus, the parison thickness programming apparatus and the mold-clamping apparatus with a dual-driving function are installed on the frame. The mold-clamping apparatus with a dual-driving function comprises a driving assembly, a mold-opening/closing assembly, a mold-moving assembly, and a base. The driving assembly includes a servo motor, which actuates both mold-opening/closing and mold-moving assemblies, respectively. The parison thickness programming apparatus is driven by asynchronous motors, which run in a single direction continuously to result in a required axial parison thickness distribution. An extrusion blow molding method is realized using the machine. The present extrusion blow molding machine has an obviously simplified and compact structure, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost, lowering the energy consumption, and improving the transmission efficiency and position accuracy.
US09227351B2
Disclosed is an edge gating injection molding apparatus for delivering a moldable material to an array of mold cavities, the array can have a first column and a last column of mold cavities, the edge gating injection molding apparatus comprising: a unidirectional delivery body for delivering a first stream of the moldable material to a different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities, via a first location of the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities; and a bidirectional delivery body for delivering a second stream of the moldable material to the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities, via a second location of the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities.
US09227346B2
A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated plastic member as a reinforcement phase. An intermediate form including the elongated member is made and can be processed, for example, to form a composite article with a smooth exposed reinforcement surface.
US09227328B2
A variable pliability actuator is provided to move a movable component including two electric rotary motors, at least one output shaft connected to be set in rotation by the motors around a rotation axis, an elastic transmission system to enable motion transfer from the motors to the output shaft and to vary the pliability the output shaft, a control unit to adjust at least the pliability of the output shaft through the elastic transmission system, and a holding structure to hold at least the motors, the elastic transmission system, the output shaft and the control unit. The holding structure has a driving output placed at the outer surface controlled by the output shaft and connected to set the movable component in rotation about the rotation axis, at least one stiff coupling element to enable a stiff connection of the holding structure, and a support output opposite the driving output, substantially coaxial with the rotation axis and partly housing and stabilizing the rotation of the movable component.
US09227326B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a manipulator device includes a base, first and second linear slides, a drive link, a drive member, a driven member and an end effector. The elements of the manipulator device cooperate to constrain the end effector to rotate about a remote center of motion that is displaced from a proximal center of motion as the drive link moves a carriage of the second linear slide along an arcuate path.
US09227324B1
A mandrel for transporting a set of substrates includes a rod having a free end and a fixed end, the fixed end configured to be coupled to a transport mechanism. A series of spacer elements are arranged on the rod to keep the set of substrates seated on the rod in respective fixed positions with a last spacer element nearest to the fixed end. A notch is arranged on the rod between the fixed end and the last spacer element configured to catch a substrate that becomes unseated from the last spacer element.
US09227319B2
A robot control system and method includes plural actuators provided on a robot, plural controller modules, each of which controls at least one of the actuators and includes a program to perform a motion and an ID, an adjustment module to register a control right of each controller module over the at least one of the actuators and to perform at least one motion when a request for the at least one motion is made, and an abstraction layer module to judge whether or not a detected controller module is a controller module having the control right over the at least one of the actuators by confirming the ID of the controller module, and to drive the at least one of the actuators by controlling execution of the controller module upon judging that the detected controller module is the controller module having the control right.
US09227309B2
A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
US09227307B2
A reversible ratchet wrench includes a wrench body, one end of which having a ratchet portion that has an activating opening and a circular hole, and an arc ratchet slot formed therebetween; a control unit having a circular plate portion, one end of which extending to form a handle unit, while the other end of which forming a block unit, and a U-shaped base formed at the top portion of the block unit and a spring is disposed at the U-shaped base; a ratchet unit, one end which having arc teeth, the other end of which having a protruding restricting portion, and a column protrudingly extending from one end of the restricting portion; and a rotating unit disposed at the activating opening of the wrench body, and a teeth ring formed at outer periphery of the rotating unit to engage with the arc teeth of the ratchet unit.
US09227305B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and related methods for quickly deactivating or otherwise plugging a sprinkler, wherein the deactivated sprinkler may automatically reactivate in view of an unexpected fire. Generally, the disclosed apparatus comprises: a forked clamping arm and a jaw arm with a stopper plug, wherein the forked clamping arm is positioned around a body of a fire-sprinkler and the plug is squeezed against an outlet of a fire-sprinkler via locking plier action between the clamping arm member and the jaw arm member. Suitably, a water tight seal is created by the plug over the outlet. Preferably, the plug of the apparatus may be configured to melt whenever ambient temperatures surrounding the sprinkler reach a threshold level so that the sprinkler may reactivate in view of an unexpected fire in its proximity.
US09227300B2
A straight-shaped hollow spring material is used in a blasting apparatus. The length of the spring material is set to be 1.5 m to 3.5 m, and the inner diameter of the spring material is set to be not more than 10 mmφ (not including 0). In inner surface abrasive blasting for the spring material, first and second blastings are performed. In the first blasting, abrasives are ejected to an opening portion of the spring material and are suctioned from a second opening portion thereof. In the second blasting, the abrasives are ejected to the second opening portion and are suctioned from the opening portion. The ejection pressure, the suction pressure, and the like are appropriately set, so that generation of grinding amount difference between the center portion and both end portions of the inner surface of the spring material can be inhibited.
US09227299B2
A method of manufacturing an optical lens, comprising: providing a lens member comprising a first surface and a first reference system identified by engraved markings on the first surface, providing surface data corresponding to a second surface of the optical lens to be manufactured, providing second markings on the lens member defining a second reference system, providing marking positioning error between the second markings and the engraved markings, providing an adhesive tape on the first surface of the lens member, and a manufacturing step during which the second surface of the optical lens is manufactured according to the surface data and the marking positioning error such that the relative position of the first and second surfaces is respected.
US09227294B2
An apparatus for chemical mechanical polishing includes a wafer carrier, a first electrode, a rotatable pedestal, a second electrode, and an electric current detector. The first electrode is disposed at the wafer carrier. The rotatable pedestal is positioned opposite to the wafer carrier in order to perform a polishing operation with the wafer carrier accordingly. The second electrode is disposed at the rotatable pedestal and electrically coupled to the first electrode in order to form a circuit loop. The electric current detector is between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09227293B2
A polishing apparatus includes a plurality of stations supported on a platform, the plurality of stations including at least two polishing stations and a transfer station, each polishing station including a platen to support a polishing pad, a plurality of carrier heads suspended from and movable along a track such that each polishing station is selectively positionable at the stations, and a controller configured to control motion of the carrier heads along the track such that during polishing at each polishing station only a single carrier head is positioned in the polishing station.
US09227291B2
An angle grinder is provided and may include a cutting arm on which a tool may be mounted in a rotating manner about an axis of the grinder and a guide element that is arranged on the axis to control a cutting depth of the tool during a workpiece cutting operation.
US09227282B2
A machine tool has a mechatronic assembly which has a machine spindle and has a tool head which is held on the machine spindle and which has a basic body and also at least one working slide, which is adjustable relative to the basic body, for holding a tool. The mechatronic assembly contains an electric adjusting motor which acts on the working slide. The machine tool has a support device which holds the mechatronic assembly and which has an articulated joint arrangement at which the mechatronic assembly can be pivoted at least about a first axis and about a second axis which differs from the first axis.
US09227275B2
A method for manufacturing a head 2 includes the steps of: (A) producing a plurality of head components Ph; (B) welding at least two of the head components Ph to each other while abutting the head components Ph on a guide core gc1; and (C) removing the guide core gc1. Preferably, the guide core gc1 is made of a water-soluble material. Preferably, at least one of the head components Ph is produced by a press process. Preferably, the guide core gc1 has a lack part Ms1. Preferably, existence of the lack part Ms1 avoids contact between a welding joint part wd1 and the guide core gc1 in the step B.
US09227274B1
Method of joining articles using microscale brazing alloy particles reinforced with slender nanomaterials is described. Surface modified graphite nanomaterials were dispersed in a medium comprised of metal alloy particles, this dispersion was introduced at the interface between the joining articles followed by heating under ultra high vacuum. The nanomaterial-to-metal alloy surface contacts were enhanced by at least one of fusion, embedment and chemical reaction phenomena under high temperature and ultra high vacuum yielding true nanocomposite at the interface. The fusion, embedment and chemical reaction phenomena enhance at least one of the mechanical, electrical, thermal, durability and functional attributes of these contact points, which translate into improved properties of the joined article. The enhanced contact points enable effective use of the distinct qualities of nanomaterials towards development of joints which offer unique balances of strength, ductility, toughness, energy absorption, thermal stability, weathering resistance and other characteristics.
US09227272B2
Welding wires and methods for welding metal work pieces using the welding wires are provided. The welding wires are composite materials comprising a metal alloy and high temperature nanoparticles dispersed in the metal alloy.
US09227269B2
A method for producing an energy cell, in particular an energy storage cell or battery, having the steps of: arranging a plurality of films of the energy cell at a processing location, and cutting the plurality of films in one operation, wherein the cutting of the films is carried out by a laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is guided in a liquid. Also an apparatus for producing an energy cell.
US09227268B1
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for improving fatigue strength and damage tolerance of metal materials. For example, a system is provided for laser shock peening a metal material, the system comprising: a momentum trap material; a laser; an actuator, capable of pressing the momentum trap material into intimate contact with a first side of the metal material; and an advancer, capable of advancing the momentum trap material relative to the first side of the metal material.
US09227266B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a seam welding warpage prevention method and apparatus capable of preventing warpage caused by cooling contraction after welding, in a case where workpieces are different from one another in material and thickness, and thus not uniform in thermal contraction. In the seam welding warpage prevention method for welding a plurality of workpieces W1 and W2 that are not uniform in thermal contraction with respect to an energizing direction, the workpieces W1 and W2 are clamped with a pair of roller electrodes 23 and 33 while applying current. The welding is performed in a state where the roller electrode 33 that abuts on the workpiece W2 having higher thermal contraction is offset in an advancing direction ahead of the roller electrode 23 that abuts on the workpiece W1 having lower thermal contraction.
US09227265B2
An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.
US09227257B2
A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) assembly includes a slider, a laser diode and solder connections between the laser diode and the slider. The solder connections mechanically and electrically attach the laser diode to the slider. Each solder connection has a total volume per unit area (i.e., height) of less than or equal to about 15 μm. The solder connections have a first intermetallic zone adjacent to the laser diode, a second intermetallic zone adjacent to the slider, and a eutectic zone of eutectic material between the first and second intermetallic zones. The eutectic zone occupies greater than or equal to about 35% of the total volume per unit area of the solder connection.
US09227255B2
A hand-held band saw having a deck defining a front and a rear, and an opening in the front defining a cut zone. The band saw also includes a first wheel supported by a first deck portion, a second wheel supported by a second deck portion, a motor operably coupled to the first wheel, a single handle providing a single grip for a user to hold the band saw with only one hand, and a continuous blade having a cutting edge. The continuous blade includes a first portion positioned in the cut zone for performing a cutting operation and a second portion positioned outside of the cut zone. A blade guard is positioned proximate the cutting edge of the second portion of the continuous blade to substantially provide a barrier between the cutting edge and an exterior of the band saw.
US09227238B2
Disclosed is a hot-pressing apparatus capable of quenching a workpiece at a sufficient cooling rate. A hot-pressing apparatus includes a lower die and an upper die. The hot-pressing apparatus causes the dies to press a workpiece, and at the same time, to keep the forming surfaces thereof in contact with the workpiece to cool the workpiece. Depression parts are formed in parts of the lower die which faces external corners of the upper die, and parts of the upper die which faces external corners of the lower die. The water-feed channel and the lower water-feed device, and the water-feed channel and the upper water-feed device are provided to feed cooling water to spaces between the workpiece and the dies.
US09227235B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a small thin-walled tube for a medical application or for a medical product, in particular for a stent, wherein a blank of an in particular bioresorbable magnesium alloy is deformed to produce a small tube, after which the small tube is used for medical purposes or from which the medical product, such as a stent, can be made. In order to be able to produce the small tube in one step and with high precision, it is provided according to the invention that a male die (2) with a base body (3) and a mandrel (4) tapered relative to the base body (3) and the blank is provided with a blind hole or an opening, wherein a diameter of the blind hole or the opening of the blank is equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the mandrel (4), after which the blank with inserted mandrel (4) with the male die (2) is pressed forwards at least in part through a female die (5) with a receiving region (6) and a contouring region (7), wherein the contouring region (7) has a free diameter, which is larger than the outer diameter of the mandrel (4), but smaller than an outer diameter of the blank, in order to form the small tube.
US09227234B2
The invention relates to a rolling mill drive (1) having an axially displaceable toothed articulated spindle (3) extending between a toothed articulated element (50 arranged between an interlocking chamber (20) on the roller side and a toothed articulated element (52) arranged in an interlocking chamber (40) on the transmission side, wherein at least one of the interlocking chambers (20, 40) is filled with a lubricating medium, wherein the lubricating medium biases the toothed articulated spindle (3) with an axial force (Fws) directed towards the roll side (WS).
US09227230B2
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining substantially pure hybrid cereal seed and a machine for use thereof. In particular the invention describes a method for separating hybrid barley seed from a mixed population of inbred barley seed and hybrid barley seed on the basis of a difference which is detectable via the use of near infrared light.
US09227228B2
Provided is a mail sorting system including: a detection unit configured to output a detection signal for a length of a mail inserted to a conveyor belt; a crossbelt driving unit configured to control a motor interworking with a crossbelt including a central region and first and second lateral regions adjacent to both sides based on the central region where the mail is moved and arranged from the conveyor belt; and a control unit configured to transmit a motor control signal which controls at least one of an rpm and a rotational speed of the motor so that the mail is arranged on any one of the central region and the first and second lateral regions based on the detection signal, to the crossbelt driving unit, in order to easily discharge the mail from a destination discharge point by disposing the inserted mail at a setting region of the crossbelt.
US09227226B2
A cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces (100) for a sorting machine (1) having a row of sorting outlets (10) for the mailpieces (100) stacked on a work surface (11), said cart (2) for assisting in transferring mailpieces including a support (23) supporting a tray (101) to be filled, a back plate (20) carrying guide means (24) co-operating with a longitudinal runner (14) on said sorting machine (1), said back plate (20) being extended by a transfer ramp (26) inclined relative to said back plate (20) with which it forms an acute angle and designed to bridge over the edge of the work surface (11) to come flush with said work surface (11) from above. A postal sorting installation including a sorting machine (1) and a cart (2) as described for assisting in transferring mailpieces.
US09227225B2
An bearing cooling system is connected to and actuated by the vibration of a vibratory device to pump lubricant to lubricate internal components of the vibratory device. The bearing cooling system has a bottom end cap with an inlet in fluid communication with the vibratory device, a top end cap with an outlet for delivering the lubricant to lubricate components of the vibratory device, a tube disposed between and sealingly engaging the bottom end cap and the top end cap, and a piston having a lubricant passageway. The piston is slidably disposed within the tube downstream of the bottom end cap and upstream of the top end cap. Vibration of the vibration device causes the piston to oscillate within the tube to draw lubricant from the vibration device which passes through the lubricant passageway in the piston, and delivers lubricant to lubricate internal components of the vibration device. Upstream of the top end cap a heat exchanger and/or a filter can be used to cool and/or remove debris from the lubricant before lubricating the internal components.
US09227219B2
A device for forming a microstructured coating on a substrate. The device includes a microstructured band that can be moved by rolling without slipping on the substrate and going around main pressure application elements assembled on a chassis, and secondary pressure application elements assembled on the chassis so as to be in contact with an inner face of the band in a zone of a strand of the band delimited by said main pressure application elements, this zone being exposed to the action of a curing apparatus that accelerates curing of a curable material designed to form said coating. A method for forming a microstructured coating using the above-mentioned device.
US09227214B2
Various embodiments include an adjustable gas distribution assembly for an adjustable plasma spray device. In one embodiment, the assembly includes: a first gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof, the first gas distribution ring including a mating surface upstream of the plurality of openings; and a positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the first gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray device, wherein the positioning ring includes a mating surface that mates with the mating surface of the first gas distribution ring to form the gas distribution assembly, wherein the mating surface of the positioning ring is sized to mate with a plurality of distinct gas distribution rings including the first gas distribution ring.
US09227210B2
The invention discloses a cap of spray mineral water bottle, including cap body, spray means and water locking means. This cap of spray mineral water is used with resilient mineral water bottle body to form a multifunctional spray mineral water bottle, which can ensure normal drinking of mineral water as well as carry out spray drinking of water by means of squeezing the bottle body to transform bottle body and increase the pressure inside the bottle, thus making water to enter inlet from the outlet of water locking means on the cap, and to enter the atomizing channel through the water channel, finally to be sprayed from the spray aperture. Furthermore, in the open air or in the dusty and hot environment, you can place the mineral water bottle upside down, put the nozzle to face your body or surrounding, and squeeze the bottle body to spray, thus reducing surrounding temperature, as well as subsiding dust by combining dust and spray to make you feel cool, fresh and comfortable.
US09227207B1
A sprinkler. A sprinkler nozzle assembly is coupled to a base for rotating movement. A stationary cam with cam surface engages a cam follower which open and close valves to regulate water flow as selected angles of rotation. In an embodiment, a pop-up sprinkler is provided, and the moving components are part of the riser. A turbine drive mechanism is coupled to an upper housing on which a plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies are affixed. The drive mechanism includes water driven impeller and a gear train adapted for operatively driving the upper housing, and associated sprinkler nozzle assemblies.
US09227199B2
The present disclosure relates to a magnetizing portion for providing a high-gradient magnetic field in a magnetic separation device. The magnetizing portion comprises at least one magnetic assembly. The at least one magnetic assembly comprises: a plurality of magnets whereby each magnet has a north pole, south pole and a magnet axis extending between the north and south poles, and the plurality of magnets are arranged one above the other in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the axis of each magnet in such a manner that the north and south poles of adjacent magnets are arranged alternately and a space is provide between adjacent magnets; and at least one non-magnetic spacing means arranged in the space between adjacent magnets. The present disclosure also relates to magnetic separation devices comprising at least one of the said magnetizing portions and to a method of isolating magnetically labelled particles using the magnetic separation devices.
US09227191B2
A cone crusher includes an outer crushing shell and an inner crushing shell forming a crushing gap there between. The outer crushing shell is supported on an upper frame member in vertically adjustable engagement with a lower frame member. A sensor arrangement having a sensor element is provided for measuring the vertical position of the outer crushing shell. The cone crusher further includes a target means arranged to be detectable by the sensor element, wherein one of the target means and the sensor element are arranged to follow vertical movement of the upper frame member and to move in relation to the other one of the target means and the sensor element. The sensor element includes a vertical sensing array which extends in a vertical direction along at least a portion of a range within which the target means may be moved upon adjusting the vertical position of the upper frame member.
US09227184B2
A nozzle is configured to discharge a fluid containing a raw material of a catalytic layer to a substrate having first and second end faces and provided with holes each extending from the first end face to the second end face. The nozzle is provided with discharge ports each discharging the fluid toward the first end face of the substrate.
US09227183B2
The present invention relates to microparticles comprising: at least one type of a platinum-based catalyst; and a thermoplastic polyolefin resin with a Z-average (Mz) of a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2500 and Mz/Mw of not more than 2.0, wherein the platinum-based catalyst is dispersed in the thermoplastic polyolefin resin. The microparticles make it possible to obtain a one-component curable organopolysiloxane composition having characteristics such as excellent storage stability.
US09227180B2
The present invention relates to a multifunctional catalyst additive composition for reduction of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides in a fluid catalytic cracking process comprising an inorganic oxide; alumino silicate or a zeolite; a noble metal; a metal of Group I A; a metal of Group II A; a metal of Group III A; a metal of Group IV A; a metal of Group V A; a rare earth oxide; at least a metal of Group VIII. The composition is attrition resistant and is incorporated on a support. The present invention also discloses a process for preparing the multifunctional catalyst additive composition. The present invention also discloses a fluid cracking catalyst comprising the multifunctional catalyst additive composition.
US09227175B2
A process for obtaining a catalyst composite comprising the following steps: a). selecting a molecular sieve having pores of 10- or more-membered rings b). contacting the molecular sieve with a metal silicate different from said molecular sieve comprising at least one alkaline earth metal and one or more of the following metals: Ga, Al, Ce, In, Cs, Sc, Sn, Li, Zn, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ti and V, such that the composite comprises at least 0.1 wt % of silicate.
US09227166B2
There are provided sufficiently strong, hard, and heat resistant, dense and homogenous polycrystalline diamond applicable to cutting tools, dressers, dies and other working tools and excavation bits and the like, and a cutting tool having a cutting edge of the polycrystalline diamond. The polycrystalline diamond is formed substantially only of diamond formed using a composition of material containing a non diamond type carbon material, the composition of material being converted directly into diamond and sintered at ultra high pressure and ultra high temperature without aid of a sintering aid or a catalyst, and has a mixed microstructure having a fine crystal grain of diamond having a maximal grain size of at most 100 nm and an average grain size of at most 50 nm and a coarse crystal grain of diamond in the form of one of a platelet and a granule having a grain size of at least 50 nm and at most 10,000 nm.
US09227165B1
A cooking pot lid provides a continuously variable amount of venting (and stirring of ingredients, when desired) and includes a fixed lid component including a plurality of spaced-apart openings, a rotatable shaft disposed through a central aperture of the fixed lid component in a manner such that the rotatable shaft is free to rotate with respect to the fixed lid component; and a rotatable lid component that is attached to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable lid component includes a plurality of spaced-apart fins for alternately covering and exposing the plurality of spaced-apart openings in the fixed lid component to provide the continuously variable venting. Stirring blades may be attached to the rotatable shaft in a manner such that the stirring blades rotate with the shaft.
US09227164B2
A dispenser for dispensing solid or liquid water-conditioning/treating agents into a body of water (such as a pool, hot tub, or the like) comprises a hollow body adapted to receive water treating agent which can be solid (tablet form), granular, powder or liquid. The dispenser has an overall specific gravity such that, when the dispenser is substantially empty of water-conditioning/treating agent(s), the dispenser will float, but when the dispenser contains water-conditioning/treating agents, the dispenser will sink.
US09227161B2
A device for the enrichment of a liquid stream with a gas is provided including a flow mixer (14) with a venturi nozzle (36), having a rotationally symmetrical contraction (40) with a diameter D and being flown through axially by the liquid stream. The invention additionally includes a gas feed for the lateral feed of the gas into the contraction (40) of the venturi nozzle (36). The gas feed includes at least one gas channel (54, 54′) with a diameter d<0.5D, ending laterally in the contraction (40) of the venturi nozzle (36) in a way, such that the elongated longitudinal axis (56, 56′) thereof is tangential to an imaginary cylinder surface (58), which is coaxial to the contraction (40) and has a diameter D′>d.
US09227156B2
Disclosed are methods, materials, apparatus and systems for removing or suppressing ambient levels of reactive gas contaminants, particularly acidic gases, using particles of zeolite, sepiolite or other suitable carrier material impregnated with at least one treatment compound selected to react with the acidic gas(es). The methods involve contacting a contaminated gas stream with the impregnated carrier materials whereby at least a portion of the reactive gases contacts the treatment compound and reacts, thereby consuming the reactive gas molecules.
US09227153B2
New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.
US09227142B2
A first control unit includes a first operation data generation section for generating first operation data in accordance with a motion of a first control unit body included in the first control unit. A second control unit includes a second operation data generation section for generating second operation data in accordance with a direction input operation performed by a player. Further, one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes a transmission section for transmitting the first operation data and the second operation data to a computer at a predetermined timing.
US09227141B2
Aspects of the present invention allow a touch screen device to operate as a gamepad for a video game running on a separate gaming device. Aspects of the present invention provide a virtual control interface through the touch screen that includes virtual game controls that perform the same function as a directional pad, buttons, triggers, and sticks found on a gamepad or other game controller. In one aspect, the virtual control interface provides an output that is substantially similar to an output generated by a gamepad able to interact with the gaming device. Substantially similar outputs allow a gaming device to respond to a functional control from a gamepad and an equivalent functional control from the virtual control interface the same way and without translation. Aspects of the present invention can provide different virtual control interfaces for different video game titles, different genres, and based on user customization.
US09227134B1
A dice game system is disclosed. The dice game system includes a table, a controller, and a plurality of electronically-actuated dice play stations. The dice play stations can include lighting components and dice agitators that are in electrical communication with the controller and a button positioned at the play station. The dice agitators can be actuated simultaneously by the controller and individually by a user positioned at a play station. The lighting components can indicate different stages of game play. A method for controlling a game on a game table is also disclosed.
US09227118B2
The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
US09227116B2
The present invention relates to an improved golf putter head with a unique shape and sighting and alignment system. The head has an annular-like body with an undulating rim edge. A transparent plate extends across the opening of the annular body bearing the alignment aid. The alignment aid may have a crosshair component. The surface of the annular body is provided with a camouflage pattern. The putter shaft additional has a vertical plumb line indicia to aid reading the green.
US09227108B1
Methods and apparatuses for athletic performance monitoring are disclosed. In one example, a system includes an inertial sensor configured to measure an acceleration in a moving direction of a user foot of a user during locomotion and output an acceleration signal, a memory storing a stride acceleration motion profile, and a processing system configured to process the acceleration signal and the stride acceleration motion profile to identify a reduced user overstride.
US09227098B2
The invention is directed to a fire-extinguishing composition comprising an oxidant, a secondary fuel and a phenol-formaldehyde resin, wherein the phenolformaldehyde resin molecule contains more than 3 aromatic ring structures and its use to extinguish a fire, especially a fire in an enclosed space. The invention is also directed to a process to prepare such a composition and to the use of the composition to extinguish a fire by an aerosol which is formed during burning of the composition.
US09227095B2
A clothes dryer vent coupling system for connecting the vent outlet of a clothes dryer to an exhaust pipe in a room wall includes a rectangular housing secured to the wall and includes sides and a front wall. An outlet coupling on one side of the housing is connected to the exhaust pipe through rigid or flexible tubing. The front wall of the housing includes a round inlet opening facing forward. A connector coupling connected to the vent outlet at the back of the clothes dryer has a conical end but with openings therein. When the dryer is moved toward the room wall, the connector coupling is guided into and enters the inlet opening. Once in place, a rubber gasket around the connector coupling seals the coupling to the housing.
US09227075B2
Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted at a plurality of different frequencies to an implanted medical device. The magnitude of the transmitted electrical energy respectively measured at the plurality of frequencies. One of the frequencies is selected based on the measured magnitude of the electrical energy (e.g., the frequency at which the measured magnitude of the electrical energy is the greatest). A depth level at which the medical device is implanted within the patient is determined based on the selected frequency. For example, the depth level may be determined to be relatively shallow if the selected frequency is relatively high, and relatively deep if the selected frequency is relative low. A charge strength threshold at which a charge strength indicator generates a user-discernible signal can then be set based on the determined depth level.
US09227068B2
Various method embodiments detect a concurrent therapy, where the concurrent therapy includes a plurality of therapy pulses. Detecting the concurrent therapy includes detecting at least one electrical pulse, extracting at least one characteristic from the at least one electrical pulse, comparing the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse to at least one characteristic of therapy pulses, and detecting that the concurrent therapy is being applied if the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse favorably compares to the at least one characteristic of the therapy pulses.
US09227065B2
A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.
US09227063B2
An exemplary method of lowering a pitch sensation as perceived by a cochlear implant patient includes 1) identifying a most apical electrode included in a plurality of electrodes disposed within a cochlea of the patient, 2) directing a cochlear implant communicatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes to apply one or more anodecathode biphasic stimulation pulses to the most apical electrode during a stimulation period, and 3) directing the cochlear implant to apply one or more cathode-anode biphasic stimulation pulses to one or more other electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes during the stimulation period. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US09227052B2
In various examples, a neurostimulation interconnection apparatus apparatus includes a substrate disposed within a header of a neurostimulation device. A spring contact is mounted to the substrate. The spring contact is oriented to accept and apply a clamping force to a proximal contact of a lead body to electrically couple the proximal contact of the lead body with the spring contact with insertion of the proximal contact within the spring contact. A trace is disposed on the substrate from the spring contact to a pin of a feedthrough of the neurostimulation device. The trace electrically couples the spring contact with the pin of the feedthrough.
US09227045B2
An implantable port with an integral attachment mechanism. The implantable port includes one or more suture needles enclosed within a port body, the suture needle(s) coupled to a movable member such that movement of the movable member results in movement of the suture needle(s) out of the port body and into the tissue of a body into which it is implanted. The movable member can be a cam or tensioning member that rotates about a central port axis. The movable member can be coupled to a gear to permit movement of the movable member following implantation of the port within a subcutaneous pocket.
US09227042B2
A balloon catheter having an elongated catheter shaft defining a fluid drainage lumen and a balloon inflation lumen. The balloon catheter includes a fluid drainage port disposed about the distal end of the catheter shaft in fluid communication with the fluid drainage lumen, and a balloon inflation port disposed about the distal end of the catheter shaft in fluid communication with the balloon inflation lumen. A balloon portion is disposed about the distal end of the catheter shaft in fluid communication with the balloon inflation port. A release device is disposed in fluid communication with the balloon portion and the fluid drainage lumen, and includes an activating member. A tether is attached to the activating member of the release device. Tension applied to the tether activates the release device, enabling fluid flow from the balloon portion into the fluid drainage lumen and out of the body.
US09227041B2
A medical device comprises a catheter with an expandable member, fibers extending from the outer surface of the expandable member, and therapeutic agent coated on the fibers or carried in the spaces between the fibers. Upon expansion of the expandable member, the therapeutic agent is delivered from the medical device. A surfactant may be coated on the fibers. A method of manufacturing comprises coating the outer surface of an expandable member with a metallic layer, coating the metallic layer with at least one polymeric layer, forming a plurality of holes in at least one polymeric layer, forming fibers in the holes, and removing at least one polymeric layer.
US09227023B2
This device is a compressible chamber designed to inject a liquid medication through a plurality of needles. It is a self-contained, rapidly deployed device that replaces a classic syringe. It consists of a shallow chamber that is closed on one end and sealed on the other with a sliding elastomeric seal. A rigid ring slides up into the chamber that has multiple small double-ended needles mounted through the periphery of the ring perpendicularly so as to be able to perforate the seal of the chamber with the proximal end and simultaneously penetrate the subcutaneous tissues with the distal end thus allowing medication to flow from the chamber into the tissues when pressure is applied to the top of the chamber. The needles are also imbedded in, or juxtapose to a ring of compressible dye-containing material that serves to conceal the needles and provide demarcation of the area injected.
US09227022B2
A heating system for warming nutritional liquid fed to a neonate or preterm infant may comprise a control module and a heater. The heating system is portable so that the heating system is not connected to a syringe pump or other device used to feed the neonate. The heater of the heating system is mounted to the tube that is used to feed the neonate. The heater is positioned along the tube in close proximity to the neonate so that a temperature drop of the nutritional liquid after the nutritional liquid exits the heater and reaches the neonate is negligible. The heater raises the temperature of the nutritional liquid to a target desired temperature (e.g., body temperature of the mother and neonate or to a temperature above the temperature of the mother and neonate) so that the neonate may consume warm nutritional fluid. Once the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate, the nutritional liquid is at about the body temperature of the mother or neonate or at least above room temperature.
US09227019B2
An assembly includes a pre-filled syringe including a barrel with a first end and a second, open end, a plunger disposed within the barrel and spaced between the first end and the second, open end, a product disposed in the barrel between the first end of the barrel and the plunger, and an outwardly-directed rim disposed about the barrel at the second, open end. In addition, the assembly includes an identification tag secured to the outwardly-directed rim of the barrel of the syringe with an outwardly-facing surface of the tag overlying the second, open end of the barrel, the tag having an identifier disposed on the surface of the tag, the identifier including data regarding the pre-filled syringe, the product disposed in the barrel, or both.
US09227015B2
A semi-automatic injection device (12) is disclosed containing two reservoirs (6) of medicament, where a trigger (11) controls the unwinding of two torsional springs (18) to cause simultaneous injection of medicament from each reservoir through a needle adaptor configured with a 2 to 1 needle cannula arrangement.
US09227005B2
A method and device treats cancer where blood from a cancer patient passes through an array of passageways within an interior of a chamber. The passageways include wells having porous membrane wall portions that enable a molecular-sized activating agent in a carrier fluid that enhances an immune response to pass through these porous wall portions. Pore size is such to allow the molecular-sized activating agent in the interior of the chamber to enter the wells yet prevents immune cells and cancer cells in the wells to pass through the porous wall portions into the interior of the chamber. Blood is retained in the wells so that it remains in contact with the immune cells and cancer cells for a predetermined period sufficient to enhance an immune response. Then the cells with an enhanced immune response are return to the patient.
US09226998B2
A method for producing a drug delivery system provides a member including a combination of a drug substance and a polymer or other material; and forms a layer on a surface of the combination using gas cluster ion beam irradiation, which layer determines a release rate for the drug substance, wherein the layer is an encapsulating layer formed by densifying or carbonizing components of the drug or of the polymer or of the other material by the gas cluster ion beam irradiation.
US09226994B2
The present invention discloses an interventional medical device and methods of making the same. At least one coating layer is disposed on the outer surface of the interventional medical device and the material of the outmost layer of the coating layer is a sulfonate group-containing polymer. In the present invention, the material of the outmost layer of the interventional medical device is a sulfonate group-containing polymer. The polymer is endowed with a same surface property as that of heparin in addition to appropriate hydrophilicity due to the presence of the sulfonate group. After the interventional medical device is implanted into the human body, a hydrophilic surface is formed on the outer surface of the interventional medical device which is also negatively charged in the body fluid. Therefore, cells can easily adhere and grow on the outer surface thereof as a result of the enhanced cell compatibility. Furthermore, due to a surface property that is the same as that of heparin, the material is provided with excellent anticoagulant properties which inhibit the thrombosis and lower down the incidence rate of post-operational complications.
US09226993B2
The present invention relates to methods for preparing porous natural or synthetic material scaffolds with keratin for improving cell affinity.
US09226988B2
A microfibrillar high molecular weight chitosan-based textile can be used as a hemostat. The chitosan has been treated in a nitrogen field by applying energy to ionize nitrogen in and around the chitosan textile. A single or multiple such treatments may be employed. For example, the chitosan textile may be irradiated under nitrogen using γ-irradiation, treated under a nitrogen plasma, or both.
US09226987B2
A refill adapted for use with a volatile material dispenser comprises a body adapted to hold a volatile material and a wick disposed within the body and extending out of the refill. The wick is adapted to transport the volatile material from the body out of the refill. One or more features of the refill allow the refill to be easily inserted into a volatile material dispenser and/or allow air to flow around the refill.
US09226984B2
The present invention is directed to the technical field of imaging compositions useful for diagnosing cancer and other diseases in a subject. In particular, the invention relates to a class of diagnostic compounds comprising a novel liposome composition with encapsulated metal entities such as radionuclides, for example 61Cu and 64Cu copper isotopes. The invention further relates to a novel method for loading delivery systems, such as liposome compositions, with metal entities such as radionuclides, and the use of liposomes for targeted diagnosis and treatment of a target site, such as cancerous tissue and, in general, pathological conditions associated with leaky blood vessels. The present invention provides a new diagnostic tool for the utilization of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technique.
US09226983B2
Isolated binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof, which bind to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), e.g., human TNF-α, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.
US09226981B2
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) binding compounds having radioisotope substituents are described, as well as chemical precursors thereof. Compounds include pyridine containing compounds, compounds having phenylhydrazine structures, and acylated lysine compounds. The compounds allow ready incorporation of radionuclides for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging, for example, prostate cancer cells and angiogenesis.
US09226978B2
Provided are methods of treating ischemic disorders in a subject includes administering stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) to ischemic tissue of the subject.
US09226971B2
The invention relates to (among other things) N-optionally substituted aryl-2-oligomer-3-alkoxypropionamides and compositions comprising the same. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits one or more advantages over corresponding compounds lacking the oligomer.
US09226966B2
Methods for determining dosage of HER2-targeted anthracycline-containing immunoliposomes are disclosed, as are methods of treating cancer patients with HER2-positive tumors using dosages so determined. Upon administration, the dosages share the low cardiotoxicity profile of standard dosages of non-immunoliposomal (untargeted), anthracycline-containing liposomes.
US09226959B2
The present invention relates to nucleic acids of the general formula (I): (NuGlXmGnNv)a and derivatives thereof as an immunostimulating agent/adjuvant and to compositions containing same, optionally comprising an additional adjuvant. The present invention furthermore relates to a pharmaceutical composition or to a vaccine, each containing nucleic acids of formula (I) above and/or derivatives thereof as an immunostimulating agent, and optionally at least one additional pharmaceutically active component, e.g. an antigenic agent. The present invention relates likewise to the use of the pharmaceutical composition or of the vaccine for the treatment of cancer diseases, infectious diseases, allergies and autoimmune diseases etc. Likewise, the present invention includes the use of nucleic acids of the general formula (I): (NuGlXmGnNv)a and/or derivatives thereof for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of such diseases.
US09226958B2
This invention relates to methods of using a Listeria vaccine vector to induce a Th1 immune response in subjects having persistent Th2 immune response profiles.
US09226957B2
Provided herein are Salmonella enteritidis 13A strains and compositions comprising these strains. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Influenza A and methods of reducing morbidity associated with an Influenza A infection. Methods of enhancing an immune response to a vaccine vector by expressing a polypeptide of CD154 capable of binding CD40 are also disclosed. Methods of developing a bacterial vaccine vector are disclosed. Methods of generating scarless site-specific mutations in a bacterium are also disclosed.
US09226950B2
The present invention relates to a method or composition for glycemic control in a subject, which is effective for treating diabetes mellitus, comprising administering the subject with a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an aliphatic alcohol having a general formula of CH3(CH2)nCH2OH, wherein n is an integer from 10 to 40, such as tetracosanol, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US09226948B2
A method of inhibiting postoperative adhesion severity of mammalian tissues. The method includes the application on an operated tissue surface of an effective therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of growth factors and sterilized carboxymethylchitosan. A method of inhibiting postoperative adhesion severity that includes the step of applying a composition comprising a growth factor, where the growth factor is used as a modulating factor on mesothelial cell proliferation is also provided.
US09226945B2
A nutritional composition comprising a partially hydrolyzed milk protein having a degree of hydrolysis between 15 and 25% and 50 to 1000 nanograms of TGF-β per 100 ml of ready to consume composition and methods for the primary prevention of allergic reactions to newly introduced dietary protein at weaning and the prevention of development of atopic diseases in a young mammal at weaning comprising feeding to the young mammal a therapeutic amount of the composition are disclosed.
US09226944B2
An herbal preparation for relief of sleep apnea contains lobelia and/or lobelia extract material acting as a respiratory stimulant in combination with meadowsweet to reduce nausea. Optional but preferred materials also include thyme to increase pleural activity, together with chamomile and cramp bark to facilitate relaxation.
US09226940B2
A method wherein subjects having or at risk for having hyperopia, presbyopia or astigmatism are administered a composition having an effective amount of ocular antioxidants, including specifically macular pigments, to prevent, treat, or delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
US09226931B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of post-chemotherapeutic hypotrichosis. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of compositions comprising bimatoprost for the treatment of post-chemotherapeutic hypotrichosis which may be applied before, during and after receiving chemotherapeutic treatment.
US09226930B2
The present invention relates to novel triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives of Formula (I) wherein all radicals are as defined in the claims. The compounds according to the invention are positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (“mGluR2”), which are useful for the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds for the prevention or treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which mGluR2 is involved.
US09226928B2
The present invention relates to a novel antiparasitic composition comprising an effective amount of a) a Formula (1) compound, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R3, R4, and n are as defined herein, stereoisomer thereof, or a pharmaceutical or veterinary acceptable salt thereof, b) a macrocyclic lactone or derivative thereof and c) optionally, at least one additional veterinary agent, and further comprising at least one veterinary or pharmaceutical acceptable carrier; and a method of treating an animal with a parasitic infection, by administering an effective amount of said composition to the animal in need thereof.
US09226926B2
A method of treating a condition chosen from the group consisting of interstitial cystitis, cystitis, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, chronic cystitis, prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, prostatism, bladder neck contracture, bladder inflammation, and overactive bladder by administering an amount of rebamipide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human.
US09226922B2
Disclosed are the ERK inhibitors of formula (1.0), having a pyrazolopyridine base structure, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating cancer using the compounds of formula (1.0).
US09226918B2
This invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or treating physical dependence and/or withdrawal associated with narcotic use, in particular by modulating a 5-HT3 receptor. Using a computational genetic approach in mice, a gene conserved between mice and humans was identified as candidate as a modulator of physical dependence to morphine. Administration of compounds that modulate 5-HT3 receptors was found to control withdrawal from morphine in mice and humans.
US09226910B2
The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing obesity in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of certain carbamate compounds. The invention further relates to methods for reducing body weight and/or reducing food intake in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of certain carbamate compounds.
US09226904B2
The present invention relates to the co-administration of two neurotransmitter agonists to patients with motor disorders, for the purpose of symptom reduction. In particular the present invention provides methods and compositions for alleviation of akinesia, rigidity and/or tremor associated with Parkinson's disease.
US09226903B2
The invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system which comprises a backing layer, an adhesive layer, a polymer layer and a removable protective layer. The adhesive layer is an organosiloxane layer and is anchored in the backing layer by siliconization.
US09226893B2
A method for storing a water-soluble undissolved silica-based material, optionally with an incorporated functional agent. The method includes immersing the material in an aqueous liquid phase which is initially saturated with a water-soluble silica-based material which is the same or different than the undissolved silica-based material, such that the undissolved silica-based material does not essentially dissolve into the liquid phase during storage, or the proportion of the amount of the initially undissolved silica-based material to the amount of the liquid phase is such that the liquid phase will be saturated or essentially saturated by a dissolved portion of the water-soluble undissolved silica-based material during storage, which dissolved portion of said water soluble undissolved silica-based material is less than 20%. Also disclosed is a storage package which may preferably be used to store functional agents, delivery devices or implants.
US09226892B2
Novel drug carriers capable of targeted and/or pH dependent release of biologically active agents into selected pH environments including the gastrointestinal (GI), ophthalmic, urinary, or reproductive tracts. Unexpectedly, carriers including free fatty acids (FFA) are able to deliver biologically active agents to various pH environments. Such targeted delivery is tailorable and useful for active agents that are: (a) injurious to the upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum), (b) acid labile, (c) impermeable/insoluble compounds in GI fluids, (d) susceptible to first pass metabolism, and/or (e) cause stomach irritation, upset, or dyspepsia.
US09226887B2
Cosmetic compositions are provided, which are capable of forming a cosmetic film on a human integument when applied thereto. Cosmetic compositions according to the invention typically include a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, optionally, one or more colorants, and a pH-dependant film-forming polymer of poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) having a ratio of methacrylic acid to methyl methacrylate of about 1:1 to about 1:2, an acid value of from about 150 to about 350 mg KOH/g, and a weight average molar mass between about 100,000 and about 150,000 g/mol. The compositions are capable of forming an adherent film on a human integument that is substantially resistant to removal by water at a first pH, but readily dispersible or soluble in water at a second pH higher than said first pH.
US09226885B2
Personal care products useful for the maintenance of personal appearance and good health and minor treatments that do not require professional health care, as well as products that provide a combination of anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties and are suitable for use without a prescription. The products utilize a biomembrane permeable organosulfur compound that can redox cycle between thiol, disulfide, and thiosulfinate forms in response to oxidants and antioxidants inside and outside of cells. Example products include an anti-microbial toothpaste with anti-plaque properties, an anti-inflammatory skin lotion with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and deodorant properties, and an anti-toxin skin lotion with anti-arsenicosis properties.
US09226879B2
The invention relates to a composition for dyeing human keratin fibers such as the hair, in foam form, comprising at least one alkaline agent, at least one oxidizing agent, at least one oxidation dye precursor and at least one nonionic surfactant of formula (I) R—0—(CH2—CH2—0)n—H (I) in which R represents a linear or branched C10-C18 alkyl or alkenyl radical, n represents a number ranging from 10 to 15. The invention also relates to a process for dyeing human keratin fibers using this composition. A subject of the invention is also a device for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising the composition of the invention in liquid form and a foam dispenser for delivering the composition in the form of a foam.
US09226874B2
Disclosed are methods for marking a pharmaceutical product, container or pharmaceutical packaging system with a scent to establish the identity and/or source of the pharmaceutical.
US09226871B2
A handheld device for providing sexual stimulation includes a plurality of paddles contained by an attachment which can be mounted on a shaft driven by a motor of the device. Different attachments may have different numbers of paddles, and the paddles may be placed differently on different attachments or may have different shapes, among other variations in the paddles. The device is battery-operated, and a charging connection through the device housing is offered through a septum, providing a water-resistant enclosure.
US09226860B2
Disposable absorbent article comprising an interior design signal indicating absorbency and an absorbent core including first and second absorbent layers, the first absorbent layer including a first substrate and the second absorbent layer including a second substrate, the first and second absorbent layers further including absorbent particulate polymer material deposited on the first and second substrates and thermoplastic material covering the absorbent particulate polymer material on the respective first and second substrates, the first and second absorbent layers combined together such that at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the second absorbent layer, the absorbent particulate polymer material is disposed between the first and second substrates in an absorbent particulate polymer material area, and the absorbent particulate polymer material is substantially continuously distributed across the absorbent particulate polymer material area.
US09226848B2
A percutaneous ostomy implant for implantation into the abdominal wall of a patient. The implant has a cylindrical part for mounting an external detachable device thereto, an ingrowth mesh and a circular flange for anchoring the implant. The cylindrical part and circular flange are attached to opposite ends of the ingrowth mesh. The ingrowth mesh is arranged such that when the implant is implanted in the abdominal wall of a patient, the epidermis meets the ingrowth mesh and is able to attach therethrough directly to serosal tissue of a bowel segment inside the implant.
US09226841B1
A splint includes a first substantially flexible member having an inner surface and an outer surface. A second substantially flexible member has an inner surface and an outer surface, and is hingedly attached to the first substantially flexible member. An attachment strap is slidably attached to the outer surface of the first or the second substantially flexible member, and is configured for longitudinal movement relative to the first and second substantially flexible members. A substantially rigid slat is removably mounted relative to at least one of the first and second substantially flexible members.
US09226831B2
An intervertebral spacer for therapeutic treatment of a patient includes at least one link sized and dimensioned to fit within an intervertebral space in the patient, and is configured to maintain a separation of two adjacent vertebrae for a period of time. A rigid guiding object, which may be a tool or a successive link, is insertable into the patient, to guide other links into the patient using an MIS approach. A pivot is connected between successive links, or between a guide tool and a link, configured to limit a relative range of angular orientation between the link and the guiding tool, or successive links. Multiple links are so joined to form a chain pushable by the last link, and pullable by the first link, to form a chain which may be formed into a curved configuration corresponding to the patient's intervertebral space.
US09226824B2
A system for stabilizing the heart via a helical needle, providing access to the interior of the heart via an introducer sheath, and forming a purse string suture using suture delivered by the helical needle. A helical needle projects distally from the device and terminates in a sharp distal tip. The helical needle is advanced into the heart wall, and is used to stabilize the heart and to pass a purse string suture through the heart tissue. An access port provides access to the interior of the heart via an opening passing through the heart wall in an area circumscribed by the helical needle. The helical needle may have a deflection segment adjacent the distal tip that is more flexible than the rest of the helical distal portion of the helical needle.
US09226817B2
Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone while maintaining suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture.
US09226812B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a biliary stent making it possible to sufficiently exhibit a valve function while reducing the entire length of the biliary stent as compared to conventional ones. The present invention is a biliary stent (1) including a stent body (10), a tubular membrane (30) on one end of the stent body (10) and having a bile outflow port (34), and two support members (40, 50) which at one end (42, 52) are connected to the one end of the stent body (10) and at the other end (44, 54) are connected to the vicinity of the bile outflow port (34).
US09226811B2
A hernia repair system includes a surgical patch, a dispenser, and a plurality of sutures. The surgical patch is movable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The dispenser includes a housing and a plunger. The housing defines a lumen. The plunger is movably secured within the lumen. The housing is configured to releasably retain the surgical patch within the lumen in the contracted orientation of the surgical patch. The plunger is configured to expel the surgical patch from the housing upon the selective actuation of the plunger from a first position to a second position. The surgical patch is autonomously positionable in the expanded orientation upon being expelled from the lumen. The plurality of sutures are configured to securely mount the surgical patch to a tissue site when the surgical patch is positioned in the expanded orientation.
US09226806B2
Herein are provided methods, systems, computer-readable media, techniques and processes for occlusion estimation in dental prosthesis design. These include determining a first contact point between antagonist teeth, then simulating motion in order to determine additional contact points. Various of the determined contact points may not be used in the simulated motion, based on the simulated physics. When one or more predetermined stopping criteria have been met, then the contact points may be used to define the relative occlusal positions of antagonists. In some embodiments, sets of teeth in a bridge or crown, e.g., may be simulated as moving separately and a new state for each set of teeth may be determined.
US09226802B2
An instrument for cleaning canals during endodontic procedures is presented. The instrument is formed in one piece from a stiff polymeric material. The instrument features a handle, a measuring shaft, and a tapering shank with raised polymeric projections along its length. The present invention is designed without the use of bristles that conventional brushes contain. The raised polymeric projections include fins that may be oriented parallel to or transverse to the axis of the instrument to provide multidirectional cleaning capability. The instrument is stiff enough to penetrate a canal and mechanically scrub and scrape canal surfaces, but flexible enough to negotiate the curves of the canal.
US09226800B2
A surgical instrument can include a body, a tracking device, and a handle. The body can include proximal and distal ends, and a flow passage extending therebetween. The body can be formed from a malleable material such that it can be bent between the proximal and distal ends from a first configuration to a second bent configuration and maintain the bent configuration. The tracking device can be positioned adjacent the distal end for tracking a distal tip of the instrument. The handle can be coupled to the proximal end of the body and can include an internal flow passage in fluid communication with the body flow passage. The tracking device can include a pair of lead wires wound around the body to the handle, where the wound wires can conform to the bent configuration of the body such that they do not strain or break during bending of the body.
US09226795B2
A robot structure, in particular for minimally invasive surgery, is provided with a first robot element and a second robot element that can be moved relative to the first robot element, said second robot element having two grasping and/or cutting elements which can be uniformly moved with respect to each other and which are connected to the first robot element via a hinge axis. The robot structure further has a force transmitting device for moving the grasping and/or cutting elements of the movable robot element and at least one sensor element comprising a sensitive end for receiving forces and/or torques that occur on the movable robot element and includes a base element that is fixed to the first robot element.
US09226779B2
A dynamic spinal stabilization device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The dynamic spinal stabilization device includes two or more screw assemblies, each of which include a pedicle screw and a head socket containing a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.
US09226778B2
A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra and a head, a connection element for connecting at least two anchoring elements, a receiving part having a first end receiving the head, wherein the head is pivotable in the receiving part, and a second end comprising a recess for receiving the connection element, a first pressure element which exerts pressure on the head to lock the head in the receiving part, and a second pressure element which exerts pressure on the connection element to press the connection element against the first pressure element. The contour of the surface of at least the first pressure element or the second pressure element facing the connection element deviates from the contour of the surface of the connection element.
US09226773B2
There are disclosed devices and methods for protecting a user from a sharp tip of a medical needle. In an embodiment, a device includes a central body portion, a medical needle having a sharp tip, a pair of wings in attachment to the central body portion, and a mechanical fastener disposed on at least one of the wings, the mechanical fastener configured to selectively attach the wings together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle. In another embodiment, a method includes withdrawing a sharp tip of a medical needle from a patient, closing a pair of wings with the medical needle positioned between the wings, and fastening the wings together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle.
US09226768B2
A cutting balloon catheter including a balloon mounted on a distal portion of a catheter shaft. The balloon includes a cutting member mounted on an exterior surface of the balloon which includes one or more features for providing the cutting member with enhanced flexibility for navigating tortuous anatomy and more closely conforms to the expansion characteristics of the balloon to which the cutting member is mounted.
US09226766B2
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a circuit configured to transmit a signal as a serial protocol over a pair of electrical conductors. The serial protocol is defined as a series of pulses distributed over at least one transmission frame. At least one pulse in the transmission frame is simultaneously encoded by modulating an amplitude of the pulse to represent one of two first logic states and modulating a width of the pulse to represent one of two second logic states. An instrument and a generator also are disclosed.
US09226764B2
Surgical curettes or rakes with cutting edges conform or deflect to allow for contouring that follows the bony anatomy. The cutting tips can be pre-sterile, disposable and made from flexible materials including metals and polymers. The disposable tips ensure that a sharp cutting edge is exposed to the endplate for each procedure. The tips can also be adjusted to change the size of the cutting surface and window for retaining shaved disc material. The tips can pivot to provide for a self adjusting angle that allows the cutting edge to have full contact with the endplate at various angles like the pivot on a disposable razor blade.
US09226757B2
Improved spinal instruments are provided. In particular, the present application relates to an improved rongeur that allows for multiple bites of bone to be performed in a patient before removing the rongeur from the patient. The rongeur includes a lower shaft and an upper shaft slidable relative to the lower shaft. The lower shaft and upper shaft form a jaw mechanism that can take multiple bites of bone, which can be deposited in a storage cavity formed in the upper shaft. To assist in removing the bone from within the storage cavity, an internal plunger mechanism can be provided that is actuated by a finger hold. In addition, at least portions of the upper shaft are detachable from the lower shaft such that the upper shaft can be thoroughly cleaned and re-used if desired.
US09226751B2
A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.
US09226744B2
One embodiment of the present invention includes a surgical instrument including an instrument body including a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a length therebetween; and a bushing having a length, wherein at least a portion of the length of the bushing includes a spring portion including a resilient member, wherein the bushing is cannulated such that the shaft of the instrument is positioned therethrough.
US09226734B2
Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of a biopsy device using relative rotational motion to obtain a full-core biopsy sample. Inner and outer tubular members are provided connected to a handle. Each member includes a slit, and the members are rotatable with respect to each other. The device is inserted into a patient to a sampling site, and with the slits co-oriented, is extended into the sampling site. Tissue enters the tubular members through the slits, and one or both members are rotated to cut off and enclose tissue within the inner tubular member.
US09226731B2
The present invention includes an apparatus, system and method for detection of tissues, e.g., a cancer, by optical biopsy comprising: a motorized computer-controlled probe holder; a needle-like probe connected to and controlled by the motorized computer-controlled probe holder, the probe comprising an optical and an ultrasound detector; and one or more detector units capable of a broadband light reflectance spectroscopy, an auto fluorescence lifetime measurement, and auto fluorescence spectroscopy measurement.
US09226728B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates volume data by performing three-dimensional scan of a three-dimensional region with an ultrasonic wave. An input unit sets or changes at least one of a plurality of correlated scan conditions for the three-dimensional scan. A determination unit determines the other scan conditions of the plurality of scan conditions on the basis of at least one scan condition that is set or changed. A display unit displays at least one of the set or changed scan condition and the determined scan conditions.
US09226717B2
A helmet-type PET device includes a helmet portion (hemispherical detector) and an added portion (jaw portion detector, an ear portion detector, or a neck portion detector). The helmet portion includes a PET detector so as to cover a parietal region of an examination target. The added portion is positioned to dispose a PET detector at a part other than the parietal region of the examination target. PET measurement is performed using both an output from the PET detector at the helmet portion and an output from the PET detector at the added portion.
US09226713B2
A method executed by a computer includes applying a correction to an acceleration value of an object at an interval; calculating an initial speed of the object by assigning the corrected acceleration value in a period to a third relational expression that is obtained by transforming a first relational expression and a second relational expression so as to obtain an initial speed from the acceleration in the period and the interval, where the first relational expression is to obtain an object position from acceleration and an initial speed, and the second relational expression represents force applied to the object due to fluctuation of the center of gravity of the object as a motion equation of a spring model; and calculating coordinate values over a horizontal plane that indicates a center of gravity of the object by assigning the corrected acceleration value and the initial speed to the first relational expression.
US09226709B2
An ICE message system and method having a medical system for use with a patient, the medical system including a personal medical device attached to the patient and a display operably connected to the personal medical device. The personal medical device includes a monitor operable to detect an emergency condition at the personal medical device, and a processor operably connected to the monitor and operable to select an ICE message in response to the emergency condition. The display is operable to display the ICE message, which includes emergency contact information.
US09226708B2
A method of controlling a medical diagnostic system using a contrast medium is provided. The method includes injecting the contrast medium into a subject; obtaining an appearance image of the subject via a first camera; obtaining a temperature distribution image of the subject via a second camera; displaying a fusion image which combines the appearance image of the subject and the temperature distribution image of the subject on a screen; determining whether a side effect of the contrast medium has occurred in the subject, based on the fusion image; and selectively controlling the medical diagnostic system depending on a result of the determining.
US09226702B2
Data transmissions between medical devices are governed by various communication protocols. For example, blood glucose measures may be retrieved wirelessly from a continuous glucose monitor in accordance with the ANT wireless communication protocol. Smaller data packets are preferably transferred in a standard data transfer mode which is optimized for speed and power management; whereas, larger data packets are transferred in a file sharing mode. Techniques are presented to address recovering data lost during the standard data transfer mode in an efficient manner and preferably without the use of the file sharing mode.
US09226695B2
An apparatus for performing volume measurement of a person, animal or object, and methods of making and using the same are described. The apparatus includes first and second chambers in gaseous communication, first and second pressure sensors that measure the air pressure inside the first and second chambers, a pump configured to move air from or to the first and/or second chambers, and a control system connected to the first and second pressure sensors and the pump. The first and second chambers have a volume that is substantially constant when the internal pressure changes. The control system stores values from the first and second pressure sensors, controls air movement to and/or from the first and second chambers, blocks air transfer between the first and second chambers, and determines the volume of the person, animal or object from pressure measurements before and after an air transfer between the first and second chambers.
US09226684B2
A method for recording magnetic resonance image data of a patient ventilated by means of a ventilation apparatus is provided. The method includes assigning influencing information describing the effect of a respiratory movement on the image data recording to pulse sequence information, determining a magnetic resonance protocol for actuating a magnetic resonance device and a ventilation protocol for actuating the ventilation apparatus, and coordinating with one another in time, taking into account the pulse sequence information together with the influencing information, an imaging objective and a ventilation requirement, and actuating the magnetic resonance device and the ventilation apparatus in a time-coordinated manner on the basis of the magnetic resonance protocol and the ventilation protocol.
US09226678B1
An apparatus for measuring a health condition and connectable to existing medical devices may include a cable. The cable may include a plurality of conductors enclosed within an exterior covering and may include a plurality of mating devices, the plurality of mating devices located along a length of the cable. Each mating device may be coupled to a conductor of the cable. Cable apparatus may further include a connector device, the connector device coupled to an end of the cable and configured to couple the cable with the recording/monitoring device by coupling with an existing set of leads associated with the recording/monitoring device. Connector device may allow quick attachment of the cable, detachment of the cable and otherwise extend functionality of the cable.
US09226676B2
Disclosed herein methods, devices, and systems for detecting and diagnosing a diabetic disease or disorder in a subject from a prime electrocardiogram which comprises calculating at least one distribution function of the prime electrocardiogram and determining whether the distribution function is indicative of the presence of absence of the diabetic disease or disorder.
US09226672B2
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
US09226662B2
In a photoacoustic apparatus, a light source irradiates an inspection target with pulsed light; a detector detects acoustic waves generated in the inspection target due to interaction of the pulsed light with the inspection target, and outputs detection signals corresponding to the detected acoustic waves; a light-quantity measurement unit measures the quantity of the light output from the light source; and a signal processor obtains information on an inside of the inspection target by using the detection signals output from the detector. The signal processor also corrects intensities of the detection signals so as to suppress variations in intensities of the detection signals caused by a temporal change in the quantity of the light.
US09226656B2
A real-time ophthalmoscope system for imaging an eye includes a wide field scanning light ophthalmoscope (SLO) configured for wide field imaging of the eye. The system also includes a small field SLO configured for high resolution imaging of the eye. A 2D tracking minor electrically coupled to a computer, and a 2D steering minor electrically coupled to the computer, are both disposed in an optical path between the small field SLO and the eye. The system is configured to acquire a plurality of small field images at a plurality of locations on the eye as defined by the 2D steering minor, each of the small field images is stabilized for a motion of the eye by the 2D tracking minor. A method for imaging of the eye is also described.
US09226649B2
Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising a flexible elongate member including a longitudinal axis and a tool connected to the elongate member at a pivot axis, wherein the tool may be configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid, and wherein the tool may be configured to pivot towards either side of the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate member at the pivot axis.
US09226648B2
Off-axis visualization systems are described herein which facilitate the deployment, visualization, and retraction of an imaging element from a catheter. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration as well as an imaging element, such as a CCD or CMOS imager, which may be deployed from a low profile configuration into a position which is off-axis relative to a longitudinal axis of the deployment catheter and/or imaging hood.
US09226636B2
A scraper hand tool with a retractable scraper blade, allowing the scraper blade to be moved in and out of a protected position, by including springs, which provide the force required for automatically moving the scraper blade from the extended to the retracted position.
US09226629B2
A multilayered premoistened cleaning wipe having: a liquid permeable first layer joined to a liquid permeable second layer and a core disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A cleaning composition is releasably absorbed in the core. The cleaning composition has between about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of surfactant. The wipe has a first colored region and a second colored region.
US09226621B1
The disclosed technology is a sink splash guard that easily attaches and detaches to a sink to prevent water from splashing onto a person washing hands or utensils in the sink. The panel of the sink splash guard is made of a flexible plastic so that it folds over itself and includes means to attach to itself, such that the user has the option to fold the splash guard out of the way or remove it, when it is not needed.
US09226615B2
An igniter for solid cooking fuels includes a heat chamber and a heat gun manifold. The heat gun manifold includes a manifold flange with a first hole, the manifold flange attached to a bottom of the heat chamber, and a manifold tube received within the first hole. A top of the manifold tube received at least partially within the heat chamber. A heat gun may be removably coupled to a bottom of the manifold tube with the heat gun in fluid communication with the heat chamber. An upper handle may be attached to an outer surface of the heat chamber with a heat shield between the upper handle and the heat chamber.
US09226613B2
The present invention relates to a gas barbeque comprising: a cooking tank or pit; a burner (20) contained in the tank and including a set of openings for ejecting gas to be burned; and a cooking grill (21) that is placed through an opening located above the tank. Said gas barbeque is characterized in that the cooking grill (21) comprises solid portions. The gas ejection openings are placed underneath the solid portions of the grill and are oriented upward toward the solid portions of the cooking grill (21), and the distance between the gas ejection openings of the burner (20) and the cooking grill (21) is between 10 mm and 35 mm.
US09226608B2
A garlic press includes a ratchet body pivotally connected to a main body and biased away from the main body. A pusher is coupled to a ratchet rack, with a pawl engaging the ratchet rack to incrementally urge the pusher downward through the ratchet body and toward a grid of blades. A slicing blade attached to the main body slices bits of garlic pushed through the grid of blades.
US09226596B2
An infant holding device, including an infant holding portion, including a ductile sheet covered with infant-compatible material and a stand portion, adapted to support the infant holding portion in a vertically diagonal position, so that the infant holding portion thereby has a top and a bottom. In one preferred embodiment the ductile sheet is made of aluminum. In an additional preferred embodiment the infant holding portion is separable from the stand portion.
US09226595B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of child containment devices, and specifically to a child containment device including a mechanism for holding a mattress in place on the floor of the containment device. According to an example embodiment, the invention comprises a side wall enclosure formed from one or more sidewall panels and a floor panel coupled to the sidewall enclosure to define a receptacle for receiving an infant or child. The invention further includes a mattress for placement upon the floor panel. A mattress retaining mechanism is coupled to the sidewall enclosure and is configured to hold the mattress in place against the floor panel, such that horizontal and vertical movement of mattress is considerably reduced or eliminated.
US09226594B2
An easy-access over-the-bed bassinet especially useful in hospitals for new mothers that has a barrier to prevent the infant from rolling off a sleeping platform, wherein one wall may be lowered to permit a mother to reach in and cradle the infant. The convertible wall has a restoring mechanism to move it back to its original barrier position upon removal of the weight of the mother's arms. The convertible wall may translate vertically into a frame, or pivot about a bottom edge, or pivot or roll underneath the sleeping platform. The bassinet may include a strap that maintains contact of the mother against the bassinet while breast feeding the baby in the bassinet. The entire sleeping platform may tilt about a horizontal axis, and may rotate about a vertical axis for ease of positioning relative to the mother. The bassinets are mounted on sturdy frames that permit over-the-bed positioning.
US09226585B1
Infant rails for a couch is constructed of a base member attached via a hinge to a vertical member. The base member is configured to be supported between a seat cushion and a seat base of a sofa or couch. The vertical member is oriented vertically to form a barrier, which prevents a baby from falling off of said sofa or couch. The vertical member and the base member are each constructed of a plurality of slats that are parallel with one another, and which are equally spaced apart from one another.
US09226583B1
A furniture device has removable arm sections to facilitate transport of the furniture through tight spaces. The device includes a base having an upper surface configured for supporting a person thereon. A back extends upwardly from the base. Each of a plurality of loops is coupled to an associated side face of the base. Each of a plurality of projections is coupled to and extends from an associated arm section. Each projection is insertable through an associated one of the loops wherein each arm section is removably couplable to the base by seating each projection in the associated loop.
US09226579B2
A modular desk system may include, a plurality of configurable components including a top panel, an all-purpose hook, a cup hook, a storage shelf, a connecting shelf, a connecting planter box, a connecting divider, a connecting platform, a desktop organization member, a channel, a kickstand base, a support frame, and methods of forming configuration assemblies from such components. The configuration assemblies of the modular desk system may be paired with and coupled to other desk units and/or furniture.
US09226577B2
A modular storage system for an interior compartment of a safe and method for storing guns comprises standardized parts for easy construction and assembly, flexible arrangement and configurations, and use in a wide variety of safes. The interior compartment of the safe is configured to have a back wall and two side walls defining an interior width of the safe. The system comprises a plurality of shelves each having a standardized shelf width. The interior width of the safe is a whole number multiple of the standardized shelf width. A gun storage bay is provided with an exterior bay width equal to the standardized shelf width. The plurality of shelves and the gun storage bay are removably mounted on the back wall.
US09226575B2
A modular stand system is adjustable in the transverse direction and height and is adapted for HVAC system components that need to be elevated above a support surface. In certain embodiments, the modular stand systems herein are advantageously used to support HVAC variable refrigerant flow (VRF) units.
US09226574B1
A foldable multi-shelf stand includes two frame structures, a plurality of foldable storage shelves located in a pivotal manner between the two frame structures, a plurality of fixation mechanisms for controlling the folding of the corresponding storage shelves and at least one supportive member. Each the frame structure has a plurality of vertical columns and a plurality of horizontal beams connected with the respective vertical columns. The storage shelf is separated to two foldable halves and consisted of a plurality of foldable first-directional horizontal members. The fixation mechanism mates the corresponding plug hole structure at the respective half of the storage shelf so as to perform the folding control of the corresponding storage shelf. The supportive member located to a respective connection place of the first-directional horizontal member and the frame structure is to support the unfolded first-directional horizontal member at the respective vertical columns.
US09226569B2
A radial brush includes a disk-shaped central body and a plurality of bristles which extend away from the central body in the radial direction. The brush is embodied in such a way that, in a region adjacent to the central body in the radial direction, bristles arranged next to one another have a dividable connection to one another over a radially extending portion.
US09226563B2
A cosmetic application tool and container system and method for use by both professional makeup artists and individuals and facilitates the preparation of preparing custom cosmetic colors and blends and then preserving samples of such custom blends, including a palette and a storage receptacle incorporating an alignment system for automatically aligning the components of the system in a compact storage arrangement.
US09226561B2
An applicator bottle design which allows significantly less fluid to be wasted than previous designs. The design includes a reservoir or indentation for the applicator while the top of the bottle is screwed on. When the bottle is unscrewed, or in use, the applicator can reach more fluid in the bottle so that less fluid is wasted than with conventional applicator bottles.
US09226560B1
A hair styling device or curler used to shape hair by capturing a tress of hair inside a continuous channel of the curler created by a wrapping element spirally wrapped around a central core element. The continuous channel captures the hair so it is self-holding and does not require additional clips or fixation elements to hold the curler in place. The curler may contain two elements or one element. The curler may be wrapped in either direction to accommodate styling both sides of the head and may be modularly connected to another curler to customize the length of the curler. The curler may be heated by a variety of means or may be left at room temperature for air drying. The curler may contain a blow dryer element, sensors or other smart technology to start or stop any function of the styling system.
US09226559B1
A front cover for a portable electronic device, such as a tablet computer, includes a plurality of panel sections and a plurality of hinges formed in the front cover. Each panel section is separated from another by a hinge. This front cover can be folded along the hinges to act as stand for the portable electronic device. This stand can support the device in various working and viewing angles, for both portrait and landscape orientations.
US09226556B1
A foot base for assistive device includes a base body having a receiving space, a top opening and multiple foot pads; a flexible sleeve disposed in the receiving space to protrude from the base body; a support rod having a lower end received in the receiving space and provided with a stop plate, and an upper end extended through the flexible sleeve for joining with an assistive device; and a spring received in the receiving space and fitted around the flexible sleeve with two ends pressed against the stop plate and an edge of the opening. With the flexible sleeve and the spring, the support rod can conically swing relative to a centerline of the foot base, allowing the assistive device to swing forward and backward when a user shifts body gravity center during walking. The foot pads enable the foot base to provide anti-skidding, buffering and shock-absorbing effects.
US09226555B1
A cane structure includes a handle, an electrical components set, a stick, a sleeve, a cap button, a compression spring, and a biasing post. The handle defines a receiving chamber and an inner chamber. Multiple protrusions are formed on the surrounding wall of the inner chamber. The electrical components set is removably mounted in the receiving chamber. The stick is attached to the bottom portion of the handle and conceals the inner chamber. The sleeve is fixedly disposed in the inner chamber of the handle, wherein the sleeve defines multiple through holes for being inserted with the protrusions. Also, the sleeve abuts a step in the inner chamber. The cap button and the compression spring are fitted in the sleeve. The biasing post is fitted into the sleeve and urged against the compression spring, so that the cap button can enter the receiving chamber to engage the electrical components set.
US09226541B2
A healthcare footwear article includes an upper shoe body and a sole member provided underneath the upper shoe body and is connected with the upper shoe body to form an integral body. The upper shoe body and the sole member is configured from a material consisting of approximately 70% to approximately 80% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.
US09226540B2
A knitted component for an article of footwear having a vertically inlaid tensile element is described. The vertically inlaid tensile element extends along a direction that is vertical or at an angle to the direction of the knitting process of the knitted component. A method of knitting the knitted component includes placing a quantity of a tensile element into an auxiliary element of the knitted component and vertically inlaying a tensile element by using needles of a knitting machine to hold the tensile element by loops while the remaining portion of the knitted component is formed. As the knitted component is formed along a horizontal direction on the needles of the knitting machine, the tensile element spools out from within the auxiliary element to form the vertically inlaid tensile element.
US09226538B2
A visor configured for engagement to a riding helmet for horseback riders in an as-used position. The visor has an extra long frontal bill which extends around the helmet to side portions. The bill protects the eyes and most of the rider's face from sun and the sides protect the ears and side of the face. An elastic band provides a biased engagement to a helmet and optional vent apertures and retainment clips are employable to hold the device to a helmet more securely in high wind.
US09226531B2
A garment configured to be worn on the upper body of a human. The garment includes a torso portion and a sleeve extending from the torso portion. The sleeve includes a shoulder end coupled to the torso portion, a wrist end opposite the shoulder end, a forearm portion closer to the wrist end than the shoulder end, and an upper arm portion closer to the shoulder end than the wrist end. The garment further includes a first volume reduction arrangement provided on the forearm portion of the sleeve. The first volume reduction arrangement includes a strap and a strap adjustment member. A first portion of the strap is coupled to the forearm portion, a second portion of the strap engages the strap adjustment member, and the strap adjustment member is coupled to the forearm portion. The garment may also comprise a second volume reduction arrangement provided on the torso portion.
US09226526B2
An electronic cigarette atomizing device is provided. An atomizer thereof has an atomizing rod and an electric heating filament wrapped around the atomizing rod, the atomizing rod is made of a non-glass fiber material, and includes a base and at least two wrapping bars spaced apart from each other and axially disposed on outer sides of the base. The atomizing rod axially defines an air guiding hole through the base and connected between the at least two wrapping bars for communicating with an inhaling air path. The atomizing rod is made of the non-glass fiber material, an electric heating filament directly abutted against a liquid storing portion which efficiently prevents people from inhaling harmful glass fiber particles.
US09226523B2
A method and means is provided for extending the shelf life of a food product by successively subjecting the food product to UV germicidal irradiation and an ozone/water or ozone/air treatment. The UV unit and the ozone unit may be reversed so that the food product is first treated with the ozone and then subjected to the UV germicidal irradiation treatment.
US09226510B2
Dough with a high sucrose content (such as cake dough) tends to inhibit the activity of an anti-staling amylase such as Novamyl, making it less effective to prevent the staling of dough-based products with high sucrose content such as cakes. A good anti-staling effect in cakes can be achieved by using a carefully selected anti-staling amylase with certain properties.Analysis of a 3D structure of Novamyl shows that sucrose may inhibit by binding in the active site. Sucrose docks into the active site of Novamyl differently from the substrate or inhibitor in published models 1QHO and 1QHP. This finding is used to design sucrose-tolerant variants.
US09226507B2
The current invention provides a kit of parts for producing an emulsifiable pesticide solution comprising: (a) a water miscible organic solvent selected from the list of a glycol ether, a glycerol formal, dimethylsulfoxide, gamma-butyrolactone or mixtures thereof, (b) an alkoxylated alcohol with an average of 6 to 80 moles of ethylene oxide and 2 to 60 moles of propylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and (c) a pesticidal active ingredient. The invention further provides a composition for producing an emulsifiable pesticide solution, a method for producing such a composition and a method for treating an agricultural crop. In addition the invention provides some advantageous pesticidal compositions.
US09226488B2
The invention describes an insect trap and monitor for trapping and monitoring crawling insects such as bed bugs. The trap comprises two planar elements of substantially the same size, each with flat outer surface and an inner surface provided with a plurality of recessed areas. The opposed recessed areas align to form at least one passageway and a plurality of trapping compartments, with the passageway open at least at one end to provide an entrance to the trap.The trapping compartment are provided with adhesive means such as a non-drying, non-toxic adhesive.The insect trap and monitor further comprises monitoring means for exposing the trapping compartments, such as a tear-off flap allowing for inspection of the interior of the trap before it is disposed.
US09226487B2
A gear attachment structure receives rotation of a handle assembly. The gear attachment structure includes a traverse cam shaft and a driven gear. The traverse cam shaft includes a shaft body, a gear support portion and a gear engaging portion. The gear support portion includes intersecting helical grooves on the outer peripheral surface. The gear support portion is disposed on an end of the shaft body and has a circular cross-section. The gear engaging portion includes a pair of circular-arc portions and a pair of straight portions. The circular-arc portions are opposed to each other while being either disposed along and within the outer periphery of the gear support portion or disposed radial outwards of the gear support portion. One of the straight portions is coupled to one ends of the circular-arc portions whereas the other of the straight portions is coupled to the other ends of the circular-arc portions.
US09226484B2
Genetically modified mice are provided that express human λ variable (hVλ) sequences, including mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse λ light chain locus, mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse κ light chain locus, and mice that express hVλ sequences from a transgene or an episome wherein the hVλ sequence is linked to a mouse constant sequence. Mice are provided that are a source of somatically mutated human λ variable sequences useful for making antigen-binding proteins. Compositions and methods for making antigen-binding proteins that comprise human λ variable sequences, including human antibodies, are provided.
US09226480B2
A pet chew toy comprising a blend containing a polyamide terpolymer and a diene elastomer, wherein the diene elastomer is crosslinked and the polyamide terpolymer has a Tm in the range of 120° C. to 250° C.
US09226477B2
Enhanced methods and systems for human-pet communication are described. Example embodiments provide an Internet Canine Communication System (“ICCS”). The ICCS facilitates remote communication and interaction with between a dog and its owner, caretaker, trainer, family member, or the like. The ICCS may include a base station or similar device that is configured to deliver treats to a dog and to transmit audio/visual communication between the dog and a remote client device operated by a human user. The ICCS may also facilitate training the dog to utilize the ICCS to communicate with the user, such as by answering calls from or initiating calls to the remote client device of the user.
US09226471B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH572578. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH572578, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH572578 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 CH572578.
US09226470B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH863845. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH863845, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH863845 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 CH863845.
US09226467B1
A novel maize variety designated X00D894 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X00D894 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00D894 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00D894, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00D894. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00D894.
US09226459B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety BY0912928 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety BY0912928 and its progeny, and methods of making BY0912928.
US09226456B2
Methods and apparatus for vertical hanging plant container according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a container comprising a moisture impermeable reservoir and an air and moisture permeable zone. The reservoir may be disposed along a bottom section of the container to serve as a moisture storage region allowing moisture to be wicked upwards by the soil in the container. The air and moisture permeable zone may be located above the reservoir in at least one sidewall of the container and allow for the transfer of air and moisture between the soil and an exterior environment surrounding the container.
US09226449B2
The automatic adjustment of a combine harvester (10) includes providing an electronic map with characteristics of the field (304), determining a work parameter of the combine harvester (10) by using information provided by the electronic map; and adjusting an actuator (36, 38, 42, 84, 48, 50) of the combine harvester (10) with the aid of the determined work parameter.
US09226445B2
A lawn waste collection system is designed to be removably coupled to a side-discharge, riding lawn mower in order to assist in the collection of leaves, The collection system includes an oversized collection bag for retaining a large quantity of lawn waste, an adapter kit for connecting the collection bag to the mower, and a shield coupled to the mower for supporting and protecting the collection bag. The adapter kit includes a multi-sectioned chute, which establishes a discharge communication path between the mower and the collection bag, and a frame for retaining the chute, collection bag, and shield. As a feature of the invention, the chute includes a primary section comprising a flexible outer layer, which universally connects to a wide variety of mower blade decks over the discharge exit port, and an initially planar, rigid inner layer affixed to the outer layer to provide structural reinforcement,
US09226440B2
An agricultural row unit includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame, and a linkage assembly pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the linkage assembly relative to the attachment frame. The row unit further includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the linkage assembly for urging the linkage assembly downwardly toward the soil, and a hose connection manifold mounted adjacent to the hydraulic actuator for circulating hydraulic fluid between a hydraulic source and the hydraulic actuator. The hose connection manifold has a modular port for accepting, one at a time, a removable control valve and a port plug.
US09226439B2
A front loader arrangement (12) with a mounting frame (16) and mounting mast (18) is proposed, wherein the mounting mast (18) can be coupled to the mounting frame (16) and can be decoupled therefrom. Furthermore, a loader arm (20) is connected to the mounting mast (18) for being pivoted vertically by a hydraulic cylinder (24) extending between the loader arm (20) and the mounting mast (18). In order to facilitate coupling of the mounting mast (18) to the mounting frame (16), it is proposed that a hydraulic system (85) be coupled to the hydraulic cylinder working chamber(s) (90, 96) and include adjusting means by which the hydraulic cylinder (24) can be brought into a floating position when the hydraulic fluid supply is decoupled from the hydraulic system (85).
US09232684B2
A power converter includes: a plurality of heat generators, at least some of which are arranged within a wind tunnel portion; and a housing for enclosing the wind tunnel portion through which a cooling air flows. The wind tunnel portion includes a first and second duct each having a cooling air inlet and outlet port, a cooling air flow path, and a blower fan. Further, the cooling air flow paths overlap with each other in a parallel arrangement relationship; the cooling air inlet ports of the first duct and the second duct, and the cooling air outlet ports of the first duct and the second duct are arranged adjacent to each other; and the heat generators divisionally arranged within the first duct and the second duct.
US09232674B2
A cover structure for an electronic device comprises a protective cover and a touch element. The protective cover is connected with the electronic device, and the protective cover is capable of being rotated with respect to the electronic device to a front side or a rear side of the electronic device. The touch element is disposed at the protective cover and can be exerted by an external force to touch the electronic device and activate corresponding functions of the electronic device.
US09232667B2
A display device includes a casing, a frame, a backlight module, at least one cable, and a display panel. The casing has a display opening. The frame is disposed in an inner edge of the display opening, wherein the frame has at least a cable management groove and a support surface. The backlight module is disposed on the frame. The cable is disposed in the cable management groove. The display panel is disposed on the frame and located in the display opening, wherein an edge portion of the display panel is located on the support surface, and the support surface supports the edge portion of the display panel. A part of the cable management groove is located under the display panel and at least partially overlapped with the edge portion.
US09232656B2
A wiring board includes a substrate having an opening portion, multiple electronic devices positioned in the opening portion such that the electronic devices are arrayed in the lateral direction of each of the electronic devices, and an insulation layer formed on the substrate such that the insulation layer covers the electronic devices in the opening portion of the substrate. The substrate has a wall surface defining the opening portion and formed such that the opening portion is partially partitioned and the electronic devices are kept from making contact with each other.
US09232644B2
There is provided a wiring substrate. The wiring substrate includes: a first wiring layer; a first insulating layer on the first wiring layer; a first coupling agent layer on the first insulating layer; a first copper/tin alloy layer on the first coupling agent layer; a first via hole formed through the first copper/tin alloy layer, the first coupling agent layer, and the first insulating layer to reach the first wiring layer; a metal catalyst provided on only a sidewall of the first via hole; a seed layer provided on the metal catalyst and formed only on the sidewall of the first via hole; and a metal plating layer formed on the first copper/tin alloy layer and the seed layer and filled in the first via hole to contact the first wiring layer.
US09232642B2
A wiring substrate includes an insulating layer including a reinforcement member and having a first surface and a second surface positioned on an opposite side of the first surface, an electrode pad exposed from the first surface, a layered body including first insulating layers and being formed on the second surface, the first insulating layers having a first insulating material as a main component, another layered body including second insulating layers and being formed on the layered body, the second insulating layers having a second insulating material as a main component, and another electrode pad exposed from a surface of the another layered body that is opposite to the layered body. The number of the first insulating layers is equal to that of the second insulating layers. The first insulating layers have a thermal expansion coefficient that is greater than that of the second insulating layers.
US09232629B2
Provided is a metal core board which has a preferable function for a vehicle-mountable junction box, specifically, is reduced in size or improved in mounting efficiency. A metal core board for a vehicle-mountable junction box, which is mountable on the vehicle-mountable junction box, wherein a core plate forming an intermediate layer of the metal core board has a plurality of slits and an island surrounded by separating connection parts present between the slits; and in the state where the island is held between insulating layers stacked on both of two surfaces of the core plate, through-bores 46 are formed at the separating connection parts to remove the separating connection parts and the island is made electrically independent from a remaining part of the core plate while being held between the insulating layers. Thus, a plurality of circuits can be formed.
US09232628B2
A system for processing a substrate may include a first chamber operative to define a first plasma and a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, where the second chamber is electrically isolated from the first chamber, and configured to define a second plasma. The system may also include an extraction assembly disposed between the first chamber and second chamber to provide at least plasma isolation between the first plasma and the second plasma, a substrate assembly configured to support the substrate in the second chamber; and a biasing system configured to supply a plurality of first voltage pulses to direct first ions from the first plasma through the second chamber towards the substrate during one time period, and to supply a plurality of second voltage pulses to generate the second plasma and to attract second ions from the second plasma during another time period.
US09232626B2
An apparatus may include a substrate support portion, a plasma generation chamber, electrodes, and a power source. The substrate support portion supports a substrate including an insulating layer and a substrate bulk. The plasma generation chamber may include chamber wall portions, a gas port, and a plasma application aperture and is configured to contain a gas. The plasma application aperture may be covered by a portion of the substrate. Each electrode may protrude into or extend into an interior portion of the plasma generation chamber. The power source may be coupled to a particular electrode, and the power source may be configured to apply a voltage to the particular electrode. Application of the voltage to the particular electrode generates a plasma within the plasma generation chamber, whereby generation of the plasma results in a conductive path through the insulating layer of the substrate between the plasma and the substrate bulk.
US09232616B2
A lighting apparatus includes a light source module and a power supply module. The light source module includes an electrical light source and a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless signal containing information about the light source. The power supply module is connected to the light source module and includes a power supply circuit configured to generate electric power for the light source, a receiver circuit configured to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the transmitter circuit, and a control circuit configured to control the power supply circuit in accordance with the wireless signal received through the receiver circuit.
US09232612B2
A control unit for controlling luminance in a space, the control unit being configured to estimate a trajectory of a target relative to the space, and control the luminance in the space based on the estimated trajectory and on a function rate corresponding to an adaptability of the target eye to changes in luminance.
US09232601B2
The lighting system includes lighting devices and a controller of the lighting devices. The controller includes a display unit and a storage unit which stores area information including target areas in which the lighting devices are arranged, the identification information of the lighting devices, the lighting information regarding different lighting conditions of the lighting devices, and scene setting information regarding a state change pattern for changing a lighting state of one or more lighting devices allotted to each target area. The control unit controls the display unit to display a scene operation screen having pictorial signs each indicating one piece of scene setting information, and selects, if one of the pictorial signs is touched, a corresponding scene setting information represented by the pictorial sign, and controls the display unit to display a state change pattern of each lighting device allotted to the selected piece of scene setting information.
US09232595B2
A backlight driving circuit and a liquid crystal display device are disclosed. The backlight driving circuit is utilized for driving at least one light emitting diode bar and includes a power supply module, a conversion module, a comparison module, and a control module. The power supply module provides a driving current for the light emitting diode bar. The conversion module generates a conversion voltage according to the driving current. The comparison module compares the conversion voltage with a reference voltage. The control module controls whether the power supply module provides the driving current for the light emitting diode bar according to whether the conversion voltage is greater than the reference voltage. The backlight driving circuit and the liquid crystal display device of the present invention can limit the driving current flowing through the light emitting diode bar.
US09232583B2
A flyback boost circuit is disclosed. The flyback boost circuit includes a converter, a switch module, a driving module and an output diode. The converter includes n number of primary coils and one secondary col. The switch module includes n number of switch components. Homonymous ends of the n number of primary coils respectively connect to the n number of switch components. The other end of the n number of primary coils respectively connects to an input voltage. The homonymous ends of the secondary coil connect to a positive end of the output diode, and the other end of the secondary coil is grounded. An output capacitor is connected between a negative end of the output diode and the ground. The driving module respectively provides control signals to n number of switch components such that only one of n number of switch components is sequentially turned on within a time period for which the duty cycle ratio equals to D. A sum of the duty cycle ratio of the n number of switch components is D. Wherein n is an integer larger than or equaling to 2. In addition, the LED backlight driving circuit having the above flyback boost circuit and the liquid crystal device having the LED backlight driving circuit are disclosed.
US09232582B2
A driver circuit of solid state light bulb assemblies including light emitting diodes comprises a first power converter stage converting an input voltage into an intermediate voltage; a second power converter stage converting the intermediate voltage into a drive voltage for the light source; and a controller. The controller comprises a first control unit generating a first control signal for the first power converter stage; a second control unit generating a second control signal for the second power converter stage; and a state control unit determining a target state of the light source; wherein the first and second control units are receiving information indicative of the target state; and wherein the first and second control units are generating the first and second control signals based on the information indicative of the target state.
US09232571B2
A flexible display device includes a flexible display panel, a plurality of supports on a first surface of the flexible display panel, the plurality of supports being spaced apart from each other, and an actuator on the first surface of the flexible display panel, the actuator being between the supports. The actuator includes an electroactive polymer layer, and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer that are respectively arranged on an upper surface and a lower surface of the electroactive polymer layer, and the actuator having a property such that when a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, an area of the electroactive polymer layer is changed.
US09232561B2
A wireless communication device has a plurality of wireless units each configured to cover a different wireless communication range and be capable of receiving data in the corresponding wireless communication range, a status information generator provided corresponding to the wireless unit utilized to receive data among the plurality of wireless units, in order to generate status information concerning the wireless communication range of the wireless unit utilized to receive the data, and a storage configured to store the status information in association with the data.
US09232558B1
A multi-sector antenna system is disclosed that includes two or more flat panel antennas facing different directions and configured to communicate with two separate sites using millimeter wave RF signals. A processing module is communicatively coupled to each of the flat panel antennas. In some embodiments, the processing module may be configured to receive incoming RF signals from a first site via a first flat panel antenna, convert the incoming RF signals to outgoing RF signals, and transmit the outgoing RF signals to a second site via the second flat panel antenna. The flat panel antennas may be configured to transmit and receive RF signals at frequencies in the range of about 57 GHz to 86 GHz. The multi-sector antenna system may be utilized in a mesh network system.
US09232551B2
The invention refers to a radio network entity for transmitting data packets from an IP gateway in a telecommunications network to a user terminal via a plurality of mobile terminations through a single IP connection. The radio network entity comprises: a module for establishing IP connections between the IP gateway and mobile terminations, for activating first and second IP connections and first and second radio connections in response to respective requests from first and second mobile terminations; a packet splitter that applies a splitting algorithm to determine which radio connection is to be used to transmit which data packets, the packet splitter being in communication with a packet combiner in the user terminal; wherein the packet splitter splits the data packets coming only from the first IP connection selected by the user terminal as the only IP connection through which the data packets are received, thereby transmitting data packets over said first and second radio connections for combining at the packet combiner.
US09232548B2
A method for use in a wireless station includes receiving a fast initial link setup discovery (FD) frame from an access point (AP) between instances of a full beacon frame and determining whether to associate with the AP based on the received FD frame. The FD frame includes FD frame contents and a FD frame control field. The FD frame control field includes a service set identifier (SSID) length field, corresponding to a length of a variable length SSID field in the FD frame contents; and any one or more of: a capability presence indicator, an access network options presence indicator, a security presence indicator, an AP configuration change count presence indicator, or an AP next target beacon transmission time presence indicator. Each of the presence indicators is used to indicate whether a corresponding field is present in the FD frame contents.
US09232539B2
A terminal mode of at least a part of terminals in a centralized control area and terminals in a distributed control area is set to a time division control mode for performing communication in a time division manner. The terminals in the centralized control area, the terminal mode of which is other than the time division control mode, are set in a centralized control mode. The terminals, the terminal mode of which is other than the time division control mode, are set in a distributed control mode. The terminals set in the time division control mode perform transmission in a communication period in which communication is permitted. The terminals set in the centralized control mode and the terminals set in the distributed control mode perform communication without depending on the communication period.
US09232533B2
A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a Scheduling Assignment (SA) by a User Equipment (UE) in a communication system in which a base station transmits the SA including at least one Information Element (IE). The method includes receiving the SA; identifying if a first IE included in the received SA is set with a first predetermined value and at least one bit in a second IE included in the received SA is set with a second predetermined value; and performing an action corresponding to a semi-persistent scheduling, if the first IE included in the received SA is set with the first predetermined value and the at least one bit in the second IE included in the received SA is set with the second predetermined value.
US09232530B2
It is described a method for managing a radio transmission between a base station and a user equipment, wherein a communication channel is used for the radio transmission, wherein the communication channel includes a plurality of channel resources and is based on a MIMO transmission scheme. The method includes dividing the plurality of channel resources into a set of channel resource regions, assigning a MIMO rank to each channel resource region, wherein the MIMO rank is indicative for a number of channel resources to be used for a radio transmission within a corresponding channel resource region, selecting a channel resource region for the radio transmission between the base station and the user equipment, and managing the radio transmission between the base station and the user equipment based on the selected channel resource region and the corresponding assigned MIMO rank.
US09232529B2
The present invention discloses a node for transmission mode switching for downlink transmission in a downlink channel (100), comprising: a configuring unit (110) adapted to configure an initial transmission mode for the downlink transmission as a default transmission mode; a deriving unit (120) adapted to derive channel quality metric (CQM) of the downlink channel; a first determining unit (130) adapted to determine a first predefined threshold on the basis of link level simulation of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode; and a first switching unit (140) adapted to switch the transmission mode from the initial transmission mode to the first transmission mode or the second transmission mode on the basis of the CQM and the first predefined threshold. The present invention provides a simple, direct and efficient approach for transmission mode switching for downlink transmission in a downlink channel on the basis of available feedback from UE (or other kinds of terminals if appropriate) and/or link adaptation decisions from eNB (or other kinds of base stations if appropriate), provides high peak rate while maintaining cell coverage, and provides a proprietary solution without any impact on protocol/standard or UE implementation.
US09232525B2
The disclosed subject matter provides for selecting a radio access technology resource based on historical data related to the radio access technology resource. Location information can be employed to determine a radio access technology resource. Historical information related to the radio access technology resource can then be employed to determine the suitability of the radio access technology resource. A set of radio access technology resources can be ordered or ranked to allow selection of a suitable radio access technology resource from the set. Incorporation of historical information can provide for additional metrics in the selection of a radio access technology resource over simple contemporaneous radio access technology resource information. In some embodiments timed fingerprint location (TFL) information can be employed to determine a location.
US09232523B2
Sending information to user equipment (UE) indicating which time slots are not for use by a downlink shared channel is provided. Downlink shared channel resources in shared channel time slots are allocated for UEs. The UEs are subsequently sent downlink shared channel data in the shared channel time slots and sent non-downlink shared channel data to UEs in non-shared channel time slots.
US09232517B2
Disclosed are a method for scheduling bundling in a wireless access system and an apparatus for same. In particular, the method includes the steps of: transmitting bundled downlink control information (DCI), including a plurality of pieces of downlink control information, to a terminal through a single physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and transmitting downlink data to the terminal through a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) scheduled by the bundled DCI.
US09232513B2
A method and apparatus for signaling power information in a wireless communication system are provided. A base station apparatus co-schedules a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) to at least one resource element, and transmits power information indicating transmit power values, which are allocated for the co-scheduled UEs, to the co-scheduled UEs. The power information includes first power information including information about a pilot signal power value and a transmit power value for a first UE among the co-scheduled UEs, and second power information indicating a transmit power value for each of at least one second UE except for the first UE among the co-scheduled UEs.
US09232510B2
A method and apparatus of selecting a number of uplink sounding sub-carriers are disclosed. One method includes estimating an uplink channel of between a base station and a subscriber. A time domain channel response is determined from the estimated uplink channel. A sub-carrier distribution of uplink sounding sub-carriers is selected based on characteristics of the time domain channel response, wherein the distribution defines a spacing of pilot sub-carriers within the uplink sounding symbol. The subscriber transmits uplink sounding symbols having the selected sub-carrier distribution.
US09232502B2
Wireless communication in a wireless network comprises a wireless station obtaining a transmission opportunity period (TXOP) for communicating with an access point (AP) over a wireless communication channel. The wireless station sends an announcement to the AP to share the transmission opportunity period with at least another wireless station, as a multi-user transmission opportunity period for simultaneously transmitting data from said wireless stations to the AP on multiple uplink (UL) spatial streams over the wireless channel.
US09232497B2
A paging message processing method is capable of handling paging message processing delay in handover from a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) includes determines, when an inbound call occurs, whether a Mobility Management Entity (MME) system exists; transmits, when no MME exists, a paging message over an IU interface; determines, when no response message is received, whether a location registration request is received form the MME; transmits, when the location registration request is received, a location registration response to the MME system to deliver the paging message via the MME system; and processes, when a paging response is received, the inbound call. In a heterogeneous network handover from a WCDMA network to an LTE network, the MSC hands over the paging procedure control to the MME immediately so as to facilitate processing the inbound call.
US09232496B2
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; and a controller configured to receive an incoming call from another terminal through the wireless communication unit, receive an input of a user action, when receiving the incoming call through the wireless communication unit, measure location information of the mobile terminal, if the input of the user action satisfies a preset condition, generate user context information using the measured location information of the mobile terminal and stored user schedule information, and transmit a phone rejection message including the user context information to the other terminal.
US09232491B2
GPS receivers are included in many mobile communications devices; however, there are circumstances where GPS is unavailable or undesirable to use. In an implementation, a device identifies nearby wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi access points and cell towers, and compares them to a database of known signals to determine an approximate location for the device. Because such a database can be large and change rapidly, it may not be appropriate to store the database entirely on a device. Instead, a server may store the database. In an implementation, to minimize the time required to determine a device's location, the device may first transmit location-related information to a server and receive a subset of the database corresponding to an area near the device so that future locations nearby can be determined without needing to communicate with the server.
US09232489B2
A receiver system using commercially available super high-speed data converters that are able to directly digitize at multiple GHz sampling rates with sufficient accuracy to fit many radio applications. Unlike conventional receivers, no down converters or mixing stages are required. Instead it uses a bank of RF filters from which the desired RF filter, based on the frequency band of interest, is switched in. The frequency spectrum scan rate is very fast as the settling time for the simple RF front-end is small and the speed of RF switching is high. The filtered output is digitized at a multiple GHz sampling rate and all signal processing is done by FPGA or a combination of FPGA and/or a general-purpose processor.
US09232478B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which a set of time intervals is obtained from a received radio frequency signal. A power profile is determined for a frequency spectrum segment in each time interval. A first list is used to identify frequency spectrum segments that exhibit a power or energy profile over a range of frequencies associated with a downlink channel bandwidth, and a second list is used to identify frequency spectrum segments that have a total or average energy greater than a threshold energy relative to a noise floor. An absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) of a wireless communication system is determined based on the time intervals identified in the first and second lists.
US09232474B2
Provided is a terminal and an access point in an active mode for multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) power saving that may decrease power consumption by changing an operation state of the terminal from an awake state to a sleep state if there is no stream of data to be transmitted during a TXOP duration.
US09232469B2
An additional cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is inserted in IEEE 802.11 beacon or data frames prior to the end of the frame, at a location following information sufficient for the receiving station to determine whether the frame is from an overlapping basic service set or intended for a different station and to extract other necessary or useful information such as a time of the next full beacon. Upon detecting the CRC, the receiving STA can terminate reception of the frame early to conserve power, and then enter a low power operational mode to further conserve power.
US09232459B2
A method and apparatus of routing a call in a femtocell network are disclosed. In one example call routing method, a call is originated from the mobile station via a femtocell access point and the call is transmitted to a femtocell gateway, a mobile switching center and a carrier gateway server and onto an enterprise gateway server to obtain policy information. A routing policy is determined based on the obtained policy information and the call is routed to its destination based on the routing policy. The call may be routed via local media from a femtocell access point directly to the enterprise gateway server. The call routing procedures may implement the Iuh protocol and/or the session initiation protocol (SIP) for call signaling in the femtocell network. Call routing may be performed in a wireless cellular communications network or an enterprise network environment.
US09232450B2
A terminal apparatus (1) which is a radio transmitting/receiving apparatus receives, from a femto cell base station (home eNB), a pilot channel signal for reception quality measurement and a synchronization channel signal for synchronization. The terminal apparatus (1) has a whitelist stored therein indicative of an accessible femto cell, and determines whether or not a CSG cell of handover destination is accessible based on a PCI of the CSG cell acquired from the synchronization channel and the whitelist. The terminal apparatus (1) then adds the PCI and a CGI to a measurement report for reception quality, and transmits the measurement report to a macro eNB (base station apparatus (2)). In this way, it is possible to suppress wasteful signaling and prevent unnecessary resources from being reserved even when two or more CSG cells that use the same PCI are present in the macro cell.
US09232444B2
A method and apparatus for performing a L3 handover between CNs in a packet-switched network are provided. When a UE moves from an old RAN to a new RAN, the UE sends a measurement report message including cell information to the old RAN. The old or new RAN determines whether to perform a L3 handover. If the L3 handover is required, a tunnel is established between the new RAN and a new CN. The UE performs a handover from the old RAN to the new RAN, without establishing a tunnel between the new RAN and an old CN. Upon detection of the movement of the UE, the new RAN sends a L2 handover complete message to the old RAN. After moving to the new RAN, the UE acquires a new IP address, performs the L3 handover, and communicates with the new CN through the new RAN.
US09232440B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling system overload in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: a first step in which a mobility management entity (MME) that has received a tracking region update request message from a first terminal transmits a location update request message to a home subscriber server (HSS); a second step in which, if the HSS has determined that a system overload has occurred, the HSS sets MME-backoff time for preventing the transmission of a request message to the HSS, and transmits a location update rejection message including said MME-backoff time to the MME; and a third step in which the MME drives a backoff timer corresponding to said MME-backoff time and rejects a TAU update request message from a terminal received prior to the completion of the driving of the backoff timer.
US09232436B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing single MPDU frame signaling are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09232434B2
Embodiments are provided for enabling WiFi offload by integrating the WiFi and cellular networks operations at a radio access network level. The embodiments include a WiFi network component configured to determine whether to send over a cellular air interface a packet designated for WiFi according to a predefined rule. If the rule is met, the WiFi network component sends the packet to a cellular network component over the cellular air interface. The cellular network component is configured to process the received packet for cellular transmission, and transmit the packet using the cellular air interface to a receiver device. The predefined rule comprises at least one of sending the packet using the cellular air interface if the packet belongs to a predefined packet type, if the packet has a size below a predefined threshold size, and if the nature of the destination address for the packet is a broadcast address.
US09232428B2
In order to report aperiodic channel state information (A-CSI) flexibly even when a user terminal performs radio communication using a plurality of component carriers (CCs) in an HetNet environment, the present invention provides an aperiodic channel sate information reporting method comprising: a step of transmitting in advance, from a pico base station (PeNB) to pico UE, channel state measurement target information having information about presence or absence of reporting of channel state information and a subframe as a measurement target associated with trigger bit information indicating information about presence or absence of reporting of channel state information and a component carrier as a measurement target (step ST401); and a step of reporting channel state information of the subframe and the component carrier designated by the trigger bit information transmitted on a PDCCH, to the pico base station (PeNB) on a PUSCH (step ST406).
US09232423B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process for measuring by a system having a processor, within a wide frequency band, signal power levels received in specified narrow frequency bands, determining an average composite wideband power level that excludes a portion of the power levels of the received signals, detecting interference according to an adaptive threshold based on the average composite wideband power level, and configuring a filter to suppress at least a portion of the interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09232420B1
A method provides automated testing of a network. The method comprises controlling an originating mobile communication device by a server and commanding origination of a call from the originating mobile communication device to a destination communication device. The call is associated with a raw call detail record that is unprocessed. The raw call detail record is monitored on a raw call detail record storage. The method also comprises confirming the raw call detail record accounts for origination of the call from the originating mobile communication device. The destination communication device is controlled by the server, and control is confirmed based on a communication log. The method captures the confirmation that the raw call detail record accounts for the origination of the call and the confirmation that the destination communication device is controlled by the server. Based analysis of the captured confirmations, a baseline metric of expected test results is generated.
US09232417B2
The present invention relates to an integrated repeater and an integrated relay system. The integrated repeater of the present invention receives a signal from a main repeater for relaying signals transmitted from upper devices, and comprises a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the multiplexed signal of an Ethernet signal and a mobile communication signal received from the main repeater, and separate the signals into the mobile communication signal and the Ethernet signal; a first converter configured to convert the mobile communication signal separated from the demultiplexer into a radio frequency (RF) signal, and transmit the converted RF signal; a second converter configured to convert the Ethernet signal separated from the demultiplexer into a wireless LAN signal, and transmit the converted wireless LAN signal; and a switching unit configured to deliver a signal received from the main repeater to either the demultiplexer or the second converter, depending on whether a fault of the mobile communication signal is generated.
US09232416B2
A method and apparatus for power control for distributed wireless communication is disclosed including one or more power control loops associated with a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). Each power control loop may include open loop power control or closed loop power control. A multi-phase power control method is also disclosed with each phase representing a different time interval and a WTRU sends transmissions at different power levels to different set of node-Bs or relay stations during different phases to optimize communications.
US09232412B2
The present invention discloses a method for minimization of drive tests, a method for collecting terminal information, a terminal, and a network element, which belongs to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: in a process of activating a minimization of drive tests MDT task, checking, by a network element, a consent type of a user corresponding to a selected terminal; sending a MDT task activation command to the selected terminal according to a check result of the consent type; after receiving measured data reported by the selected terminal, performing an operation according to a check result of the consent type. In embodiments of the present invention, check on user consent is implemented in a network detection process, thereby avoiding a case that a user equipment is forced to report personal information without permission of the user and improving the user experience.
US09232411B2
Embodiments of the disclosure can provide systems and methods for routing home area network (HAN) messages. In one embodiment, a system can be provided. The system can include at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions; at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions can receive, by the at least one processor, an instruction for a HAN gateway; send the instruction to a transmission agent for routing to the HAN gateway; and transmit, by the transmission agent, the instruction to the HAN gateway.
US09232410B2
The present invention is a zero-configuration system including a registration server connecting (via the Internet) to a network terminal device through a network connection device, and a first network device located in a local area network same as the two devices and having a first identification name and a set of configuration values, wherein the registration server stores the first identification name corresponding to a user information. The network terminal device can login to the registration server by using the user information, and then scan the local area network and, when detecting a second network device having a second identification name not yet stored in the registration server, automatically receive the first identification name from the registration server, obtain the configuration values from the first network device, and configure the second network device according to the configuration values, so as to automatically connect to and access the second network device.
US09232409B2
Binding techniques are described that are configured to bind an apparatus for operation with a computing device. A computing device may include one or more object detection sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object, a wireless communication module configured to support wireless communication, and one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to perform operations that include recognizing a first event as involving detection of proximity of an apparatus by the one or more object detection sensors, recognizing a second event as involving receipt of a wireless communication by the wireless communication module from the apparatus, and responsive to the recognizing of the first and second events, causing the apparatus to be bound for operation with the computing device such that the apparatus is configured to initiate one or more host side commands of the computing device.
US09232405B2
One aspect of the teachings herein involves the advantageous use of learned statistical information to improve inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC). The network uses historical signal quality measurements collected over time for wireless communication devices operating within its coverage areas to identify those geographical areas where devices generally experience significant levels of patterned interference. In an example case, the network develops a “map” of the geographical areas that are affected by the transmission patterns of neighboring nodes, and it applies the map to ICIC operations, wherein the serving nodes associated with the affected areas incorporate knowledge of the interfering transmission patterns into the ongoing scheduling of users operating in the affected areas.
US09232404B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for data transmission. The method for data transmission includes: determining that data to be transmitted is control plane signaling related to a user equipment that camps on a relay node; and transmitting the data through a first user data bearer established between the relay node and a donor base station, where the first user data bearer provides integrity protection for the data. According to the embodiments of the present invention, when the control plane signaling related to the user equipment that camps on the relay node is transmitted between the relay node and the donor base station, integrity protection is provided for the control plane signaling, and therefore attacks such as the denial of a service attack are prevented.
US09232396B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method that enable data sharing to be performed between short-range/middle-range/long-range mobile terminals by minimizing specific intervention of a user. The apparatus includes a social relationship management unit for managing social network group information formed by a user while the user utilizes a social network service. A device recognition and authentication unit identifies a mobile terminal of another party attempting to make a connection and allocates a data communication channel for data exchange, based on device information received from the mobile terminal of the other party attempting to make a connection and the social network group information. A shared data setting unit sets data to be shared with the mobile terminal of the other party between which the data communication channel has been established. A shared data transmission unit transmits the data to be shared to the mobile terminal of the other party.
US09232392B2
A method and apparatus for setting profiles are provided. The profile setting method Includes receiving, from a first terminal, a profile transfer request message that requests transfer of a first profile or portion thereof from a first secure element to a second secure element; sending, to the first terminal, a request message requesting the first profile or portion thereof; receiving, from the first terminal, the first profile or portion thereof; configuring a second profile using the received first profile or portion thereof; and sending, to a second terminal, the configured second profile.
US09232384B2
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable wireless communication devices to reduce connection latency in high device population environments. In example embodiments, a method is disclosed for creating, at an apparatus, operating parameters for a wireless data channel connection and descriptive information regarding a time interval available to the apparatus for transmission of advertising channel messages and a count of a number of previous transmissions of the advertising channel messages to reduce connection latency in high device population environments; transmitting, by the apparatus, one or more wireless advertising channel messages indicating presence of the data channel connection, the operating parameters associated with the data channel connection, and the descriptive information regarding the time interval available for transmission of advertising channel messages and the count of the number of previous transmissions of the advertising channel messages; and transmitting information on the data channel connection according to the operating parameters.
US09232376B2
A method, a subscriber unit, and a system provide concurrent voice and data systems and methods that “steal bits” from voice frames for low-speed concurrent data. In this manner, concurrent voice and data is supported over protocols that require voice-only in current operation such as Project 25 (P25). The stealing of bits from voice is done in a manner that is transparent and not noticeable to users. The systems and methods enable replication of signaling on the downlink and wireline segments that is replaced on the uplink, encoding of interleaving blocks that extend across multiple Layer 2 voice logical data units (LDUs), flexibility in replacing voice data in LDUs, indication of the availability of the service and an interleaving schedule, notification of upcoming stealing events via signaling, and the like.
US09232375B1
A Mobile Voice Self Service (MVSS) mobile system that includes an MVSS mobile device, on which a VoiceXML browser is implemented directly. The VoiceXML browser may request a VoiceXML application from a VoiceXML application server and process it. A client system may include the VoiceXML application server that the VoiceXML application is requested from. Upon request, the VoiceXML application may deliver the requested VoiceXML application to the VoiceXML application browser. A vendor media resource system may provide advanced Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) services, such as Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) or Text-To-Speech (TTS), to the VoiceXML application that is being processed by the VoiceXML application browser. A call data manager may also be implemented on the MVSS mobile device and may provide call data that, in conjunction with data from the VoiceXML application server, may authorize access to advanced Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) services.
US09232369B1
The communication device comprising a voice communication implementer, a ringing mode implementer, a silent mode implementer, an answering machine implementer, and a caller's information displaying implementer.
US09232360B2
A method for receiving a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising acquiring, by the UE, a predetermined system information block (SIB) from a base station (BS); and upon acquiring the predetermined SIB, transmitting an MBMS interest indication message by the UE to the BS. The predetermined SIB includes information related to MBMS service continuity. Whether the transmitting of the MBMS interest indication message is allowed is provided to the UE through the predetermined SIB.
US09232353B2
An electronic device can utilize image capture technology to detect the presence and location of another device. Using this information, the electronic device can display, in a user interface, a graphical element representing a detected device, along with identity information and the location of the detected device relative to the electronic device. The location of each detected device relative to the electronic device can be tracked and thus the graphical element can be updated in the user interface.
US09232351B1
The present invention provides a method for updating a mobile terminal (MT) for a mobile communication network when the MT crosses a boundary of a first location-update (LA) area. The method comprises determining a second LA to be assigned to the MT for replacing the first LA. The second LA is characterized by a LA center and a LA size, both determined by optimizing them in a sense that a mean total location-management cost is minimized without restricting the LA center to be fixed at the initial position. The initial position is defined as the location where the MT performs a latest location update at the first LA before crossing the boundary. This invention also provides schemes of partitioning the second LA into sub-paging areas for use in paging the MT when a call arrives at the network, so as to minimize the paging cost while satisfying delay requirements.
US09232347B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for playing music, which can play music by simply sharing the music with an external device. An apparatus for playing music includes a first portable terminal and a second portable terminal. The first portable terminal transmits FM channel information of an FM transmitter, which is set to broadcast in-play music thereof, and an FM radio application execution command through near field communication (NFC). The second portable terminal receives the FM channel information and the FM radio application execution command from the first portable terminal through the NFC, then executes the FM radio application based on the FM channel information to receive and play the music broadcasted from the first portable terminal.
US09232341B2
A method and system for customizing a mobile application running on a mobile communication device of a user. In one implementation, the method includes providing the mobile application to the mobile communication device of the user, the mobile application having a generic platform; determining a special interest group (SIG) that is affiliated with the user; and customizing the generic platform of the mobile application based on information specific to the special interest group (SIG) that is affiliated with the user.
US09232339B2
Systems and methods are described herein that provide a mobile push notification system that sends notifications to various types of mobile devices using a single cloud based interface. One example embodiment includes a registration logic configured to receive device data from a mobile device. A record of the device data is stored in a database. A token generator creates a registration token that identifies the mobile device. The registration logic is facilitates communication between the mobile device and a vendor service when the registration token is received from the mobile device.
US09232335B2
In a multi-speaker audio system for, e.g., a home entertainment system or other entertainment system, each networked-speaker (wired or wireless) is activated or deactivated as appropriate such that audio play follows a user as the user moves around the home.
US09232330B2
An amplification factor for a hearing aid device is generated by way of the following steps: forming a numerator, wherein the numerator includes a total with a first total component which is formed by means of multiplication of a strength of an approximately undisturbed signal with a first weighting and a second total component, which is formed by multiplication of a strength of a disturbed signal with a second weighting; forming a denominator, which includes the numerator as a first summand and a strength of an interference signal as a second summand. The amplification factor is finally determined by forming a quotient from the numerator divided by the denominator. An apparatus is configured to implement and carry out the novel method.
US09232322B2
A personal sound processing apparatus has an earphone; a microphone; an electronic sound processor connected between an automatic gain controller (AGC) and a digital volume controller, an automated feedback tracker operatively connected to the microcontroller, and an audio signal amplifier to amplify audio signals which level is controlled by the digital volume controller. The microcontroller is configured to execute electronic instructions for recognizing at least one of a feedback noise condition and a background noise condition in the audio signals and to send a control signal to the digital volume controller to adjust volume level in response to presence of the at least one of the feedback noise condition and the background noise condition.
US09232317B2
An ultrasonic audio speaker includes an emitter and a driver. The emitter can include a first layer having a conductive surface; a second layer having a conductive surface; and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second conductive surfaces, wherein the first and second layers are disposed in touching relation to the insulating layer. The driver circuit can include two inputs configured to be coupled to receive an audio modulated ultrasonic signal from an amplifier and two outputs, wherein a first output is coupled to the conductive surface of the first layer and the second output is coupled to the conductive surface of the second layer. Either one or both of the conductive surfaces of the first and second layers may be graphene.
US09232307B2
A method centrally controls communication at a single venue. Information, at least at the venue, is provided to attendees at the venue for transmitting electronic signals to the central communication point. At least one electronic communication transmission from an attendee who has access to the central communication point is enabled to have at least part of the transmission broadcast at the venue or allow open communication from the attendee to be broadcast at the venue. The personal mobile communications device of an attendee is used as a microphone over wireless telephone networks or local wireless communication networks.
US09232296B2
A method for transmitting wireless audio streams in an audio system comprising a first transmitter unit, the method includes: transmitting a first audio block in a first audio frame, the first audio block comprising a first primary audio package having a transmitter unit address of the first transmitter unit; transmitting a first primary pilot package, the first primary pilot package comprising the transmitter unit address of the first transmitter unit, a first primary time offset, and a channel identifier of a first primary audio package of a second audio block in a second audio frame; and transmitting the first primary audio package of the second audio block at a start time depending on the first primary time offset and the channel identifier.
US09232294B2
An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.
US09232289B2
Example acoustic bandgap devices provided that can be fabricated in a semiconductor fabrication tool based on design check rules. An example device includes a substrate lying in an x-y plane and defining an x-direction and a y-direction, an acoustic resonant cavity over the substrate, and a phononic crystal disposed over the acoustic resonant cavity by generating the phononic crystal as a plurality of unit cells disposed in a periodic arrangement. Each unit cell include: (a) at least one higher acoustic impedance structure having a longitudinal axis oriented in the y-direction and a thickness in the x-direction greater than or about equal to a minimal feature thickness of the semiconductor fabrication tool, and (b) at least one lower acoustic impedance material bordering at least a portion of the at least one higher acoustic impedance structure and forming at least a portion of a remainder of the respective unit cell.
US09232282B2
There is provided a technique that enables a process to be performed smoothly between two processing units of an OLT after rebooting of one of the processing units even in the case where a process by the processing unit is temporarily halted. An upper processing unit can be temporarily halted when updating firmware. A basic communication unit (lower processing unit) is configured to maintain its operation even when the upper processing unit is temporarily halted. When an event occurs during a halt period of the upper processing unit, a matching unit matches a management state stored in a first storage unit with a management state stored in a second storage unit after the halt period of the upper processing unit.
US09232274B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to record stereoscopic media content supplied by a multimedia system, receive from a communication device a request for the recorded stereoscopic media content, determine rendering capabilities of the communication device, generate transcoded content by transcoding the recorded stereoscopic media content according to the rendering capabilities of the communication device, and transmit to the communication device the transcoded content. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.
US09232252B2
A method and apparatus for scheduling and inserting advertisements into a plurality of presentation channels in a communications network in which the presentation channels contain the same programming, but different advertisements. A single programming channel is split into a plurality of presentation channels. Different advertisements are inserted into the different presentation channels. The advertisements to be inserted into advertising avails are they are detected are determined by utilizing queues stored in memory corresponding to each presentation channel. Each queue comprises an ordered list of advertisement resource locators (ARLs), in which the order dictates which advertisement is to be inserted in the next advertising avail and in which the ARLs indicate at least the location from which the advertisement can be retrieved.
US09232247B2
A computer includes at least one processor and at least one computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor. The medium bears instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive at least one image of at least one viewer of a display on which content is presented. The instructions also cause the processor to generate a signal representative of at least one expression of the viewer made at or around the time the content was presented based on the image of the viewer, and also to receive metadata identifying the content. The instructions then cause the processor to associate the metadata identifying the content with the at least one expression of the viewer.
US09232246B2
A reporting server receives reports on unicast and/or broadcast multimedia content items being accessed by respective user equipment (UE) devices through a network. The reporting server determines, for each multimedia content item, a number of UE devices that are accessing the multimedia content item and whether it is being unicast or broadcast. The reporting server ranks the multimedia content items by the number of UE devices accessing each item. In several disclosed examples, a broadcast video provisioning system switches unicast transmissions to broadcast transmissions based on the ranked list, based on this ranking and possibly on the available unicast and broadcast bandwidth.
US09232243B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for streaming digital media content with transition effects. Audio data may be modulated and received by the streaming device for an audio fade-in effect. Similarly, video data may be modulated to perform various visual effects. Such a technique allows for fading-in of audio and/or video, fading-out of audio and/or video, and effects that blend audio from different content and video from different content during a transition from one digital media content to a different digital media content or within the same digital media content. The modulated audio and video data to generate the audio or video effect during a transition may be precomputed or computed in real-time and transmitted to the streaming device. The streaming device switches between original unmodulated content streams and effect content streams when transitions are detected.
US09232240B2
A master video server may deliver video streams to multiple sub-master video servers pursuant to the request of each sub-master video server. Each sub-master video server, in turn, may deliver video steams to multiple slave video servers pursuant to the request of each slave video server. Each sub-master video server may also deliver video streams to one or more other sub-master video servers pursuant to the request of each of the other sub-master video servers.
US09232236B2
A video coding method enables reduction in the decrease in the efficiency of coding a video and enhancement of the image quality of the resulting decoded video. The video coding method includes predicting a video signal to generate a prediction signal; calculating, as a prediction error signal, the difference between the video signal and a prediction signal; and generating a reconstructed video signal by reconstructing the video signal based on the prediction signal and the prediction error signal. The video coding method also includes determining filter data items that are used to filter each of at least two of the prediction signal, the prediction error signal, and the reconstructed video signal; and coding the determined filter data items based on the cross correlations between the determined filter data items.
US09232235B2
Implementations are provided that relate, for example, to view tiling in video encoding and decoding. A particular method includes accessing a video picture that includes multiple pictures combined into a single picture (826), accessing information indicating how the multiple pictures in the accessed video picture are combined (806, 808, 822), decoding the video picture to provide a decoded representation of at least one of the multiple pictures (824, 826), and providing the accessed information and the decoded video picture as output (824, 826). Some other implementations format or process the information that indicates how multiple pictures included in a single video picture are combined into the single video picture, and format or process an encoded representation of the combined multiple pictures.
US09232228B2
The present invention relates to an image processor that is configured to compare a single frame included in the received signal with a preceding processed frame so as to detect changes. In order to enable the image being compressed in as compact a format as possible, the processor is configured to detect changes by dividing the pixels of a single frame into movement blocks and to detect the movement block as changed if in said movement block there is a given number of pixels whose color value change as compared with the corresponding pixels of the preceding processed frame exceeds a predetermined threshold, to exchange the color values of the pixels of the unchanged movement blocks in the frame under process for predetermined values and to generate a signal that indicates the changes.
US09232226B2
Systems and methods for compressing video data are provided. The method includes segmenting a video frame, selecting a coding mode, and encoding. The segmenting includes segmenting the video frame of the video data into a sequence of coding blocks. The selecting includes selecting the coding mode from a plurality of coding modes. The selecting of the coding mode is based on an allowable bit budget and occurs for each coding block. The encoding includes encoding each coding block based on the coding mode. The allowable bit budget varies according to a bit utilization of prior encoded coding blocks and varies such that the video frame does not exceed a specified compression ratio.
US09232225B2
Systems, devices, and methods for encoding a plurality of images by an encoder where the encoder determines a set of subbands associated with an input image, determines a set of wavelet coefficients associated with each subband, generates a wavelet tree comprising a set of nodes and a maximum quantization level for a set of descendants of the set of nodes of the wavelet tree. Then, determines if the maximum quantization level is less than a threshold and sets the wavelet coefficient to zero if it is not, otherwise encodes the maximum quantization level, and encodes the set of wavelet coefficients for transmission in a bit stream comprising the encoded maximum quantization level and the encoded set of wavelet coefficients.
US09232206B2
A multimedia framework includes a monolithic multimedia component to include a specific interface provided by the multimedia framework, and a component control unit layer to serve as a point of control of an application, and to control a data flow through the monolithic multimedia component. When the application queries the component control unit layer for the specific interface, the specific interface passes a pointer thereof that signifies a role required by the application matching a role identified by the multimedia framework for the monolithic multimedia component to the application. A command from the application is transmitted to a tunnel of a multimedia stack interfaced with the monolithic multimedia component to ensure that the same monolithic multimedia component serves as a source component, one or more transform component(s) and/or a renderer. The application is unaware of the multi-tasking associated with the monolithic multimedia component.
US09232204B2
Provided in embodiments of the present invention are a method and device for transmitting a high-definition video signal, comprising: isolating from the high-definition video signal a brightness signal and a chrominance signal, and, by using an analog signal transmission mode, using non-overlapping frequency hands to transmit respectively the brightness signal and the chrominance signal. The solution of the present invention employs the analog signal transmission method, utilizes independent frequency bands to transmit respectively the brightness signal and the chrominance signal, and ensures that the brightness signal and the chrominance signal do not affect each other, thus ensuring video quality and timeliness of the high-definition video signal when transmitted over a long distance.
US09232198B2
A method and system for predicting a moving picture to be implemented in an encoder is provided. The system includes a plurality of reference picture memory areas for storing reference pictures to be used for prediction and a prediction generation section that includes a motion compensator and memory updater. The motion compensator receives a parameter representing the motion between an image to be predicted and a reference picture stored in the reference picture memory area and a parameter representing the reference picture memory area to be used for prediction, and generates a predicted image by using the reference picture stored in the reference picture memory area indicated by the parameter representing the reference picture memory area. The memory updater carries out dynamic allocation of reference picture memory areas required for prediction and judges whether to store new reference pictures additionally.
US09232195B2
A system for capturing and displaying not directly-viewable spaces near a vehicle includes an apparatus for image capturing and an apparatus for image display. The apparatus for image capturing captures at least two arbitrary points Q and R. A ground plane is spanned by the Cartesian coordinates xv and yv, and xv lies in the vehicle middle plane. The display displays an image that includes an image Q′ of the point Q and an image R′ of the point R on a display plane spanned by the Cartesian coordinates xv′ and yv′, with xv′ lying on a reproduction of the vehicle middle plane. A projection QR, xv of the vector QR onto xv and a projection Q′R′, xv′ of a vector Q′R′ onto xv′ have the same direction, and a projection QR, yv of the vector QR onto yv and a projection Q′R′, yv′ of a vector Q′R′ onto yv′ have the same direction.
US09232194B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a position detection unit configured to detect position information of the imaging apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to acquire candidate object information indicating an object which a photographer may desire to capture an image thereof within a search range of position information based on the position information detected by the position detection unit, and a presenting unit configured to present the candidate object information to the photographer.
US09232191B2
A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support the operation of a Virtual Media Room or Virtual Meeting Room (VMR), wherein each VMR can accept from a plurality of participants at different geographic locations a variety of video conferencing feeds of audio and video streams from video conference endpoints. A globally distributed infrastructure that supports operations of the VMR through a plurality of MCUs (Multipoint Control Unit) built from off-the-shelf components instead of custom hardware as media processing nodes, each configured to process the plurality of audio and video streams from the plurality of video conference endpoints in real time. Each single VMR can be implemented and supported across the infrastructure of globally distributed set of servers/media processing nodes co-located in Points of Presence (POPs) for Internet access, wherein such massively distributed architecture can support thousands of simultaneously active VMRs and yet is transparent to the users of the VMRs.
US09232190B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a multimedia conference call. According to certain embodiments, a server establishes a multimedia conference call between a plurality of multimedia conference devices. The multimedia conference call includes the communication of multimedia conference contents via one or more of the plurality of multimedia conference devices. The server also records at least a portion of the multimedia conference contents; and detects one or more interrupting events. The interrupting events occur during the multimedia conference call. The server further provides substitute contents to the other multimedia conference devices of the plurality of multimedia conference devices. The substitute contents are generated based on a recorded portion of the multimedia conference call associated with a time to the interrupting events.
US09232180B2
A method and apparatus for controlling data transmission via user-maintained modes is provided. A first audio data stream is recorded on a transmitting electronic apparatus. A second audio data stream is stored on the transmitting electronic apparatus. Transmission of one of the first and the second audio data streams is controlled via a first user-maintained mode when at least the other of the first and the second audio data streams is being transmitted to the electronic apparatus. The one of the first and the second audio data streams is transmitted to a receiving electronic apparatus and the other of the first and the second audio data streams is suspended.
US09232176B2
In general, embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for securing otherwise unsecured computer audio and video subsystems. Embodiments of the invention perform watermarking of video and/or audio data streams output by a computer system. Additional security features that are included in embodiments of the invention include fingerprinting, snooping, capturing streams for local or remote analytics or archiving, and mixing of secure system content with local audio and video content.
US09232173B1
In one embodiment, at least one of number of times a frame is paused by a plurality of users (users) and attention-activity of the users for the frame is tracked for each frame of an asset (video etc.). An interactive version of at least one frame is pre-generated based on the tracking. The interactive version is stored to enable playing of the interactive version of the at least one frame. In another embodiment, pausing of a currently playing frame (frame) of the asset is determined. A determination to replace the frame is made based on at least one of attention-activity of a user in the frame, and detecting metadata, of the frame, specifying that the frame is to be replaced. An interactive version of the frame is generated, based on at least one of the attention of the user and the metadata, to replace the frame with the interactive version.
US09232172B2
An imaging apparatus for two-stage light modulation in high-definition digital projection or cinema can include two light modulators. Each light modulator can include a multi-chip imaging system coupled to a total internal reflection prism (TIR) system, which has a light input face and an on-state face. Relay optics can be positioned between the two light modulators. The relay optics can be configured to defocus light received from the pre-modulator and to provide defocused light to the prime modulator using a substantially Gaussian pixel shaping function. The prime modulator can be oriented to receive defocused light from the relay optics at the light input face of its TIR prism system. The pre-modulator can be oriented backwards, so as to receive source light at the on-state face of its TIR prism system and to output pre-modulated light to the relay optics via the light input face of the TIR prism system.
US09232159B2
An image sensor may include crosstalk calibration pixels. Crosstalk calibration pixels may include exposed pixels and shielded pixels. Exposed pixels may be partially or completely surrounded by shielded pixels. Calibration pixels may be formed in a checkerboard pattern of alternating shielded and exposed pixels or a double checkerboard pattern of alternating pairs of shielded and exposed pixels. Exposed pixels may have apertures of various size in a shielding layer that shields the shielded pixels from light. Signals generated by exposed and shielded pixels may be used in assessing pixel optical and electrical crosstalk and indirectly deducing the spectral composition of incoming light for particular locations in a pixel array. Information about local crosstalk across the array may be used in coordinate dependent color correction matrices, white balance algorithms, luminance and chroma noise cancellation, edge sharpening, assessment of pixel implantation depth, and measuring a modulation transfer function.
US09232150B2
A system and method for calculating an ambient light estimate using an image sensor in a camera of a device. An array of pixels is obtained using the image sensor. A matrix of grid elements is defined. Each grid element is comprised of multiple adjacent pixels of the array of pixels. A first measurement value is generated for a grid element of the matrix of grid elements based on the pixels associated with a respective grid element. A set of grid elements are identified having a first measurement value that satisfies a brightness criteria. A weighted measurement value is calculated using the identified set of grid elements. The ambient light estimate is calculated based on the weighted measurement value and the first measurement value.
US09232147B2
An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device having a pixel section with a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels and a frame memory which temporarily stores, in an analog manner, analog image data read out from the pixel section and first to third readout control sections which perform first readout control that reads out image data of all pixels obtained through one exposure from the pixel section and stores the image data in the frame memory and perform second readout control that nondestructively reads out a piece of image data of a smaller number of pixels than all the pixels from the image data of all the pixels stored in the frame memory a plurality of times such that the piece of image data each has different object region size.
US09232142B2
A method for presenting a thermal image within a visible light image includes the steps of: identifying an outline of each object of interest within the visible light image; and, selecting an area of the visible light image, whose edge corresponds to the outline of each object of interest, in which to present the thermal image. An alternative method includes the steps of: identifying an area of interest within the thermal image; and selecting another area, separate from the area of interest, from which to remove a portion of the thermal image in order to display the visible light image therein. The visible light and thermal images are captured by a system that includes a visible light camera module and an infrared camera module. The visible light and thermal images are displayed on a display of the system, and selections are made via an interactive element of the system.
US09232139B2
An image signal processor of a device, apparatus, or computing system that includes a camera capable of capturing video clips may be configured to apply non-warping and warping transformations (including image stabilization transformations) to image data received from the camera's image sensor. The transformations may be applied piecewise to pixels of the image data gathered into multiple line buffers. The line buffers may be divided into vertical slices, each of which may be processed in parallel by a respective portion of the image signal processor circuitry (or circuitry of an output rescaling unit thereof). The image signal processor may not write the received image data to system memory until after the transformations have been performed. By leveraging existing filters and scalers of the image signal processor, rather than a CPU or GPU, image stabilization may be provided that consumes half of the bandwidth and power consumed by existing techniques.
US09232131B2
An image capturing apparatus performs rough detection through high-speed focus detection targeting on a face contour portion and then performs focusing through high-precision focus detection targeting on a face-included portion set inside the face contour.
US09232129B2
Embodiments of the present invention utilize an attachable lens board that can be secured to the back of a mobile device and placed in a position that is proximate to the built-in camera lens associated with the camera system of the mobile device. As such, the lens board can be positioned to accurately align several different auxiliary camera lenses, each installed within various camera lens receivers formed within the lens board, with the built-in camera lens for focusing and/or image capture. Additionally, embodiments of present invention can include circuitry within the lens board that can be used to identify the types of lenses currently installed within each camera lens receiver. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention can correct possible optical imperfections of resultant images produced by the combination of the built-in camera lens and auxiliary lens selected for focusing and/or image capture by the user.
US09232114B2
An inspection system includes a CMOS integrated circuit having integrally formed thereon an at least two dimensional array of photosensors and providing an inspection output representing an object to be inspected. A defect analyzer is operative to receive the inspection output and to provide a defect report.
US09232112B2
Embodiments of the invention concern automatic color separation with a white ink for colored and/or transparent substrate, automatic color separation with a silver ink for a natural rendering, automatic color separation with a varnish which has a gloss scale different from that of the printed sample for all shades of gloss that are possible between high glossy to high matte for a false third rendering, automatic color variation with variable thickness under the inks, and variable gamut mapping for a low contrast space.
US09232092B2
A display processing unit causes a display device to display a screen on the basis of screen image data. A screen change detecting unit watches the screen image data and detects a change of the screen image data. A transmission processing unit transmits the screen image data to a monitoring apparatus if the screen change detecting unit detected a change of the screen image data. A storage device stores excluding condition data. The transmission processing unit does not transmit the screen image data if the detected change of the screen image data satisfies the excluding condition specified by the excluding condition data and transmits the screen image data if the detected change of the screen image data does not satisfy the excluding condition specified by the excluding condition data.
US09232083B2
A multi-function device may acquire specific use information corresponding to a specific user who uses the multi-function device, request a service providing server to provide a specific service in a case where the specific service among plural types of services is selected by the specific user, and acquire screen information from a screen providing server so as to display a screen according to the screen information. The multi-function device may display a first screen for receiving the specific service from the service providing server in a case where the specific use information indicates that the specific user is allowed to use a specific function related to the specific service, and display a second screen indicating that it is not capable of receiving the specific service in a case where the specific use information indicates that the specific user is not allowed to use the specific function.
US09232082B2
An image forming apparatus including a plurality of processing units capable of performing different support processing for a user asking for support, and a remote support apparatus operated by an operator are connected via a communication path. The remote support apparatus transmits to the image forming apparatus a request to perform the support using the selected processing unit, or a request to switch the processing unit to a selected specific processing unit and a request to perform the support. The image forming apparatus allows the processing unit which follows the request to perform the support, to perform the support, and switches the processing unit according to the request to switch the processing unit to allow the switched processing unit to perform the support. Further, the image forming apparatus returns a result which should be returned, among results of the performed support, to the remote support apparatus.
US09232080B2
An image forming apparatus reads an original to acquire image information, processes the acquired image information, and determines whether or not to form the processing result on the original. Upon determining to form the processing result on the original, the image forming apparatus forms the processing result on the original, and upon determining to not form the processing result on the original, the image forming apparatus forms the processing result on a sheet other than the original.
US09232078B1
A method and system for data accounting across multiple communication networks are described herein. An enterprise data session request is received from a device configured to operate on a home communication network in which the device is associated with an enterprise. A usage amount can be determined for the session request, and it can be determined that the device is associated with the enterprise. In addition, the usage amount for the session request can be attributed to the enterprise. Another enterprise data session request can be received from a second device configured to operate on a second home communication network in which the second device is also associated with the enterprise. A usage amount can be determined for the session request from the second device, and it can be determined that the second device is associated with the enterprise. The usage amount for the session request from the second device can be attributed to the enterprise such that enterprise data usage accounting for different devices operating on different networks is enabled.
US09232077B2
A system, method, and computer program that automatically creates a subscription for applications and services provided to wireless devices from other computer devices on a wireless network, where the subscription requires periodic payment by the wireless device subscriber for continued access to the application or service. The system monitors wireless device end-user interaction with other computer devices, such as application download servers, across the wireless network and when the end-user obtains an application or service from the computer device, the system automatically records the subscription and can either bill the wireless device subscriber for the subscription(s) or transmit the bill to the carrier or other entity to bill the subscriber.
US09232075B2
A flash memory in a memory (9) connected to a baseband chip (3) stores related information on an image/sound in a telephone mode (contrast information, screen luminance information, and sound volume information in the telephone mode), and related information on an image/sound in a television-viewing mode (contrast information, screen luminance information, and sound volume information in the television-viewing mode). In the telephone mode, a display device (6) and a speaker unit (7) are driven based on the related information on the image/sound in the telephone mode. In the television-viewing mode, the display device (6) and the speaker unit (7) are driven based on the related information on the image/sound in the television-viewing mode.
US09232074B2
A device is provided to access the Internet via a mobile communication network, including a data processing module arranged in a casing and a flexible cable extending outside the casing and connected to the data processing module. The cable ends in a connector for connection of the device to an item of equipment. The casing includes at least one main engagement element for the connector. The casing is configured so that when the connector is engaged in the main engagement element, the cable forms a loop defining a space between the casing and the cable to hang the device.
US09232067B2
A telecommunication system includes a processor, interfaces in communication with the public telephone network and a data network, respectively, and a memory. The memory comprises executable instructions that when executed by the processor direct the system to controllably permit access to a teleconference bridge in response to a communication from a mobile-communication device that includes information responsive to a previously communicated license key. Generally, the communication is in the form of a call from the user of the mobile-communication device. Upon receipt of the call, the telecommunication system confirms that the mobile-communication device communicates a pass code that was included in an encrypted form in the license key.
US09232065B1
A method, computer program product, and system is described. A group including a plurality of individuals is defined based upon, at least in part, participation of the plurality of individuals in one or more consumption sessions. A group profile is designated for the group. Consumption of a first item of content by a portion of the group during a consumption session participated in by at least the portion of the group is identified. An indicator associated with the first item of content consumed by the portion of the group during the consumption session is associated with the group profile. A recommendation of a second item of content is provided to one or more members of the group, wherein the recommendation is based upon, at least in part, associating with the group profile the indicator associated with the first item of content.
US09232059B1
Disclosed is a method, apparatus, system and non-transitory computer program product configured to process user call responses and assign caller specific preferences to the user based on the caller's feedback. One example method of processing spoken words from a user of a calling platform may include operations, such as calling a user via a call processing device, and sending a call prompt message to the user after the user has answered the call, the call prompt message soliciting a user response. The user may respond and the response is received as a spoken call greeting from the user in response to the call prompt message. Other operations may include recording the spoken call greeting, and determining whether the spoken call greeting is indicative of a language preference. The system may process the user's word or utterances and assign language preferences to the user based on the user provided information.
US09232050B2
A method includes identifying a peak interval traffic intensity for visual voicemail (VVM) services in a network. The method includes identifying a. plurality of user devices available for implementing scalability testing. A number of requests for VVM services during a prospective time for scalability testing in the network is also identified. The method includes determining a number of additional requests for VVM services from the plurality of user devices that approximates the peak interval traffic intensity during the prospective time for scalability testing in the network. The method also includes determining instructions for at least one of the plurality of user devices to provide the determined number of additional requests. The determined instructions are sent to the at least one of the plurality of user devices.
US09232048B2
In one embodiment, the quality of experience for a multi-part conference call is determined. Values for network characteristics for a conference call between at least three parties is captured using a multi-party conference call system. The network characteristics encompasses at least parameters expressed in an E-Model R-Factor equation. A quality of experience (QoE) is determined that accounts for degradation effects. The determined QoE is represented as a corrected mean opinion score (MOS) perceived by the receiving party. A controllable parameter of the conference call is dynamically and automatically modified to positively affect the determined QoE of the receiving party when the QoS is below a designated minimal QoE threshold.
US09232041B2
A system and method for using a wireless browser to send local information from a wireless handset to a Web server. A service request received from a handset user includes the type of local information needed to carry out the request as well as the URL address of the server. The handset confirms that the input is not a telephone number to be dialed. If the input is a telephone number, the browser is terminated and the number is dialed. Otherwise, the browser acquires the local information needed to carry out the request from the handset. The local information is appended to the URL address, which is extracted from the user input, and the browser is instructed to navigate to the URL address to provide the local information to the server.
US09232038B2
A wireless communications interface couples wireless service to conventional wireline phone appliances. In one embodiment, the wireless communications interface is connected to the phone appliances through existing phone jacks. This allows a user to place and receive calls over a wireless network using the existing wireline infrastructure in a building. By using the invention, users can consolidate their portable and fixed phone service with one of the multiple wireless service provides and bypass the wireline service provider entirely, if so desired. In a second embodiment, the wireless communications interface is directly connected to the phone appliances, bypassing the installed wireline infrastructure. In a third embodiment, both wireline and wireless service are operative, and the wireless communications interface may include logic arbitration to route multiple calls to multiple phone appliances.
US09232033B2
The present invention includes a telephone keypad adapted to be mounted to a back surface of a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone including such keypad. The keypad includes a plurality of alphanumerical keys adapted for allowing text entry into the mobile telephone; and an attachment part for mounting the keypad to the mobile telephone.
US09232031B1
The structural rigidity of a device is improved by overmolding one or more layers of the device housing over the antenna components, improving overall wall thickness and avoiding air gaps present in conventional devices. Pull tabs are implemented for battery installation and removal using a stretch-release adhesive connected to the tabs that can hold the battery in place and, upon pulling of the pull tabs, cause the battery to be removable from the device. Camera sensors larger than the camera optics are usable in a device by utilizing only image data captured by those pixels of the sensor that correspond to the appropriate part of the camera optics. Mechanical interlocks can be used advantageously for alignment and connection strength for side soldering. Optical alignment processes are used advantageously in situations such as mounting a device camera relative to an opening of a light absorbing layer on a cover glass sheet.
US09232026B2
A system that includes a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus may communicate over an Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging network. The transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus may each include an application layer module in communication with an application interface module. The application layer module of the transmitting apparatus may interface with the application interface module to send a control message over the network to control flow of a data stream over the network. The application layer module of the receiving apparatus may interface with the application to interface module to receive the control message.
US09232025B2
Disclosed herein are a variety of systems and methods for entry of data relating to an electrical power delivery system using a web-based interface. One embodiment may include a computer program product having a client-side module to communicate with a server-side module. The client-side module may further include a web browser interface module to retrieve data entered by an operator into a data entry field in a web browser, a user interface module to display variable length data to a user via the web browser, and a communication module to manage communication with the server-side module. The communication module may further be configured to generate an object comprising data entered by the user into the web browser, transmit the object to the server, and receive a response from the server.
US09232017B2
Methods and systems for managing profiles for electronic content. The methods and systems may involve profiles for a plurality of electronic content items. If a user interaction with an electronic content item of the plurality of electronic content items meets an event definition, the user interaction may be identified as an event associated with the electronic content and recorded in the profile.
US09232015B1
System and method for facilitating communication between client and target machine are disclosed. Method includes facilitating receiving data from client. Data is in global secure network communication protocol. Method includes facilitating provision of translation layer for converting data between global secure network communication protocol and specific gateway interface associated with target machine. Translation layer is configured to imitate server compatible with client or client compatible with target machine. Method includes encoding, via operation of translation layer, data into encoded data in specific gateway interface associated with target machine. Specific gateway interface is different from the global secure network communication protocol. Method includes facilitating transmitting encoded data to target machine. Method includes facilitating receiving first response from target machine. First response is in specific gateway interface. Method includes converting first response into second response. Second response is in global secure network communication protocol. Method includes providing second response to client.
US09232000B1
A method and system for balancing load across a set of target endpoints available on a server, and initiator endpoints accessing the server. The method including starting rebalancing of target endpoints at a defined interval, receiving monitored load data for a set of target endpoints, disqualifying target endpoints in the set of target endpoints that have a low load, selecting a next most busy target endpoint, marking the selected target endpoint as disqualified, classifying alternate paths of virtual connections assigned to the selected target endpoint according to busyness of endpoints of the alternate paths, load order and load imbalance, examining a load reduction offered by the alternate paths in order of classification, and returning an alternate path that has a highest load reduction for target endpoint.
US09231997B2
A system for managing a domain in a premises is described. The system includes: an action identifier coupled with a server, the action identifier identifies an action to be mapped to a device of the at least one device, wherein the device comprises a communication port that supports a first protocol; a device driver determiner coupled with the server, the device driver determiner determines a device driver that supports a second protocol, wherein the second protocol supports the action; a comparer coupled with the server, the comparer compares the second protocol with a domain configuration store comprising device configuration information for the at least one device; and a device driver implementer coupled with the server, the device driver implementer implements, based on the comparing, the device driver when the first protocol corresponds to the second protocol such that the action is enabled for performance.
US09231996B2
Methods and systems may provide for identifying a usage pattern for web content having a plurality of components and receiving a web response from a server, wherein the web response includes the web content. Additionally, a client-side override of the load order of the plurality of components may be conducted based on the usage pattern. In one example, a cookie is generated based on the usage pattern, wherein the cookie is used to conduct the client-side override.
US09231986B2
A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a query from a call session server for a first pointer associated with a telephone number of a terminating device of a requested communication session, transmitting to the call session server the first pointer including a session initiation protocol uniform resource identifier associated with the terminating device to initiate an internet protocol communication session, receiving a notification from the call session server responsive to the call session server failing to initiate the internet protocol communication session, and transmitting to the call session server a second pointer including a telephone protocol uniform resource identifier for originating a circuit-switched communication session responsive to receiving the notification. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09231981B2
A rules driven multiple passwords system is provided wherein a list of stored passwords are used in rotation over time in accordance with a set of rules or conditions managed by the system. With such an arrangement, the currently active password of a system User may automatically be changed, in accordance with the rules or conditions, to the next password in the list. The User is notified as to the newly assigned password.
US09231975B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for inhibiting cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, where actions include receiving a computer-readable document that provides a content security policy (CSP) for a website and an extension to the CSP, the CSP specifying allowed script checksums, each allowed script checksum being associated with a script that is allowed to be executed, the extension requiring comparison of script checksums before respective scripts can be executed, receiving script templates and a value list, calculating an expected script checksum for each script template to provide respective expected script checksums, comparing the expected script checksums to the allowed script checksums, and determining that at least one expected script checksum matches an allowed script checksum, and in response, executing a respective script that corresponds to the at least one expected script checksum.
US09231969B1
The creations of objects by files that have not been previously identified as malware are tracked. The security reputations of specific created objects are determined. Based on the determined security reputations of specific created objects, the security risks concerning the specific files that created the objects are determined. Responsive to whether a determined security risk concerning a specific creating file meets a given threshold, it is determined whether the specific creating file comprises malware. Responsive to determining that a specific creating file comprises malware, the creating file is blocked from performing the activity associated with the creation of the associated object. Responsive to determining that a creating file comprises malware, the creating file can be disabled, and an alert concerning the creating file can be transmitted to a central security server.
US09231967B2
An apparatus for detecting an in-vehicle network attack, is configured to cumulatively count packets for each device that has a respective ID and is connected to an in-vehicle network bus. The apparatus is configured to cumulate a check value every time the packets are cumulatively counted to calculate a cumulated value, and determine that an attack is conducted when an average cumulated value obtained by dividing the cumulated value by a cumulative counted value does not exceed a first threshold value.
US09231963B2
The behavior of a group of resources, such as a fleet of servers, can be monitored to attempt to determine a baseline of acceptable behaviors. When a behavior is observed, the baseline can be consulted to determine whether the behavior is indicated to be acceptable. If not, the rate or extent at which the newly observed behavior is observed on groupings of similar resources can be monitored. This information can be used to determine whether the behavior is acceptable in which case information for the observed behavior can be used to automatically update the baseline such that the baseline is representative of current acceptable behavior within the group of resources.
US09231955B1
The subject disclosure is generally directed towards an automated mechanism in a computer network or system that controls resource access to any resource designated as needing multiparty authorization. In one aspect, a resource that needs multiparty authorization before access is allowed is identified, along with policy that specifies an authorizer (or multiple authorizers) for the resource. An access control list may contain metadata that indicates the need for multiparty authorization. Authorization may be provided via a token, which may be cached for future use.
US09231952B2
An exemplary method includes receiving data representative of a content instance over a network from an access device associated with a first user, encrypting the content instance in response to a command initiated by the user by way of one or more graphical user interfaces, providing a key configured to facilitate decryption of the encrypted content instance, creating at least one access rule corresponding to the encrypted content instance, transmitting data representative of the encrypted content instance to a requesting access device associated with a requesting user, receiving, from the requesting access device, data representative of a request to access the key over the network, and performing a predefined action related to the key in response to the request and in accordance with the at least one access rule.
US09231950B2
Access to content may be administered by storing content, the content comprising one or more selections, accessing a passive optical out-of-band token associated with the content, determining an access right for the content based on the passive optical out-of-band token, and enabling access to the content in accordance with the access right.
US09231947B2
A method for mutual authentication in an RFID system comprising an RFID reader and an RFID tag, the method comprising requesting an identification from the tag, receiving the identification, using the received identification to select a password associated with the identification, generating a password key based on the selected password, encrypting the selected password using the password key, and transmitting the encrypted password to the tag.
US09231944B2
Methods for the authentication of a web site by a visitor to the web site. The visitor uses a device, such as a portable device like a cell phone to compute a dynamic identification string and a one-time password. The dynamic identification string is sent to a service provider, such as a certification service server associated with the web site. In response, the server computes a one-time password that is transmitted to the visitor's device. The device computed one-time password can then be compared to the server computed one-time password in order to authenticate the web site.
US09231938B2
Techniques for determining classifications of defense measures as described herein. Security tokens are identified to be used to test defense measures of a web application. Combinations of security tokens are determined, wherein the combinations of security tokens are related to classifications of the defense measures. A combination is executed at an input point of the web application. Based on the output of the web application received in response to the executed combination, a classification for a defense measure of the web application is determined.
US09231927B2
A differencing generator generates difference data between a first data set and a second data set. An encryption unit encrypts data. An electronic signature generator generates the electronic signature of data. A transmission data generator generates transmission data. The encryption unit encrypts the difference data generated by the differencing generator so as to generate encrypted difference data. The transmission data generator generates transmission data containing both the encrypted difference data generated by the encryption unit and the electronic signature of the second data set as generated by the electronic signature generator.
US09231922B2
A cloud storage system includes a plurality of cloud storage modules for storing and managing data and a data encryption processing device. The data encryption processing device includes a priority manager for managing priorities on encrypting data of a plurality of cloud storage modules by using information on whether encryption processing for each of the plurality of the cloud storage modules is supported; and an encryption requester for selecting at least one cloud storage module on the basis of the priorities managed by the priority manager when receiving request of a data encryption, and performing, by the selected at least one cloud storage module, encryption after delivering the data to the selected cloud storage module.
US09231906B2
A method of assigning identification codes to devices, each device including a controller, a memory, and a switch, with the devices connected in a series circuit. The method includes opening all of the switches, supplying a signal, including an identification code, to the first device of the series circuit and storing the identification code in the memory of the first device, closing the switch of the first device to connect to the next device in the series circuit, sending an acknowledgement to the series circuit, and repeating the process for each of the devices, successively, for each of the devices in the series circuit, and assigning a different identification code to each of the devices.
US09231905B2
A communication device includes an address generation unit that generates address information, a reply request transmission unit that transmits a reply request to request a reply from the other communication device having the address information generated by the address generation unit, and an address setting unit that sets the address information generated by the address generation unit as address information of the communication device when the reply to the reply request is not received, wherein the address generation unit generates address information different from the previously generated address information when the reply to the reply request is received.
US09231901B1
Systems and methods for notifying users of upcoming communication sessions in a virtual forum of an online community, for example, a video or audio forum, in which multiple users “hang out” and communicate. Users are notified of these upcoming meetings in advance, so they may participate in them, even at short notice, for example, in the event a meeting is ongoing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods permit users to subscribe to a particular entity within an online community, which may either be individuals (for example, a celebrity), company pages, groups, etc. Those who subscribe to the particular entity are immediately notified in the event a meeting relating to the entity is designated to occur or is ongoing.
US09231889B2
A packet switch device for providing visibility of traffic in a network includes a housing, a processing unit located in the housing, a first network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the first network port is configured to communicate with the network, a second network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the second network port is configured to communicate with the network, and at least one instrument port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the at least one instrument port configured to communicate with a first network monitoring instrument, wherein the processing unit is configured to support a movement of packets from one or both of the first and second network ports to the at least one instrument port.
US09231878B2
Cloud computing platforms having computer-readable media that perform methods to shape virtual machine communication traffic. The cloud computing platform includes virtual machines and a controller. The controller limits the traffic associated with the virtual machines to enable the virtual machines to achieve desired communication rates, especially when a network servicing the virtual machines is congested. The controller may drop communication messages associated with the virtual machines based on a drop probability evaluated for the virtual machines.
US09231870B2
A network fabric may divide a physical connection into a plurality of VLANs as defined by IEEE 802.1Q. Moreover, many network fabrics use Priority Flow Control to identify and segregate network traffic based on different traffic classes or priorities. Current routing protocols define only eight traffic classes. In contrast, a network fabric may contain thousands of unique VLANs. When network congestion occurs, network devices (e.g., switches, bridges, routers, servers, etc.) can negotiate to pause the network traffic associated with one of the different traffic classes. Pausing the data packets associated with a single traffic class may also stop the data packets associated with thousands of VLANs. The embodiments disclosed herein permit a network fabric to individually pause VLANs rather than entire traffic classes.
US09231861B2
A method for providing ingress fault protection in a label switched network, comprising sending data traffic from a source node to a first label switched path (LSP) via a first ingress node, detecting a first fault using a first fault detection link between the source node and the first ingress node, sending the data traffic from the source node to a second LSP via a second ingress node in response to detecting the first fault, detecting a second fault using a second fault detection link between the first ingress node and the second ingress node, and merging the data traffic from the second LSP into the first LSP at a next-hop node of the first ingress node, wherein the data traffic is no longer sent to the first LSP via the first ingress node after the first fault.
US09231855B2
A method and system for hybrid automatic repeat request operation for uplink coordinated multi-point signaling, the method in one embodiment sending a data packet from a user equipment to a plurality of network elements; waiting for a control indication from at least one of the plurality of network element; and retransmitting the data packet to the plurality of network elements if the control indication specifies retransmission is required.
US09231852B2
In an embodiment, the disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a data store which comprises cost data associated with use of a path in a communications network. The data store also comprises power consumption data associated with the use of the path. The apparatus further comprises at least one processor configured to determine a score for the path based on the cost data and the power consumption data. The disclosure also includes an apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to receive data from a plurality of network elements (NEs). The data comprises cost and power consumption data for establishing a path between a plurality of the NEs. The PCE is configured to determine a score for the path based on the cost and power consumption data.
US09231851B2
Disclosed is an apparatus comprising a plurality of path computation elements (PCEs) associated with a plurality of inter-coupled domains and configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) associated with one of the domains and to implement a Forward Search Path Computation (FSPC) for a preferred path crossing the domains from a source node in a source domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains to a destination node in a destination domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains, wherein the preferred path is computed without using a determined order of the domains from the source domain to the destination domain.
US09231849B2
An apparatus includes a controller, a converter, and table information storing physical identification information identifying a physical port of first and second physical switches in association with virtual identification information identifying a virtual port of a virtual switch. For each virtual switch, the controller outputs control information determined based on a predetermined protocol and manages the received control information. The converter, based on the table information, converts the physical identification information added to the received control information and identifying a physical port via which the first physical switch has received the control information, into the associated virtual identification information, converts the virtual identification information added to the control information outputted from the controller and identifying a virtual port via which the control information is to be transmitted, into the associated physical identification information, and relays the control information between the controller and the second physical switch.
US09231840B2
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) session between computing devices can be identified. Each computing device can be associated with a communication link. Each of the computing devices can execute a VoIP application. Each application can include selectable codecs. The codecs can be an audio codec and a video codec. A unique list of the selectable codecs can be generated. The list can include sublists which can identify the codecs. A loss threshold with each sublist based on previously determined performance characteristics of the codecs can be associated. The threshold can be a packet loss threshold value of the link associated with the devices. A packet loss metric of the link can be evaluated. The link can be associated with a codec of the sublists. A programmatic action can be performed to select a different codec from the sublists responsive to the evaluating.
US09231838B2
In one aspect, the present invention addresses Layer-3 (L3) connection monitoring between two “multi-attached” host nodes that are interconnected via an intervening communication network having a known network topology. The present invention provides the two-fold benefit of rapid connection failure detection and failure location determination. In one or more embodiments, the present invention “pinpoints” the failure location, improving the intelligence of any triggered failure recovery mechanism and/or providing better, more meaningful failure reporting. A BFD session is established between the local and remote host nodes for each L3 communication path between them, e.g., for each unique pairing of local and remote network attachment points. Upon the occurrence of an L3 connection failure, the pattern of up/down states for these BFD sessions is analyzed, along with knowledge of the involved network topology, to determine the apparent location of the L3 connection failure.
US09231823B2
Systems and methods for detecting device failures in a network having nodes coupled to a central controller, in which a first of the nodes communicates with the central controller via a second of the nodes. When the second node determines that the first node has not transmitted a predetermined number of messages over a predefined number of time periods, the second node provides a failure alert to the central controller. The central controller records a failure alert received from the second node in a log. Based on a set of failure alerts received from a number of nodes recorded in the log, the central controller determines whether the first node has failed.
US09231821B2
A system for PIM vLAG fast link failover recovery includes a first vLAG switch connected to a second vLAG switch by an ISL. The first vLAG switch is connected to an upstream network device by a failed link and the second vLAG switch is connected to the upstream network device by a functional link. To recover from the failed link, the first vLAG switch transmits a ROUTEUPDATE message to the second vLAG switch upon the ISL that instructs the second vLAG switch to receive data traffic from the upstream network device and forward the data traffic to the first vLAG switch upon the ISL.
US09231814B2
A communication device including a source coding unit source-coding data to be transmitted, a transport protocol unit, coupled to the source coding unit, generating at least one transport protocol message from the source-coded data, wherein the transport protocol unit can add to the source-coded data in the transport protocol message control information by means of which processing of the data to be transmitted can be controlled in a communication device receiving the transport protocol message.
US09231804B2
A digital broadcast transmitting device and an exciter have an AGC function. In a level adjusting unit which receives an input of a baseband digital signal from a modulation processing unit, a comparator generates an error signal from a difference between a level signal obtained by digitizing a feedback signal from a power amplifier by A/D converter and a reference voltage generated by a reference generating unit, and an AGC multiplier/divider carries out digital multiplying/dividing coefficient to the baseband digital signal with or by a gain coefficient such that the error signal becomes 0. Thereby, AGC which controls transmission output from the power amplifier at a fixed level is carried out.
US09231800B2
A method for transmitting data between two devices, in which data frames of the data are temporally adjusted in such a way that a constant number of flanks is used for the data frames. In addition, a related system, computer program, and computer program product are also described.
US09231796B2
Power aware equalization in a serial communications link that includes a transmitter and a receiver, including: determining, by a power aware equalization module, a required signal eye width and a required signal eye height for signals received by the receiver; identifying one or more signal equalizers for signals transmitted over the serial communications link; identifying one or more cumulative equalizer settings that equalize signals transmitted over the serial communications link to conform with the required signal eye width and the required signal eye height for signals received by the receiver; determining power consumption values associated with each of the one or more cumulative equalizer settings; and setting the one or more signal equalizers to configuration settings in dependence upon the power consumption values associated with each of the one or more cumulative equalizer settings.
US09231790B2
System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data, particularly between two devices within an electronic apparatus. Information is transmitted in N-phase polarity encoded symbols. Data is encoded in multi-bit symbols, and the multi-bit symbols are transmitted on a plurality of connectors. The multi-bit symbols may be transmitted by mapping the symbols to a sequence of states of the plurality of connectors, and driving the connectors in accordance with the sequence of states. The timing of the sequence of states is determinable at a receiver at each transition between sequential states. The state of each connector may be defined by polarity and direction of rotation of a multi-phase signal transmitted on the each connector.
US09231788B2
Disclosed are a method and device for estimating a channel in a multiple-receiving antenna system. The method comprises: a channel estimation is performed on a received pilot signal by using a least square channel estimation algorithm to obtain an estimation value HLS; an N′-dimensional channel autocorrelation matrix formula (I) and a channel frequency domain autocorrelation matrix Ri from a transmitting antenna i to any receiving antenna are acquired, and a weight matrix W which is descrambled and denoised is calculated, wherein i=1, 2, . . . , NT, and NT is the number of antennae at a transmitting end; the estimation value HLS is corrected by using the weight matrix W to obtain a corrected estimation value HP-LMMSE. The method and device of the disclosure may obtain the performance as close as possible to the LMMSE technology through less prior statistic information, and have a simple implementation manner.
US09231783B2
Embodiments for enabling traffic content identification by a wireless transmit/receive unit are provided. The WTRU may store interface binding entries in a database associating links in a web page to various traffic content types, such as video, audio, and text. Upon a request to access one of the links, a socket may be created based on a data mobility policy associated with the traffic content type. Alternately, the database may associate the links directly to interface types based on the data mobility policies. The Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) may provide the data mobility policies to the WTRU.
US09231761B2
System and method embodiments are provided herein for efficient representation and use of initialization vectors (IVs) for encrypted segments using template mode representation in Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH). An embodiment method includes sending in a media presentation description (MPD), from a network server to a client, a template for generating a universal resource locator (URL) to obtain an IV that is used for encrypting a segment, in absence of an IV value in the MPD, receiving from the client a URL configured according to the template, and upon receiving the URL, returning an IV corresponding to the URL to the client. Another embodiment method includes receiving in a MPD, at a client from a network server, a template for generating a URL to obtain an IV that is used for encrypting a segment, upon detecting an absence of an IV value or IV base value in the MPD, configuring a URL for the IV using the template, sending the URL for the IV, and receiving an IV.
US09231757B2
Technologies are generally described for proxy key generation, and signature generation and validation. In some examples, a cryptographic key generation system may include an original key generation unit configured to generate a public key and a private key for an original signer, a proxy key generation unit configured to generate one or more proxy public keys and one or more proxy private keys for one or more proxy signers, and a transmitter configured to transmit the proxy private keys respectively to the one or more proxy signers.
US09231754B2
An apparatus comprising a customer node configured to couple to an access node and to receive via a channel from the access node a time of day (TOD) value and a corresponding sample index (SNUM) value, wherein the TOD value and the SNUM value are used to estimate a second time of day (TOD′) value based on a propagation delay of the channel (L-Delay), and wherein the TOD value and the TOD′ value are used to estimate a second SNUM value (SNUM′) based on L-Delay and a plurality of parameters.
US09231752B1
Embodiments include systems and methods for increasing frequency offset tracking in clock data recovery (CDR) systems. For example, in asynchronous clocking environments, the receiver-side clock frequency can be offset from the transmitter-side clock. While traditional CDR systems can handle some amount of offset, they are typically ineffective at accurately adapting the receiver-side clocking to an optimal data sampling rate when the offset is excessive. Embodiments include a CDR frequency offset adaptation loop that generates an adaptation signal, which can be monitored to detect an adaptation error arising from excessive frequency offset. In response to the detecting, an offset seed can be selected and injected into the frequency offset adaptation loop, thereby reinitializing the frequency offset adaptation loop with a less stressful seed.
US09231748B1
A method and corresponding system is provided to help mitigate the potential quality-of-service degradation associated with fast-moving UEs operating in a network that provides higher-bandwidth frequency channels in some but not all wireless coverage sectors. In accordance with the method, a base station may evaluate a UE's current speed and, when that speed exceeds a threshold speed, the base station may instruct the UE to register on a low-bandwidth channel rather than a higher-bandwidth channel. Registering for service on a low-bandwidth channel instead of a higher-bandwidth channel may help ensure that the UE maintains a consistent quality of service as the UE moves from coverage area to coverage area. Further, the base station may also query nearby base stations to determine whether there exists a sufficient number of base stations that operate on higher-bandwidth channels. If so, the base station may instruct the UE to use a higher-bandwidth channel.
US09231745B2
A method and apparatus of a user equipment are provided for transmitting a channel status report in a communication system. The method includes receiving first information for at least one channel status report; generating a first channel status report corresponding to the first information for the at least one channel status report based on a reference signal in a first subframe; and transmitting the first channel status report based on the first information for the at least one channel status report in a second subframe. The first information for the at least one channel status report comprises information for a period and an offset, and a difference between the first subframe and the second subframe is a smallest value greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09231743B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a control signal (for example, PDCCH signal) in an asymmetric multicarrier environment. The method for transmitting a control signal for an asymmetric multicarrier in a wireless connection system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: determining the size of a carrier indicator field (CIF) indicating a downlink component carrier (DL CC) by which downlink data is transmitted, on the basis of a maximum value of the number of DL CCs and of the number of uplink component carriers (UL CCs) being managed in a base station; transmitting the CIF on a 1st DL CC to a terminal through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and transmitting downlink data on a 2nd DL CC indicated by the CIF to the terminal through a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).
US09231741B2
Systems and methods for communication are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a communications system, comprising at least one transmitter station and at least one receiver station, the transmitter station and receiver station communicating using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) schema, wherein OFDM signals are transmitted in a notched frequency band arrangement such that at least one other transmission within a notch of the notched frequency band is used outside of the communications system.
US09231738B2
Provided is a communication method of a relay node for network coding, including determining one of a plurality of nodes included in a mesh network as a relay node to perform network coding; determining, by the relay node among the plurality of nodes, nodes capable of participating in the network coding; and performing the network coding with respect to the nodes capable of participating in the network coding.
US09231737B1
A first wireless device includes a coding module that encodes packets and adds dummy data to a second packet. A first receiver (i) in response to transmission of a first packet, receives a first acknowledgement (ACK) signal, and (ii) in response to transmission of the second packet, receives a second ACK signal. Reception of the first ACK signal is delayed a first delay period from an end of the transmission of the first packet. Reception of the second ACK signal is delayed a second delay period from an end of the transmission of the dummy data. The coding module, prior to the transmission of the second packet and based on time to process the first and second packets at a second wireless device, determines the amount of dummy data to add to the second packet such that the first delay period is a same length as the second delay period.
US09231735B2
A method and apparatus provide for stable signal demodulation in a communication system. The method and apparatus includes including detecting an erroneous demodulation value based on backward-demodulation of received signals, using a difference between a received signal to be demodulated and a preceding signal of the received signals and correcting the error demodulation value. Alternatively, backward-demodulation is used to confirm received signals.
US09231732B2
A networking device includes a packet header protect generator, a transmitter, a receiver, a decoder and router. The transmitter transmits a data packet to the receiver. The data packet includes a data packet header. The packet header protection generator is arranged to toggle selected bits of a protected portion of the data packet header and generate a data integrity signature. The receiver receives the data packet and generates a received data integrity signature. The decoder computes a locally computed data integrity signature in response to the protected portion of the received data packet header. The locally computed data integrity signature is compared with the received data integrity signature. The router selects a portion of a routing path in response to whether a data packet forwarding destination includes a decoder arranged to compute a locally computed data integrity signature.
US09231725B2
A method of configuring an optical network terminal, ONT, of a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network, WDM PON. Sequentially setting a transmission wavelength of a tunable optical filter at the ONT to one or more wavelengths of a pre-selected plurality of transmission wavelengths until a wavelength is identified for which no downstream optical signal from an optical line terminal of the WDM PON is detected. Determining whether a transmitter operable at said identified transmission wavelength is present at the OLT and is available to be assigned to communicate with the ONT. If a transmitter is determined to be present and available, maintaining the transmission wavelength of the tunable optical filter at transmission wavelength and assigning the ONT to the OLT as a subscriber at said identified transmission wavelength. If a transmitter is determined to be one of not present and not available, recommencing the method.
US09231713B2
Methodologies for designing and assembling an analog Nyquist filter require a filter unit which includes a low pass filter in cascade with at least one tapped delay filter. A Signal Generator is used to generate a test pattern for input into the filter unit in order to create a reaction signal from the filter unit. This reaction signal is then compared with a desired Nyquist response. Based on this comparison, amplifier gains for taps in the tapped delay filter are weighted to establish a transfer function in the filter unit. In operation the transfer function shapes analog input signals with the desired Nyquist response for use as an output from the Nyquist filter.
US09231709B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described that employ specially designed interference patterns to build an in-band side channel without degrading the effective throughput of the main channel. A first device (100) includes a control component (130) that generates control information and an interference component (140) that transmits the control information (450) through emission of patterned interference data concurrently while other users are transmitting other data (420). A second device (300) receives the patterned interference data and the other data via a single antenna (350) and decodes the patterned interference data to extract the control data (450). The first device (100) transmits the other data (420) on a side channel (440) that resides in the same spectrum as the main channel (410) in which the other data (420) is emitted. The first device (100) encodes the interference patterns such that the control data (450) can be safely transmitted and extracted without effecting other data transmission. In one aspect, devices (100, 200, 300) can employ a dynamic cooperation multi-access channel (DC-MAC) protocol (1510) to schedule transmission of the other data (420) on the main channel (410), and to employ the side channel (440) for control and coordination.
US09231708B2
A system and method to broadcast an optical signal through an amorphous medium, including a primary emitter capable of producing a primary optical signal during at least one broadcast period and capable of transmitting the primary optical signal through the amorphous medium. A secondary emitter, separate from the primary emitter and in operation during at least a portion of the broadcast period, produces a secondary emission detectable by a detector during the broadcast period. A signal entrainment controller, in communication with the primary emitter and the secondary emitter, synchronizes the secondary emitter with the primary emitter to generate a resultant signal of higher intensity than the primary signal by itself.
US09231702B2
A technique is provided for an optical multiple input multiple output (MIMO) processing system. The optical (MIMO) processing system includes an interface to a multi-mode fiber at a first end of the optical processing system; M first single-mode waveguides coupled to the interface; wherein the first waveguides are arranged to carry M first optical signals, respectively; N second single-mode waveguides at a second end of the optical processing system, wherein the second waveguides are arranged to carry N second optical signals, respectively, wherein the N second optical signals are associated with N modes carried by the multi-mode fiber; and an optical processing core arranged to transform the first optical signals into the second optical signals such that a correlation between the second optical signals is decreased compared to a correlation between the first optical signals using a plurality of optical couplers for coupling each of the M first optical signals with one another, such that each of the N second optical signals is a linear combination of all of the M first optical signals.
US09231696B2
Methods and apparatuses for enabling supervision of fibers in an optical communication network, where a Central Office provides data signals to a Remote Node for distribution to Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). The Central Office generates and sends test signals of different monitoring wavelengths associated to predefined groups of said ONTs, to the Remote Node. The Remote Node routes each test signal to a corresponding associated group of ONTs according to the wavelength of the test signal. When receiving a back-scattered and back-reflected test signal caused by a faulty optical fiber, the Central Office is able to identify the faulty optical fiber based on the wavelength of the back-scattered and back-reflected signal.
US09231695B2
An optical transmission device includes: a switching configured to be capable of switching a transmission path to which light is input from a first transmission path to a second transmission path; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, based on a difference between a first light level of the first transmission path and a second light level of the second transmission path, a first control amount for the second light level; and a control unit configured to perform a first control in which the second light level is decreased or increased based on the first control amount upon switching of the transmission path.
US09231694B1
The present invention provides a platform for translating between devices, updating device software, receiving and normalizing device signals, processing them, and determining appropriate responses to containers. The present invention seeks to keep intelligence at the back end allowing smart devices to remain effective under the complex conditions of the intermodal shipping industry. According to a further preferred embodiment, the invention further includes container transponders adapted to receive local signals and repeat or forward the signals. Further, the present invention discloses a method designed to increase signal reliability between smart devices which may act as relay nodes to communicate with existing devices.
US09231690B2
Method, computer program product, and apparatus for signal tracking and decoding in GNSS are disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, a satellite receiver may be configured to receive a first sub-frame of a satellite signal. It defers a determination of validity of the first sub-frame until a preamble of a second sub-frame is received. The satellite receiver receives the preamble of the second sub-frame, and then determines whether there is a data decoding error of the first sub-frame using the first sub-frame and the preamble of the second sub-frame.
US09231682B2
System and method for calculating a transmitter beamforming vector related to a channel vector h under per-antenna power constraints combined with total power constraint, under per-antenna power constraints combined with overall line of site (LOS) effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and under all three constraints. Calculating a transmitter beamforming vector may be done in the transmitter, in the receiver and feedback to the transmitter or in both. The method may be adapted to perform with a multi-antenna receiver and with multi-carrier systems.
US09231680B2
A front end circuit for coupling a plurality of antennas to a multi-channel time domain duplex RF transceiver is disclosed. The front end circuit has a first transmit port, a first receive chain primary port, a first receive chain secondary ports, and a first antenna port connectible to a first one of the plurality of antennas. The front end circuit also has a second transmit port, a second receive chain primary port, and a second receive chain secondary port connectible to a second one of the plurality of antennas. A first switch has terminals connected to the first transmit port, the first receive chain primary port, and the second receive chain secondary port, as well as a common terminal that is connected to the first antenna port. Additionally, the front end circuit has a second switch that has terminals connected to the second transmit port, the second receive chain primary port and the first receive chain secondary port, and a common terminal connected to the second antenna port.
US09231676B2
An apparatus includes a number of first RF chains configured to be able to be coupled to a plurality of first antennas from an antenna array and a number of second RF chains configured to be able to be coupled to a plurality of second antennas from the antenna array. The first and second antennas are different. The first and second RF chains are configured to create RF signals from baseband signals. The first RF chains have a certain functionality, and the second RF chains have a reduced functionality relative to the certain functionality. The apparatus may include the antenna array. The first and second antennas may have the same or different characteristics. A base station may include the apparatus. Sets of antennas for the second RF chains may be use to create signals used for over-the-air signal combining at a receiver. Methods and program products are also described.
US09231671B1
A link optimizer for optimizing a link on a wireless local area network (WLAN). The link optimizer including: a beamform matrix generator configured to generate discrete candidate beamforming matrices for spatially modulating successive communication packets from a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capable transmitter one of the WLAN nodes that supports beamforming to a recipient one of the nodes that does not support beamforming; and a beamform evaluator configured to evaluate discrete ones among the set of candidate beam forming matrices generated by the beamform matrix generator based on receipt acknowledgements from the recipient one of the nodes for each successive communication packet transmitted from the MIMO capable transmitter one of the nodes; and to utilize a successfully evaluated one of the candidate beam forming matrices for transmission of subsequent communication packets from the MIMO transmitter one of the nodes to the recipient one of the nodes.
US09231666B2
This invention measures the propagation delay τ1 between the user equipment and a first cooperating unit and the propagation delay τ2 between the user equipment and a second cooperating unit. These propagation delays are used to compute a timing advance amount to the user equipment to enable coordinated multi-point reception. In a first embodiment one cooperating unit receives a function of the propagation delay, computes the timing advance amount and transmits a timing advance command to the user equipment. In a second embodiment a central unit performs these operations.