US09239961B1

The recognition of text in an acquired image is improved by using general and type-specific heuristics that can determine the likelihood that a portion of the text is truncated at an edge of an image, frame, or screen. Truncated text can be filtered such that the user is not provided with an option to perform an undesirable task, such as to dial an incorrect number or connect to an incorrect Web address, based on recognizing an incomplete text string. The general and type-specific heuristics can be combined to improve confidence, and the image data can be pre-processed on the device before processing with an optical character recognition (OCR) engine. Multiple frames can be analyzed to attempt to recognize words or characters that might have been truncated in one or more of the frames.
US09239955B2

A method and system of vehicle classification, and more particularly to a method and system called hierarchical vehicle classification system using a video and/or video image, a method and system of vehicle classification using a vehicle ground clearance measurement system, and method and system for classification of passenger vehicles and measuring their properties, and more particularly to capturing a vehicle traveling along a road from a single camera and classifying the vehicle into a vehicle class.
US09239953B2

A system for contextualizing machine indeterminable information based on machine determinable information may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store an electronic document image which may include information determinable by a machine and information indeterminable by a machine. The processor may be operative to receive, via the interface, the electronic document image. The processor may determine the machine determinable information of the electronic document image and may identify the machine indeterminable information of the electronic document image. The processor may contextualize the machine indeterminable information based on the machine determinable information. The processor may present the contextualized machine indeterminable information to the user to facilitate interpretation thereof. In response thereto, the processor may receive, via the interface, data representative of a user determination associated with the machine indeterminable information.
US09239952B2

A system for extracting data from a document may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The processor may identify one or more landmarks based on predefined characteristics that are associated with known landmarks. After one or more landmarks are defined, business rules may indicate one or more areas that may contain data to be extracted. The business rules may also indicate the type of data in the area and processing methods that may be used to extract the data. After determining the business rules, the processor may determine whether the data is in the area and/or extract the data.
US09239949B2

A mobile device user interface method activates a camera module to support a video chat function and acquires an image of a target object using the camera module. In response to detecting a face in the captured image, the facial image data is analyzed to identify an emotional characteristic of the face by identifying a facial feature and comparing the identified feature with a predetermined feature associated with an emotion. The identified emotional characteristic is compared with a corresponding emotional characteristic of previously acquired facial image data of the target object. In response to the comparison, an emotion indicative image is generated and the generated emotion indicative image is transmitted to a destination terminal used in the video chat.
US09239945B2

A biometric authentication apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores representative matching data representing features of biometric information of a registered user and representing conditions of a designated body part of the registered user, each representing one of at least two different portions of a variation range over which the condition of the body part containing the registered user's biometric information varies due to cyclic environmental variations; a biometric information acquiring unit which generates a biometric image representing biometric information of a user; a matching data generating unit which generates, from the biometric image, input matching data that represents the features of the biometric information of the user; a matching unit which matches the input matching data against at least one of the representative matching data; and an authentication judging unit which judges, based on a result of the matching, whether the user is to be authenticated or not.
US09239944B2

The quality of biometric information that will be input the next time is estimated. Estimated matching quality information is calculated which indicates the degree of matching between estimated quality information and quality information of the actually input biometric information. Further, past quality information is calculated which indicates how the quality of a plurality of pieces of estimated matching quality information varied in the past. Then, whether or not the biometric information is to be registered is determined according to the estimated matching quality information and the past quality information.
US09239942B2

A structure for extending the field area of a device equipped with an RF tag reader. The structure can include at least one reader coupling area for inductively coupling with an RF tag reader, and at least one tag coupling area for inductively coupling with an RF tag, wherein the tag coupling area is disposed outside the field area of the RF tag reader, and the reader coupling area is conductively coupled to the tag coupling area such that a signal induced in the reader coupling area by the RF reader creates a signal in the tag coupling area, thereby inducing a signal in the tag, and allowing the RF reader to communicate with the tag.
US09239941B1

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag IC stores an identifier and a check code. The IC determines whether the stored identifier is corrupted by comparing it to the check code. If the stored identifier does not correspond to the check code then the IC may terminate operation or indicate an error. The IC may also reconstruct the correct identifier from the check code.
US09239938B2

A protective data holding vault that includes a module with onboard memory that can be configured as a drive, e.g. flash drive, attached to a machine or apparatus and which securely and protectively holds data associated with the machine or apparatus and a unique identifier thereof. The vault includes a casing with a receptacle in which the module is received and a cover that is sealingly attachable to the casing to cover the receptacle and protect the module in the receptacle. The vault is mounted in a pocket on the machine or apparatus, or a component therefor or thereof, and is linkable to a processor equipped device, such as via a USB link, enabling data stored on the vault to be retrieved and stored offboard providing secure data backup. In one system implementation, data synchronization can be performed to a remotely located storage device with bidirectional data transfer contemplated.
US09239933B2

This is a system for controlling and restricting access (reading, writing, creating, deleting, manipulating, and control) to data and data representations of arbitrary processing engines through the use of secure containers, an access processing engine, and cryptographic keys.
US09239924B2

A computer system includes a server having a memory connected thereto. The server is adapted to be connected to a network to permit remote storage and retrieval of data files from the memory. A file identification application is operative with the server to identify errant files stored in the memory. The file identification application provides the functions of: (1) selecting a file stored in said memory; (2) generating a unique checksum corresponding to the stored fire; (3) comparing said unique checksum to each of a plurality of previously generated checksums, wherein the plurality of previously generated checksums correspond to known errant files; and (4) marking the file for deletion from the memory if the unique checksum matches one of the plurality of previously generated checksums.
US09239921B2

Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for antivirus checking of software objects in a virtual environment. An example method includes monitoring and identifying, by an antivirus agent running on a virtual machine in the virtual environment, an event occurring in the virtual machine, an object related to the event, and a type of the object; upon determining that the object needs an antivirus checking, sending, by the antivirus agent, to a control module in the virtual environment, information of the object and the event; determining, by the control module, priorities of executing one or more antivirus checking methods determined for the object; and distributing, by the control module, among one or more selected components of an antivirus system in the virtual environment, the one or more antivirus checking methods to be performed on the object based on the priorities.
US09239917B2

An embodiment provides a method, including: activating, at an information handling device, an optical sensor; initiating, using a processor, an identification sequence; receiving, at the optical sensor, a sequence of user gesture input; determining if the sequence of user gesture input matches a predetermined sequence of user gesture input stored as training data, the determining comprising comparing, using the processor, data points derived from a three dimensional limb movement of the user gesture input with the stored training data; and providing an identification result. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09239916B1

A method is used in using spatial diversity with secrets. A spatially diverse presentation is presented. A reaction of a user to the spatially diverse presentation is received and analyzed. The analysis is used as a basis for helping to determine whether the user has knowledge of a secret.
US09239912B1

A method, apparatus, and manufacture for content protection using authentication data. A client media player is employed to determine whether media content is protected. The client media player includes an application, and further includes a media engine that is a distinct program from the application. Upon determining that the media content is protected, the application is employed to get a key and/or a license for the protected media content such that authentication data is employed to authorize the client. The authentication data includes at least one of a software token or a cookie. The application is employed to instruct the media engine to play the media content. The key and/or the license is sent from the application to the media engine.
US09239908B1

A method and system is used in managing organization based security risks. Organization based information is analyzed for information that is suitable for use in attacking a user in the organization. The organization based information comprises user access information. Publicly available information is analyzed for information that is suitable for use in identifying the user within the organization. Based on the analyzes, there is derived a risk score for the user.
US09239904B2

The present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and system for analyzing a biomarker which cycles in a subject. In some other aspects, the present invention relates to analyzing a biomarker which at least initially increases or decreases in amount in a subject following a treatment for a disease. In further aspects, the present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and systems for determining a preferred time to administer a therapy to treat a disease in a subject. The present invention also relates to computer program product to implement the methods. Further, the present invention relates to methods of determining the timing of treating a disease in a subject in which the immune system is cycling.
US09239901B2

An object of the present invention is to provide wiring board design system and wiring board design method to determine a component and a wiring pattern in real-time when designing a wiring on a circuit board. The wiring board design system provides a cloud service for a terminal which is used by users via a network. When to arrange components on the circuit board, while pushing out automatically wirings which are overlapped with the components on the arranging position, the wiring board design system secures a space on that can arrange the component. The wiring processing is performed automatically and the fine adjustment such as rotation, movement of arranged components is performed automatically if necessary. The processing for equalization is performed so as to be the equal wiring density on the circuit board.
US09239882B2

A correlator extracts a plurality of related queries corresponding to each one of a plurality of answers. A classifier matches each one of the related queries corresponding to the answer with a category. A statistical tool determines the relevance of each category relative to the categories matched to the related queries corresponding to the answers.
US09239877B2

The invention provides a system and method for integrating multimedia descriptions in a way that allows humans, software components or devices to easily identify, represent, manage, retrieve, and categorize the multimedia content. In this manner, a user who may be interested in locating a specific piece of multimedia content from a database, Internet, or broadcast media, for example, may search for and find the multimedia content. In this regard, the invention provides a system and method that receives multimedia content and separates the multimedia content into separate components which are assigned to multimedia categories, such as image, video, audio, synthetic and text. Within each of the multimedia categories, the multimedia content is classified and descriptions of the multimedia content are generated. The descriptions are then formatted, integrated, using a multimedia integration description scheme, and the multimedia integration description is generated for the multimedia content. The multimedia description is then stored into a database. As a result, a user may query a search engine which then retrieves the multimedia content from the database whose integration description matches the query criteria specified by the user. The search engine can then provide the user a useful search result based on the multimedia integration description.
US09239869B1

Various embodiments illustrated and described herein include systems, methods, and computer program products to protect NTFS deduplicated volumes. Some embodiments select a data protection mode from various modes to protect deduplicated volumes. Some data protection modes retrieve the deduplicated files and associated data chunks without rehydrating the files and send them to a replica. Some data protection modes rehydrate deduplicated files as they are retrieved, send the rehydrated files to the replica, and turn on deduplication at the replica so the files can be deduplicated on the replica. Deduplication settings can also be transferred to the replica so that deduplication on the replica mimics deduplication on the source. Some data protection modes replicate the deduplicated files to the replica.
US09239864B2

In an embodiment, a method for distributing and processing streams over wide area networks comprises receiving, at a unified data processing node, a continuous query; determining a parallel portion of the continuous query; sending the parallel portion to a plurality of distributed data processing nodes located in a plurality of data centers; at each distributed node in the plurality of distributed nodes, locally executing the parallel portion against independent data partitions, producing a partial summary data, sending the partial summary data to the unified node; continuously receiving, at the unified node, in real-time, the partial summary data.
US09239861B2

Techniques for hierarchy visualization for organizations are described. An apparatus may comprise an information retrieval component and a profile construction component. The information retrieval component may be generally operative to retrieve information regarding a plurality of individuals from a plurality of data repositories. The profile construction component may be generally operative to create a plurality of profiles from the retrieved information, wherein each profile combines information regarding an individual from the plurality of data repositories. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09239850B2

An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of encoded feature descriptors. A feature descriptor encoding apparatus includes a feature point detection unit that detects feature points from an image and outputs coordinate values; a local feature descriptor extracting unit that extracts local feature descriptors from local regions centered on the coordinate values of the feature points; a coordinate value scanning unit that converts the coordinate values into index values according to a specific scanning method; a sorting unit that sorts the index values; a difference calculation unit that calculates a differential value between two adjacent index values of the sorted index values and outputs a sequence of differential values; a differential encoding unit that encodes the sequence of the differential values in a sequential permutation; and a local feature descriptor encoding unit that encodes the local feature descriptors of the corresponding feature points in the same permutation as that of the sorted index values.
US09239844B2

Accurate and efficient detection of data duplication is implemented. A data duplication determination part (1A) of a storage system (1) temporarily stores in a pool (4) a target chunk data when a second management table (T2) indicates that the target chunk data, which is included in received data, has already been stored, and, in addition, when data (a fingerprint (FP)) for guaranteeing the identity of the target chunk data is not stored in a third management table (T3). The duplication determination part (1A), in a case where the second management table indicates that another target chunk data that differs from the target chunk is already stored, and, in addition, in a case where determination is made that the FP of the other target chunk data is stored in the third management table, makes a redetermination as to whether the chunk data stored in the pool has already been stored.
US09239843B2

A method for performing storage system de-duplication. The method includes accessing a plurality of initial partitions of files of a storage system and performing a de-duplication on each of the initial partitions. For each duplicate found, an indicator comprising the metadata that is similar across said each duplicate is determined. For each indicator, indicators are determined that infer a likelihood that data objects with said indicators contain duplicate data is high. Optimized partitions are generated in accordance with the chosen indicators. A de-duplication process is subsequently performed on each of the optimized partitions.
US09239841B2

Methods and systems configured to provide hash-based snapshot services for a virtual storage are provided. The system includes a processor and memory coupled with the processor. The memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions for maintaining, by a hash-based snapshot module executing on the system, a file system of the virtual storage. The file system is associated with a plurality of data blocks. The virtual storage is supported by a hash-storage having a hash base-file and a hash-database. The hash-database is configured for storing the plurality of data blocks. And the hash base-file includes hash codes generated by applying a hash function to the plurality of data blocks. The memory is further configured to provide the processor with instructions for accessing, by the hash-based snapshot module, the file system using hash codes contained in the hash base-file to identify data blocks stored in the hash-database; creating, by the hash-based snapshot module, a first snapshot for the file system, wherein the first snapshot is associated with a first hash snapshot file copied based on the hash base-file; and accessing, by the hash-based snapshot module, the first snapshot using hash codes contained in the first hash snapshot file to identify data blocks stored in the hash-database.
US09239840B1

A system is provided for migrating, in an automated way, old backups created using older software to the current vendor. Generally, backup products are composed of a few broad sub-systems. The migration system organizes old backup data and can present the backup data to a new vendor's system. The embodiments include a virtual appliance, which can include a client (e.g., a consumer of the XBSA API) to drive the legacy vendor with user selections to pull data from existing media and create a server personality that can be presented to the new backup software. The new backup system can then use existing means to discover, backup, and catalog data made available via the virtual appliance.
US09239837B2

Systems and methods utilize a display to provide universal remote control functionality. A menu of options appears on a display of a display device. A user can navigate the various options to control devices that are separate from the display device. The menu may be dynamically configured according to the context in which the display device is being used. The menu may be activated using a remote control device or other device and the menu may include options for controlling one or more devices that are absent from the remote control device.
US09239819B2

A report rendering system and method of filtering and navigating reports on mobile devices are provided. The report rendering system comprises a scene generator for generating a scene of a report in response to a request to view the report or a subset of the report and a navigation module for storing selected components within the scene. The method comprises the steps of generating a scene of a report in response to a request to view the report or a subset of the report and storing selected components within the scene.
US09239816B2

A method of power system preventive control candidate measures identification self-adaptive to external environment, which is applicable to dynamic identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and judgment of preventive control measures that lose or restore control capability, and those for which control range or cost has changed. Automatic online identification of set of preventive control candidate measures includes two tasks: identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and adjustment of the space of preventive control measures. According to information of power transmission line fault probability due to calamity, online dynamic quantitative assessment of stations and equipment is performed under the effect of external environment, and automatically correct control range and control cost of the measures according to the effect on equipment, so that the result of preventive control adapts to real-time external environment, ensuring feasibility and economy of auxiliary decision making.
US09239806B2

Systems, devices, memory controllers, and methods for controlling memory are described. One such method includes activating a memory unit of a memory device; after activating the memory unit, providing a command to the memory device; and returning the memory unit to a previous state if the command does not indicate a target memory volume, wherein the memory unit remains active if the command indicates a target memory volume associated with the memory unit.
US09239801B2

An example processing system may comprise: a lower stack bound register configured to store a first memory address, the first memory address identifying a lower bound of a memory addressable via a stack segment; an upper stack bound register configured to store a second memory address, the second memory address identifying an upper bound of the memory addressable via the stack segment; and a stack bounds checking logic configured to detect unauthorized stack pivoting, by comparing a memory address being accessed via the stack segment with at least one of the first memory address and the second memory address.
US09239794B1

A method for managing data items retrieved for storage in a prefetch memory buffer includes determining a probability that a first data item will be requested for retrieval. The method includes estimating a first request time at which the new data item will be requested. The method also includes determining a time differential for the first data item, wherein the time differential is determined based on current time and the first request time. The method includes calculating a first prefetch priority value for the first data item based on the first data item probability and the time differential. The method includes randomly comparing the first prefetch priority value of the first data item to the prefetch priority values of the one or more stored data items to identify at least one stored data item having a prefetch priority value lower than the first prefetch priority value.
US09239791B2

A method and circuit arrangement selectively swizzle data in one or more levels of cache memory coupled to a processing unit based upon one or more swizzle-related page attributes stored in a memory address translation data structure such as an Effective To Real Translation (ERAT) or Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB). A memory address translation data structure may be accessed, for example, in connection with a memory access request for data in a memory page, such that attributes associated with the memory page in the data structure may be used to control whether data is swizzled, and if so, how the data is to be formatted in association with handling the memory access request.
US09239789B2

A method and apparatus for monitor and mwait in a distributed cache architecture is disclosed. One embodiment includes an execution thread sending a MONITOR request for an address to a portion of a distributed cache that stores the data corresponding to that address. At the distributed cache portion the MONITOR request and an associated speculative state is recorded locally for the execution thread. The execution thread then issues an MWAIT instruction for the address. At the distributed cache portion the MWAIT and an associated wait-to-trigger state are recorded for the execution thread. When a write request matching the address is received at the distributed cache portion, a monitor-wake event is then sent to the execution thread and the associated monitor state at the distributed cache portion for that execution thread can be reset to idle.
US09239778B2

An operating method of a controller includes selecting bits of code word to be punctured; detecting locations of incapable bits of an input word based on locations of the bits to be punctured and a structure of a generation matrix calculation unit; refreezing the input word such that frozen bits and incapable bits of the input word overlap; generating input word bits by replacing information word bits with frozen bits based on the refreezing result; generating the code word by performing generation matrix calculation on the input word bits; generating output bits by puncturing the code word based on locations of the bits to be punctured; and transmitting the output bits to a nonvolatile memory device.
US09239777B1

System, method, and non-transitory medium for generating a test scenario template from a cluster of similar partial runs of test scenarios involves executing the following: identifying runs of test scenarios run by users on software systems that belong to different organizations; generating partial runs of the test scenarios by extracting from each run of a test scenario data pertaining to a proper subset of the plurality of test steps described in the run; clustering the partial runs of the test scenarios into clusters of similar partial runs; receiving a profile of a user; selecting, based on the profile, from among the clusters a certain cluster suitable for the user; and generating a test scenario template based on partial runs belonging to the certain cluster.
US09239770B2

A restriction condition extraction apparatus specifies operation targets including a first target and another target related thereto that are operated based on first procedure information in a first execution environment, extracts first procedures related to the specified operation targets from the first procedure information, generates first relation information indicating an execution order on related operation targets regarding the extracted first procedures, specifies operation targets including a second target and another target related thereto that are operated based on second procedure information in a second execution environment, extracts second procedures related to the specified operation targets from the second procedure information, generates second relation information indicating an execution order on related operation targets regarding the extracted second procedures, compares the first and the second relation information, and extracts relations of an execution order on related operation targets, which are common in the first and the second relation information.
US09239763B2

A container database may contain multiple database dictionaries, each database dictionary defining a pluggable database. When database sessions are established on a container DBMS, each database session is given access to a pluggable database by establishing the respective database dictionary of the pluggable database as the database dictionary for that database session. Database commands issued through database session can only access the database objects defined in the database dictionary established for the database session.
US09239755B2

A semiconductor system includes a memory configured to output a parity bit during a read operation and receive a data mask (DM) signal during a write operation. The semiconductor system also includes a System On Chip (SOC) configured to detect errors by decoding the parity bit during the read operation, and output the DM signal to the memory during the write operation. Since the parity bit is generated in the memory based on data received from outside the memory, the semiconductor device and a corresponding semiconductor system may reduce the size of a storage space for parity bits.
US09239750B1

Detecting a problem in a content distribution is disclosed. Performance information associated with a first content player is received form a first client. Performance information associated with a second content player is received from a second client. The information received from the first client and the second client is aggregated. A determination is made, from the aggregated information, that a problem is indicated. Alternate techniques for detecting a problem in a content distribution are also disclosed.
US09239749B2

Scalable means are provided for diagnosing the health of a parallel system comprising multiple nodes interconnected using one or more switching networks. The node pings other nodes via different paths at regular intervals. If more than a threshold number of pings are missed from a node, the system performs fault detection by entering a freeze state in which nodes do not send or receive any messages except ping messages. If ping messages still fail to reach destination nodes, the parallel system identifies faulty components that are causing ping messages to fail. Once the faulty component is identified, the parallel system is unfrozen by allowing nodes to communicate all messages. If redundant computers and/or switches are present, the parallel system is automatically reconfigured to avoid the faulty components.
US09239743B2

A method for providing a dedicated software framework for exception and event management in an embedded software system is disclosed. In one embodiment, each of exceptions/events originated from users are uniquely identified and severity of the exceptions/events is categorized. The users are software subsystems, software layers and software modules in the embedded software system. Further, information regarding the exceptions/events is reported through various layers, subsystems and modules for use by an application. Furthermore, information associated with one or more of the reported exceptions/events is logged using a logging framework. In addition, the exceptions/events are handled to keep applications running without causing an unexpected behavior in the embedded software system.
US09239740B2

Partitioning execution of a program between a client device and a cloud of network resources, exploits the asymmetry between the computational and storage resources of the cloud and the resources and proximity of the client access device to a user. Programs may be decomposed into work units. Those work units may be profiled to determine execution characteristics, modeled based on current state information and the profile, and a model performance metric (MPM) generated. Based on the MPM, work units may be partitioned between the client and the cloud.
US09239731B2

A method and system for acquiring a quiesceing set of information associated with a virtual machine. A virtual machine is cloned. The cloned virtual machine has an associated persistent storage device. The state of the persistent storage device is transformed into a quiesced state of the cloned virtual machine by utilizing a shut-down process. The shut-down process is executed on the cloned virtual machine to quiesce the cloned virtual machine and the quiesceing set of information of the cloned virtual machine is automatically reduced to information stored on the persistent storage device.
US09239729B1

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include receiving selection of a virtual disk and a plug-in. The virtual disk includes an extent file storing data used by a virtual machine and a descriptor file including a reference to the extent file and used by a virtualization stack of a host computer to manage the virtual disk. The plug-in is attached to the virtual disk in response to the received selection. Attaching the plug-in includes adding an identification of the plug-in to the descriptor file. The plug-in is notified of the attachment to the virtual disk. A request is received from the plug-in to create a sidecar file to store data or metadata on behalf of the plug-in. The sidecar file is created for the attached plug-in. The sidecar file is attached to the virtual disk.
US09239728B2

In an input/output virtualization-enabled computing environment, a device, method, and system for securely handling virtual function driver communications with a physical function driver of a computing device includes maintaining communication profiles for virtual function drivers and applying the communication profiles to communications from the virtual function drivers to the physical function driver, to determine whether the communications present a security and/or performance condition. The device, method and system may disable a virtual function driver if a security and/or performance condition is detected.
US09239719B1

Project-related tasks are managed and tracked using machine-readable codes. A project board may include one or more task tokens corresponding to tasks of a project, and each task token may include one or more machine-readable codes. Data associated with the project board may be acquired and analyzed to identify and decode the machine-readable codes. Task status information may be determined based on the positions of the task tokens on the project board. The task status information may be stored and used to generate a virtual project board that is accessible through a web site.
US09239716B1

In certain embodiments, execution traces for a program definition of an application are accessed. Probability information for components of the program definition is computed based at least in part upon the execution traces. Program definition slices are determined based at least in part upon the probability information. The program definition slices comprises a baseline slice and at least one supplemental slice. The baseline slice is communicated to a client in response to a request for the application. At least one supplemental slice is communicated to the client to allow the patching of the baseline slice with the at least one supplemental slice to recreate at least a portion of the program definition.
US09239709B2

Described herein are methods and systems for an interface certification and design tool. An exemplary embodiment is a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions executable by a processor, the instructions operable to receive a selection of packaged software components. The set of instructions operable to generate a simulator default response for the software component, validate user changes to the simulator default response to create a validated test file, execute at least one simulator using the validated test file, and publish the validated test file.
US09239706B2

A method, apparatus, and/or computer program product performs selective speculative class-based optimization through the use of a type propagation analysis of class. Responsive to a determination that the type of class is not a fixed type, a determination is made as to whether the class is sub-classed. Responsive to a determination the class is not sub-classed, a virtual synthetic property method is created. The virtual synthetic property method is accommodated in an enhanced java virtual machine using a stack frame type. The stack frame type has associated metadata for throwing an exception and an invisibility property. The virtual synthetic property method, along with a virtual guard, is inlined, and a slow path is created. The slow path handles executions of the virtual synthetic property method when sub-classes of the class, which override an implementation of the virtual synthetic property method, are loaded in the future.
US09239701B2

An electronic device connected to at least one external electronic device, the electronic device including a communication unit configured to perform data communication with the at least one external electronic device, an interface unit configured to connect to a sound output device, and a controller configured to receive audio data when the sound output device is connected to the electronic device through the interface unit, the audio data associated with a first external electronic device outputting a second content associated with a first content being output through the electronic device from the first external electronic device, and to output the received audio data through the sound output device.
US09239692B2

A communication apparatus which realizes communication flow control which is capable of preventing decrease in reception performance without causing disappearance of communication data. A first storage unit stores data transmitted from an external apparatus. A second storage unit stores data transferred from the first storage unit. A determination unit determines, in a case of executing communication with the external apparatus, determine a notification size to be notified to the external apparatus as a size of data that can be received by the communication apparatus on a basis of a size of a free space of the first storage unit and a size of a free space of the second storage unit. A notification unit notifies the notification size determined by the determination unit to the external apparatus.
US09239691B2

A system and method are disclosed for incorporating mathematical and/or logical functionality within a memory system (such as a solid state drive (SSD)). The mathematical and/or logical functionality may comprise an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The ALU may be resident in one or both of flash memory chips or the SSD controller. When resident in the flash memory chips, a single ALU or multiple ALUs may be used. For example, a single ALU may be assigned to one, some, or each block of flash memory within the flash memory chip. As another example, an ALU may be assigned to a sub-block construct, such as to each bit line in the block. Having ALUs resident in the SSD enables more processing to be performed within the SSD and reduces the need to transmit data outside of the SSD for processing.
US09239686B2

Traditionally, wireless device, such as cell phone or personal data assistant device (PDA), has relatively smaller storage capacity. Therefore, it is quite often that a user of the wireless device has difficulty to find more storage space for storing ever increased personal data, such as storing multiple Gig bytes of multimedia data including digital video, music, or photo picture etc. Instant application disclosed a system and method for a storage system providing storage service to the wireless device for the wireless device remotely storing personal data into an external storage space allocated exclusively to a user of the wireless device by the storage system.
US09239683B2

According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic disk device including a magnetic disk, a storage unit, and a control unit. The magnetic disk includes a recording region. The storage unit is configured to store a value according to number of accesses to each of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing of the recording region of the magnetic disk in association with each of the plurality of regions. The control unit is configured to count a value according to the number of accesses to each of a plurality of regions in a count step unit that is a value determined according to an elapsed time from occurrence of a specific situation and is a value counted per unit access, and to update the value stored in the storage unit.
US09239680B2

This invention provides a storage system to store data used by computers. A storage system coupled to a computer and a management apparatus, includes storage devices accessed by the computer and a control unit that controls the storage devices, in which the control unit performs the following operations: setting, in the storage devices, a first virtual device including a first logical device; setting a second virtual device which including a second logical device, which is a virtual volume accessed by the computer; allocating an address of the first logical device to the second logical device; and changing the allocation to change storage areas of the virtual volume.
US09239671B2

A method for enlarging display regions on displays is provided. The method includes a definition of at least two enlargeable display regions, determining a touch screen signal, associating the touchscreen signal with an enlargeable display region to be enlarged and a display region-specific enlargement of the enlargeable display region to be enlarged.
US09239670B2

Techniques are described for providing visualizations of data with options for a user to manipulate the data visualizations. These data visualization options may provide flexible and rapid comparison of different fragments of data. In one example, a method includes outputting a display of a data visualization in a graphical user interface. The method further includes receiving a first user input selecting a first fragment of the data visualization to freeze. The method further includes receiving a second user input selecting a second fragment of the data visualization to reposition to a new position relative to the frozen fragment of the data visualization. The method further includes outputting a revised display of the data visualization in the graphical user interface that displays the repositioned fragment of the data visualization in the new position relative to the frozen fragment of the data visualization.
US09239664B2

A tablet device provides contextual input to a computing device by using a touchscreen to display a context menu related to a location on a display screen of the computing device, accessing a selection from the context menu from the touchscreen, and sending values corresponding to the selection to the computing device. The touchscreen may alternatively enable user input related to the context menu or touchpad functions.
US09239659B2

A method and computing system for associating a first portion of a display screen with a social network, wherein the display screen is included within a handheld device. Initial social network content is received from the social network, wherein the initial social network content is associated with an event occurring within the social network. The initial social network content is dynamically rendered within the first portion of the display screen. A user indication is received within the first portion of the display screen. In response to the user indication, enhanced social network content is rendered within a second portion of the display screen. The initial social network content is at least a portion of a media stream included within the social network. The enhanced social network content includes content associated with the event occurring within the social network.
US09239657B2

A character input method according to the present invention includes the steps of when a user brings a mouse cursor into contact with the term input box of a web browser or website, or clicks the term input box one or more times, displaying a character input window, in which two or more character buttons and a completion button for enabling the input of a signal indicative of the completion of the entry of one or more characters are arranged, in abutment with the term input box; when one or more of the character buttons are clicked, entering one or more characters cor? responding to the clicked character buttons into the term input box; and when the completion button is clicked, generating an activation signal so that an search engine associated with the term input box is run using the characters, entered into the term input box, as search data.
US09239650B2

A curved touch display apparatus for providing tactile feedback is provided. The curved touch display comprises a curved screen, in which an image is displayed; and a projector including an infrared irradiator for irradiating infrared rays to the curved screen. An infrared camera photographs an infrared image reflected from the curved screen. An ultrasonic wave array module includes a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators which generate airborne ultrasonic waves. A controller determines a touched point on the curved screen based on the infrared image, and controls an operation of the ultrasonic wave array module to generate airborne ultrasonic waves directed to the touched point.
US09239641B2

Provided is an electronic underlay designed not to sense a hand holding a writing tool at the time of writing notes on a sheet. The electronic underlay is provided with: a sheet-like optical waveguide formed by sandwiching lattice-like cores between a sheet-like under cladding and over cladding layers; a light emitting element connected to one end surface of the core; a light receiving element connected to another end surface of the core; and storage means for storing an inputted note as electronic data. An elasticity modulus of the core is larger than that of the under cladding layer and the over cladding layer. When the surface of the optical waveguide is pressed, in the pressing direction, a deformation ratio of the core in a cross section is smaller than that of the over cladding layer and the under cladding layer.
US09239639B1

An electronic stylus device includes one or more mechanisms that deform to protected an electronic force sensor. After the mechanism deforms to relieve force applied to a tip of the stylus, a hard stop may engage to arrest further movement of a shaft transferring force from the tip to the force sensor. The intermediate range of forces that may be relieved by the mechanism, in addition to providing the electronic force sensor, enables less stringent manufacturing tolerances to be used with the hard stop.
US09239634B2

A computer equipment comprises a trackball used to point to objects on a screen of the equipment. A method for driving the computer equipment is also provided. The trackball comprises a moving part and a body inside which the moving part can be displaced, the computer being configured to display at least one object and a pointer on the screen. The trackball comprises means making it possible to exert a tangential force on the moving part, means driven by the computer. The computer is configured to modulate the force according to the shape of the object displayed and the position of the pointer relative to the object.
US09239624B2

A free hand gesture control user interface is described. Components of the interface system may include a stereo vision camera, or multiple cameras, a control unit, a projector and a projecting surface. In an automotive application, the projecting surface may be the windscreen in the vehicle or a mounted screen. The camera together with software modules in the control unit define a gesture acceptance border and a gesture acceptance space within which hand gestures may be imaged, defined for various control actions, and executed. The hand images are analyzed in slices of the gesture acceptance space to determine hand orientation (open or closed) and/or motion.
US09239609B2

An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) physical layer, a clock generator and a control unit. The SATA physical layer is configured to provide connection with an SATA device and perform data transmission with the SATA device is performed at a first clock frequency. The clock generator is configured to provide a clock signal having the first clock frequency to the SATA physical layer. When at least one specific event is detected by the control unit, the control unit controls the clock generator to provide the clock signal having a second clock frequency to the SATA physical layer, so that the SATA physical layer performs data transmission with the SATA device at the second clock frequency. The second clock frequency is lower than the first clock frequency.
US09239605B1

Methods and apparatus for scheduling and controlling power management activities are disclosed. An example method includes automatically scheduling a wake-up alarm for a computing device and transitioning the computing device from an active power state to a first low power state. The example method also includes, in response to occurrence of the automatically scheduled wake-up alarm, transitioning the computing device from the first low power state to the active power state and transitioning the computing device from the active power state to a second low power state, where the second low power state is a lower power state than the first low power state.
US09239604B2

A video processing device includes a substrate. A plurality of ring oscillators generate a corresponding plurality of ring oscillator outputs. A control circuit generates power adjustment signals for adjusting at least one power supply voltage of the video processing device, based on the plurality of oscillator outputs.
US09239603B2

A computer-implemented method includes receiving spoken input at a computing device from a user of the computing device, the spoken input including a carrier phrase and a subject to which the carrier phrase is directed, providing at least a portion of the spoken input to a server system in audio form for speech-to-text conversion by the server system, the portion including the subject to which the carrier phrase is directed, receiving from the server system instructions for automatically performing an operation on the computing device, the operation including an action defined by the carrier phrase using parameters defined by the subject, and automatically performing the operation on the computing device.
US09239596B2

A portable electronic device includes a lower member, an upper member, a strip-storing unit and an electric connecting strip. The lower member is provided with a keyboard module. The upper member is slidably disposed on the lower member. The strip-storing unit is disposed in the lower member. The electric connecting strip is retractably disposed in the strip-storing unit, and two ends thereof are respectively connected to the upper member and the lower member. When the upper member slides on the lower member, a part of the electric connecting strip is pulled out or pulled back into the strip-storing unit.
US09239586B2

A leakage-current start-up reference circuit is provided which includes a reference circuit unit, a trigger unit, a leakage-current generator and a disable control unit. The trigger unit includes a first transistor. The drain terminal of the trigger unit is connected to a start-up terminal of the reference circuit unit. The leakage-current generator includes a second transistor which is a gate-drain-tied transistor. The disable control unit includes a third transistor. The gate terminal of the disable control unit is connected to a control terminal of the reference circuit unit. The drain terminal of the leakage-current generator, the gate terminal of the trigger unit and the drain terminal of the disable control unit are joined at a node. The reference circuit unit is started up by the trigger unit to generate a reference current. A leakage-current start-up reference circuit having a current mirror is also provided.
US09239579B2

In order to ascertain the actuating position of a vehicle part that is moved by an electric actuating motor via an actuating mechanism, an angle of rotation correlating with the number of motor shaft rotations during the actuation process or a motor signal correlated therewith are ascertained during an actuation process. An actuating position measure for the actuating position of the vehicle part is derived from the angle of rotation or the motor signal correlating therewith. During this process, an unloaded angle of rotation, through which the motor shaft rotates during an initial no-load phase of the actuation process without motion of the vehicle part is compensated by a predetermined correction term. The correction term is changed according to a stored dependency on a characteristic quantity for the age of the actuating mechanism.
US09239577B2

A method for checking a function of an actuator or a sensor of a system, having the following steps: controlling the actuator within a time window if at least one state variable of the system is in a predefined operating range; detecting a system response, with the aid of the sensor, within the time window as a response to controlling the actuator; determining a malfunction of the actuator or of the sensor if the system response differs from a setpoint system response that is expected due to controlling the actuator. A further actuator of the system is controlled during the time window in such a way that the at least one state variable of the system remains in the predefined operating range during the time window. Moreover, a corresponding method for calibrating a sensor or an actuator of a system is described.
US09239562B2

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a frame member, a first sheet metal member, and a pressing member. The frame member is configured to accommodate the photosensitive drums such that the photosensitive drums are withdrawn along an axial direction thereof. The first sheet metal member is disposed on a first side of the frame member and configured to position the photosensitive drums. The pressing member is configured to press the photosensitive drums toward the first sheet metal member. The frame member includes a first wall disposed on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the frame member in the axial direction, a second wall disposed on a third side of the frame member and connected to the first wall, and a third wall disposed on an upper side relative to the photosensitive drums and connected to the first wall and the second wall.
US09239553B2

A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. An overheating suppressor is interposed between the heater and the heat shield to shield the heat shield from the heater. The heat shield includes an intermediate portion spanning in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and movable between a shield position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater directly and a retracted position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater via the overheating suppressor.
US09239550B2

An image forming apparatus assembly includes a main body, and a belt unit mounted to the main body and including an endless belt, a plurality of rollers including a first roller configured to apply a driving force to the belt and to stretch the belt, and a second roller around which the belt is wound with a wrapping angle not less than 90° and configured to stretch the belt, a frame configured to integrally support the rollers, a first engaging portion disposed in the frame and configured to position the first roller to the main body, and a second engaging portion disposed in the frame and configured to position the second roller to the main body. In addition, a guide member is configured to guide the belt unit and disposed in the main body, and including a first engaged portion engaged with the first engaging portion and a second engaged portion engaged with the second engaging portion.
US09239545B2

Toner conveying device includes cylindrical member, shutter member, and shutter opening/closing mechanism. Cylindrical member is provided at end of toner conveyance path in which toner is conveyed, cylindrical member having first opening from which toner is discharged, end of toner conveyance path being on downstream side in toner conveyance direction. Shutter member is formed in shape of cylinder with bottom and configured to be externally fitted with cylindrical member and open and close first opening. Shutter opening/closing mechanism is configured to cause shutter member to pivot between open position at which first opening is opened and closed position at which first opening is closed, while moving shutter member in direction along axis around which shutter member pivots such that at closed position, bottom surface of shutter member and side edge of cylindrical member are pressed against each other.
US09239543B2

A developer supply container for use with an image forming apparatus includes a shell having an air passage and a discharge nozzle, a developer storage pouch storing developer contained inside the shell, and a discharging nozzle for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer storage pouch to outside of the developer supply container. In addition, an air passage allows air to communicate between inside and outside of the shell, and a seal attached to the shell seals the air passage to maintain a pressure inside the shell in a negative pressure state which is lower than a pressure outside the shell. The developer storage pouch is deformed to discharge the developer by peeling the seal off the shell to permit air to enter the shell through the air passage.
US09239541B2

A photosensitive drum is axially rotatable and has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A developing device includes a development roller spaced from the photosensitive drum. The development roller includes a cylindrical sleeve and a coating layer, and the photosensitive drum includes a cylindrical tube and a functional layer. Each of the coating layer and functional layer is formed by dipping the sleeve or tube into a dipping bath with the sleeve or tube directed axially vertically. An axial end portion of the development roller that is lower during the dipping process is disposed opposite to an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum that is higher during the dipping process, and an axial end portion of the development roller that is higher during the dipping process is disposed opposite to an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum that is lower during the dipping process.
US09239536B2

An image forming apparatus that is capable of simplifying controls for light sources. A polygon mirror with four reflective surfaces deflects light beams emitted from first and second light sources. A housing in which the light sources and the polygon mirror are arranged is configured so that optical paths of the light beams toward the polygon mirror are parallel to a virtual plane containing a rotating axis of the polygon mirror, and so that the light beams are incident on adjoining reflective surfaces of the polygon mirror. First and second driver ICs drive the first and second light sources in one of operation modes. A control unit outputs the same operation mode signal to the first and second driver ICs at the same timing so that the first and second light sources operate in the same operation mode.
US09239516B2

A reflective extreme ultraviolet mask includes a mask substrate having an exposing region and a peripheral region, the mask substrate including a light-scattering portion in the peripheral region, a reflective layer on an upper surface of the mask substrate, the reflective layer having a first opening exposing the light-scattering portion, and an absorbing layer pattern on the reflective layer, the absorbing layer pattern having a second opening in light communication with the first opening.
US09239512B2

A camera retained in a waterproof underwater housing is controlled remotely and conveniently by a diver holding a hand-held remote device. The device can be a removable handle on the underwater housing, communicating with the camera, usually a movie camera, by infrared or other wireless protocol. Key functional camera settings, which would normally require navigation through a menu tree with a series of steps and selections, are selected by a single press of a button on the hand-held device. An important example is white balance calibration, which typically must be reset for every five feet of depth change.
US09239496B2

A display may have a layer of liquid crystal material between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. Column spacer structures may be formed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer to maintain a desired separation between the color filter and thin-film transistor layers. The column spacer structures may be formed from polymer structures such as photoresist pillars and may include metal pads. The metal pads may be formed on the upper surface of the thin-film transistor layer or the lower surface of the color filter layer. The photoresist pillars may be formed on a surface in the display such as the lower surface of the color filter layer. Column spacer structures may include main spacer structures, subspacer structures, and intermediate thickness spacer structures to enhance pooling mura and light leakage performance.
US09239494B2

A liquid crystal device comprising a first substrate; a second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer comprising a nematic liquid crystal material and a polymer network. The polymer network is anchored to said first substrate and is configured to alternatingly induce splay deformation and bend deformation of the nematic liquid crystal material along a line parallel with the first substrate. Hereby, the relaxation time τfall of the liquid crystal device is reduced.
US09239490B2

An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may include a liquid crystal display module and a reflective polarizer having an in-plane optical axis. The display may also include a backlight unit that includes a light source, a light guide element, and a reflector film coupled to a backside of the light guide element. The display may also include a light retardation layer such as a quarter wave film. The quarter wave film may be arranged between the reflective polarizer and the reflector film of the backlight unit. During operation of the display, partially polarized light that is output from a front side of the light guide element may have a first component parallel to the in-plane optical axis and a second component perpendicular to the in-plane optical axis of the reflective polarizer. The second component may be reflected from the reflective polarizer.
US09239488B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a LCD panel having a first polarizer, a first substrate, a second substrate and a second polarizer are sequentially provided from a front surface side, a frame which surrounds the LCD panel and has a first opening having first to fourth sides, a planar light source disposed on the rear surface side of the LCD panel in the first opening, a plurality of optical sheet groups which are disposed between the planar light source and the LCD panel, and an adhesive layer which has a second opening formed along the first to fourth sides of the frame. A front surface side of the adhesive layer is adhered to the LCD panel along at least the first side, and a rear surface side of the adhesive layer is adhered to the plurality of optical sheet groups and the frame along at least the first side.
US09239478B2

A ridge waveguide structure includes a substrate having a top surface; a ridge structure protruding from the top surface; and a waveguide formed in the ridge structure and a shape of the waveguide is corresponding to a shape of the ridge structure; the ridge structure includes a Y-shaped input section and a Y-shaped output section, the Y-shaped input section includes a total input section, a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch are diverged from the total input section and converged into the Y-shaped output section. The relation also relates to an electro-optic modulator.
US09239472B2

A method of determining binocular performance of a pair of spectacle lenses comprises: a eyes characteristics providing step, a pair of spectacle lenses providing step, a environment providing step, a binocular performance criteria selecting step, and a binocular performance criteria determining step, wherein the at least one binocular performance criterion is selected among one or a combination of the following criteria groups consisting of central vision criteria group and/or peripheral vision criteria group.
US09239470B2

Eyewear includes a frame front (14) having first and second sides (26, 28) to which are attached respective first and second temple arms (40, 42). The frame front is pivotally coupled to the temple arms to provide multiple tilt adjustment positions that enable a person wearing the eyewear to rotate the frame front about a pivot axis (48) between forward-facing and near-field adjustment positions (52, 56). First and second nose pad arms (70l, 70r) couple respective first and second nose pads (72l, 72r) to the frame front and have respective first and second nose bridge-contacting surfaces (74l, 74r). The nose pad arms extend from the frame front in a direction that sets an offset distance (92) between the nose bridge-contacting surfaces and the frame front to establish a vertical drop distance (98) that allows the user rotating the frame front about the pivot axis to the near-field adjustment position to see over the top long side (86) of the frame front.
US09239461B2

An aircraft cockpit comprises a head-up display device comprising a projector and a screen, the screen being placed facing a pilot along a theoretical line of sight of the pilot. The projector is fixed to a side wall of the cockpit, the screen forming a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a plane perpendicular to the theoretical line of sight of the pilot.
US09239460B2

Embodiments are disclosed that relate to calibrating a predetermined eye location in a head-mounted display. For example, in one disclosed embodiment a method includes displaying a virtual marker visually alignable with a real world target at an alignment condition. At the alignment condition, image data is acquired to determine a location of the real world target. From the image data, an estimated eye location relative to a location of the head-mounted display is determined. Based upon the estimated eye location, the predetermined eye location is then calibrated.
US09239447B1

An optical imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power in a paraxial region thereof has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power in a paraxial region. The third lens element has negative refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element has refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with positive refractive power in a paraxial region thereof has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof.
US09239445B2

A miniaturized lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is a convex-concave lens with negative refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side and a concave surface facing the image side. The second lens is with positive refractive power. The third lens is a convex-concave lens with negative refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side and a concave surface facing the image side.
US09239444B2

An array of Fresnel reflectors is presented with an adjustable focus. The focus of the array is controlled by only a few mechanical parts and simple inputs. One preferred embodiment of this device is to collect sunlight and focus it onto a photovoltaic (PV) cell or a boiler, for the purpose of collecting solar energy. This solar collector, or heliostat, is easily adjusted so that it always directs the sun's rays onto the PV cell or boiler.
US09239434B2

A fiber optic connector assembly comprises a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub. The ferrule has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the ferrule is mounted to the hub. The ferrule defines a fiber passage that extends through the ferrule from the proximal end to the distal end. The fiber optic assembly further comprises an optical fiber having an end portion potted within the fiber passage of the ferrule. A loose tube receives the optical fiber. The loose tube has a distal end positioned inside the hub and defines a venting opening that starts at the distal end of the loose tube and extends proximally along a length of the loose tube.
US09239433B2

An optical fiber connector has, in one embodiment, a body and a light management device. The light management device is operable to manage a plurality of light beams for exchange between a plurality of sets of optical fibers.
US09239430B2

An integrated optical circuit includes an optically transparent substrate including: an input face, an output face, an upper face and a lower face, the upper and lower faces extending between the input and output faces; at least one optical waveguide which includes at least one first end situated on the input face and a second end situated on the output face; and at least one optical attenuation zone able to attenuate an optical signal transmitted via the substrate to the outside of the waveguide. The waveguide has a non-rectilinear optical path between the first and second end, the attenuation zone extends from the upper face to the lower face, and is positioned on a straight line segment joining the first and second end of the optical waveguide, the waveguide and the attenuation zone having respective dimensions such that the attenuation zone does not cut the waveguide.
US09239426B2

An optical waveguide has: a core layer which includes at least one core portion for transmitting a light signal and at least two side cladding portions respectively provided at lateral sides of the core portion so as to be opposed to each other; and two cladding layers respectively provided at vertical sides of the core layer. The core layer is configured to have a horizontal refractive index distribution curve W in a width direction of a cross-sectional plane of the core layer. The horizontal refractive index distribution curve W has a region including at least two local minimum values, at least one first local maximum value and at least two second local maximum values smaller than the first local maximum value. A refractive index in whole of the horizontal refractive index distribution curve W continuously varies.
US09239425B2

The invention relates to a tuneable AWG device for multiplexing and demultiplexing signals and to a method for tuning said device. The inventive device is an integrated-optic device which enables a signal made up of a plurality of signals multiplexed by wavelength division to be injected through an input port such as to obtain, at the output, a demultiplexed signal with each component exiting via a different port. If the multiplexed signal is changed to another input port, the demultiplexed signals appear at different ports, but always according to a pre-determined relationship. The invention makes it possible to tune the AWG device by using stationary acoustic waves such that the acoustically excited optical guides are excited by a linear acoustic wave.
US09239414B2

An object including at least one graphic element, including at least one at least partly transparent substrate, at least one face of which includes recesses forming a pattern of the graphic element filled with the at least one material, the face of the substrate being fixed to at least one face of at least one support by wafer bonding, the substrate and the support forming a monolithic structure.
US09239404B2

A device for continuously monitoring persons, vehicles, containers or packets comprising a device for detecting and identifying in real time a moving gamma radiation source.
US09239403B2

In various embodiments, apparatus and methods are provided to determine formation resistivity associated with a well. Measurements taken using sub-arrays of a tool at different distances of investigation can be used to determine formation resistivity, where the sub-arrays are arranged to make azimuthal related measurements. Separations readings related to resistivity can be generated from signals received from different directions and can be analyzed to characterize validity of a measurement reading. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09239401B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for using electromagnetic sources that are substantially stationary in a body of water while electromagnetic field signals are detected with electromagnetic sensors towed through the body of water. An embodiment discloses an apparatus comprising: a vessel; a first electromagnetic source coupled to the vessel and configured to have a dipole moment oriented in a first direction; and a second electromagnetic source coupled to the vessel and configured to have a dipole moment oriented in a second direction, wherein the second direction is generally orthogonal to the first direction. Another embodiment discloses a system comprising: a sensor streamer configured for towing in a body of water, wherein the sensor streamer comprises a plurality of electromagnetic sensors disposed at spaced apart positions; and an electromagnetic source assembly configured for deployment at a substantially stationary position in the body of water.
US09239397B2

Systems, methods, and computer programs for monitoring a drilling operation in a subterranean formation include receiving, from a first sensor array, one or more signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; receiving, from the first sensor array, one or more electromagnetic signals generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the seismic signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and determining a property of one or more of a fracture or the subterranean formation based, at least in part, at least in part, on the signals received from the first sensor array. The first sensor array is arranged to monitor the fracturing operation.
US09239388B2

A scene is reconstructed by transmitting pulses into a scene from an array of transmitters so that only one pulse is transmitted by one transmitter at any one time. The one pulse is reflection by the scene and received as a set of signals. Each signal is sampled and decomposed to produce frequency coefficients stacked in a set of linear systems modeling a reflectivity of the scene. Then, a reconstruction method is applied to the set of linear systems. The reconstruction method solves each linear system separately to obtain corresponding solutions, which are shared and combined to reconstruct the scene.
US09239382B2

A system that applies attribute and topology based change detection to networks of objects that were detected on previous scans of a structure, roadway, or area of interest. The attributes capture properties or characteristics of the previously detected objects, such as location, time of detection, size, elongation, orientation, etc. The topology of the network of previously detected objects is maintained in a constellation database that stores attributes of previously detected objects and implicitly captures the geometrical structure of the network. A change detection system detects change by comparing the attributes and topology of new objects detected on the latest scan to the constellation database of previously detected objects.
US09239377B2

A pulse radar ranging apparatus and a ranging algorithm thereof are provided. The pulse radar ranging apparatus includes a radio frequency pulse generator, a radio frequency filter, a radio frequency switch and a transceiver aerial. The radio frequency pulse generator generates a pulse signal. The radio frequency filter receives the pulse signal and generates a high-pass filter signal, wherein the high-pass filter signal includes a radio frequency pulse reference signal. The radio frequency switch controls an output of the radio frequency pulse reference signal. The transceiver aerial transmits the radio frequency pulse reference signal. The radio frequency pulse reference signal contacts an object and generates a return signal, and the transceiver aerial receives the return signal. The ranging algorithm processes and analyzes the signals obtained by the pulse radar ranging apparatus, and calculates a distance between pulse radar ranging apparatus and the object by using polynomial interpolation.
US09239374B2

A beamforming method according to the present invention is a method of processing echo signals of a target region which are obtained from a probe including a plurality of receiving elements arrayed on a predetermined line. The beamforming method includes the following steps (S1 to S3). At S1, seed beams are formed from echo signals received by at least two receiving elements from among the plurality of receiving elements. At S2, a main beam and sub beams are formed by synthesizing at least one of the seed beams. At S3, a narrow beam for the target region is formed by multiplying the sub beams by respective predetermined coefficients and subtracting the multiplied sub beams from the main beam. Here, an signal intensity for the target region regarding the main beam is higher than a signal intensity for the target region regarding each of the sub beams.
US09239371B1

A protection device usable with a signal measurement device to limit power level of radio frequency (RF) signals propagated to the signal measurement device can include a direct current (DC) block capacitor, a variable impedance limiter, and a detector. The variable impedance limiter includes a PIN diode electrically connected with a primary signal path of the protection device along a limiter signal path. The detector includes a Schottky detector diode and a limiting resistor electrically connected with the primary signal path along a detector signal path. The detector is configured to generate a DC bias current to adjust resistance of the variable impedance limiter in response to an RF signal.
US09239369B2

A method for selecting a plurality of base stations to position a mobile device is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of base station sets from the plurality of base stations, wherein each of the plurality of base station sets corresponds to a distance matrix, utilizing a first artificial neural network (ANN) unit to select a predefined number of the plurality of base station sets from the plurality of base station sets according to a plurality of distance matrixes corresponding to the plurality of base station sets; and utilizing a second ANN unit to position the mobile device according to the predefined number of the plurality of base station sets.
US09239368B2

Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance.
US09239366B2

An MRI device for providing high-contrast, high-resolution images of a fluid. The device includes: an envelope for at least partially confining the fluid; a plurality of magnets located at least partially around the envelope; and a CPU to process the images, including a computer readable medium containing instructions for generating at least one third image superimposing at least one image of the first images with at least one image of the second images, whereby a high-contrast, high-resolution real-time continuous images of the fluid is obtained.
US09239359B2

A test access architecture is disclosed for 3D-SICs that allows for both pre-bond die testing and post-bond stack testing. The test access architecture is based on a modular test approach, in which the various dies, their embedded IP cores, the inter-die TSV-based interconnects, and the external I/Os can be tested as separate units to allow optimization of the 3D-SIC test flow. The architecture builds on and reuses existing design for test (DfT) hardware at the core, die, and product level. Test access is provided to an individual die stack via a test structure called a wrapper unit.
US09239350B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for determining an abnormal condition in an electrical system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data relating to normal voltage transients. The apparatus also includes a computer electrically connectable to the electrical system and in communication with the memory. The computer is configured to sense voltage transients that occur in the electrical system of the vehicle, compare the sensed voltage transients to the stored normal voltage transients, and determine if the sensed voltage transient indicates an abnormal condition in the electrical system of the vehicle.
US09239349B2

This invention relates to a method of, and a system for, monitoring electromagnetic interference. The method comprising capturing a plurality of time domain waveforms, and a plurality of scatter plots; receiving the plurality of captured time domain waveforms and scatter plots; applying a fast fourier transform (FFT) to each of the received time domain waveforms as it is received thereby to receive FFT outputs; storing the FFT outputs in a database; generating a statistically representative spectrograph or spectrogram in the frequency domain based on at least the stored FFT outputs and scatter plots or data associated with the scatter plots, combining constituent FFTs of the statistically representative spectrograph or spectrogram in such a manner as to emulate the result that would be produced by an EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) receiver or spectrum analyzer; and combining resultant outputs from a number of iterations of this process to produce a final result (EMI spectrum).
US09239346B2

Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel.
US09239345B2

A motor system includes a motor including two Hall sensors configured to output binary values, and a controller configured to control the motor. The two Hall sensors are placed 120 or 60 electrical degrees apart. The controller is operable to monitor output signals of the two Hall sensors and to determine a third Hall sensor output binary value. The controller is operable to fulfill the commanded requirements to operate in a servo system, by controlling commutation of a drive current into the motor, and by keeping track of the motor rotor position based on the third generated signal and the outputs of the two Hall sensors.
US09239340B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations for a MEMS device configured to determine inertial change applied to the device. In one instance, the device may comprise a laser arrangement configured to generate a light beam having a resonant wavelength, a waveguide configured to receive and output the light beam, and an optical resonator comprising a deformable closed loop and optically coupled to the waveguide to receive a portion of the light beam. A deformation of the optical resonator may result in a change of an optical path length of a portion of the light beam traveling through the optical resonator, causing a change in the resonant wavelength of the light beam outputted by the waveguide. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09239332B2

The present application provides stable peptide-based Akt capture agents and the use thereof as detection, diagnosis, and treatment agents. The application further provides novel methods of developing stable peptide-based capture agents, including Akt capture agents, using iterative on-bead in situ click chemistry.
US09239331B2

This invention provides methods for determining or predicting response to HER2-directed therapy in an individual.
US09239325B2

There is provided a microchip-based platelet multi-function test apparatus. The apparatus includes a sample container configured to accommodate a blood sample therein, a stirrer that is installed inside the sample container and induces a shear flow in the blood sample, a parallel channel configured to divide and flow the blood stirred by the stirrer into a plurality of paths, a vacuum device that is connected to an end of each parallel channel, maintains constant pressure, allows the stirred blood to flow along the parallel channel, a light source that is installed in a rear side of the parallel channel and radiates light to the parallel channel, and an image sensor that receives light transmitted through the blood in the parallel channel, converts the light into an electrical signal, and measures a flowing distance of a blood flow.
US09239320B2

A method for verifying the plausibility of a measuring device for determining a quality of an aqueous urea solution in a reservoir of an SCR catalyst system comprises determining whether a filling of the reservoir has taken place, determining the quality of the aqueous urea solution in the reservoir and detecting whether an error of the measuring device is present or whether the reservoir was filled with an aqueous urea solution, the quality of which deviates from a default value consisting of a filling status of the reservoir and the quality of the aqueous urea solution in said reservoir.
US09239290B2

A terahertz scanning reflectometer is described herein. A high sensitivity terahertz scanning reflectometer is used to measure dynamic surface deformation and delamination characteristics in real-time. A number of crucial parameters can be extracted from the reflectance measurements such as dynamic deformation, propagation velocity, and final relaxation position. A terahertz reflectometer and spectrometer are used to determine the permeation kinetics and concentration profile of active ingredients in stratum corneum.
US09239287B2

An object inspection apparatus includes a terahertz wave supplying unit for generating a terahertz wave and moving a path of the terahertz wave according to time so that the terahertz wave is supplied to an object to be inspected, a focusing lens located between the terahertz wave supplying unit and the object to be inspected to focus the terahertz wave supplied by the terahertz wave supplying unit, a rotating plate having a plate shape and including a plurality of the focusing lenses with different distances from the center thereof, the rotating plate rotating in the circumferential direction so that one of the focusing lenses is located at a path of the terahertz wave according to the path movement of the terahertz wave, and a terahertz wave detecting unit for collecting and detecting a terahertz wave incident to the object to be inspected.
US09239284B2

The invention encompasses analyzers and analyzer systems that include a single molecule analyzer, methods of using the analyzer and analyzer systems to analyze samples, either for single molecules or for molecular complexes. The single molecule uses electromagnetic radiation that is translated through the sample to detect the presence or absence of a single molecule. The single molecule analyzer provided herein is useful for diagnostics because the analyzer detects single molecules with zero carryover between samples.
US09239283B2

To process a signal from a plurality of detectors without being affected by a variation in the height of a substrate, and to detect more minute defects on the substrate, a defect inspection device is provided with a photoelectric converter having a plurality of rows of optical sensor arrays in each of first and second light-collecting/detecting unit and a processing unit for processing a detection signal from the first and the second light-collecting/detecting unit to determine the extent to which the positions of the focal points of the first and the second light-collecting/detecting unit are misaligned with respect to the surface of a test specimen, and processing the detection signal to correct a misalignment between the first and the second light-collecting/detecting unit, and the corrected detection signal outputted from the first and the second light-collecting/detecting unit are combined together to detect the defects on the test specimen.
US09239282B2

A metal pipe corrosion monitoring device includes a steam introduction unit for introducing thereinto steam flowing through a metal pipe; and a corrosion testing unit provided in the steam introduction unit, characterized in that the steam introduction unit is configured to generate condensed water by condensing some of the steam to create a simulated environment similar to an actual environment in the metal pipe and discharge the condensed water above a predetermined water level to the outside. The corrosion testing unit has one or more contact members that contact with a water line region around a water surface of the condensed water in the steam introduction unit, a water phase region on a condensed water side and a vapor phase region on a steam side, and is configured to be able to measure an electric resistance of the one or more contact members.
US09239273B2

A CPU (11) of an ECU (5) obtains the present exhaust gas temperature from temperature sensor (3), and calculates the difference with an exhaust gas temperature obtained in a previous computation cycle. When the exhaust gas temperature tends to increase, the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than 20° C., and a flag indicating that the processing of correcting a target impedance of a cell (21) of an oxygen sensor (2) is being performed is OFF, the CPU determines that the engine is in a transition period. The CPU then obtains a correction value for the target impedance of the cell of the oxygen sensor on the basis of the exhaust gas temperature. The CPU corrects the target impedance of the cell by the correction value, and feedback-controls electric power supplied to a heater (26) on the basis of the corrected target impedance.
US09239269B1

In a laser-produced plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) system, laser pulses are used to produce EUV light. To determine the energy of individual laser pulses, a photoelectromagnetic (PEM) detector is calibrated to a power meter using a calibration coefficient. When measuring a unitary laser beam comprising pulses of a single wavelength, the calibration coefficient is calculated based on a burst of the pulses. A combined laser beam has main pulses of a first wavelength alternating with pre-pulses pulses of a second wavelength. To calculate the energy of the main pulses in the combined laser beam, the calibration coefficient calculated for a unitary laser beam of the main pulses is used. To calculate the energy of the pre-pulses in the combined laser beam, a new calibration coefficient is calculated. When the calculated energy values drift beyond a pre-defined threshold, the calibration coefficients are recalculated.
US09239263B2

A method for imaging a sample, the method includes, during a single acquisition event, receiving a first polarization-encoded EM field for a first point and a second polarization-encoded EM field for a second point. The method further includes re-directing the first polarization-encoded EM field along a first pre-determined direction to a first location on a dispersing re-imager and the second polarization-encoded EM field along a second pre-determined direction to a second location on the dispersing re-imager. The method further includes spectrally dispersing the first polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a first spectrum, re-imaging the first spectrum onto a first location on a detector, spectrally dispersing the second polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a second spectrum, re-imaging the second spectrum onto a second location on the detector, and detecting the first re-imaged spectrum and the second re-imaged spectrum.
US09239255B2

A magnetic flowmeter (8) for measuring the flow of a flowing medium having a measuring tube (1) with a cross section that changes along its length and preferably the cross section in the middle section of the measuring tube (1) is less than at the beginning and end of the measuring tube (1), preferably the cross section of the measuring tube (1) is rectangular in its middle section and wherein the housing (2) preferably has a circular cross section. The inlet section (5) of the measuring tube (1) is formed of two segments (5a and 5b), of which a first segment (5a), in terms of flow direction, has a cross section that increases in the direction of flow and a downstream adjoining second segment (5b) has a cross section that decreases in the direction of flow. Optionally, the outlet section (6) is similarly formed of two sections (6a, 6b).
US09239253B2

There is disclosed a dial gauge comprising a dial plate having a dial face including angularly spaced markings indicating values; a pointer disposed at a front side of the dial plate and angularly moveable over the dial face with respect to the markings so as to indicate a reading. An illumination source is provided which is arranged to emit illumination light and which is disposed below the dial plate. The gauge further comprises a light guide arranged to guide illumination light from below the dial plate to the front side of the dial plate so as to illuminate the dial face from above. There is also disclosed a mechanical pressure gauge comprising a dial gauge and a breathing apparatus comprising a cylinder of breathable gas fluidically coupled to a pressure gauge which is configured to display the pressure of the breathable gas.
US09239249B2

The present invention relates to an optical fiber for a fiber optic sensor, comprising a first optical grating adapted to operate over a first range of wavelengths; and at least one set of further gratings adapted to operate over a second range of wavelengths, each grating being adapted to operate over a portion of the second range; wherein, each grating within said set has an operating range that partially overlaps with at least one other such grating operating range. The invention also extends to a sensor system, and method, using such an optical fiber.
US09239243B2

A vehicle navigation system having a database configured to store map data. The database includes links corresponding to road segments and attributes associated with the links. The map data includes at least some links associated with a curvature attribute. A mean absolute curvature ( κ) is stored for the curvature attribute for corresponding links. The mean absolute curvature ( κ) may be determined from a normalized sum or integral of absolute curvature values along the road segment corresponding to the link. The system includes a processing unit configured to estimate an energy consumption of the vehicle for a link using the curvature attribute retrieved from the database for the link.
US09239241B2

A navigation system includes: a storage unit having stored therein roadmap data, first statistical traffic information data pertaining to a first area which are created based upon a first standard related to a time applicable to the first area, and second statistical traffic information data pertaining to a second area which are created based upon a second standard related to a time applicable to the second area; a search unit that searches for a recommended route; and an estimated time of arrival calculation unit that calculates an estimated time of arrival based upon the roadmap data, the first statistical traffic information data and the second statistical traffic information data. The estimated time of arrival calculation unit executes calculation processing of the estimated time of arrival in compliance with the first standard and the second standard.
US09239236B2

An alignment apparatus for aligning a test panel with a testing machine may include a laser measuring system and an adjustment mechanism. The laser measuring system may include at least one laser measuring device coupled to a test fixture and/or a testing machine. The laser measuring system may generate laser measurement data representative of an orientation of a test panel relative to a platen and/or a loading axis of the testing machine. The adjustment mechanism may adjust, based on the laser measurement data, a location and/or orientation of the test panel relative to the platen and/or the loading axis in a manner such that the test panel is moved into substantially alignment with the platen and/or the loading axis.
US09239231B2

Systems for and methods of characterizing the thickness profile of laminated glass structures are disclosed, wherein the laminated glass structure has at least one gradual transition region between adjacent glass layers. The method includes sequentially focusing laser light at different focuses along a line within the laminated glass structure. The sequentially formed focuses define corresponding micro-volumes from which fluorescent light emanates due to a multiphoton process. The variation in the intensity of the detected fluorescent light from each micro-volume as a function of distance into the laminated glass structure is used to determine the relative locations of the multiple layers and the at least one gradual transition region.
US09239222B2

The displacement amount monitoring electrode structure includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode each having a comb-teeth shape including a base part and electrode fingers extending from the base part in a direction parallel to a substrate. The fixed electrode and the movable electrode face each other such that the electrode fingers are meshed together. The fixed electrode is fixed to the substrate and the movable electrode can be displaced in the direction. The displacement amount monitoring electrode structure monitors a displacement amount of a detection mass to be driven at a target amplitude based on a change amount of a capacitance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. A change sensitivity of the change amount of the capacitance with respect to a displacement amount of the movable electrode, becomes larger after the displacement of the movable electrode reaches a target amount corresponding to the target amplitude.
US09239216B2

An arrowhead having a tip end, a shaft end, and a longitudinal axis intersecting the tip end and the shaft end. The arrowhead has a first portion longitudinally positioned between the tip end and the shaft end and having a first maximum diameter. The first portion is divided into a plurality of sections spaced circumferentially apart to define longitudinal grooves. Each section comprises a first planar surface, a second planar surface not parallel to the first planar surface, a concave surface adjacent to the first planar surface, the second planar surface, the rear end portion, and the front intermediate section. A longitudinally-convex surface is adjacent to the concave surface.
US09239208B2

An integrated leveler assembly in combination with a rail portion for an upper receiver and a handguard, where the upper receiver and handguard are core components of a modular rifle assembly. The integrated leveler assembly is configured to fit within a slot formed between the two aligned end-to-end rail portions such that the integrated leveling assembly may not extend above the combined rail portions and the rail portions form a single aligned rail platform. The integrated leveler assembly includes a liquid-filled level vial that forms a bubble, a level vial barrel receiver, and fasteners to secure the integrated leveler assembly to the two rail portions of the rail platform. The integrated leveler assembly may include an extension spring, guide slot, lock pin, and cam lock, along with a separate barrel that axially receives the level vial receiver with an extension spring between the level vial receiver and the barrel.
US09239198B2

A magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine is provided. The magazine loader may include a base member configured for positioning on an open end of the magazine, a first cartridge support member extending from the base member, and a second cartridge support member extending from the base member. The first cartridge support member may include a first slot configured for receiving a base end of each of the cartridges. The second cartridge support member may include a second slot configured for receiving a tip end of each of the cartridges. A related system for loading and storing cartridges for a firearm also is provided.
US09239196B2

A heat exchanger with a heat exchanger block is disposed between two collecting tanks, whereby the collecting tank have a cover and a tube bottom, The tube bottom has upstanding edge regions. T-shaped tabs are disposed at an upper end of the upstanding edge regions, whereby the collecting tank has a flange rear engageable at least in part by the T-shaped tabs.
US09239185B2

A vegetable container includes a case having an opening formed at a front thereof, the case being provided with a receiving space to receive objects to be stored, a drawer to seal an interior of the case, a negative pressure part lower pressure in the case, and a reinforcing part to increase strength of the case, where the reinforcing part includes a reinforcing member coupled to at least one surface of the case, located adjacent to the opening, and having greater strength than the case.
US09239178B2

A refrigerant distributor includes a body portion defining a swirl space, a refrigerant inflow port, and first and second refrigerant outflow ports which causes refrigerant in the swirl space to flow out and distributes the refrigerant to components of a refrigeration cycle device. When a line connecting swirl centers of refrigerant swirling in the swirl space is taken as a swirl center line, the refrigerant swirls in the swirl space such at a velocity of a swirl flow that more vapor-phase refrigerant exists on an inner radius side than on an outer radius side and the velocity of swirl flow at the swirl center line on both end sides are different from each other. The first refrigerant outflow port is arranged at the one end side, and the second refrigerant outflow port is arranged at the other end side, on an extended line of the swirl center line.
US09239168B2

A telescopic rail device is provided that includes a first rail, a second rail, and an adapter. The first rail is mobile relative to the second rail, and the first or second rail is detachably connected to the adapter. The adapter is in a stable position relative to the first or second rail that the adapter is detachably connected to.
US09239163B2

A backlight tile system is configured to be attached to a wall stud and to be surrounded by tile attached to drywall. The backlight tile system has a rear channel that is mechanically coupled to the wall stud and extending through the drywall. A first lighting strip is detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first adhesive strip. A front channel is detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first magnetic strip. A mosaic tile is directly attached to the front channel. The first lighting strip is configured to render light through the mosaic tile.
US09239156B2

Structures for LED light bulbs comprise a driver board and a lighting structure having one or more LEDs disposed thereon. The driver board, in a Y shape, can be the circuit board and has a positive terminal and a negative terminal for receiving electrical power. The Y-shaped driver board having two prongs connects to the light structure to power the LEDs thereon. The lighting structure can be in the form of a grid having the LEDs disposed thereon.
US09239148B2

Techniques are disclosed for a lighting fixture having spatial distribution control capabilities. In some cases, the lighting fixture may include an array of light modules that each contain one or more light sources (e.g., LED light sources) and multiple plates that can be used to control the spatial distribution (e.g., aim and focus) of the light modules. In such multi-plate lighting fixtures, the fixture may include a fixed base plate that includes multiple sockets for pivotally retaining a ball portion of each light module. The fixture may also include an XY plate that is movably coupled to the base plate and a focus plate that is rotationally coupled to the base plate, both plates including multiple slots that overlap to constrain a control arm of each light module. The multi-plate lighting fixture may be manually controlled or automated.
US09239137B2

Lighting devices are disclosed having a light-transmissive resin sheet and one or more light sources disposed within the light-emitting resin sheet. The light sources may, in some embodiments, be oriented so that a large portion of light emitted from the light sources exhibits total internal reflection within the light-transmissive resin sheet and is trapped inside the sheet. This total internal reflection may, for example, advantageously provide a more uniform light emitted from the lighting device when scattered from objects inside the sheet. Methods of making and using the lighting device are also disclosed.
US09239134B1

A light harness for holding a plurality of elongate lights includes a first flexible elongate member, a second flexible elongate member, a primary power cable attached to the first flexible elongate member, a first receiving section that is attached to the first flexible elongate member and is formed with a first opening for elastically receiving a first end of an elongate light, a second receiving section that is attached to the second flexible elongate member and is formed with a second opening for elastically receiving a second end of the elongate light, and a first power branch that extends from the primary power cable and is of sufficient length to connect the main power cable to the elongate light.
US09239133B2

A solid state illumination system is disclosed, wherein a light source module comprises a first light source, comprising an LED and a phosphor layer, the LED emitting a wavelength λ1 in an absorption band of the phosphor layer for generating longer wavelength broadband light emission from the phosphor, ΔλPHOSPHOR, and a second light source comprising a laser emitting a wavelength λ2 in the absorption band of the phosphor layer. While operating the LED, concurrent laser pumping of the phosphor layer increases the light emission of the phosphor, and provides high brightness emission, e.g. in green, yellow or amber spectral regions. Additional modules, which provide emission at other wavelengths, e.g. in the UV and near UV spectral bands, together with dichroic beam-splitters/combiners allow for an efficient, compact, high-brightness illumination system, suitable for fluorescence imaging and analysis.
US09239128B2

An image forming apparatus includes a movable member equipped with an operating unit for operating the image forming apparatus, wherein the movable member can be a first state and a second state by changing its position with respect to an main body of the apparatus, and a holding unit configured to hold the movable member, wherein the direction in which the operating unit is depressed in order to operate the image forming apparatus is the direction in which the movable member is depressed when the position of the movable member is changed from the first state to the second state, and wherein the holding unit holds the movable member so that the requisite force for changing the movable member from the first state to the second state is larger than the requisite force for changing the movable member from the second state to the first state.
US09239126B2

A load supporting stand that having a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The supporting stand has an upper column that includes a shaft having a first end and a second end that extends along the longitudinal axis. The shaft has a first diameter. The upper column also includes a shelf attached to the first end of said shaft. The upper column also has a load bearing pin that extends transversely through the shaft. The stand also has a base portion that receives the upper column that includes a receiving conduit that extends along the longitudinal axis and has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The conduit has a third end and a fourth end and a slot that extends between the third and fourth ends along with a series of notches extending therefrom. The base portion has a base plate connected to the receiving conduit.
US09239125B2

A manifold assembly for connecting a plurality of pumping units to a wellhead includes at least one main line which is connectable to the wellhead and includes a plurality of discharge connectors, and a plurality of articulating arm assemblies which are each connected to a corresponding discharge connector. Each arm assembly comprises a connector member which includes at least an inlet port, an outlet port and a third port that is located generally opposite the outlet port and is closed by a removable plug member, an articulating conduit assembly which comprises a first end that is connected to the inlet port and a second end that is connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumping units, and a riser swivel which is connected between the outlet port and the discharge connector. In use of the manifold assembly, each arm assembly is connected to a corresponding pumping unit and the main line is connected to the wellhead to thereby connect the pumping units to the wellhead.
US09239122B2

A pipeline includes a pair of pipe sections with ends (20, 22), connected together by threads. the pipe ends having axial and radial abutments lying beyond the ends of the thread. The abutments are located to stabilize a nib sealing arrangement and to enhance the capacity to resist bending while using a shorter thread length. The shorter threads (24, 26) enable pipe ends of smaller wall thicknesses to be used. At the abutments, each pipe end has a nib (40A, 40B) that is deflected to enter a groove as the pipe ends mate.
US09239120B2

A protection valve includes: an input chamber into which air is introduced; a plurality of output ports through which air is discharged; and safety valves which open in response to a pressure increase on a primary side or close in response to a pressure decrease on a secondary side, the safety valves including a safety valve PV21 and a safety valve PV23. An air flow path from the input chamber is branched into a first branch line and a second branch line, and a time lag-creating valve having an opening pressure higher than the safety valve PV21 is provided at a upstream of the safety valve PV23 in the second branch line, so that the safety valve PV23 can open with a time lag after the safety valve PV21 opens, regardless of the difference between the opening pressures of the safety valves PV21 and PV23.
US09239118B2

A valve is provided and includes a component including a surface and a wear plate including a surface disposed in sliding engagement with the surface of the component. The surface of the wear plate includes a corrosion resistant substrate, a secondary layer disposed on a surface of the corrosion resistant substrate, a noble metal layer disposed on a surface of the secondary layer and a tertiary layer disposed on a surface of the noble metal layer.
US09239114B2

A compressible sealing ring assembly seals an annulus between a radially outer member and a radially inner member. The sealing ring comprises one or more sealing ring members (28), a radially outer wall for sealing with the inner wall of the radially outer member and radially inner wall for sealing with the outer wall of the radially inner member. A compression ring member (10) having a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface exerts an axial force on a sealing ring member to deform the sealing ring member to maintain a seal.
US09239107B2

A neutral locking system for a vehicle includes a park release shaft and a neutral locking tool. The park release shaft is operatively connected to the transmission such that rotation of the park release shaft places the transmission in a neutral state. The tool is configured to couple to the park release shaft such that rotation of the tool rotates the park release shaft. The tool can also include a sliding locking pin having a first position allowing rotation of the tool within an engine compartment and a second position in which the pin contacts a component in the engine compartment to limit rotation of the tool.
US09239104B2

A welded structure has a first member and a second member that are welded together. The first member comprises a second-member joining part, and the second member comprises a first-member joining part. If the direction in which the first member and the second member are arranged is the first direction, and the direction intersecting the first direction is the second direction, welded parts are provided at least at both ends in the second direction of the joining surface where the first member and the second member are joined. The first member is such that the second-member joining part and a linking part which connects to the second-member joining part are arranged in succession from the joining surface in the first direction, and the dimensions of the second-member joining part are greater than the dimensions of the linking part in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US09239101B2

An apparatus and method for imparting an angularly rotational movement. The apparatus includes a cylinder having an internal portion, a rod operatively positioned within the internal portion of the cylinder, a first bearing operatively positioned about rod; a second unidirectional bearing operatively positioned about the rod and a motion program for selectively inputting incremental radial motion to the rod. The apparatus may also include a force generator for linearly moving the rod in a linear axial motion along an axis of the cylinder.
US09239092B2

A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a spool valve and a bypass valve assembly that controls fluid flow through bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
US09239091B2

A sealing device for sealing between a tube member and an axial member movably inserted into the tube member includes a dust seal held on an opening end part of the tube member and including an annular dust seal lip held in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the axial member, and a scraper arranged at an inner side of the dust seal and including an annular lip portion slidably pressed into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the axial member. The hardness of the lip portion is set to be higher than that of the dust seal lip.
US09239089B2

A grease shut-off gas cylinder comprises an outer cylinder having a guide hole; a spindle inserted in the guide hole and having an inner pipe and an outer pipe; a piston rod having a piston wherein the bottom of a rod is fixed on a bottom surface of the outer cylinder and the top of the rod is slide-inserted in the inner pipe; a valve body secured to top of the spindle and controlling the spindle to move up or down about the piston on the basis of the operations of a valve pin which controls the moving direction of gas; a bushing member protruding from an outer side of the bottom of the spindle and coming into slide contact with an inner wall of the outer cylinder; and a bushing cap secured to top of the outer cylinder and having a guide hole configured to guide the spindle.
US09239080B2

A rolling bearing (6), in particular for the mounting of the shaft of a turbocharger, which rolling bearing includes a bearing ring (1) and a number of rolling bodies (9). The bearing ring (1) is formed from a steel which comprises, as alloy constituents, 0.05 to 0.65 wt % carbon, 0.5 to 5.0 wt % chromium, up to 1.0 wt % molybdenum, up to 1.0 wt % vanadium, and up to 1.0 wt % aluminum. The surface of the bearing ring (1) has a hardened surface layer (2) which comprises nitrites and which comprises a diffusion layer (3) and a connecting layer (4) situated above said diffusion layer. The surface layer (2) has a thickness of up to 1 mm. The invention also relates to a method for producing a corresponding bearing ring (6).
US09239077B2

A mechanical bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring, centered on a same bearing axis, the outer ring being arranged radially around the inner ring, and a cage, arranged coaxially between the inner ring and the outer ring and housing cylindrical rollers, with this cage being formed by several disjointed tubular portion which, in the assembled state of the bearing, are separated from each other by a non-zero gap. The cage is formed by at least three disjointed tubular portions that do not cooperate mechanically with each other in assembled state of the bearing.
US09239076B2

Method for manufacturing a bearing ring (14, 34, 36) from at least one steel bar (12) having ends. The method comprises the steps of forming said at least one steel bar (12) into at least one ring segment and flash butt welding the ends (12a, 12b) of said at least one ring segment to make a ring. The method also comprises the step of carburizing at least part (C) of a surface (12c, 12d) of said at least one steel bar (12) which is adjacent to said surface (12a, 12b) that is to be flash butt welded prior to said flash butt welding.
US09239073B2

The present invention provides a fastening device that allows an attachment operation to be simply and easily performed even by a single person, is capable of fastening and fixing with certainty, and is capable of reducing cost. A fastening device is configured by: a bolt in which a right screw is formed on one end portion and a left screw is formed on another end portion; a jig engaging section that is formed on one end portion or both end portions of the bolt such as to be capable of being rotated using a jig that rotates the bolt; and a right screw nut and a left screw nut that respectively screw onto the right screw in the one end portion of the bolt and the left screw in the other end portion.
US09239072B1

A secure fastener assembly is described. The secure fastener assembly includes a flanged nut and a sleeve. The flanged nut includes a body portion and a flange portion. The sleeve includes an upper opening and a lower opening joined by a wall. The wall includes a shoulder in an inner surface of the wall near the upper opening. The shoulder receives the flange portion. A ball valve using the securing fastener assembly is also described.
US09239069B2

A dowel coated with a heat-activated, B-staged formaldehyde-based resin and a related method of using the resin-coated dowel for joining separate components together.
US09239052B2

A scroll compressor includes a back pressure chamber oil-feeding path for feeding lubricating oil from a high-pressure region to a back pressure chamber, and a compression chamber oil-feeding path for feeding lubricating oil from the back pressure chamber to a compression chamber. One phase in which the back pressure chamber oil-feeding path is communicated from the high-pressure region to the back pressure chamber and another phase in which the compression chamber oil-feeding path is communicated from the back pressure chamber to the compression chamber are shifted from each other, so that the back pressure chamber oil-feeding path and the compression chamber oil-feeding path are never put into the communicating state simultaneously. Thus, after a halt of the compressor, under-communication oil-feeding of the lubricating oil from the high-pressure region via the back pressure chamber to the compression chamber can be prevented.
US09239051B1

This invention relates to a waterborne fluoropolymer composition useful for the fabrication of Li-Ion-Battery (LIB) electrodes. The fluoropolymer composition contains an organic carbonate compound, which is more environmentally friendly than other fugitive adhesion promoters currently used in waterborne fluoropolymer binders. An especially useful organic carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate (EC) and vinylene carbonate (VC), which are solids at room temperature, and other carbonates which are liquid at room temperature such as propylene carbonate, methyl carbonate and ethyl carbonate. The composition of the invention is low cost, environmentally friendly, safer, and has enhanced performance compared to current compositions.
US09239036B2

In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets.
US09239029B2

A nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes an engine nozzle and an ejector nozzle arranged axially downstream thereof. A gap S is formed between the outlet of the engine nozzle and the inlet of the ejector nozzle, and a flange which reduces the gap S is arranged at the outlet of the engine nozzle.
US09239027B2

A motor control device includes a drive circuit to drive an H-bridge circuit to control a current fed to a motor, a drive command signal generator to generate a drive command signal including a pulse signal having predetermined drive frequency and duty for sending a command to drive the motor, a current detection circuit operable to output a comparison output signal based on comparison between a current detection signal of a motor current and a target value signal, a latch circuit to hold a current detection result based on an ON signal of the drive command signal and the comparison output signal, a gate circuit to drive the drive circuit based on the ON signal of the drive command signal and a latch output signal from the latch circuit, and a control unit that changes the duty of the drive command signal based on the current detection result.
US09239024B2

A cylinder control module generates a desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence for a future period based on Q predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation sub-sequences used during a previous period, a desired number of cylinders to be activated during a predetermined period including the previous and future periods, and an operating condition. Q is an integer greater than zero. The cylinder control module activates and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of first and second ones of the cylinders that are to be activated and deactivated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence, respectively. A fuel control module provides and disables fuel to the first and second ones of the cylinders, respectively.
US09239012B2

A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft and a support which supports the fan shaft. The support defines at least one of a support transverse and a support lateral stiffness. A gear system drives the fan shaft. A flexible support at least partially supports the gear system, and defines at least one of a flexible support transverse and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. An input to the gear system defines at least one of an input transverse and an input lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. A method of designing a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US09239000B2

The present invention provides fuel compositions containing specific additives quaternary ammonium salts or combination of additives as well as methods of operating internal combustion engines using such fuel compositions, resulting in a power gain in the engines.
US09238994B2

A device for cooling the heat engine, electrical components, and an electrical energy storage device including: a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit for cooling each of the heat engine, the electrical components, and the electrical energy storage device, respectively; a heat exchange device separated into three members, including a high temperature member connected to the first circuit, a low temperature member connected to the second circuit, and a very low temperature member connected to the third circuit; an upstream valve connected between the first and the third circuit located upstream of the high temperature member of the heat exchanger in the first circuit; and, a downstream valve connected between the first circuit and the third circuit located downstream of the high temperature member of the heat exchanger in the first circuit, where the downstream valve is a thermostatic valve which is actuated as a function of the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit and where the upstream valve is actuated as a function of flow of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit.
US09238984B2

An exhaust emissions prediction system includes a catalytic device configured to receive a flow of exhaust and a downstream NOx sensor located downstream of the catalytic device. The downstream NOx sensor is sensitive to NOx and ammonia, and is configured to generate a measured value. The system also includes a controller connected to the downstream NOx sensor. The controller is configured to determine a predicted value for the downstream NOx sensor, determine a mass flow rate of the flow of exhaust into the catalytic device, adjust the mass flow rate based on the predicted value and the measured value, and determine at least one emissions characteristic downstream of the catalytic device using the adjusted mass flow rate.
US09238981B2

A mounting mat (16) comprising at least one inorganic layer (18) comprising inorganic materials suitable for mounting a pollution control element in a pollution control device. A friction-inducing material (20) is disposed on at least one side of the inorganic layer (18). The deposited friction-inducing material (20) defines a higher friction area exhibiting a static coefficient of friction higher than that of the inorganic materials. A lower friction layer (20) is disposed so as to cover at least a portion of the higher friction area and define an exposed surface area of the mounting mat (16). The exposed surface area exhibits a lower static coefficient of friction than that of the higher friction area. The lower friction layer (20) no longer covers a substantial portion of the higher friction area, after the mounting mat (16) mounts a pollution control element (14) in a pollution control device (10).
US09238974B2

A shaft for a turbine engine, the shaft having a cavity subdivided axially into first and second chambers. The shaft also includes a distributor member having an axial duct, a first radial orifice, and a second radial orifice. The axial duct has an open first end and a second end closed in the axial direction. The first radial orifice connects the second end of the axial duct to the first chamber in order to feed a first bearing with lubricating fluid, and the second radial orifice connects the second end of the axial duct to the second chamber to feed a second bearing with lubricating fluid. The first radial orifice and the second radial orifice of the distributor member are at substantially equal axial distances from the lubricating fluid inlet.
US09238973B2

A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine and a static structure is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine further includes a foil bearing system operative to transmit rotor loads from at least one of the compressor and the turbine to the static structure. The foil bearing system includes a foil bearing and a self-aligning foil bearing mount to align the foil bearing with an axis of rotation of the compressor and the turbine. A snubber operative to transmit rotor loads to the static structure in parallel with the foil bearing is also disclosed.
US09238972B2

An example ram air turbine drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft that rotates about an axis to drive a hydraulic pump and a generator. The drive shaft has an interruption that redirects a fluid flowing from the hydraulic pump to the generator when the drive shaft is rotated.
US09238962B2

A logging tool capable of making different types of measurements is provided, and a plurality of measurements on a formation are obtained. Certain mineral properties of the formation are assumed and a mixed properties theorem for the formation is invoked. Upper and lower velocity limits for sonic waves traveling through the formation are determined using the above information. Biot's constant is also computed using the above information. LWD data on the formation is obtained and an effective stress is determined. A total stress is determined and, from that and the other information, a pore pressure is determined.
US09238945B2

Improvements to base beams and self-propelled derrick rigs are described. The base beam can have two or more stabilizer arms which can be deployed. The base beam is also designed to support the derrick rig. An optional counterweight assembly can be connected to the front of the rig. The self-propelled derrick rig can be easily and quickly mounted to the base beam, and when mounted, the assembly will be able to withstand high hook loads and wind loading without the danger of the rig coming off of its wheels or falling over.
US09238942B2

A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation.
US09238940B2

A structure of a roll blind that moves in a front-back direction of a vehicle to selectively shade a sunroof glass may include a pair of sunroof frames formed on both lower sides of the sunroof glass in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a main roller disposed at the one end of the sunroof frame in a vehicle width direction and can rotate through a motor, an idle roller disposed in the vehicle width direction adjacent to the main roller, a roller tube coupled to and wrapping the main roller and the idle roller to form a closed loop, and a roller guide coupled to both ends of the main roller and the idle roller and including a guide portion formed to protrude so that the blind maintains a constant height.
US09238937B2

A support frame for a window frame is provided to address the problem of unwanted entry of moisture, such as condensation, into a building in which the window frame is mounted. The support frame includes four sections of flashing. Each section of flashing has a window frame support plate that has a window frame side and building framework side. A first longitudinal wall extends from the window frame side of the support plate. One or more longitudinal stiffening box sections continuous with the plate are provided for imparting rigidity to the flashing. Two of the sections comprise sill and header flashings spaced apart at either end by the remaining two sections, which comprise jamb flashings. Joiners connect adjacent ends of the four sections.
US09238934B2

A door jamb assembly comprises a plurality of longitudinal door jamb portions. Each door jamb portion comprises a longitudinal door jamb member comprising a longitudinal rounded channel and a plurality of longitudinal internal cavities, and a longitudinal frame member comprising a rounded longitudinal edge matingly engaging the rounded channel of the door jamb member. The door jamb assembly also comprises a plurality of corner keys forming generally right-angled joints between adjacent door jamb portions.
US09238931B1

The invention is a simple, low-cost, mechanical device to be inserted in the hinge area of an open door of a parked vehicle to keep the door open while people or equipment are added to or removed from the automobile. A particular use of the invention is a safety mechanism to hold the passenger-side door open while a disabled passenger is assisted in exiting the vehicle without the care-giving individual having to hold the door open or having the door slam shut on the disabled person. After this use, the device may be removed and stored in the glove compartment for easy access.
US09238923B2

The wind turbine assembly system of the present invention comprises a lifting structure comprising at least first structural support elements configured to transmit stresses to the wind turbine tower during the hoisting of a wind turbine component and a crane configured to displace the wind turbine component towards the tower axis, the system further comprising a displaceable climbing element with respect to the lifting structure by means of guiding mechanisms, the displaceable climbing element incorporating second structural support elements dimensioned to at least partly support the weight of the lifting structure, where the first structural support elements are displaceable so that their relative position can vary with respect to the lifting structure.
US09238922B2

A ground anchor for a delineator includes a unitary plastic body having a receptacle shaped and configured for connection to a delineator post and a ground engaging portion extending from the receptacle along a longitudinal axis. The ground engaging portion includes a plurality of tapered blades. Delineator assemblies using the ground anchor, and methods of installing the ground anchor, are also provided.
US09238916B2

An apparatus and method provides for protecting a downspout elbow or extension of a rain gutter from suffering and inflicting harm. The apparatus has a protective outer surface to guard against one or more sharp edges or surfaces of the downspout elbow or extension from suffering or inflicting harm. Methods of protecting the downspout elbow or extension include at least elastically deforming, sliding, rolling, or inverting a portion or all of the apparatus onto the opening and adjacent portions of the downspout elbow or extension.
US09238912B1

Described herein is a multi-component panel comprising a ceiling panel and a sound attenuation layer, as well as a ceiling system that includes the multi-component panel.
US09238907B2

A splash guard includes a central base having a first linear margin and a second linear margin parallel to the first linear margin, a first wall connected to the central base along the first linear margin, the first wall having an upper portion extending upward from the central base to define a splash shield and having a lower portion extending downward from the central base to engage a host structure, and a second wall connected to the central base along the second linear margin, the second wall extending downward from the central base such that a channel for engaging a host structure is defined by the central base, the lower portion of the first wall, and the second wall.
US09238896B2

The floating structure for supporting a wind turbine comprises a SPAR-type hollow precast monolithic body made of concrete prestressed by active reinforcement members having a cylindrical lower section (13) closed at its lower end by a hemispheric cap (18) which contains ballast (14) and acts as a flotation element and an upper section (12) located above sea level, which acts as a support for the wind turbine or other element. One or more of the active reinforcement members have opposite ends anchored to a steel ring-shaped plate (17) attached to an upper end of the upper section (12) and an intermediate section which has continuity within the hemispheric cap (18). The structure is preferably moored to the seabed by means of cable lines (15), through heavy weight elements (16) or suction piles capable of counteracting vertical and horizontal force components induced by the mooring lines.
US09238894B1

A manually propelled cart for the removal of snow, with dual function as garden cart, comprising: a PVC framework with handles on its upper segment, and a scoop on its lower segment. The framework supported by a rectangular metallic plate adhered to its underside, disposed on top of two large wheels in the middle of its length, with an axle attached to the plate's underside providing the cart a seesaw motion. A pivoted scoop designed as a rectangular bin, with an open forward section and an axle attached to its bottom underside, rotates in a vertical plane. A latch mechanism disposed adjacent the scoop's rearwall, controls its automatic motions and is operated by pulling a cable connected to a handle. Two springs hooked to the scoop's sidewalls and to the supporting plate acting cooperatively with the latch. Two swivel casters underside the plate's forward end, makes the cart steerable.
US09238890B2

A method for making a multiply fibrous structure. The method comprising the steps of: depositing a slurry of pulp fibers onto a Fourdrinier wire running at a first velocity V1; transferring the web from the Fourdrinier wire to at least a first molding member moving at a second velocity, V2, slower than the first velocity, V1. The molding member comprises a substantially continuous relatively low density network at least partially defining a plurality of relatively high density, irregularly shaped, discrete elements situated in an irregular pattern. The embryonic web is partially dried, adhered to a Yankee dryer surface, creped from Yankee dryer and reeled at a velocity, V4, that is faster than that (V3) of the Yankee dryer.
US09238870B2

A reactive ion etching (RIE) process comprising a chlorine source gas and an oxygen source gas with an atomic ratio of chlorine to oxygen in the plasma of at least 6 to 1 is used to etch chromium alloy films such as SiCr, SiCrC, SiCrO, SiCrCO, SiCrCN, SiCrON, SiCrCON, CrO, CrN, CrON, and NiCr for example. Additionally, a fluorine source may be added to the etch chemistry.
US09238866B2

Rod-type, polycrystalline silicon having a rod diameter of >100 mm are obtained by deposition of silicon-containing gas according to the Siemens method, wherein the Si rods are brought into contact with hydrogen at the end of the deposition process during cooling in the reactor, and the cooled Si rods obtained have in perpendicular cross section cracks and/or radial stresses having a defined size.
US09238856B2

A lead free free-cutting steel is described having the following composition in percent by weight: C 0.85-1.2 Si 0.1-0.6 Mn 0.4-1.2 P max 0.05 S 0.04-0.3 Cr max 2 Ni max 1 Mo max 0.5 Cu max 2 Al max 0.1 B max 0.008 Bi+Se+Te max 0.005 Ti+Nb+Zr+V max 0.2 balance Fe and normally occurring impurities. The steel is mainly intended for small/thin dimensions and/or low cutting speeds during manufacture of a product formed of the steel.
US09238852B2

A method of making a molybdenum or molybdenum alloy metal strip is disclosed. The method includes roll compacting a molybdenum-based powder into a green strip. The method also includes sintering the green strip followed by a combination of warm rolling, annealing, and cold rolling steps to form the final metal strip which may be cut-to-length. The strip at the final thickness may also undergo an optional stress relief step.
US09238847B2

Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for manufacturing complex three dimensional open structures by cold forming the component from unhardened metal stock and then selectively heating and quenching the metal to provide the desired strength profile across the component. The metal is initially formed of unheated and unhardened metal through a combination of rolling, stamping and/or milling operations to produce a component having a complex three dimensional open structure. The formed component is then hardened in strategically predetermined areas by sequentially heating and quenching the predetermined areas of the component. The heating and cooling elements are, in turn, provided on at least one robotic apparatus configured for moving the elements across the surface of the component in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired pattern of hardened and unhardened regions across the component.
US09238841B2

The invention provides multi-biomarker based methods to stratify pediatric septic shock patients into high and low risk groups.
US09238840B2

A method for analyzing a genome of a single cell is provided, and a kit is also provided. The method for analyzing the genome of the single cell may comprise separating and lysing the single cell to obtain a whole-genome DNA of the cell; subjecting the whole-genome DNA to a whole-genome amplification to obtain a whole-genome amplification product; performing a PCR amplification using the whole-genome amplification product as template and using housekeeping-gene-specific primers to detect the housekeeping gene of the whole-genome amplification product; and determining whether the whole genome amplification product meets a requirement for sequencing based on the detection result, wherein a uniform distribution of the amplification product in each chromosome is an indication of the amplification product meeting the requirement for sequencing.
US09238836B2

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.
US09238831B2

The present invention relates to methods of quantifying nucleic acids and in particular to an improved universal method of quantifying nucleic acids for gene expression studies without the need for normalising data to a housekeeping gene or to a synthetic gene of interest.
US09238830B2

Described herein are methods and systems for O-glycosylating proteins in vivo or in vitro in any prokaryotic organism. In these methods and systems, DNA comprising a gene that produces a PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase and DNA comprising a gene that produces a protein to be O-glycosylated are used. The PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase facilitates the covalent attachment of the glycan to the protein to produce the O-glycosylated protein. The methods and systems described herein provide an approach for the design and production of new vaccines and therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.
US09238823B2

Compositions and methods for conferring insecticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions including a coding sequence for a Brevibacillus-derived delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules having nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 7, or 10, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US09238817B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing a protein of interest containing one or more disulfide bonds in its native state. The method comprises that a prokaryotic host cell is genetically engineered to express the protein of interest and a sulfhydryl oxidase in the cytoplasm of the host cell. The protein of interest is formed in a soluble form and contains disulfide bonds due to the presence of the sulfhydryl oxidase in the cytoplasm of said host cell. The present invention relates also to a prokaryotic host cell and a vector system for producing a protein of interest containing natively folded disulfide bonds.
US09238811B2

siRNA-conjugated liposomes and micelles, methods of making such conjugates, and methods of using such conjugates, such as for the delivery of siRNA to cells to reduce expression of target polypeptides in such cells, are described.
US09238805B2

The invention relates to a new double-stranded RNA endoribonuclease, its derivative and/or variant, which has a loop locating in and interacting with the major groove of the double-stranded RNA, exhibiting sequence specific properties in the double-stranded RNA cleavage.
US09238801B2

Methods for the evolution of NADPH specific ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes to acquire NADH specificity are provided. Specific mutant ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes isolated from Pseudomonas that have undergone co-factor switching to utilize NADH are described.
US09238800B2

The present invention provides an Avian adeno-associated vims (AAAV) vims and vectors and particles derived therefrom. In addition, the present invention provides methods of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell using the AAAV vectors and particles. Methods of isolating the AAAV are provided.
US09238797B2

The present invention relates to a method for production of a cell population containing a pluripotent stem cell, said method comprising a step of treating a somatic cell which has been contacted with nuclear reprogramming factors under nutrient-starved condition, and/or a step of treating the somatic cell with an agent capable of arresting cell cycle. The present invention allows induction and growth of pluripotent stem cells at high frequency, and it also allows production of pluripotent stem cells with high efficiency. The nuclear reprogramming factors to be used may be any selected from the group consisting of OCT4, SOX2, c-MYC, KLF4, NANOG and LIN28.
US09238792B2

Methods and apparatus' are disclosed for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of biomass providing for the compartmentalization of the saccharification process and the fermentation process resulting in decreased enzymatic end-product inhibition.
US09238784B2

A slide electricity structure according to the present invention uses grease for electrical contacts wherein contact resistance does not gradually increase even when exposed to sliding and lifetime is long, and has a silver-plated spring contact that contacts or separates by way of sliding and grease for electrical contacts that has been applied to the spring contact and contains perfluoropolyether oil having an average molecular weight between 2600 and 12500 as a base oil and PTFE having a primary particle diameter of 1 μm or less as a thickener.
US09238782B2

A flue gas additive is provided that includes both a nitrogenous component to reduce gas phase nitrogen oxides and a halogen-containing component to oxidize gas phase elemental mercury.
US09238781B2

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover.
US09238779B2

A process for converting a solid biomass material is provided. The solid biomass material is contacted with a catalytic cracking catalyst at a temperature of more than 400° C. in a riser reactor to produce one or more cracked products. The riser reactor is an external riser reactor with a curve and/or low velocity zone at its termination and wherein a part of the catalytic cracking catalyst has deposited in the curve and/or low velocity zone.
US09238773B2

In one embodiment, a transparent ceramic of sintered nanoparticles includes gadolinium lutetium oxide doped with europium having a chemical composition (Lu1-xGdx)2-YEuYO3, where X is any value within a range from about 0.05 to about 0.45 and Y is any value within a range from about 0.01 to about 0.2, and where the transparent ceramic exhibits a transparency characterized by a scatter coefficient of less than about 10%/cm. In another embodiment, a transparent ceramic scintillator of sintered nanoparticles, includes a body of sintered nanoparticles including gadolinium lutetium oxide doped with a rare earth activator (RE) having a chemical composition (Lu1-xGdx)2-YREYO3, where RE is selected from the group consisting of: Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy, where the transparent ceramic exhibits a transparency characterized by a scatter coefficient of less than about 10%/cm.
US09238771B1

A well clean-up fluid system than can be used to remove the filter cake in horizontal and multilateral sections of extended-reach and maximum-reservoir-contact wells for both open and cased hole completions. The fluid system contains one or more low pH chelating agents and a viscoelastic surfactant. The fluid is injected through a drill pipe and starts reacting with the filter cake after rigging down. This method of the well clean-up eliminates the use of coil tubing, enzymes and corrosion inhibitors. The efficiency of filter cake removal is enhanced because the well clean-up fluid system has the ability to divert through the highly damaged areas of well or formation in the horizontal section.
US09238769B2

The invention provides monolayer films which not only have hydrophilicity and are excellent in such properties as antifogging properties, antifouling properties, antistatic properties and anti-condensation properties but also tend to exhibit excellent transparency even with a large film thickness and excellent scratch resistance, as well as stacks having the monolayer film. The monolayer film is obtained by preparing a mixture including a monomer composition and a solvent, the monomer composition including a specific monomer and a polyvalent monomer having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups and being free of sulfonic group, carboxyl group and phosphoric group in a specific molar ratio, the solvent having a specific solubility parameter σ; applying the mixture onto a substrate and removing at least part of the solvent; and polymerizing the monomer composition to produce a monolayer film having at least one anionic hydrophilic group selected from a sulfonic group, a carboxyl group and a phosphoric group and a specific anion concentration ratio (Sa/Da) of the anion concentration (Sa) at the outer surface to the anion concentration (Da) at the middle point between the inner surface in contact with the substrate and the outer surface.
US09238763B2

The present invention is related to adhesive compositions comprising a polymer blend of at least two different propylene-based polymers and one or more tackifiers. The polymer blend has a melt viscosity of about 900 cP to about 19,000 cP. When subjected to Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation, the polymer blend exhibits a first fraction that is soluble at −15° C. in xylene, the first fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 70 mol % to about 90 mol %; and a second fraction that is insoluble or less soluble than the first fraction at −15° C. in xylene, the second fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 85 mol % to about 98 mol %. The tackifier has a softening point, as determined by ASTM E-28, of about 85 to about 135° C. and an aromaticity of about 2 to about 12 mol % aromatic protons.
US09238762B2

Optical adhesives that also diffuse visible light include a blend of an adhesive matrix which is an optical adhesive and a block copolymer. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive and contains either acid or basic functionality. The block copolymer, which may be a diblock copolymer, contains a high Tg block and a functional block, the functionality of the functional block is complimentary to the functionality of the adhesive matrix to form an acid-base interaction. The adhesive may also contain a crosslinking agent.
US09238761B2

A adhesive composition that includes at least the main components of a hydrolyzable tannin and at least one cationic polymer selected from the group including (poly-)lysine, (poly-)-DL-ornithine, ε-poly-ornithine, (poly-)arginine, (poly-)glutamine, (poly-)asparagine, (poly-)histidine, (poly-)proline, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, cadaverine, agmatine, citrulline and mixtures thereof.
US09238759B1

A flexible assembly is configured to be removably applied to a curved or planar surface of an underlying component. The assembly includes a flexible glass layer and an adhesive layer provided on at least one surface of the flexible glass layer. The flexible glass layer and the adhesive layer in combination enable the flexible assembly to be removably secured to the curved or planar surface.
US09238758B2

An adhesive tape that is stretch releasable, articles that contain the adhesive tape, and uses of the adhesive tape are disclosed. The adhesive tapes include a backing layer that is adjacent to at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The backing layer typically is optically clear and includes a poly(alkylene) copolymer. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a silicone-based adhesive composition. In many embodiments, the adhesive tape is optically clear.
US09238757B2

To provide a technique by which an —OH group can be effectively formed on a material surface for the purpose of making the material suitable for bonding (for example, for molecular bonding) that utilizes a chemical reaction (chemical binding). [Solution] A bonding method for bonding a substrate A and a substrate B, which comprises: a step for applying an agent that contains the compound (α) described below on the surface of the substrate A; a step for arranging the substrate B so as to face the compound (α) that is present on the surface of the substrate A; and a step for integrally bonding the substrate A and the substrate B by applying a force onto the substrate A and/or the substrate B. The compound (α) is a compound that has an OH group or an OH-forming group, an azide group and a triazine ring in each molecule, and the substrate A is configured using a polymer.
US09238752B2

The invention relates to a method of making a theremorevsible bituminous composition. The method includes transferring an additive to a bitumen to form a mixture, and stirring the mixture until its appearance is homogenous. The additive can be an organogelator with general formula R″—(COOH)z, where R″ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated chain having 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is an integer varying from 2 to 4. The bituminous composition is hard at the temperature of use without increasing its viscosity when hot.
US09238746B2

The present disclosure provides ink sets and related methods mix color gloss uniformity. The ink set can include a black ink with a black pigment having a particle size of about 14 nm to about 16 nm, a DBP absorption of about 80 ml/100 g to about 350 ml/100 g, and a BET surface area of about 160 m2/g to about 1600 m2/g. The ink set can also include pigmented magenta ink, pigmented cyan ink, and pigmented yellow ink. As a whole, the ink set can have a mix color gloss uniformity of at least 7.
US09238745B2

An energy curable inkjet ink includes a nitroxy inhibitor, a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, a photoinitiator, a coloring agent, and a stray light resistance index of at least 7. A method of preparing an energy curable inkjet ink with stray light resistance includes providing a nitroxy inhibitor; providing a mixture of a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, and a photoinitiator, and a coloring agent; combining the nitroxy inhibitor and the mixture to obtain the energy curable inkjet ink and thereby to increase a stray light resistance index of the energy curable inkjet ink to at least 7.
US09238739B2

The present invention relates to effect pigments based on coated, flake-form substrates, where an organic coating which contains fluoroalkyl groups and hydrophilic groups and is built up from at least one siloxane and/or at least one silane is applied to the substrate as outer layer.
US09238738B2

A thermal barrier coating having a reduced high temperature thermal conductivity includes group II germanate constructs. This thermal barrier coating may be applied directly to a substrate, applied to a bond-coated substrate, and/or incorporated into a protective coating including one or more other thermal barrier coating layers. The thermal barrier coating provides improved thermal protection properties over current industry standards and materials considered for thermal protection applications.
US09238737B2

The present invention relates to electrically conductive and electrically weldable anti-corrosion compositions for coating metal surfaces, a process for coating metal surfaces with electrically conductive organic coatings, as well as the correspondingly coated and optionally painted metal strips, sheets or parts, the coatings comprising: an organic binder, an anti-corrosion pigment, at least one conductive pigment with a density of at least 3 g/cm3 and optionally at least one conductive pigment with a density of less than 3 g/cm3.
US09238734B2

Provided is a room temperature and humidity thickening thermo-conductive silicone grease composition with high shape retention characteristics and good workability despite a low viscosity in an initial phase. Essential components of the room temperature and humidity thickening thermo-conductive silicone grease composition of the present invention are: (A) organopolysiloxane with a viscosity of between 0.1 Pa·s and 1,000 Pa·s at 25° C. with both ends being blocked by a hydroxyl group; (B) organopolysiloxane represented by general equation (1) (R1 is independently a substituted or non-substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, R2 is independently an alkyl group, alkoxy alkyl group, alkenyl group, or acyl group, n is an integer between 2 and 100, and a is an integer between 1 and 3); (C) a silane compound which contains at least three hydrolysable groups bonded to a silicon atom in one molecule and/or a (partial) hydrolyzate or a (partial) hydrolysis condensate thereof; (D) a thickening catalyst; (E) a thermally conductive filler with a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/m·° C.; and (F) silica fine powder.
US09238732B2

An aqueous solution of an acrylic acid polymer which contains bound phosphonite groups is provided. The acrylic acid polymer is prepared by a feed operation polymerization which results in the formation of phosphinite groups bound within the acrylic acid polymer chain. The dried acrylic acid polymer is also provided. Dispersions of inorganic pigments prepared in the presence of the acrylic acid polymer or the aqueous solution of the acrylic acid polymer are also provided.
US09238720B2

This invention relates to a prepreg having a low thermal expansion coefficient in plane direction and a high rigidity, and more particularly to a prepreg comprising a glass cloth (A), and a resin composition including a cyanate ester resin (B), a non-halogen based epoxy resin (C) and an inorganic filler (D), wherein the glass cloth (A) is characterized that when the weight per 1 m2 is W (g/m2), the thickness is t (μm), the number of warp threads per inch is X (thread/inch), and the number of weft threads per inch is Y (thread/inch), the total of X and Y is 150 to 240, t is 17 to 35, and the value of W/t as the apparent density is 1.1 to 1.5, and that the volume fraction of the glass cloth (A) in the prepreg is 32% to 42%.
US09238715B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a polymerizable composition capable of providing antimicrobial properties to ophthalmic and medical devices relatively inexpensively with ease, and an antimicrobial composition obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable composition.A polymerizable composition for ophthalmic or medical use comprising an epsilon-polylysine having (meth)acryloyl group is provided. The content of the epsilon-polylysine having (meth)acryloyl group in the polymerizable composition is preferably about 0.1 to 99% by weight, based on the whole amount of the composition. A coating agent for ophthalmic or medical use comprising the above polymerizable composition, an antimicrobial composition for ophthalmic or medical use obtained by polymerizing the above polymerizable composition, an ophthalmic or medical device comprising the antimicrobial composition, and a contact lens comprising the antimicrobial composition are also provided.
US09238710B2

The present invention is a composition containing a polyester resin containing at least an alicyclic dicarboxylic acid component and an alicyclic diol component, and it is a polyester resin composition which satisfies that a glass transition temperature is 65° C. or more and 90° C. or less, a refractive index at sodium D line is 1.500 or more and 1.570 or less, a titanium element content is 5 ppm or more and 500 ppm or less, a phosphorus element content is 50 ppm or more and 500 ppm or less and a gel fraction is 50% or less. By the present invention, it is possible to obtain a polyester resin composition having a low refractive index and photoelastic coefficient, and in which a thermally degraded foreign substance is reduced.
US09238706B2

The present invention describes guanidine derivatives of the general formula (I) having the stated meanings for the residues R1, R2 and R3 as accelerators for cold-curing epoxy resin compositions. The curing of cold-curing epoxy resin systems may advantageously be accelerated with the assistance of these compounds.
US09238704B2

A polyurethane foam is prepared by combining a polyether triol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 5000 to 7000 g/mol; a polyether diol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 3000 to less than 5000 g/mol; a chain extender mixture including 1,4-butanediol and at least one of monoethylene glycol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, and isomers thereof; a copolymer polyether polyol having a styrene acrylonitrile solids content of at least 38 wt % and an average hydroxyl number of at least 23; an isocyanate component; and a blowing agent. It is particularly suitable for shoe sole applications, where it exhibits improvement in slip resistance under wet conditions when compared with some other polyether-polyurethane formulations.
US09238692B2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a human antibody that specifically binds to human interleukin-4 receptor (hIL-4R). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-hIL-4R antibody, at least one amino acid, at least one sugar, or at least one non-ionic surfactant. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months.
US09238691B2

Provided are antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to CCR2, preferably human CCR2, and that may inhibit CCR2. The present antibodies may bind to the first and/or second extracellular loops of CCR2. Isolated heavy and light chains derived from the antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies and chains are provided. Methods of making and using the anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen-binding portions, and compositions comprising these antibodies or antigen-binding portions, including compositions for diagnosis and treatment, are provided. Also provided are gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light chains that comprise the human anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen-binding portions thereof.
US09238689B2

The present disclosure relates to antigen-binding moieties that specifically bind to MIF and D-DT and compositions and methods of use thereof.
US09238682B2

A gene construct comprising a programmed-cell-death executioner gene having a nuclear localization signal, a deleted signal peptide, an inhibitor-resistant binding site, a promoter, and an activator. A method of making a gene construct, by modifying a programmed-cell-death executioner gene by adding a nuclear localization signal, deleting a signal peptide, mutating a binding site for an inhibitor to make it inhibitor-resistant, adding a promoter for exclusive expression in selected cells, and adding an activator. A method of eliminating undesired cells from a patient. A method of treating cancer. An array comprising at least two gene constructs wherein all of the gene constructs differ with respect to the programmed-cell-death executioner gene and the nuclear localization signal. A method of personalizing anti-cancer treatment. A method of increasing DNase 1 resistance to actin binding. A method of increasing catalytic activity of DNase 1 binding.
US09238681B2

Calcium-binding photoproteins showing the luminescence pattern with a slow decay of are desired. The invention provides a mutant apoprotein comprising an amino acid sequence wherein the 23rd to 34th amino acids in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 are substituted with an amino acid represented by formula I below: Xaa23-Xaa24-Xaa25-Xaa26-Xaa27-Xaa28-Xaa29-Xaa30-Xaa31-Xaa32-Xaa33-Xaa 34; having a function to bind to the peroxide of coelenterazine or the peroxide of a coelenterazine analog to form a photoprotein capable of emitting light under the action of calcium ions; and, having a half decay time of the luminescence emitted by binding of the photoprotein to calcium ions being not less than 2 seconds.
US09238675B2

Novel inhibitors of IAP that are useful as therapeutic agents for treating malignancies and have the general formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as described herein.
US09238669B2

The invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide representing part of the repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I and having the sequence of the pentasaccharide a-L-Rhap-(1→3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-[a-L-Rhap-(1→3]-a-D-Glcp-(1→2)-a-D-Glcp or a synthetic fragment or derivative thereof. Preferably, the claimed synthetic oligosaccharide bears at least one linker L for conjugation to a carrier protein or for immobilization on a surface. Further aspects of the invention relate to advantageous methods for synthesizing said synthetic oligosaccharide and oligosaccharide-protein conjugate as well as to uses thereof, in particular as vaccines and diagnostic tools.
US09238659B2

Provided herein is a method of treating cancer by the administration of binuclear gold(I) compounds in patients in need thereof. The pharmaceutical compounds possess anti-cancer activity such as the induction of cell death, inhibition of cellular proliferation, inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity, and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.
US09238653B2

Inhibitors of parasitic dihydroorotate dehydrogenase enzyme (DHOD) are candidate therapeutics for treating malaria. Illustrative of such therapeutic agents include the compound: and a triazolopyrimidine class of compounds that conform to Formula IX: and their solvates, stereoisomers, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
US09238646B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating the Wnt signaling pathway.
US09238644B2

This invention relates to a compound of the formula (I): The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the compound of the formula (I), pharmaceutical agents or compositions containing the compound or a method of using the compound for the treatment of proliferative diseases, such as cancer, as well as the treatment of diseases ameliorated by the control and/or inhibition of lymphangiogenesis.
US09238618B2

Processes for the production of polyols from sources such as dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) make use of a two-stage reaction scheme. In the first stage, the proteinaceous starting material is reacted with an aminating agent, such as diethanolamine (DEOA), to generate amino-amides and amides. These products are then reacted with an alkoxylating agent, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted epoxide to yield polyols. These polyols may be further reacted with isocyanates to give low-cost rigid polyurethane foams. In alternate forms, lignin may be directly converted to polyols by reaction with an alkoxylating agent, optionally followed by reaction with an isocyanate to produce polyurethanes.
US09238615B2

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated anilines; in particular, it relates to a process including the direct iodination, with suitably activated iodine, of 3,5-disubstituted anilines to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilines, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves.
US09238612B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing an unsaturated acid and/or an unsaturated acid ester, containing a process A of reacting a compound (1) represented by the following formula (1) at a temperature of 0° C. to 350° C. in the presence of a Brønsted acid catalyst and/or a Lewis acid catalyst, to prepare a compound (2) represented by the following formula (2); in which each of R1, R2 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom or an alkyl group; each of R3 and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a deuterium atom; R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom, or an alkyl group or an aryl group; and X represents a chlorine atom, a fluorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom.
US09238611B2

In the present disclosure, a process for separating aryl carboxylic acids from a mixture comprising a plurality of aryl carboxylic acids is provided, wherein the process comprising the steps of heating a first mixture that comprises at least two aryl carboxylic acids wherein each of said aryl carboxylic acids having a pre-determined liquefaction temperature and a pre-determined precipitation temperature, with at least one ionic compound, at a pre-determined temperature to obtain a liquefied composition; and cooling the liquefied composition under controlled temperature conditions to fractionally crystallize and precipitate an aryl carboxylic acid. The precipitated aryl carboxylic acid is isolated and the obtained mother liquor is subjected to iterated cooling steps until each of the remaining aryl carboxylic acids precipitates one by one. The mother liquor remains in liquefied form.
US09238606B1

Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of methanol to produce acetaldehyde. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce acetaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4, a phosphine ligand, and a phosphonium iodide. The reductive carbonylation reaction produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.
US09238605B2

A process for oxidizing a first hydrocarbon to a corresponding first oxygenate by feeding a first feedstock comprising the first hydrocarbon into an oxidation reactor, contacting the reaction medium with a gas stream comprising O2 in the oxidation reactor, and supplying a hydroperoxide additive to the oxidation reactor. By including the hydroperoxide additive in the reaction medium, foaming at and/or close to the beginning of the oxidation reaction can be significantly reduced.
US09238602B1

This invention is generally directed to a process for the preparation of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol comprising: treatment of at least one monomer selected from 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione, 3-hydroxy-2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanone, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol said diol having a starting cis:trans molar ratio of 0:1 to about 2:1, or mixtures thereof by contacting said monomer(s) with hydrogen in the presence of a reaction solvent in which the resulting cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol is partially soluble and further in the presence of a catalyst comprising about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent ruthenium, based on the total weight of the catalyst, deposited on a support material, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol having a final cis:trans molar ratio of from 2:1 to about 25:1.
US09238576B2

A MEMS apparatus comprising composite vibrating unit and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The vibrating unit includes a stiffness element on which a first material is disposed. A second material being a conductive material is disposed on the first material and is extended to the stiffness element to remove electric charge on first material. When a temperature is changed, a variation direction of a Young's modulus of the first material is opposite to a variation direction of a Young's modulus of the stiffness element. The unique attributes above allow vibrating unit of the MEMS apparatus such as resonator and gyroscope to have stable resonance frequency against the change of temperature.
US09238568B2

An elevator hall call registration apparatus automatically registers a destination floor call based on verification information by a personal authentication device. The hall call registration apparatus includes a first personal authentication device which authenticates a user, a hall call registration apparatus main body which performs destination floor call registration based on verification information including personal ID unique to the user verified in the first personal authentication device, and a destination floor changing device which accepts an operation for the user to perform at least one of a change and cancel of the destination floor of a destination floor call registration. If it is judged based on an operation performed in the destination floor changing device that the operation is performed by the user authenticated by the first personal authentication device, the hall call registration apparatus can perform a change and cancel of a destination floor of the destination floor call registration.
US09238567B2

A method for forming a printed product is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first section and a second section of the printed product with an identical array of stitching locations, each stitching location receiving a stitch or being punched through. A hole is punched in the first section at a first stitching location. A hole is punched in the second section at a second stitching location. The stitching location arrays of the first and second sections are aligned with each other. Stitching material of a first stitch is passed through the hole in the second section at the second stitching location and the first section is stitched with the first stitch at the second stitching location. A printing press is also provided.
US09238563B2

Some aspects relate to an apparatus for detecting an edge of a material web. In some examples, the apparatus comprises an ultrasound sensor which comprises two or more separately readable ultrasound receiver elements and an ultrasound transmitter element, wherein the ultrasound transmitter element is designed and arranged such that it applies an ultrasound measurement signal to two or more of the ultrasound receiver elements.
US09238556B2

In order to ensure a reliable automated feed of connecting elements to a processing unit, an apparatus, in particular an industrial robot, is provided. The apparatus has a hose pack, in which a feed hose for connecting elements is contained as a supply line. In order to ensure reliable operation and kink protection of the feed hose, the latter is formed from an inner hose which is embedded in a over-molded hose jacket. This measure permits the integration of the feed hose into the hose pack without problems. In addition, the risk of the feed hose kinking is kept small.
US09238554B2

Method of pairing accessories includes obtaining coordinates of outline points of first accessories and second accessories of a product. The outline points of the first accessories and the second accessories are assigned numbers. Each of the first accessories and each of the second accessories are transported to a corresponding location according to the assigned numbers. A second accessory is determined to pair with each of the first accessories according to the coordinates of the outline points of the first accessories and the second accessories. Paired first and second accessories are transported from corresponding locations into a first box for assembly, and unpaired first and second accessories are transported into a second box by a the transport system.
US09238553B2

A number of variations may include a vehicle for transporting or moving a load including a frame and may include a telescopic beam, a drive wheel and a support wheel, an arm connected to the drive wheel, and a conveyor having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected to the arm and the second end is connected to the support wheel. The telescopic beam may elongate and contract to reposition the position of the drive wheel in relation to the support wheel and thereby change the configuration of the vehicle and correspondingly the position of the conveyor.
US09238550B2

Conveyor beam for a conveyor system, comprising a plurality of connector elements and at least two conveyor beam elements, where the connector element comprises a central portion, two outer portions and two peripherally grooves extending peripherally around the connector element between the central portion and the outer portions, where the connector element is provided with a first inserting position in which the connector element is inserted between two conveyor beam elements with the first outer portion positioned in a channel of a first conveyor beam element and the second outer portion positioned in a channel of a second conveyor beam elements, and a second arresting position, in which the connector element locks the conveyor beam elements together to form the conveyor beam. The advantage of the invention is that a conveyor beam of any desired shape can be obtained in an easy and fast way.
US09238549B2

A bin is constructed to maximize the space available for its contents. The bin has an outer cylindrical shell and a cylindrical liner which fits into the shell. The side wall of the liner is composed of a number of segments which interlock to define a complete cylinder. The space between the side wall and the side wall of the shell is minimized as is the space occupied by the mechanism for opening and closing the lid.
US09238542B2

A cooler for holding two cans, particular beverage cans containing beer, soft drinks or the like, in a stacked or tandem arrangement. The cooler holds the cans snuggly, keeping them safe from bumps and the like, and also insulates the cans to preserve cold or hot temperature of can contents as long as practicable. The cooler has a cylindrical configuration including a body with an open top, a closed bottom, and as interior space. The body has a cylindrical sleeve and a bottom, which is either in the form of a separate panel or unitary with the sleeve. The bottom has an aperture for preventing or reducing vacuum on the inside of the cooler. A method of using the cooler is also disclosed.
US09238536B2

A method of providing a food storage product dispensing kit for de-bulking food includes a plurality of re-sealable primary bags and a plurality of secondary pouches, wherein the secondary pouches are adapted and configured to be worn and inverted over a user's hand as well as minimize freezer burn of food items therein.
US09238532B2

A tip for dispensing liquid for mounting on a container. A valve includes at least two elements that are mobile in relation to one another, each mobile element including a bearing zone against the other mobile element. One of the mobile elements bears anti-microbial material on or in the immediate proximity of a part of its bearing zone forming a blocking barrier and all surfaces of the dispensing tip in contact with the inside are free of anti-microbial material.
US09238527B2

A dispensing container provides that after discharging content, the content which has not been returned to an internal container is prevented from leaking out of a discharge port. The dispensing container has an internal container which contains content and an external container in which the internal container is attached. The external container is provided with a suction port for sucking external air in between the internal container and the external container. A discharge cap is attached to a spout and is provided with a discharge port for discharging the content. The discharge cap includes an inside plug which closes the spout and a cylindrical body covering the inside plug and being provided with the discharge port. The inside plug is provided with a communication port. A valve that is slidable along an axial direction of the communication port is provided to open and close the communication port.
US09238512B1

A portable passenger boarding ramp assembly includes a main chassis having a plurality of drive wheels; a ramp structure carried by the main chassis, the ramp structure including a lower ramp sloping upwardly to the main chassis; a lower turndeck carried by the main chassis at an upper end of the lower ramp; a mid ramp carried by the main chassis, the mid ramp sloping upwardly from the lower turndeck; an upper turndeck carried by the main chassis at an upper end of the mid ramp; an upper ramp carried by the main chassis, the upper ramp sloping upwardly from the upper turndeck; and a level deck carried by the main chassis and disposed in vertically pivoting relationship to the upper ramp; and a drive system drivingly engaging the plurality of drive wheels.
US09238511B2

A pylon structure for mounting an aircraft engine to a wing. The pylon structure comprises a torque box having a wing mount on the aft portion, a first engine mount on the fore portion and second engine mount on the aft portion.
US09238508B2

An inflatable life raft system for an aircraft includes a window coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft. A mechanism is used to selectively detach the window from the fuselage. An inflatable life raft is deployable to the exterior of the aircraft upon detachment of the window from the aircraft.
US09238506B2

An aircraft seat, including at least one electronics unit and at least one seat frame unit. The electronics unit is at least partially arranged in a hollow space spanned by the seat frame.
US09238499B1

A wakesurfing boat for creating a wave suitable for surfing in the wake of the boat. A length to beam (L/B) ratio of 3.21 combined with a rounded hull bottom proximate the transom minimizes losses in the wake wave. Elliptical arcuate portions extending from starboard and port points on the transom to selected positions on the respective starboard and port bulwarks further minimize losses in the wake wave. The hull bottom defines an M-shaped portion and a V-shaped portion. A propulsion system includes an exhaust pipe projecting from the hull bottom below the waterline, with an exhaust opening forward of the transom. A propeller has a hub and at least three blades. A blade area, defined by a sum of the area of the blades, is larger than 70% of a disc area, defined by a sum of the hub and the blades.
US09238495B2

A straddle electric vehicle includes a battery unit which is an electric power supply for an electric motor; a vehicle body frame including a main frame unitarily joined to a head pipe; and a sub-frame extending rearward from an upper portion of the main frame. The main frame includes a down frame member extending downward from the head pipe and a lower frame member extending rearward from a lower end of the down frame member, and the sub-frame is detachably joined to the vehicle body frame. A bottom portion of the battery unit is supported on the lower frame member of the main frame, and a side portion of the battery unit is covered with the sub-frame.
US09238493B2

Provided is a method which comprises: an attaching step of attaching a pair of installation jigs, respectively, to right and left opposite lateral portions of a support member; a clamping step of clamping the clampable surface portion of each of the installation jigs by a clamping unit of a transfer device; a temporarily mounting step of transferring the instrument panel module to the front of the passenger compartment by the transfer device to temporarily mount each of the right and left mounting brackets to a sidewall of a vehicle body; and a fastening step of, after the temporarily mounting step, detaching the installation jigs from the support member, and fastening each of the right and left mounting brackets to the sidewall of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction by a fastening bolt.
US09238489B2

A suspension system for the resilient/damped suspension of a driver's cab of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle chassis. The suspension system has a spring/damper arrangement and a hydraulic arrangement with hydraulic cylinders on the right and left sides, relative to the driving direction. The hydraulic cylinders are connected in a cross-over manner to form a roll stabilizing device. The suspension system has an upper cross-bridge that is arranged on the driver's cab and a lower cross-bridge that is arranged on the vehicle chassis. The spring/damper arrangement and the hydraulic arrangement are positioned between and connected to the upper and lower cross-bridges.
US09238488B2

In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component including an alignment member, the alignment member including a base portion extending from an edge of the first component, and a connector portion coupled to the base portion. The system also includes a second component including a receiving member. The receiving member includes a pair of cantilever members extending from an edge of the second component and defines a receiving aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the receiving aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component edge relative to the second component edge.
US09238484B2

According to one aspect of the present invention, a load-transmittal system for a vehicle includes a cross member of a vehicle frame extending substantially perpendicular to a vehicle door. A pusher is disposed within a cavity defined between inner and outer sheet metal panels of the vehicle door, wherein the pusher is disposed distal from the cross member to define an idle state. A container receptacle is disposed between the pusher and the cross member, wherein the container receptacle defines a transmittal zone of the vehicle door. When the vehicle door experiences a side-impact load, the side-impact load moves the pusher through the transmittal zone and into at least partial engagement with the cross member to define a collapsed position of the pusher. In this manner, the side-impact load is transferred through the pusher to the cross member.
US09238469B2

In the interior equipment installation structure for a railcar according to the present invention, a first installation member is mounted to a roof body shell along the car longitudinal direction or the car width direction. Second installation members are attached to the first installation member using mechanical fastening tools such as bolts with the positions of the second installation members adjusted in the up-down direction of the car. The second installation members are used for installing lighting appliances such as fluorescent lights, each has a size corresponding to each of the lighting appliances, and are continuously installed. There are portions in which plate members are overlapped with each other between respective adjacent ones of the second installation members, and hand strap receivers are installed in these portions.
US09238460B1

Systems for managing downshifts in hybrid-electric vehicles are disclosed. The systems include a multispeed transmission, an internal combustion engine selectively coupled to the multispeed transmission, an electric motor coupled to the multispeed transmission, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is programmed to evaluate a torque demand, start the internal combustion engine, and pre-stage a downshift shift sequence by partially disengaging a second shift clutch and partially engaging a first shift clutch. The electronic control unit is also programmed to interrupt the downshift shift sequence until a pre-determined torque supplemental event occurs and later complete the downshift shift sequence by modifying the hydraulic pressure through the valve body to completely disengage a second gear set from the input shaft with the second shift clutch and completely engage a first gear set and the input shaft with the first shift clutch.
US09238455B2

Provided is a chamber case of a brake chamber of a vehicle, which may reduce the weight of a vehicle by applying a plastic resin-based material to the chamber case and also enhance rigidity and durability of the chamber case by forming a reinforcement rib at the chamber case and adjusting a thickness of the chamber case to reinforce weak portions of the chamber case. The chamber case of a brake chamber of a vehicle is configured to surround a power spring and a piston, and a top portion of the chamber case is formed to have a relatively greater thickness than a side portion thereof to reinforce the strength of the chamber case.
US09238454B2

In a brake control system, a power supply portion supplies a voltage to a plurality of actuators. When a first actuator is supplied with a voltage equal to or higher than a first minimum operating voltage from the power supply portion, the first actuator operates to perform a first function. When a second actuator is supplied with a voltage equal to or higher than a second minimum operating voltage from the power supply portion, the second actuator performs a second function. The first minimum operating voltage and the second minimum operating voltage are set to be different from each other by a predetermined value so that the first actuator and the second actuator stop operating in a predetermined sequence with a decrease in the supplied voltage.
US09238452B2

A lock assembly for use in automotive and industrial transmission systems comprises: an actuator (2) having an impeller (6) movable between two rest positions by energizing the actuator, wherein the impeller is retained in each of the two rest positions by passive magnetic forces generated by the actuator; a locking arrangement (10, 22; 42, 52; 62, 64; 70, 74; 80, 96) switchable between a first configuration in which rotation of a shaft is unimpeded by the locking arrangement and a second configuration in which rotation of said shaft is blocked by the locking arrangement; and a linkage (14, 16; 44, 46, 61, 88) between the impeller and the locking arrangement, wherein the assembly is arranged such that in one of the impeller rest positions, the locking arrangement is in its first configuration and said shaft is freely rotatable, and in the other of the impeller rest positions, the locking arrangement is urged towards and into its second configuration.
US09238447B2

A belt buckle feeder for a vehicle seat belt system includes a spindle drive and a belt buckle (12) mounted on a spindle (14) of the spindle drive, the belt buckle being movable in height via a spindle nut (26) located on the spindle (14). A safety mechanism comprising at least one locking element (44) is provided which is configured so that the locking element (44) enters into force fit and/or form fit with the spindle (14), when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded, and introduces force acting on the belt buckle (12) in the extending direction (R) of the spindle (14) into a mounting point fixed to the vehicle white bypassing the spindle drive.
US09238445B2

A door guard that is adapted to extend and retract as desired by the user is provided. The present door guard comprises a motor disposed within the interior portion of an automotive vehicle side door and an expandable guard assembly disposed on the exterior portion of an vehicle door. The motor is connected to a control unit, which allows the user to vertically expand and retract the guard assembly as desired.
US09238438B1

A vehicle includes a body that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis, and defines an cargo area laterally bounded by a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall. A shade assembly includes a housing that is removably attached to the first lateral side wall. A retractable cover is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable across the cargo area to cover the cargo area. A retractable net is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable away from the housing to secure cargo relative to the body. The housing extends in a lengthwise direction along a central axis that is disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body, when attached to the first lateral side wall. The retractable cover and the retractable net each extend and retract independently of each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
US09238436B2

A joint portion is provided to an upper case of a mirror unit tilting mechanism so as to protrude therefrom. A fitting portion is formed on a pivot plate side so as to correspond to the joint portion. The joint portion is formed into a hollow hemisphere shape. A support shaft is provided upright at a center portion of an outer wall, and a spherical portion is formed in the outer wall. The fitting portion has a hollow hemisphere dome shape and includes a spherical side wall portion and a ceiling portion which has a wave shape in cross section. The fitting portion is lightly press-fitted to the joint portion through one-touch insertion operation. The fitting portion and the joint portion are swingably connected to each other under a state in which curved surfaces of the spherical portion and the side wall portion are held in contact with each other.
US09238427B2

A head restraint with a basic structure which serves to adjust the head restraint and to receive a person's head. The basic structure has a holding structure and at least one framework structure, wherein the framework structure has flexurally elastic flanks and deflectable cross struts which lie between the flanks and are arranged on the flanks via an elastic connector, as a result of which a force pulse which acts on the cross struts of the at least one framework structure via a flexurally elastic flank and which acts on a front side of the at least one framework structure from one direction causes a compensating, autoreactive deformation of the at least one framework structure at another point in the opposite direction.
US09238424B1

A seat cushion is provided with seat belt strap engaging arms operable to engage and spread the lap belt and shoulder belt straps, if present, of a seat belt structure away from the center of the stroller or other seat to provide easier access to place a user of the seat in the seat. Installation of the cushion is facilitated in one embodiment by adapting the arms to be detachably coupled to seat belt and shoulder belt straps. As a result, the cushion can be placed in the seat and the arms coupled to the straps without the need to undo the straps of the seat belt structure before use of the cushion.
US09238409B2

A motor vehicle includes a steering wheel, a first touchpad integrated into the steering wheel adapted to input commands, a second touchpad integrated into the steering wheel and spatially separated from the first touchpad adapted to input commands, and a coordination module adapted to generate a command to operate a function of the motor vehicle as a function of a touch motion over the first touchpad and a simultaneously-occurring touch motion over the second touchpad.
US09238408B2

In a display device to be mounted in a vehicle, a space is secured between a cover with which a first opening of a case main body is sealed and a liquid crystal panel of a display unit mounted on the backside of the case main body, ventilation openings (spaces around protrusions and through holes) that communicate with an external space are formed in portions of a casing, which is a component member of the display unit, except for the front surface of the casing, and protruding portions each partially supporting the outer edge portion of the front surface of the liquid crystal panel are formed on the inner surface of the front wall of the casing. Thus, a long and complicated air flow path is secured around the liquid crystal panel by the protruding portions, and the space and the external space communicates with each other via the path.
US09238407B1

A tire pressure dependent cruise control device automatically disengages cruise control upon detection of unbalanced tire pressures. The device includes a vehicle and a pair of aligned wheels coupled to the vehicle. A cruise control unit is operationally coupled to the vehicle for maintaining a speed of the vehicle independent of a driver constantly depressing a pedal of the vehicle. Each of a pair of sensors is coupled to the vehicle adjacent to an associated one of the wheels. The sensors are aligned and the sensors monitor alignment of the sensors. The sensors are communicatively coupled to the cruise control unit wherein the cruise control unit is deactivated from maintaining a constant speed of the vehicle upon the sensors detecting misalignment of the sensors indicating unbalanced tire pressure in the wheels.
US09238393B2

A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.
US09238392B2

An air suspension device for vehicles, in particular for commercial vehicles, including a valve block for aerating a plurality of air-spring bellows with compressed air from a compressed-air supply or for venting the air-spring bellows through an air vent, the valve block including at least one air-bellows valve assigned to an air-spring bellows or a group of air-spring bellows of the plurality of air-spring bellows, for individually aerating and venting this air-spring bellows or group of air-spring bellows. The present system provides for the valve block to additionally include a valve device, by which the at least one air-bellows valve may be simultaneously decoupled from the compressed-air supply and the air vent, and for a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure in the flow path between the valve device and the at least one air-bellows valve to be provided on the other side of the corresponding air-spring bellows.
US09238379B2

A printer takes up slack in media while suppressing excessive rewinding, and can check the movement of a movable member that moves following change in tension on the media. The printer drives the supply motor in a first operating mode in a slack removal operation that rewinds the recording paper (media) onto a paper roll 2, and stops driving the supply motor when the tension lever (movable member) moves from a slack-side first position toward a second position. In the movement checking operation, the supply motor is driven in a second operating mode with greater output than the first operating mode, rewinds the recording paper on the paper roll, and sets the tension lever to the second position.
US09238378B2

A printing system includes carriage assemblies, a preparation station, a printing station, and a selection station. The carriage assemblies receive flexible bodies and are coupled to a conveyance assembly that moves the carriage assemblies along a direction of travel. The preparation station receives the flexible bodies from the loading station and manipulates the flexible bodies to at least partially flatten printing surfaces of the flexible bodies. The printing station prints images on the flexible bodies. The selection station examines the images on the flexible bodies and selects one or more of the flexible bodies based on the images. The selection station also individually grips and removes selected flexible bodies from the carriage assemblies and conveys the selected flexible bodies to a first collection location while the other flexible bodies remain on the carriage assemblies and are conveyed to a different, second collection location.
US09238374B2

A print head module for delivering ink to a print head comprising a module venting system comprising a one-time vent built into the interior of the print head module in which, when an amount of ink comes in contact with the one-time vent, air is prevented from passing through the one-time vent. A system for delivering ink to a print head comprising a print head, a external reservoir of ink, and a print head module comprising a one-time vent built into the interior of the print head module and fluidly coupling the print head to the external reservoir of ink, in which, when an amount of ink comes in contact with the one-time vent within the print head module, air is prevented from passing through the one-time vent.
US09238372B2

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body; a printhead to discharge droplets; a sub tank to hold a liquid to be supplied to the printhead for discharge as droplets; a movable carriage for scanning, including the printhead and the sub tank; a main tank to contain the liquid to be supplied to the sub tank; a liquid supply pump, disposed on the carriage, to supply the liquid from the main tank to the sub tank; a first liquid supply tube that connects the main tank to the liquid supply pump; and a second liquid supply tube that connects the liquid supply pump to the sub tank. A fluid resistance of the first liquid supply tube is greater than a fluid resistance of the second liquid supply tube. The liquid supply pump includes a deformable portion that shrinks and expands in a carriage scanning direction, by scanning movement of the carriage, to take the liquid in and pump the liquid out, and the volume of liquid supplied to the sub tank being greater than the volume of liquid supplied to the main tank when the liquid supply pump supplies the liquid to the sub tank.
US09238371B2

There is provided a liquid jetting apparatus configured to jet liquid, including: a channel structure in which liquid channels including a plurality of nozzles are formed, and in one surface of which a plurality of supply ports are formed to communicate with the liquid channels; and a plurality of filters attached on the one surface of the channel structure to cover the plurality of supply ports. One of the plurality of filters is arranged to overlap partially with another filter of the plurality of filters which is located adjacent to the one of the plurality of filters, at an area between the plurality of supply ports.
US09238370B2

A liquid accommodating container in which a fiber member and a liquid are accommodated has a fiber ratio of the fiber member is 5% or more to 30% or less, a fiber diameter of the fiber member is 10 μm or more to 50 μm or less, a volume average particle diameter (D50) of a pigment included in the liquid satisfies a condition of 50 nm
US09238367B2

A droplet discharging head includes a passage substrate in which individual liquid chambers are formed; a plurality of piezoelectric elements formed on the passage substrate; a plurality of wirings for connecting electrodes of the plurality of piezoelectric elements and drive circuit connecting portions for being connected to a drive circuit, respectively, formed on the passage substrate; and a support substrate, formed on the passage substrate, provided with a concave portion for housing the plurality of piezoelectric elements at a surface facing the passage substrate, the support substrate being provided with an opening portion above the drive circuit connecting portions, wherein the support substrate is adhered to the passage substrate at a support substrate adhering region of the passage substrate including area where the wirings are formed, and wherein a wiring space between each adjacent wirings is formed to have a crank portion at the support substrate adhering region.
US09238358B1

A multicolor offset printing press includes a first blanket cylinder, at least four plate cylinders, a collecting plate cylinder, a collecting blanket cylinder, at least two partial plate cylinders, and a plurality of ink devices. The first blanket cylinder performs printing on a transported target printing product. The four plate cylinders are in contact with the first blanket cylinder. The collecting plate cylinder is in contact with the first blanket cylinder on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the first blanket cylinder with respect to a last plate cylinder positioned on the most downstream side in the rotational direction of the first blanket cylinder among the four plate cylinders, and on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the first blanket cylinder with respect to a printing portion at which the first blanket cylinder performs printing on the target printing product. The collecting blanket cylinder is in contact with the collecting plate cylinder and transfers ink to the collecting plate cylinder. The two partial plate cylinders are in contact with the collecting blanket cylinder. The plurality of ink devices supply inks to the four plate cylinders and the two partial plate cylinders, respectively.
US09238357B2

A supporting member separation apparatus that separates a supporting member from a laminate having a substrate, an adhesive layer, a release layer which has a property that changes when it absorbs light, and the supporting member which are laminated in this order. The apparatus includes a holding unit that holds one surface of the laminate, a lifting and lowering unit that lifts and lowers the holding unit, and an adjustment unit that maintains a constant applied force to the holding unit.
US09238353B2

An interlayer film for a laminated glass provides excellent vibration damping performance at high temperature and excellent sound insulation in a wide temperature range. The interlayer film comprises a part A containing a resin composition A or a resin A and a part B containing a resin composition B or a resin B, and the part A and the part B are horizontally arranged. The interlayer film for a laminated glass has a difference between temperatures Ta and Tb of 10° C. or larger when the temperature Ta is a temperature at which the resin composition A or the resin A shows a maximum loss tangent of a dynamic viscoelasticity at a frequency of 1 Hz, and the temperature Tb is a temperature at which the resin composition B or the resin B shows a maximum loss tangent of a dynamic viscoelasticity at a frequency of 1 Hz.
US09238351B2

The present invention provides a composite film having a linearly-scratched, thin metal film and a plastic film, which has good absorbability to electromagnetic waves in various frequencies, as well as reduced anisotropy in electromagnetic wave absorbability, suitable for electromagnetic wave absorbers, and its production apparatus. The composite film having a linearly-scratched, thin metal film and a plastic film according to the present invention comprises a plastic film, and a single- or multi-layer, thin metal film formed on at least one surface of the plastic film, the thin metal film being provided with large numbers of substantially parallel, intermittent, linear scratches with irregular widths and intervals in plural directions. Its production apparatus comprises pluralities of pattern rolls each having large numbers of fine, high-hardness particles on the surface, which are arranged to form linear scratches on the thin metal film side of a thin metal film-plastic composite film, and means each pressing the pattern roll to the composite film, and pluralities of the pattern rolls being oriented in different directions in a plane in which they are in sliding contact with the thin metal film of the composite film.
US09238340B2

Electrical connection between the backplane and the front electrode of an electro-optic display is provided by forming a front plane laminate (100) comprising, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (104), a layer of electro-optic material (106), and a layer of lamination adhesive (108); forming an aperture (114) through all three layers of the front plane laminate (100); and introducing a flowable, electrically-conductive material (118) into the aperture (114), the flowable, electrically-conductive material being in electrical contact with the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (104) and extending through the adhesive layer (108).
US09238338B2

A composite structure having a contoured cross section is fabricated by assembling a flat ply stack and forming the stack. The full plies in the stack are tacked through their entire thickness and the partial plies are tacked to individual ones of the full plies in a manner that enables the plies to slip in relation to each other, preventing wrinkling and distortion of the plies during forming.
US09238337B2

A molding die is mainly constituted of a die surface shell layer (15) having a die surface (32) responsive to the shape of a composite item and a support (16) supporting the die surface shell layer (15). The die surface shell layer (15) is made of a material having air permeability, and a prepreg material (34) is placed on a die-shaped surface (32) thereof. Then, the prepreg material (34) is covered with a nonpermeable vacuum bag film (35), and a cavity portion (30) of the support (16) is evacuated. The die surface shell layer (15) has air permeability, whereby it follows that air present on the die-shaped surface (32) is also discharged into the cavity portion (30) through the die surface shell layer (15). Consequently, the prepreg material (34) is pressed against the die-shaped surface (32) by the atmospheric pressure outside the vacuum bag film (35), and strongly adheres.
US09238334B2

A method and apparatus for forming a stack of composite layers into a desired shape is present. The stack of composite layers may be positioned on a tool and a number of compressible supports such that the stack of composite layers may be substantially flat on the tool and the stack of composite layers may be substantially flat on the number of compressible supports. A flexible sheet may be placed on top of the stack of composite layers. A vacuum load may be applied on the stack of composite layers on the tool and the number of compressible supports using the flexible sheet such that consolidation of the stack of composite layers occurs to form a desired shape on the tool and the number of compressible supports compress during forming of the desired shape.
US09238326B2

It is intended to correct print pitches P at which a pattern A is printed on a plastic film 1 repeatedly. A first optical sensor detects positions at which the pattern A is printed on the plastic film 1 repeatedly, to measure the print pitches P individually. A first stretching device 4 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the print pitch P to correct the print pitches P individually. A second optical sensor detects the positions after correcting the print pitch P to measure a sum of print pitches P(1)+P(2)+ - - - +P(N) of a number of patterns A. A second stretching device 10 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the sum of print pitches to correct the sum of print pitches.
US09238318B2

A method for manufacturing a motor includes the following steps of: providing a substrate with an opening and a bushing; disposing the bushing within the opening of the substrate; providing a cushioning material disposed between the substrate and the bushing by injection molding.
US09238310B2

An apparatus and method for the layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a powder layer is melted with a laser beam shaped such that the focus maximum power density is less than 50% greater than the average power density, is provided. Also provided are the corresponding mouldings.
US09238305B2

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.
US09238301B2

A tool container has a pair of housing members pivotally coupled with one another to provide an opened and closed position. At least one of the members defines a cavity to receive tools. The cavity is defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. A tool retaining insert is permanently secured in the cavity. The insert and wall include tenons and grooves to secure the insert in the housing member. Also, an arcuate locking mechanism is included to maintain the pair of housing members in a closed position.
US09238297B2

In a machining method of supporting a workpiece having a cylindrical machined portion such that the workpiece is rotatable and feeding a grinding wheel in a radial direction, a start diameter that is a diameter including a measurement start point on a surface of the machined portion is measured, and, after the measurement start point passes through a machining application portion, an end diameter that is a diameter including a measurement end point is measured. An actual grinding depth at the time when the measurement start point is machined is computed by the equation, U=|D0−D1|, a runout of the machined portion is computed from a relative difference in the actual grinding depth (U) between positions of the machined portion in a rotational direction, and infeed control of the grinding wheel is executed such that the runout is removed.
US09238295B2

A chemical mechanical polishing pad is provided containing: a polishing layer; a plug in place endpoint detection window block; a rigid layer; and, a hot melt adhesive bonding the polishing layer to the rigid layer; wherein the polishing layer comprises the reaction product of ingredients, including: a polyfunctional isocyanate; and, a curative package; wherein the curative package contains an amine initiated polyol curative and a high molecular weight polyol curative; wherein the polishing layer exhibits a density of greater than 0.6 g/cm3; a Shore D hardness of 5 to 40; an elongation to break of 100 to 450%; and, a cut rate of 25 to 150 μm/hr; and, wherein the polishing layer has a polishing surface adapted for polishing the substrate. Also provide are methods of making and using the chemical mechanical polishing pad.
US09238292B2

The present invention discloses a method for producing a golf club head with an ultra-thin crown, relating to a method for processing a golf club head. A grinding rotor, with an abrasive (2) on the surface, is placed in a to-be-grinded area inside a cavity of the golf club head (1). The outside of the golf club head (1) is provided with a rotary working shaft (6) of high-speed rotation, one end of which corresponding to the grinding rotor is provided with driving magnets (4). The driving magnets of the rotary working shaft (6) are driven by a driving device to make the grinding rotor rotate synchronously so that the grinding rotor that is rotating performs multi-point thinning and grinding to the cavity within the to-be-grinded area of the golf club head (1). The present invention, with advantages of uniform thinning of a golf club head and automation control, is applicable to mass industrial production. The processing method and corresponding processing device provided by the present invention are applicable to production of golf club heads with an ultra-thin crown made of titanium alloy, stainless steel and other non-magnetic materials.
US09238290B2

A grindstone is provided with a base (211) and a plurality of abrasive grains (210) aligned in a row and bonded on a surface (212) of the base (211). Each of the abrasive grains (210) has a relief surface (216) with a relief angle of a predetermined angle (β).
US09238289B2

A grinding method of grinding a roller workpiece to be formed into a roller of a rolling bearing includes an outer peripheral face machining step. In the outer peripheral face machining step, an outer peripheral face of a regulating wheel that is rotating, is brought into contact with an outer peripheral face of the roller workpiece that is supported from below by a support member, to rotate the roller workpiece, and a grinding wheel is brought into contact with the outer peripheral face of the roller workpiece that is rotating to grind the outer peripheral face of the roller workpiece. In the outer peripheral face machining step, the outer peripheral face of the roller workpiece is ground with a reference member held in point contact with a center of an end face of the roller workpiece.
US09238285B2

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic cutting insert, based on an oxide ceramic or a nitride ceramic or a mixed ceramic material, possibly containing whiskers, in a process comprising the powder metallurgical steps of providing a ready-to-press ceramic powder, pressing the ready-to-press powder into a compact of desired shape, sintering the compact to dense a ceramic blank followed by tumbling the ceramic blank, to remove sinter skin and provide an edge rounding.
US09238284B2

Methods of forming a heat exchanger from a metal body made from a material having a melting temperature greater than 660° C. with the metal body having opposing first and second surfaces and at least one fluid passageway formed in the metal body so that fluid may be passed through the fluid passageway and heat from the fluid may be dissipated through a plurality of fins.
US09238274B2

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to energizing a welding wire based on a location of an electrode at an edge on a workpiece. An edge detector can be configured to identify an edge on the workpiece during a welding operation and a controller can be configured to mange a temperature of a puddle formed by the electrode by adjusting one or more welding parameters. The welding parameters can be, but are not limited to, an energizing of the welding wire, a wire feed speed, a temperature of a high intensity heat source (e.g., arc, a sub arc, a tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc, a metal inert gas (MIG) arc, a laser, a plasma arc, a metal core, or a flux core), movement speed, among others.
US09238270B2

A bit retaining system for a rotary tool or device such as a router is disclosed. The bit retaining system may include a collet assembly and a control assembly. The collet assembly may include a spindle, a collet adapted to receive the bit, and a collet nut. The collet assembly may further include a collet gear mounted on the collet nut and/or a spindle gear mounted on the spindle. The control assembly selectively engages the collet assembly to drive the collet nut and/or secure the spindle in a fixed position, preventing its rotation. In operation, a hand tool is utilized to engage the control assembly. This configuration enables a user to capture and release the rotary tool bit using one hand.
US09238269B2

In a shank portion of an end mill which is chucked by a tool holder, flat surfaces are formed at a plurality of circumferential positions in the outer periphery of the shank portion so that the flat surfaces abut on side lock bolts attached to a body of the tool holder.
US09238268B2

A spindle/tool combination for a machine tool is provided, including a tool, a spindle, on which the tool can be releasably fixed and by means of which the tool can be rotated, wherein the tool has at least one linearly movable rod and the spindle comprises a loading device, which acts on the at least one linearly movable rod of the tool, and a pull/push coupling device, by means of which the at least one rod of the tool can be coupled to the loading device, the at least one rod being actuable by means of the loading device by pushing and pulling when coupled, wherein the pull/push coupling device comprises a clamping jaw and the clamping jaw is arranged in the tool.
US09238257B2

It is possible to efficiently remove deposited materials such as a conductive film or insulting film adhered to parts such as the inner wall of a processing chamber and a substrate supporting tool disposed in the processing chamber. There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method comprises: loading a substrate into a processing chamber; forming a conductive film or an insulating film on the substrate by supplying a plurality of source gases into the processing chamber; unloading the substrate from the processing chamber; and modifying a conductive film or an insulating film adhered to the processing chamber by supplying a modifying gas into the processing chamber. After performing a cycle of the loading, the forming, the unloading, and the modifying processes a plurality of times, the modified conductive film or the modified insulating film adhered to the processing chamber is removed from the processing chamber by supplying a cleaning gas into the processing chamber.
US09238255B2

A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with a suspension and dampening system configured to accommodate variable angles and exhibit acceptable vibration levels; especially during power up and power down surge vibration at the variable angles. The system comprises a group of bi-directional dual pivot leg vibration damper mechanisms which are effective only during times of excessive vibration such as during the power up and power down vibration surges.
US09238254B1

A disc for use in a disc screen is disclosed that creates an “intended space”—i.e., the designed space through which material is intended to pass—that undulates in both directions in the plane defined by the screen's rotatable shafts. The disc design includes a major axis that is rotated along the length of the shaft, creating a helical ridge. The ridge is continuous and non-stepwise, thereby avoiding the “pinch” of the prior art designs. And by having the helical ridge of adjacent discs on the same shaft with opposing rotations, the lateral movement of material may alternate along the length of the shaft—further spreading the material throughout the width of the disc screen and increasing the screen's efficiency.
US09238252B2

A vibration sounder includes an enclosure having a receiving space, a stator received in the receiving space and a conductive terminal. The stator includes a magnetic yoke formed with a through hole. The mover locates above the stator. The conductive terminal includes an insulative portion received in the through hole and a conductive portion connecting with the insulative portion. The vibration sounder of the present disclosure has a small volume and a simple structure.
US09238250B2

Provided is a control apparatus and control method for a capacitive electromechanical transducer with small decrease in transmission/reception efficiency, and with sets of transmission/reception characteristics with different frequency ranges. The apparatus has cells each including first and second electrodes facing each other via a gap; includes a driving/detecting unit and an external stress applying unit. The driving/detecting unit performs at least one of causing the second electrode to vibrate and transmit elastic waves by generating an AC electrostatic attractive force between the electrodes, and detecting a change of capacity between the electrodes, the change being caused by the second electrode vibrating upon receipt of elastic waves. The external stress applying unit changes the external stress applied to the second electrode. The driving/detecting unit adjusts frequency characteristics by changing a parameter defining the frequency domain used in a transmitting/receiving operation, corresponding to the change of the external stress.
US09238245B2

A coating apparatus includes a nozzle, a moving mechanism, a pressure adjusting unit and a pressure control unit. The nozzle is provided with a storage chamber and a slit-like flow path, and configured to discharge the coating liquid from a discharge port formed at a front end of the flow path. The moving mechanism moves the nozzle and a substrate relatively to each other along the surface of the substrate. The pressure adjusting unit adjusts the pressure inside the storage chamber. The pressure control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit so as to adjust pressure inside the storage chamber. The pressure control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit such that the inside of the storage chamber becomes a negative pressure, and fills the coating liquid inside the storage chamber while slowly decreasing the negative pressure inside the storage chamber.
US09238241B2

A system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a bottle (1), may include a withdrawing member (2); a band (6) secured to the bottle (1) having two upper arms (7) arranged either side of the nozzle (3) of the member (2) which is equipped with two external lugs (9), said arms each having an interior lug (10) positioned in the axial continuation of an external lug (9) to form a housing between them; a support (13) having a dispensing orifice (14), the arms (7) being mounted with the ability to effect a translational movement in said support; a push-button (17) which is mounted with the ability to effect a radial translational movement in relation to the support (13), said push-button having two tabs (20) each having an upper bearing surface (20a) bearing against an inner lug (10) an a lower bearing surface (20b) bearing against an outer lug (9), said bearing surfaces diverging radially so that depressing the push-button (14) causes the lugs (9, 10) to part, thus actuating the withdrawing member (2) by a depressing of the nozzle (3) and a raising of the bottle (1).
US09238239B2

A method for multi-agent fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing at least one of the first and second agents at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas. The method also includes applying the atomized mixture to fog a space.
US09238230B2

The embodiments described herein improve on the present electrostatic precipitator method of using parallel plates to collect particulates by using multiple parallel vanes set at operating parameters described below. By using vanes, the main entrained air is subdivided and directed to flow between vanes that induce resistance to flow allowing charged particles to collect on the vanes. The width of the vane is designed to be wide enough so the air flow rate at the ends of the vanes is less than 1 ft/s, allowing particles discharged from the plates to fall by gravity and in the direction of very low air flow, resulting in extremely low re-entrainment and efficient particle collection. Using vanes also allows for higher operating air velocities resulting in a smaller equipment foot print.
US09238225B2

A fluid controlling apparatus including at least one sample chamber for holding a fluid containing target materials; a cleaning chamber for holding a cleaning solution; a first multi-port connected to the at least one sample chamber through a first channel and connected to the cleaning chamber through a second channel; a filter portion, connected to the first multi-port through a third channel, for filtering the target materials; and a first pump, connected to the filter portion, for applying a pressure; and a method of controlling a fluid using the fluid controlling apparatus, which comprises passing the fluid containing the target materials from the at least one sample chamber to the filter portion; and cleaning a path of the fluid by passing the cleaning solution through the path.
US09238224B2

A flow path groove is formed in the surface of at least one of two resin substrates; the two resin substrates are joined with the surface in which the flow path groove is formed facing inward; a through-hole having a substantially round cross section is formed in either one of the two resin substrates such that the through-hole connects with the flow path groove from the surface opposite the surface where the two resin substrates join; protruding parts, which protrude in the direction of thickness of the resin substrates and are disposed enclosing the through-hole, are formed in the surface on the opposite side; a space, which has a substantially round cross-sectional shape concentric with the through-hole and has depth in the same direction as the direction of thickness of the resin substrates, is formed in the joined surfaces when the protruding parts are projected from the direction substantially perpendicular to the joined surfaces; and the correlation of fc>fa is satisfied when the edges on the base end side of the through-hole are projected onto the joined surfaces from a substantially perpendicular direction, where the diameter on the base end side of the through-hole is fa and the diameter on the end edge side of the space touching the joined surfaces is fc.
US09238215B2

An apparatus for producing a water-absorbing polymer by polymerizing a monomer solution and drying the resulting hydrogel by means of a heated gas stream through effecting the drying in two or more temperature zones. A gas stream is flowed against the hydrogel upwardly in the upstream sector of the belt dryer and downwardly in the downstream sector of the belt dryer, the direction of flow being reversed at a water content of 15% to 45% by weight for the hydrogel. The hydrogel layer is flowed against in a belt dryer upwardly to some extent at least, the gas velocity being 5% to 30% of the gas velocity required to lift the hydrogel off the belt, to produce hygiene articles.
US09238212B2

A process of treating hydrogen gas liberated from the acid or alkaline dissolution of a metal is provided. The process comprises a step of passing the liberated hydrogen gas through a reactor containing an oxidizing agent for oxidation of the hydrogen gas into water, followed by a step of regenerating the oxidizing agent. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the process, the apparatus comprising a reactor containing the oxidizing agent, wherein the reactor is at least partially immersed in an alumina bath.
US09238208B2

A CO shift reaction apparatus 11 according to the present invention includes: adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C, each having CO shift catalyst layers 35A to 35C filled with a CO shift catalyst 34 which reforms CO in gasification gas 15; gas supply lines l11 to l15 which supply the gasification gas 15 to the adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C; first gas flow rate control units 32A and 32B which adjust the amounts of gas supplied to the adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C; gas discharge lines l21 to l25 which discharge processing gas; and second gas flow rate control unit 33A and 33B which adjust flow rates of processing gas 38A-1, 38A-2, 38B-1, and 38B-2.
US09238207B2

Superabrasive tools and methods for the making thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, superabrasive particles are chemically bonded to a matrix support material according to a predetermined pattern by a braze alloy. The brazing alloy may be provided as a powder, thin sheet, or sheet of amorphous alloy. A template having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern may be used to place the superabrasive particles on a given substrate or matrix support material.
US09238201B2

A method and apparatus for producing heat used in a synthesis gas production process is provided. The disclosed method and apparatus include a plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements adapted to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing stream contacting the retentate side of the membrane elements. The permeated oxygen is combusted with a hydrogen containing synthesis gas stream contacting the permeate side of the tubular oxygen transport membrane elements thereby generating a reaction product stream and radiant heat. The present method and apparatus also includes at least one catalytic reactor containing a catalyst to promote the steam reforming reaction wherein the catalytic reactor is surrounded by the plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements. The view factor between the catalytic reactor and the plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements radiating heat to the catalytic reactor is greater than or equal to 0.5.
US09238197B2

Provided are an exhaust gas purification filter having a high particulate matter (PM) combustion efficiency, a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and superior thermal resistance and a method for producing the same. An exhaust gas purification filter is formed by sintering columnar aluminum titanate particles whose surfaces have a catalyst material deposited thereon and which have an average aspect ratio (=number average major-axis length/number average minor-axis length) of 1.3 or more, wherein a catalyst made from the catalyst material by thermal treatment during the sintering is supported on the surface of the aluminum titanate.
US09238196B2

Disclosed herein is a device and method for lowering the content of NOX and N2O in gases. The device comprises a container having therein two reaction steps connected in series. The first step removes NOX (DeNOX stage) by reducing NOX with a nitrogen-containing reducing agent. Downstream thereof, the second step removes N2O by catalytic decomposition of N2O to N2 and O2 (DeN2O stage). Each step comprises one or more catalyst beds through which flows gas to be purified. The catalyst bed of the DeNOX stage containing zeolites doped with transition metals, including lanthanides. The at least one catalyst bed of the DeN2O-stage contains one or more catalytically active compounds of elements selected from groups 5 to 11 of the Periodic Table, but not iron-doped zeolites. A device for introducing a nitrogen-containing reducing agent into the stream of the NOX and N2O-containing gas is further disposed upstream of the DeNOX stage.
US09238194B2

The present invention involves a type of nanoporous macrocycle-containing cross-linked polymeric membrane, a method of making the membrane, and the use of such a novel membrane system for natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery, fuel gas conditioning, natural gas pre-treatment, sulfur removal from fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) and other naphtha streams, as well as aromatic separations such as aromatic/paraffin separation and xylene separation. The nanoporous macrocycle-containing cross-linked polymeric membrane is prepared from a diisocyanate-terminated polyether or a diisocyanate-terminated polyester, that is crosslinked with a nanoporous macrocycle comprising hydroxyl functional groups such as α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins.
US09238191B2

A CO2 recovery system includes an absorber 2 and a regenerator 3. The absorber 2 includes a CO2 absorbing section 21 and at least one water-washing section 22. The CO2 absorbing section 21 allows flue gas 101 to come into contact with a basic amine compound absorbent 103 so that the basic amine compound absorbent 103 absorbs CO2 in the flue gas 101. The at least one water-washing section 22 allows the decarbonated flue gas 101A in which the amount of CO2 has been reduced in the CO2 absorbing section 21 to come into contact with wash water 104A and 104B to reduce the amounts of the basic amine compounds entrained in the decarbonated flue gas 101A. The regenerator 3 releases the CO2 from the basic amine compound absorbent 103 containing CO2 absorbed therein.
US09238186B2

In one aspect the invention provides a fluid treatment apparatus for treating contaminated fluid. The apparatus comprises a container having base member and a peripheral containment wall and defining a total interior volume. The apparatus further comprises at least one container inlet to receive said contaminated fluid, at least one container outlet to discharge water separated from said contaminated fluid, a separation region suitable to receive said contaminated fluid, to allow separation of said contaminated fluids into less dense contaminants, water and denser contaminants, and to store said denser contaminants as a sediment layer on the base member. The apparatus further comprises a water collection region suitable to receive water from the separation region and direct said water to said at least one container outlet, and an oil collection region, suitable to receive less dense contaminants from the separation region.
US09238182B2

The present invention relates to a process for recycling product streams that have been separated from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream comprising olefin monomer, olefin co-monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. In accordance with the present process a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is separated into a) a first side stream comprising hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer; b) a second side stream which is substantially hydrogen-free and comprises hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer, c) a bottom stream comprising substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluent, and d) an overhead vapor stream comprising olefin monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as formaldehyde, H2, N2, O2, CO and CO2. The present process further includes recycling said first and said second side streams in a polymerization process for preparing bimodal polyolefin.
US09238181B2

A method and device for reducing the volume of waste water through evaporation including a tank with a combustion pipe and burner unit, wherein water is injected into the combustion pipe, flash evaporated, and gases are projected into the tank to drive evaporative and water treatment functions.
US09238166B1

A golf putter with a putter head having a bore extending between its upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the putter head lower surface, and an alignment guide including a column slidable within the bore between raised and lowered positions, a plate with an outer periphery on the upper end of the column, and an indicator on the upper surface of the putter head around the bore, the indicator being equally visible around the plate periphery when viewed directly over the putter when the alignment device is in the raised position. The alignment device can also include a releasibly attached sighting guide, which includes a sighting bar having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the putter head front face.
US09238165B2

Methods and apparatus related to improving player performance for trajectory-based sports are described. In particular, sporting devices are described that can be utilized to improve player performance in basketball. The sporting devices can include a camera-based system configured to capture and analyze the trajectory of a shot taken by a player. The camera-based system can be configured to provide feedback that allows a player to optimize the trajectory mechanics associated with shooting a basketball. In one embodiment, the camera-based system can be used in conjunction with a training aid that is attached to a basketball rim. The training aid can be configured to improve the trajectory mechanics of individuals utilizing the modified basketball rim to practice their shooting.
US09238162B2

The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
US09238158B2

A stair climber apparatus has a frame and a plurality of stairs that are pivotably connected together in series and travel in a loop with respect to the frame. The plurality of stairs comprises a first stair having a tread and a riser. The tread and riser are pivotably connected together at a first pivot axis. The tread has a tread surface that supports an operator's foot. A stopping member is on the tread. The stopping member has a stop surface that extends transversely to and upwardly from the tread surface and prevents the operator's foot from overshooting the first pivot axis and engaging the riser as the operator steps onto the tread surface when the riser is pivoted away from the tread.
US09238152B2

Apparatus for locating bubbles in a subject comprises a plurality of pressure wave detectors arranged to operate as passive detectors to generate output signals in response to the receipt of pressure waves generated at a source comprising at least one bubble, and processing means arranged to receive signals from the detectors and to determine from the signals the position of the source.
US09238147B2

An implantable cardiac stimulator includes a cardioversion/defibrillation unit connectable to at least one ventricular sensing electrode and one ventricular defibrillation electrode, and is designed to generate and deliver cardioversion or defibrillation shocks. A ventricular sensing unit having automatic threshold adaptation is connectable to the ventricular sensing electrode, and is designed to process the signals of the sensing electrode and detect a chamber contraction, and if a chamber contraction is detected, to output a ventricular sensing signal. The ventricular sensing unit processes the signals of the sensing electrode with at least two switchable sensing thresholds wherein after every sense, a VF detection window is started at a first lower sensing threshold; once the VF detection window has passed, a T wave blanking window is activated at an upper second sensing threshold; and once the T wave blanking window has passed, sensing at a second lower threshold is started.
US09238140B2

An improved arrangement for detecting DC current leakage in implanted devices is disclosed. Currents are monitored, so that any unexpected imbalance indicates that a fault condition has occurred. The principle of the system is that if everything working correctly, the same current should be flowing into the tissue from VDDH-ELEC as is passing out of the tissue into VSS_ELEC. Any difference is indicative of current flowing into or out of the tissue from unknown paths, which is indicative of some fault. This replaces routine monitoring for specific faults.
US09238128B2

A bottomed, tubular hollow elastic body that opens toward an outlet side of a drug solution flow path is accommodated and arranged in an accommodation part formed in a housing, and a middle protrusion is provided protruding toward an inlet side of the drug solution flow path from a center part of a bottom wall of the hollow elastic body. Insertion of a male luer causes the bottom wall of the hollow elastic body to be elastically deformed so as to enter inside a peripheral wall, increasing the volume of the drug solution flow path, which is formed between an outer surface of the hollow elastic body and an inner surface of the accommodation part. Removing the male luer and canceling the elastic deformation of the hollow elastic body causes the volume of the drug solution flow path to be reduced.
US09238126B2

A method of dilating a paranasal sinus ostium of a patient, which includes inserting a catheter having at least one balloon into a sinus ostium having an ostial wall, inflating the balloon by supplying fluid thereto such that the balloon exerts a force on the ostial wall, determining at least one parameter of the balloon, establishing an amount the balloon can be inflated without fracturing the sinus ostium based at least in part on the determined parameter of the balloon, and dilating the sinus ostium by inflating the balloon to an amount that does not exceed the established amount.
US09238125B2

An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.
US09238124B2

Improved medical filaments for use with dilators to be inserted into a patient, for example into the vascular lumen, are provided, as well as combinations of filaments and dilators. Methods for use of such filaments and filament-dilator combinations are also described. The filament includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. The diameter of the distal segment is greater than the diameter of the proximal segment. The change in diameter is abrupt, providing a discrete step transition at a point along the filament which presents a proximally-facing surface on the distal segment. When the proximal segment of the filament is fully inserted into a dilator having a distal tip adapted for insertion into a patient, the dilator distal tip firmly abuts the proximally-facing end surface of the distal segment. The relative dimensions of the dilator tip and the discrete stepped transition of the filament provides full shielding or over shielding of the dilator tip, thereby facilitating passage of the dilator tip along the tissue track, through the puncture hole and into the orifice.
US09238114B2

A process for automatic control of a respirator changes between two phases of respiration by checking a detected respiratory breathing activity signal for a threshold criterion. If the threshold criterion is met, a changeover is made.
US09238112B2

A dual-chambered drug delivery device (201) includes a cartridge (211) having a first chamber (212) for storing a medicament and a second chamber (211) in fluid communication with the first chamber (212). A dose setting member (241) is used to set a medicament dose to be injected at an injection site. A piston (281) is disposed in the second chamber (221). An upward stroke of the piston (281) draw a portion of the medicament dose into the second chamber (221) and a downward stroke of the piston (281) expels the portion of the medicament dose. A needle (205) communicates with the second chamber (221) for sequentially injecting the portions of the medicament dose into the injection site.
US09238110B2

A system and method for priming a medicated module during attachment of the medicated module to a drug delivery device. The drug delivery device has a drug reservoir holding a first medicament. The medicated module includes an upper retention feature and a lower retention feature, wherein the upper retention feature is axially moveable relative to the lower retention feature. The medicated module also includes an engagement needle and an output needle, wherein the output needle is in fluid communication with the engagement needle. The module also includes a collapsible feature holding a second medicament, wherein the collapsible feature is operably connected to the upper retention feature. During attachment to the drug delivery device, (i) the upper retention feature moves axially relative to the lower retention feature, (ii) the collapsible feature collapses, and (iii) the engagement needle and the output needle are primed with the second medicament.
US09238107B2

A medicated module attachable to a drug delivery device comprises a connecting body configured for attachment to the drug delivery device. A first needle is fixed within the connecting body and a movable needle hub is operatively coupled to the connecting body. A needle guard is operatively coupled to the connecting body and a biasing member is positioned between the connecting body and needle guard. A second needle is fixed within the needle hub. A first cavity within the connecting body defines a reservoir containing at least one dose of a medicament. The reservoir configured for fluid communication with the first and the second needle. The reservoir comprises a bypass configured to allow medicament from the drug delivery device to bypass the reservoir and exit the second needle.
US09238105B2

The present invention relates to a liquid infusion apparatus, including: a finger module provided in a main body such that the finger module can elastically move backward from a liquid delivery tube; a tube clamp, in which two clamp bodies spaced apart from each other approach each other by means of restoring force of an elastic member upon the opening of a door during infusion, so as to compress and block the liquid delivery tube; and a tube blockage detection device which detects whether the liquid delivery tube is blocked by a cause, for example, when the outlet-side portion of the liquid delivery tube, which delivers medicinal liquid pumped by a liquid pump during infusion, is bent.
US09238101B2

A cassette (1) that is insertable into an infusion pump for delivery of a fluid to a subject that has a housing with two ends for holding flexible tubing (75) through which the fluid is directed. The housing has an open area exposing the tubing, which engages a pumping mechanism when inserted into an infusion pump. An anti-flow valve mechanism (100) associated with the tubing or the cassette and present either in, on or near the housing is made up of a piston (103/105) and spring (110), where the spring biases the piston against the tubing to prevent fluid flow.
US09238096B2

The invention relates to a method and a device for separating blood using a centrifuge in order to obtain different blood fractions. The aim of the invention is to eliminate the risk of contamination during the supply of blood and the removal of blood fractions. To achieve this, the separation container is filled with blood via a feed connection that can be aseptically connected to the container, the relevant blood fraction is removed from the separation container via a removal connection that can be aseptically connected to the container and both the feed device and the removal device form a respective closed system during the sterile connection to the separation container. The separation container (4) has at least one feed connection (5, 6) that can be aseptically connected to the container and at least one removal connection (7) that can be aseptically connected to the container, to which hermetically sealed feed and removal devices (8, 9, 10) can be aseptically attached in a sterile manner.
US09238095B2

An adapter and its connection structure having a plurality of tubes bundled together as one that can be connected to be made shorter in the diameter direction to transport fluid to and from artificial organs and connect electric wires to the artificial organs without changing design of the artificial organs. The adapter and connecting structure connect multi-lumen and single tubes so their passages communicate with each other. The first attachment member, attached to the multi-lumen tube, includes first ports having an outer diameter substantially the same a lumen opening diameter at the end portion of the multi-lumen tube to fit into the lumen openings, and a first cutout corresponding to one of the lumen openings. The second attachment member, attached to the single tube, includes second ports that fit into the lumen of the single tube. The number of the first and second ports is the same.
US09238091B2

The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.
US09238088B2

An adhesion inhibiting surgical barrier. The surgical barrier includes a wound-facing polymeric coating comprising an enteric polymer; and at least one flexible substrate, the at least one flexible substrate having at least one exterior surface, wherein the polymeric coating is applied to the at least one flexible substrate to substantially cover the at least one exterior surface thereof. A method of inhibiting the formation of adhesions in a patient who has undergone a surgical procedure and a method of repairing a gastric or duodenal perforation are also described herein.
US09238081B2

Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The subject antibodies show a number of novel and useful diagnostic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins. The antibodies and fragments are of use for the detection and diagnosis of early stage pancreatic cancer. In preferred embodiments, the anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies can be used for immunoassay of serum samples, wherein the immunoassay can detect a marker for early stage pancreatic cancer in serum. More preferably, the serum is extracted with an organic phase, such as butanol, before immunoassay.
US09238080B2

Bi-specific fusion proteins with therapeutic uses are provided, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such fusion proteins, and methods for using such fusion proteins to repair or regenerate damaged or diseased tissue. The bi-specific fusion proteins generally comprise: (a) a targeting polypeptide domain that binds to a target molecule; and (b) an activator domain that detectably modulates tissue regeneration.
US09238078B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for a modified-release pharmaceutical drug composition having a first charged active agent and a second charged active agent at least partially surrounded by a rate controlling membrane. The first charged active agent and the second charged active agent interact to form a modified release pharmaceutical complex within the rate controlling membrane and the modified release pharmaceutical complex has a release characteristic different from the release characteristic of the first active agent or the second active agent alone.
US09238070B2

The invention provides methods that relate to a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and inflammatory diseases. In particular, the method comprises administration of a compound of formula A, wherein R is H, halo, or C1-C6 alkyl; R′ is C1-C6 alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US09238069B2

Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with a death receptor ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with a death receptor ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound described herein, for example, a cucurbitacin (I) or a withanolide (II). Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with a compound described herein, for example, a cucurbitacin (I) or a withanolide (II) and also contacting the cancer cells with a death receptor ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells.
US09238068B2

The present disclosure relates to methods for identifying proteins or peptide motifs of intracellular, extracellular, or extracellular matrix proteins specifically exposed in wound sites, as well as compositions for treating wounds, and methods for their use.
US09238065B2

The invention provides an improved Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine composition, which advantageously provides immunity from infection after a single administration. The composition comprises an inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and an adjuvant mixture, which, in combination, provide immunity from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection after a single administration, and elicit an immune response specific to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and including cell-mediated immunity and local (secretory IgA) immunity. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant mixture comprises an acrylic acid polymer, most preferably CARBOPOL®, and a mixture of a metabolizable oil such as one or more unsaturated terpene hydrocarbons, preferably squalene or squalane, and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer such as PLURONIC®. The vaccine composition may optionally include a preservative, preferably thimerosol and/or EDTA.
US09238064B2

Cell-based immunotherapy (e.g., immunization or vaccination) may be improved by frequent administration to a human subject of allogeneic cancer cells secreting a modified heat shock protein (e.g., gp96), depletion of B cells in the subject, or both. Antigen (e.g., epitope derived from neoantigen or tumor antigen of allogeneic or syngeneic cancer cells) may induce a specific immune response in the subject. For example, the epitope bound in an immunogenic complex with the secreted heat shock protein may be obtained from allogeneic cancer cells coexpressing both secreted gp96 and antigen, or from syngeneic cancer cells of the subject expressing only antigen.
US09238062B2

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:9 or 7. The invention further pertains to nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.
US09238059B2

The invention provides topical compositions and methods for using the compositions. The compositions can be used for the treatment of fibrotic or connective tissue disorders involving scarring, sub-dermal plaque accumulations, or fibrosis of muscle tissue. The disorders can be painlessly treated by the topical application of a composition described herein. One or more calcium channel blocker agents can serve as an active ingredient of the compositions, optionally in combination with, for example, one or more of emu oil and superoxide dismutase. The composition can further include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that can facilitate the non-invasive transdermal delivery of the active(s) to subdermal sites.
US09238050B1

The present invention is directed to compositions for improving immune function and sensitivities to the natural and manmade environment that include ingredients from natural sources. It is further directed to methods of administering the compositions and kits containing the compositions. In a composition aspect, the composition is for regulating immune function and non-immune related sensitivities. It consists essentially of: 2 weight percent to 95 weight percent Psoralea; 2 weight percent to 95 weight percent Scutellaria; and 2 weight percent to 95 weight percent Xanthium. The Scutellaria portion may be replaced by Gardenia (in equal measure), or by a mixture of Scutellaria and Gardenia.
US09238043B2

A dietary supplement composition is formulated in a therapeutic amount to treat and alleviate symptoms of joint pain in a patient. The composition includes an algae based oil having glycolipids and phospholipids and Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acids in combination with astaxanthin and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) and a molecular weight less than 300 kilodaltons (kDa) in an oral dosage form.
US09238042B2

Provided are antisense oligonucleotides and other agents that target and modulate IL-17 and/or IL-23 signaling activity in a cell, compositions that comprise the same, and methods of use thereof. Also provided are animal models for identifying agents that modulate 17 and/or IL-23 signaling activity.
US09238040B2

A method for preventing colorectal cancer in a patient possessing human tropomyocin isoform TC22 is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) detecting a serum protein concentration of TC22 in a patient and (b) administering to said patient prior to detecting colorectal cancer in said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a chemotherapeutic composition comprising a chemotherapeutic compound that reduces the level of TC22, wherein the chemotherapeutic compound is selected from the group consisting of sulfasalazine, 5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, osalazine, and balsalazide.
US09238029B2

Herein provided are dosage forms (variously referred to as “formulations”) comprising a PPI that is released from the dosage form as a first and a second dose. Each dose of PPI is present in an amount sufficient to raise the plasma levels of the PPI to at least 100 ng/ml.
US09238020B2

A method of providing a patient with controlled release of tapentadol using a prodrug capable, upon enzymatic activation and intramolecular cyclization, of releasing tapentadol is disclosed. The disclosure also provides such prodrug compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. Such pharmaceutical compositions can optionally include an enzyme inhibitor that interacts with the enzyme(s) to mediate the enzymatically-controlled release of tapentadol from the prodrug so as to modify enzymatic cleavage of the prodrug. Also included are methods to use such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.
US09238017B2

Pharmaceutical compositions of hepatotoxic compounds are provided in which the hepatotoxicity of the compounds is mitigated by including quantities of nicotinamide and methionine in the composition. Folic acid also can be included to further mitigate the hepatotoxic effects. The hepatotoxic compounds can include acetaminophen, methotrexate, atorvastatin, simvastatin, niacin, flucanozole, divalproex sodium, and valproic acid.
US09238016B2

The present invention relates to a novel antibiotic, and more specifically relates to an antibiotic composition comprising flufenamic acid as an active ingredient, which can reduce drug toxicity and side effects and the problem of antibiotic resistance caused by excessive use of antibiotics since the composition exhibits a good therapeutic effect, even in a small dose, when it is administered either alone or together with another antibiotic of the prior art.
US09238011B2

Methods, compositions, systems, devices and kits are provided for preparing and using a multi-layer polymeric microstructure composition for delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject. In various embodiments, the therapeutic agent includes at least one selected from the group of: a drug, a protein, a sugar, a carbohydrate, and a nucleotide sequence. In related embodiments, the composition is a fiber, a suture, a sphere, an implant, or a scaffold.
US09238010B2

The present invention includes a composition comprising at least one oleosin-like protein. The present invention also includes a composition comprising a vesicle comprising at least one oleosin-like protein.
US09237997B2

A cosmetic preparation containing a crosslinkable silicone rubber emulsion comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a straight chain or branched organopolysiloxane containing at least two hydroxyl groups bonded to the silicon atom per molecule prepared by ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic organosiloxane in the presence of an alkoxysilane or its partial hydrolytic condensate or an α,ω-dihydroxy or dialkoxy siloxane oligomer by using a catalyst selected from citric, lactic, and ascorbic acids and an anionic surfactant emulsifier; and (B) 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a reaction product of an amino group-containing organoxysilane and an acid anhydride.
US09237996B2

Provided is a highly palatable and safe glucosyltransferase inhibitor or anti-dental caries agent. A glucosyltransferase inhibitor or anti-dental caries agent having an epigallocatechin gallate polymer or a salt thereof. Particularly, the above agent containing an epigallocatechin gallate polymer, which is a compound in which chroman rings are bonded at position 6 and/or 8 via a methylene group.
US09237995B2

Methods of cleansing skin comprise the steps of contacting the skin with a cleansing compositions comprising a fatty ester in combination with a lipid, and either rinsing the composition from the skin with water or wiping the composition from the skin with a dry or damp substrate. The cleansing compositions can comprise at least 8%, by weight of the composition, of fatty ester and/or further comprise a nonionic surfactant and less than about 50%, by weight of the composition, of an alcohol solvent such as ethanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof. The methods and compositions provide skin cleansing and hydration benefits.
US09237992B2

A two-step mascara product that includes a first mascara composition and a second mascara composition. The first mascara composition includes a film-forming polymer dispersed in a first carrier, and the second mascara composition includes a film-former selected from the group consisting of tall oil glycerides, pentaerythrityl rosinate, glyceryl rosinate, hydrogenated versions of these and mixtures thereof. The two-step mascara product also includes a package for storing and dispensing each of the first and second mascara compositions. The package includes a first container configured to store and dispense the first mascara composition and a second container configured to store and dispense the second composition.
US09237987B2

A metering device is used for the metered administration of a flowable preparation together with a flowable carrier medium. A storage container for the preparation has at least one access opening. A metering plunger body can be moved in a sealed manner in the storage container between a starting position and at least one metering position. The metering plunger body is hollow. A metering sleeve has on a bottom side an eccentric metering sleeve opening. An inner plunger body has on the bottom side an eccentrically arranged plunger body opening. In a through relative rotation position of the metering sleeve relative to the inner plunger body a passage is provided between the inside of the storage container and the inside of the inner plunger body. In a closed relative rotational position this passage is closed. This results in a user-friendly and compact metering device.
US09237986B2

Systems and apparatus for providing fluid communications are described. In an example, a vial access cap includes a connector having an opening for providing access to a fluid pathway; a canella extending into an interior of a vial, the canella having a fluid lumen operatively coupled to the fluid pathway and a gas lumen; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity, a first port, a second port operatively coupled to the gas lumen, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port. In other examples, a syringe including a gravity-assisted valve and a system including gravity-assisted valves are described.
US09237983B2

A dual-penetration anal sex toy for couples is disclosed. For heterosexual couples, this toy is designed to enhance vaginal penetration with an anal-to-anal connection. A cock ring or means for attachment may fix the device against the wearer's perineum and act as a pivot-point to transfer the thrusting motion of the wearer directly to a prostate massaging butt plug. Because of the pivot point and possible simultaneous anal penetration both partners can feel a direct connection with the anal movements of the other.
US09237966B2

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a housing sleeve disposed in an inner bore of the handle configured to project a distance from the handle distal end, an optic fiber disposed in the housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve disposed over a distal end of the optic fiber, and a light source configured to connect to a proximal end of the optic fiber. The shape memory sleeve may be configured to curve the distal end of the optic fiber at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, when the shape memory sleeve is not contained within the housing sleeve.
US09237964B2

Catheter devices and methods for intravascular heating and/or cooling of human or veterinary patients. The catheter devices generally comprise catheters having inflow and outflow lumens and at least one curvilinear balloon connected to the inflow and outflow lumens such that heat exchange fluid may be circulated through the balloon(s). The catheter is inserted into the vasculature and heated or cooled fluid is circulated through the balloon(s) to heat or cool blood flowing in heat-exchange proximity to the balloon(s), thereby effecting heating or cooling of all or a portion of the patient's body.
US09237958B2

The present invention provides an implantable joint prosthesis configured to replace a natural joint, and methods for implantation. The prosthesis may include a first component implantable in a first bone, having a first bearing surface, and a second component implantable in a second bone, having a second bearing surface which corresponds to the first bearing surface. Each bearing surface may include a flattened section such that when the bearing surfaces are placed in cooperation with one another in a preferred orientation, the flattened sections are aligned. Alternatively, the bearing surfaces may have and asymmetric configuration, with non-congruent surfaces that may enable correction of deformity. Several types of implantable joint prostheses are disclosed, including: carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, ankle, knee, shoulder, and hip.
US09237953B2

An orthopaedic prosthesis for cementless fixation has a solid metal base and porous metal pegs extending out from the base. The pegs are mechanically, rather than metallurgically, fixed to the base. A process for making such a prosthesis is also disclosed.
US09237952B2

Disclosed herein are prosthesis, surgical tools, and methods to preserve one or more ligaments of the knee by cutting a least a portion of natural bone during joint surgery. The natural bone may be cut using various methods and associated cutting guides, and the natural bone is retained along with the natural attachment of an associated soft tissue structure. The bone block cutting guides may create a variety of standard natural block shapes or may create mechanical mating features (e.g., keystone or dovetail configuration) in the natural bone portion that may be inserted, wedged, press-fit, and/or mechanically attached to the tibia. The natural bone block with the associated soft tissue may be further secured by incorporating features in the tibial prosthesis, providing the surgeon with additional fixation components and/or fixation mechanisms.
US09237951B1

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for identifying a proper tibia bone rotation relative to the femur bone for orientating a prosthesis in a knee replacement surgery. The proper tibia bone rotation is identified from an external rotation of the tibia in extension and an internal rotation of the tibia flexion. A point located midway between the external and internal rotations and a Whiteside line of the femur defines a center axis of tibia rotation plane. The rotational angles of the tibia may be measured by a mechanical goniometer or a computer navigation apparatus.
US09237936B2

Patient tissues are imaged using, e.g., a real-time fluoroscopic imaging system, along with a lead system being implanted. Parameters representative of lead placement efficacy—such as capture thresholds, phrenic nerve stimulation thresholds, impedance values or screw-in tip mechanical resistance values—are measured at candidate implant locations. Localization parameters identifying the candidate implant locations are also measured. In one example, a display is generated substantially in real-time showing: images of the tissues of the patient and the lead system being implanted; candidate locations of the electrodes; and parameters representative of lead placement efficacy at the candidate locations. In this manner, the implanting clinician can readily view capture thresholds and other helpful parameters at various candidate locations along with actual real-time images of the tissues of the patient and the lead system being implanted. Recorded images can also be displayed and, in some examples, multiple images can be superimposed over one another.
US09237934B2

A stethoscope disinfection system comprising a guide member comprising a body member, a rotation-imparting member, a slide guide track, a spring guide track, and a trolley guide track, and a trolley comprising a lower housing member, a cam member, a lock head, a spring apparatus, a brush member, an upper housing member configured to receive at least a portion of a head of a stethoscope, and a dispersing member positioned in the dispersing mechanism chamber. The system may further comprise a slide guide configured to engage with each of the arm of the lock head and the slide guide track and to translate along a length of the slide guide track.
US09237927B2

A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a coolant source operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide fluid to the antenna assembly via a fluid path. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the power source and a sensor operably coupled to the fluid path and the controller. The sensor is configured to detect fluid flow through the fluid path and the controller is configured to control the energy source based on the detected fluid flow.
US09237926B2

The ablation of tissue in a cardiac wall is performed by introducing an endocardial catheter into the interior of a heart and an epicardial catheter is placed on the cardiac wall. With the aid of an electromagnet and a counter-element, which can be permanently magnetized or can also be an electromagnet, the two catheters are mutually attracted in such a way that electrodes come into contact with opposite sides of the cardiac wall such that the electrodes are optimally positioned. The use of a catheter with a plurality of such electrodes in a row enables the removal of whole lines of destroyed cardiac wall tissue by ablation.
US09237920B2

A method and apparatus that utilizes a force-time integral for real time estimation of lesion size in catheter-based ablation systems. The apparatus measures the force exerted by a contact ablation probe on a target tissue and integrates the force over an energization time of the ablation probe. The force-time integral can be calculated and utilized to provide an estimated lesion size (depth, volume and/or area) in real time. The force-time integral may also account for variations in the power delivered to the target tissue in real time to provide an improved estimation of the lesion size. In one embodiment, the force metric can be used as feedback to establish a desired power level delivered to the probe to prevent steam popping.
US09237917B2

A cement-directing structure for use in cement-injection bone therapy includes a collapsible, self-restoring braided structure with regions of differential permeability to the bone cement. The regions of differential permeability may be provided by areas where the braided mesh density is greater or lesser than surrounding areas and/or by means of a baffle. After the structure is placed in a void within a bony structure, cement is injected into the interior of the structure then oozes out in preferred directions according to the locations of the regions of differential permeability.
US09237912B2

A device for treating a bone comprises a cable block including a first lumen extending from a first proximal opening in a proximal face of the cable block to a first distal opening in a distal face thereof, the first lumen being configured to receive a cerclage cable including an enlarged end. The cable block further includes a second lumen extending from a second proximal opening in the proximal face to a second distal opening in the distal face and being configured to receive a portion of the cable extending from the enlarged end while preventing the enlarged end from passing therethrough. The cable block includes a slot connecting distal portions of the first and second lumens and being at least as large as the second lumen in combination with a crimpable locking member including a channel configured to receive the portion of the cable extending from the enlarged end.
US09237910B2

System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for rib stabilization. The system may comprise a clip member having a bridge region and a pair of leaf portions connected to each other by the bridge region. The clip member may be configured to be placed on a rib bone with the leaf portions disposed on opposite sides of the rib bone. The system also may comprise a securing member, such as a suture, to attach the clip member to the rib bone, with the securing member extending at least twice between the leaf portions.
US09237906B2

Combination of a bone drill and a sleeve, whereby the combination comprises a receiving space for bone chips between the sleeve and the bone drill when the bone drill is inserted in the sleeve
US09237896B2

Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of devices for assisting in aiming and inserting percutaneous medical tools or devices. A mandrel portion with a sharpened end has two or more guiding or directing members attached to it. The guiding or directing members at least partially define spaces that form part of a channel that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel portion, and one or both can be easily visualizable using imaging technology. The clinician can insert the aiming or guiding device into the patient, use imaging technology along the axis of the channel of the device to see whether the device is accurately placed, and if so, the guiding or directing members can be used to guide the percutaneous insertion of a medical tool or device.
US09237894B2

Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releasably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.
US09237893B2

An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge component, an anvil component, a buttress component and a fastening member. The staple cartridge component includes a plurality of surgical staples arranged in an annular array. The anvil component is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp the organ sections between the staple cartridge and anvil components. The buttress component is configured and dimensioned to be positioned on a distal surface of the staple cartridge component. In particular, the buttress component includes a buttress member and a plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs extending proximally from the buttress member. The fastening member is configured and dimensioned to engage the plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs to securely position the buttress component on the staple cartridge component.
US09237892B2

An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A surgical buttress releasbly disposed on the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. An adhesive tape is disposed over the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured retain the respective surgical buttress atop the respective tissue contacting surface.
US09237881B2

The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a bio-signal analyzing section sequentially acquiring a bio-signal from a bio-signal acquiring section over a plurality of cycles to evaluate stability of a heart function in one cycle between particular signal waveforms of the bio-signal and one cycle between particular signal waveforms adjacent to the one cycle between the particular signal waveforms, selecting the one cycle between the particular signal waveforms and one cycle between the particular signal waveforms adjacent to the one cycle between the particular signal waveforms as a test period for the heart function based on the content of the evaluation, and associating the selected test period with a time phase of the bio-signal.
US09237879B2

A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer for an ultrasound imaging device including a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array on a single carrier of semi-conductor material including the step of providing a buffer layer between the carrier and a layer including piezo electrical material, the buffer layer having a thickness arranged for dicing each of the plurality of transducer elements on the carrier.
US09237875B2

A CT collimator comprising: a first gate and a second gate arranged in parallel on a slide rail, the first gate being fixed to a support rack of the CT collimator via elastic members; an electromagnet system arranged on one of the first gate and the second gate; and a metal plate arranged on the other side of the one of the first gate and the second gate relative to the electromagnet system, one end of the metal plate being fixed on the other of the first gate and the second gate and the other end of the metal plate extending to below the electromagnet system, wherein the electromagnet system is configured to engage the first gate and the second gate via the metal plate when the electromagnet system is triggered.
US09237871B2

An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray emitter that emits X-rays to an object at a plurality of positions; a detector that detects X-rays having passed through the object and converts the detected X-rays into electric signals; and an image processor that is configured to generate X-ray images at the plurality of positions by reading out the electric signals, acquire volume data of the object using the X-ray images, and reproject the acquired volume data by using different bands of energy spectrums to acquire reconstructed reprojection images of different energy bands.
US09237870B2

A device for independently and controllably amplifying components of the heart sound signals without removing any component of the signal by filtering. With such a device all the signal components that carry information are still available and can be useful to a user. Filtering may however be applied to very high frequency signals, compared to the signal of interest, that are totally unrelated to the heart sounds.
US09237868B2

This document describes a fitness test application which allows the user to exercise freely (running and cycling outdoors, bicycle ergometer, rowing ergometer, treadmill) and which provides an estimate of user's fitness during and/or after the exercise. The analysis can be performed either as real-time or as post-analysis.
US09237865B2

Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having elements designed to modulate their chemical reactions as well as methods for making and using such sensors. In certain embodiments of the invention, the sensor includes a hydrophilic comb-copolymer having a central chain and a plurality of side chains coupled to the central chain, wherein at least one side chain comprises a silicone moiety.
US09237860B2

Medical imaging and localization methods and systems for producing a motion-compensated image of a planning target volume (PTV) of a patient. In one embodiment, an imaging and localization system includes sensors that are positioned to receive an electromagnetic location signal from one or more active markers affixed to or adjacent a PTV. A signal processing component can produce real-time localization data corresponding to the location signal, and a system interface can receive such localization data. The system interface can also receive raw image data from an imaging subsystem and process the raw image data based on the localization data. For example, the imaging subsystem can include a computed tomography (CT) imaging system and image slices or frames can be binned based on the localization data.
US09237859B2

A system and method for a multi-function remote ambulatory cardiac monitoring system. The system includes a microprocessor for controlling the remote ambulatory cardiac monitoring system and a non-transitory computer readable medium associated with the microprocessor. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions to perform one of the following modes: EKG mode, ECG Holter mode, or MCT/Event mode. The system also includes a controller connected to the microprocessor. The controller initiates or switches the functionality of the remote ambulatory cardiac monitoring system by causing the microprocessor to initiate one of the EKG mode, ECG Holter mode, or MCT/Event mode.
US09237843B1

There is disclosed herein a system for measuring visual fixation disparity comprising a display apparatus for presenting stereoscopic visual content to a patient. A sensing apparatus tracks eye movement of the patient. A controller controls the display apparatus to stereoscopically display a central image target alternately to a left eye and a right eye of the patient and tracking eye movement for a period of time as the central image target is alternated between the left eye and the right eye, and incrementally relocating the central image target left and right images until the patient perceives the left and right images to be physically coincident.
US09237842B2

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for determining the refractive error of a patient, more particularly determining the patient's refractive error by using a computerized screen, and providing the patient with a prescription for the patient's preferred type of corrective lenses. The system and method do not require the trip or expense of a doctor visit, and are optimized for convenience and cost effectiveness. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for determining a corrective lenses prescription of a patient. The method includes, separately, for each eye of the patient, determining the astigmatism prescription of the patient via a computerized screen, and determining the power of the corrective lenses prescription of the patient via the computerized screen.
US09237837B2

An insertion device sets engage range which it prescribed in return power to the neutral position by elastic force of the spring and rotation resistance force by the slide power by elastic member for dial portion performing curving operation of a curving portion. If a rotary angle is beyond an engage range, the dial part lets a rotary point of view to order return in an engage range and, if there is a rotary angle in an engage range, the dial part keeps a target part in an observation field of vision.
US09237826B2

A sandwich press and grill apparatus. The apparatus comprising a lower housing and an upper housing, each hingedly interconnected. The lower housing is adapted to releasably engage a lower cooking plate, the lower housing including a first temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the lower cooking plate when engaged. The upper housing is adapted to releasably engage the upper cooking plate, the upper housing including a second temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the upper cooking plate when engaged. The lower housing has a first releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to a lower heating element integrally formed with the lower cooking plate, and the upper housing has a second releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to an upper heating element integrally formed with the upper cooking plate. A temperature controller adapted to receive at least one temperature set point signal and to independently control the temperature of the lower cooking plate and the upper cooking plate.
US09237825B2

A cooking appliance kit includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining a heating cavity and a cooking vessel that is configured to be inserted into the heating cavity. The cooking vessel includes a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and an intermediate necked portion that define first and second wells that at least partially intersect. First and second distinct heater plates are disposed in the first and second wells, respectively. An arcuate dividing wall is disposed in the heating cavity and is removably engaged with the intermediate necked portion between the first and second distinct heater plates. The arcuate dividing wall defines a circular cooking zone and a crescent cooking zone. A drive arm is removably coupled to the housing and extends over the circular cooking zone. The drive arm includes one of a flipping wand and a stirring wand.
US09237808B2

A bracket assembly includes a bracket, an inserting member, an elastic member disposed on the bracket, first and second arms oppositely and pivotally connected to the bracket, and an operation member. The elastic member includes first and second elastic portions correspondingly disposed. The first and second arms each include a first portion having a contact portion abutting against the respective first or second elastic portion and a second portion having a hook portion and a connecting portion oppositely disposed. The operation member is connected between the connecting portions of the first and second arms.
US09237807B1

A furniture slide assembly includes a slide body with a top for supporting the furniture leg and also has a bottom surface with a substantially low coefficient of friction. A clamp assembly is affixed to and supported above the slide body assembly and includes a clamp body formed of a resilient material. The body has a first arm and an opposing second arm wherein the body, the first arm, and the second arm have an inner surface which defines a receiving aperture in the clamp body. The first arm and the second arm further define an opening therebetween. A clamp arm extends from a distal end of the first arm and is securable to the second arm.
US09237806B2

A sliding track assembly including a first, second and third rails, the second rail slidably mounted on the first rail, and the third rail slidably mounted on the second rail, so that the second and third rail can move relatively to the first rail and to each other. The sliding tract assembly also includes a latch member mounted on the third rail near its outer end and having two resilient or/and compressible portions each having asymmetric inward and outward facing slopes, and a lock member mounted or formed on the second rail near its outer end. The third rail can move together with the second rail when the latch member and the lock member are engaged, and the third rails can move freely by itself when the latch member and the lock member are disengaged.
US09237790B2

A head-hair treatment-agent applicator (1) according to the present invention has an agent applying part (2) which has a comb part (23) formed with a plurality of annularly arranged comb teeth (22), and the comb teeth (22) each have an inversely-tapered part (22c) in which a comb tooth width W decreases from a vicinity of a tip (22a) to a base end (22e).
US09237778B2

A cycling shoe can include a hook that, when used together with another device, such as with a rubber band, can position the shoe on a bicycle in a desired position. The shoes can be clipped into pedals on the bicycle, and the hook and rubber band can be used to position the shoes and crank arms of the bicycle in the position desired by the user. The hook can be on the arch side of the shoe. The hook can be separate from the tightening system.
US09237777B2

A series of ski boots comprising at least two ski boots whose rigid outer shell (2) is identical, and in which at least one of the boots of the series of boots has a rigid shell (2) comprising an internally inserted slipper (20; 20′), the slipper (20; 20′) comprising a bootboard (25; 25′) and side walls (21; 21′), so that the at least two ski boots comprising an identical rigid outer shell (2) are of different sizes.
US09237769B2

The invention provides a process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the process including: providing a slurry comprising water and a tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least about 75% by weight water, based on the total weight of the slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material; adding an amount of a base to the slurry sufficient to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 8.5, thereby forming a pH-adjusted slurry; and continuing to heat the pH-adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient for the pH of the slurry to drop at least about 0.5 pH unit following the adding step.
US09237768B2

Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include one or more preformed smokeless tobacco products configured to generally retain their shape during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. In particular embodiments, each smokeless tobacco product can comprise a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a selected binder such that the final product is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.
US09237760B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical preparation comprising a) a core containing a pharmaceutically or nutraceutically active substance; and b) an inner controlling layer surrounding the core comprising i) one or a mixture of a plurality of (meth)acrylate copolymers bearing a cationic group or a group that can be converted to a cationic group; and ii) one or a mixture of a plurality of polymers or copolymers bearing an anionic group or group that can be converted to an anionic group; and c) an outer controlling layer comprising one or a mixture of a plurality of polymers or copolymers bearing an anionic group or group that can be converted to an anionic group and to tablets or capsules comprising same.
US09237758B2

Disclosed are sugar free confectionery products, methods of making, and multilayer structures prepared from the confectionery products and chewing gum.
US09237755B1

An apparatus for carrying out a cleaning operation applied to the internal neck skin of slaughtered poultry by removing the windpipe, gullet, glandular tissue or remainders thereof.
US09237749B2

The present invention relates to combinations of the pyrion compounds sodium pyrithione and 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone, and polyethyleneimines (PEI) which provide an improved biocidal effect. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of a pyrion compound selected from sodium pyrithione and 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone together with polyethyleneimines; in respective proportions to provide a synergistic biocidal effect. Compositions comprising these combinations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, engineering material, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, viruses, and the like.
US09237745B2

An amide derivative represented by the following Formula (1) is provided as an amide derivative showing a significantly excellent effect for a pest control action. In the following Formula (1), A represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, or the like, and K represents a non-metal atomic group necessary for forming a cyclic linking group derived from benzene or a heterocyclic. X represents a halogen atom or the like; n represents an integer of from 0 to 4. R1 and R2 represent hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, or the like. T represents —C(=G1)-Q1 or —C(=G1)-G2Q2, and G1 to G3 each represent oxygen atoms or the like. Q1 and Q2 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or the like. Y1 and Y5 each represent a halogen atom or the like, Y2 and Y4 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and Y3 represents a C2-C5 haloalkyl group.
US09237742B2

A method for killing pests in an affected area of a structure, comprises positioning a heat exchanger unit within an affected area, coupling a first end of an inlet hose to a faucet, and coupling a second end of the inlet hose to an inlet port of the heat exchanger unit such that the heat exchanger unit may receive a flow of water from the faucet. The heat exchanger unit generates heated air by transferring heat from the flow of water received from the faucet to air flowing through the heat exchanger unit. The method continues by positioning an electric heater proximate to the heat exchanger unit, the electric heater operable to further heat the heated air emitted by the heat exchanger unit to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the further heated air being emitted into the affected area.
US09237740B2

Methods and compositions for producing selected non-human mammalian germ cells and gametes and for making non-human animals using the produced germ cells and gametes are provided by the present invention. Methods of generating a non-human embryo and/or animal derived from donor stem cells, methods of generating chimeric non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor stem cells, methods of producing a non-human host embryo lacking functional endogenous germ cells and non-human host embryos incapable of developing endogenous gametes of the present invention are described herein.
US09237734B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045930. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045930. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045930 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045930 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09237732B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045734. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045734. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045734 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045734 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09237719B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH392881. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH392881, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH392881 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 CH392881.
US09237696B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035594. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035594. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035594 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035594 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09241432B1

A method for deploying a lightweight, flexible Faraday cage around a device can include the step of directing the conductive fluid flow in a manner that causes a shroud to form over the device. In some embodiments, a flexible material such as canvas can be deployed over the device and the conductive fluid can be sprayed onto the flexible material to form the shroud. In other embodiments, a plurality of nozzles can be placed around the perimeter of the device, and the nozzles can be directed at a predetermined point over the device. The streams can meet at the predetermined point, collide and thereby provide the conductive shroud for the device. The shroud can have a thickness, which can be chosen according to the desired frequency of electromagnetic radiation to be blocked, typically from one to one hundred millimeters (1-100 mm).
US09241429B2

A power module includes a plurality of semiconductor devices constituting upper/lower arms of an inverter circuit, a plurality of conductive plates arranged to face electrode surfaces of the semiconductor devices and a module case configured to accommodate the semiconductor devices and conductive plates, wherein the module case includes a heat-radiation member made of plate-like metal and facing a surface of the conductive plate and a metallic frame body having an opening that is closed by the heat-radiation member, and wherein a heat-radiation fin unit having a plurality of heat-radiation fins vertically arranged thereon is provided at a center of the heat-radiation member, and a joint portion with the frame body is provided at an peripheral edge of the heat-radiation member, and the heat radiation member has a heat conductivity higher than that of the frame body, and the frame body has a higher rigidity than that of the heat-radiation member.
US09241427B1

An airfoil to provide directed cooling of active elements, such as in a multi-device storage enclosure. In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing having opposing first and second ends. A first active element is mounted within the housing adjacent the first end, and a second active element mounted within the housing adjacent the second end. A fan assembly is mounted within the housing adjacent the second end to establish an airflow through the housing adjacent the first and second active elements for cooling thereof. An airfoil is mounted within the housing between the first and second active elements to accelerate and direct the airflow proximate the second active element.
US09241421B2

The thermal efficiency of dual-column chassis can be improved by re-locating line card to connection plane (LC-to-CP) interfaces to the center of the connection plane, as this allows inter line card channels (inter-LC channels) to be routed in a manner that avoids bisecting the thermal throughways over which convection cooling air is circulated to the line cards. One technique for centrally locating the LC-to-CP interfaces on the connection plane is to invert one column of line cards. Another technique for centrally locating the LC-to-CP interfaces on the connection plane is to use non-uniform line cards. An additional benefit of centrally locating the LC-to-CP interfaces on the connection plane is that the inter-LC channels extending between perpendicularly adjacent line cards are shortened, which increases server performance by virtue of reducing switching latency.
US09241418B2

A surface mount device in which a pin adapter that is integrally formed with a plurality of pins connects a base board and a main board is provided to enable an automatic mounting, to enable a reflow soldering, to increase the flexibility of design, and to satisfy requirements of customers. In the surface mount device, a pin adapter 5 that is formed integrally with a plurality of pins 6 is placed on a base board 1, the base board 1 and the main board 2 are connected by inserting the tips of the pins 6 into the corresponding locations of the main board 2, the leg portions of the pin adapter 5 are folded toward inside, and opening sections 52 are formed at the leg portions.
US09241404B2

An adhesive varnish includes 100 parts by mass of a component A that includes a phenoxy resin including a plurality of hydroxyl groups in a side chain, 2 to 55 parts by mass of a component B that includes a polyfunctional isocyanate compound including, in a molecule thereof, an isocyanate and at least one of a vinyl group, an acrylate group and a methacrylate group, 5 to 30 parts by mass of a component C that includes a maleimide compound including a plurality of maleimide groups in a molecule thereof or/and a reaction product thereof, a component S1 including a low-boiling point solvent having a boiling point of not more than 100° C., and a component S2 including a high-boiling point solvent having a boiling point of more than 100° C.
US09241392B2

Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface. These features enable intelligent, networked DCR lighting systems operate with lower power (energy) consumption, greater flexibility, and simpler installation than other intelligent lighting networks.
US09241390B2

A switch image control system includes at least one first switch having a first image viewable when a backlighting is applied to the at least one first switch. The system also includes at least one second switch having a second image viewable when the backlighting is applied to the at least one second switch. The backlighting is independently applicable to either or both of the at least one first switch and the at least one second switch.
US09241386B2

A lighting apparatus includes a power supply unit and a control unit configured to control the power supply unit. The control unit determines, at a time of activation of the lighting apparatus, a first color temperature of the load at an initial stage of lighting based on a command value. Thereafter, the control unit controls the power supply unit such that the light quantity and the color temperature of the load change according to a second output characteristic during a period in which the color temperature of the load changes from the first color temperature to a second color temperature. The second color temperature is a color temperature, in the first output characteristic, corresponding to the command value. A correspondence relationship between a plurality of light quantities and a plurality of color temperatures defined by the second output characteristic is different from that of the first output characteristic.
US09241385B2

A system including a plurality of switches and a comparator. The plurality of switches is configured to respectively supply a plurality of currents via respective terminals to a plurality of sets of light emitting diodes. The sets of light emitting diodes are configured to respectively output light having wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges in a spectrum of blue light. The comparator is configured to compare a reference voltage to a voltage at one of the terminals of one of the plurality of switches connected to one of the sets of light emitting diodes, and to adjust, based on the comparison, biasing of the plurality of switches to maintain a predetermined ratio of the plurality of currents.
US09241367B2

Systems and methods for Wi-Fi roaming. A gateway supports both a local access point (AP) and a virtual AP. The local AP is accessible only to an “owner” of the gateway. The virtual AP (VAP) is accessible to devices associated with the owner of the gateway and to roaming Wi-Fi devices. A datastore conveys information about the roaming Wi-Fi devices to the VAP to permit them to access the VAP without the need for manual configuration of the VAP. A roaming Wi-Fi device may communicate with a gateway via a tunnel to maintain session connectivity during roaming. A session may be initiated on one network, such as a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network, handed off to another network, such as a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, and then returned to the network on which the session was initiated.
US09241364B2

The invention relates to a method of operating a network node in a telecommunication network, such as an MME. The method comprising: initiating a PDN connection revocable deletion procedure for a device when at least one predetermined criterion is fulfilled; sending a PDN connection revocable deletion request to another network node; receiving a PDN connection revocable deletion response message from said other second network node; and storing data indicating that a PDN connection with said device is revocably deleted.
US09241363B2

A short-range wireless communication apparatus comprising an own connection device and a control device is disclosed. The own connection device is capable of connecting a first predetermined communication protocol to a communication-destination-side connection device. The control device performs a first connection process of connecting the first predetermined communication protocol between the own connection device and the communication-destination-side connection device. The control device performs the first connection process at a time that is outside a period during which a second connection process of connecting a second predetermined communication protocol between the communication-destination-side connection device and a different connection device is performed.
US09241362B2

A method for transmitting data between wireless devices in a wireless communication system is provided. A first wireless device acquires downlink reception timing with a base station. The first wireless device determines transmission timing for direct communication with a second wireless device based on the downlink reception timing with the base station. The first wireless device transmits data for the direct communication to the second wireless device at the transmission timing for the direct communication.
US09241356B2

A mobile audio stream broadcasting method has steps as follows: establishing a fist Bluetooth (BT) connection between a mobile device and at least one of a plurality of BT speakers; detecting connection signal strength and designating the BT speaker with maximum of connection signal strength as a first BT target speaker; establishing a second BT connection; transmitting an audio stream data to the first BT target speaker for broadcasting music via the second BT connection; detecting connection signal strength of the first BT target speaker continuously and automatically via the first BT connection; determining whether connection signal strength of the first BT target speaker is lower than a preset threshold value; if connection signal strength of the first BT target speaker is lower than the preset threshold value, then disconnecting the first and the second BT connections between the mobile device and the first BT target speaker.
US09241350B1

A wireless communication device identifies the access network type in the Mobile IP (MIP) Registration Request (RRQ). The wireless communication device uses a wireless communication network to access the IP communication network. The wireless communication device initiates a switch to another wireless communication network. In response to initiating the switch, the wireless communication device determines the network type of the new wireless communication network and generates a MIP RRQ identifying the access network type. After the MIP Registration Response (RRP) is received, the wireless communication device sends and retrieves IP data with the IP communication network via the new wireless communication network.
US09241347B2

A resource allocation method and device are provided that can achieve uniform loads on and stable quality of a common channel available to mobile stations having no dedicated channels. A method for allocating common channel resources in a system in which a plurality of first radio communication devices transmit data to a second radio communication device over a common channel, based on first resource allocation information, includes: by the second radio communication device, transmitting second resource allocation information to at least one of the first radio communication devices; and by each of the first radio communication devices, transmitting data to the second radio communication device over the common channel, based on any one of the first resource allocation information and the second resource allocation information.
US09241345B2

A communication system comprising one or more wireless stations programmed to await for an authorizing signal to initiate wireless communications with a network controller or access point. The network controller maintains identification information in different queues, said queues based upon the anticipated wireless station's activity. The wireless station identification information is moved between the different queues in response to this predicted activity. Between polling, each mobile station aggregates data for the next opportunity to transmit. Multi-polling may be employed such that more than a single station is polled at a time. Polling is accomplished by polling one of the more active stations along with a less active station. The less active station is unlikely to transmit, so collisions are avoided to a certain degree. If a lesser active station becomes active, it is moved into the more active queue and consequently will be polled more often.
US09241335B2

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for the coexistence of 1 MHz and 2 MHz operation modes within a wireless communication system in accordance with IEEE 802.11ah, for example. One example method generally includes scanning a plurality of channel pairs, wherein each of the channel pairs comprises a first channel having a first channel designation and a second channel having a second channel designation; determining, based on the scan, a set of open channels from the plurality of channel pairs in which no other apparatus is operating; selecting a primary channel based on the determination; and transmitting using the selected primary channel. The selection of the primary channel involves channel selection rules disclosed herein.
US09241326B2

A wireless device transmits a first packet in subframe n of a first cell of a first cell group and transmits a second packet in subframe n+1 of a second cell of a second cell group overlapping in time with the transmission of the first packet. The wireless device reduces a subframe transmission power of at least one of the first packet and the second packet if a power value is more than an allowable transmission power. A calculation for the power value considers transmission power of the first packet and the second packet according to a pre-configured rule.
US09241319B2

A multi-channel wireless network acquires reference time information that is commonly applied to all multi-channels and acquires packet receiving time information of a received packet on each channel basis based on the reference time information by spreading and applying the reference time information to each channel.
US09241318B2

Disclosed is an apparatus for receiving data in a communication system, including a receiving unit configured to receive data through a multi-channel in a MIMO (multi-input multi-output) scheme; a calculating unit configured to calculate a receiving power distribution value in each antenna of a multi-antenna and in each channel of the multi-channel, correspondingly to the MIMO scheme, and to generate a receiving synchronization signal using the receiving power distribution value; and a synchronization unit configured to synchronize frames for the data receiving of the receiving unit using the receiving synchronization signal.
US09241317B2

A method for configured maximum output power reporting and user equipment including: judging sequentially by user equipment whether there exists non-adaptive retransmission of uplink data in each of serving cells, or judging whether a base station schedules only channel status information in each of serving cells and does not allocate an uplink grant to transmit data of an uplink shared channel when the user equipment triggers a power headroom report at a current subframe, the base station allocates an uplink grant to the user equipment for transmitting new data in an uplink shared channel, and the uplink grant is capable of containing the power headroom report; obtaining, if the result of judging is positive, by the user equipment, a configured maximum output power of the corresponding serving cell; and reporting the obtained configured maximum output power to the base station.
US09241316B1

Methods and systems are provided for conserving resources of a wireless communication device (WCD). A WCD may be configured to operate in one of two modes while in communication with the RAN. In a high-power mode, the WCD operates with a filtering component having a first filtering bandwidth. The first a filtering bandwidth generally enables the WCD to provide high quality audio signals based on a first audio bandwidth of an audio codec. In a low-power mode, the WCD operates with the filtering component having a second filtering bandwidth. The second filtering bandwidth enables the WCD to provide a lower quality audio signal based on a second audio bandwidth having a narrower audio bandwidth than the first audio bandwidth.
US09241309B2

Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of an inactivity timeout period for a data radio bearer used to transport data for a data service between a wireless communication device and a wireless network is provided. The method includes formatting a message including information related to the data service. The method further includes sending the message from the wireless communication device to the wireless network that is attendant to establishment of the data radio bearer for the data service. The method additionally includes receiving, at the wireless communication device, an assignment of the data service to the data radio bearer. The data radio bearer can have a customized inactivity timeout period defined by the wireless network based at least in part on the information in the message provided by the wireless communication device. The method also includes sending data for the data service over the data radio bearer.
US09241305B2

Concepts and technologies described herein relate to an enhancement to an access network discovery and selection function (“ANDSF”) with a cell-type management object (“MO”) within an ANDSF MO tree. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a system including an ANDSF can generate a policy for network selection. The policy can include network selection criteria based upon a cell-type. The cell-type may be a small cell cell-type, a macro cell cell-type, or a multi-standard metro cell (“MSMC”) cell-type. The network selection criteria can be further based upon WI-FI availability. The system can send the policy to a mobile device. The mobile device can utilize the policy to select a network. In some embodiments, the network selection criteria includes network load information, local device information, user profile information, or some combination thereof.
US09241304B2

Method and system for optimizing selection of a network. The method includes identifying available lenders and existing networks within a vicinity of a borrower, selecting an optimization technique for completing a task of the borrower, calculating, for a plurality of network options, a value for completing the borrower's task according to the optimization technique, and selecting an optimum network option to complete the borrower's task. The plurality of network options includes forming a heterogeneous network composed of both a peer-to-peer network and a multiplexed network.
US09241302B2

Certain aspects of the disclosure relate generally to search of radio access technologies (RAT). For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for performing higher priority radio access technology (RAT) searches in areas having a plurality of overlapping RATs, such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Long Term Evolution (LTE). According to certain aspects, a user equipment (UE) may be configured to periodically search for higher priority RATs in neighboring cells. According to certain aspects, upon finding a higher priority RAT cell, the UE may be further configured to evaluate, or “pre-evaluate”, criteria for cell reselection from found cell to the currently camped cell, while still camped on the current cell. The UE may be configured to decide whether or not to switch to the found cell based on the evaluation.
US09241300B2

A method and system are provided in which a device comprising a first or main phase locked loop (PLL) and a second or reference PLL, is operable to communicate utilizing a first and a second receiving antenna. The first PLL may generate a first signal based on a reference signal generated by the second PLL. A second signal may also be generated based on the reference signal. Data associated with a first radio access technology (RAT) may be received via the first receiving antenna utilizing the generated first signal. The first RAT or another RAT may be scanned via the second receiving antenna utilizing the generated second signal. The scan via the second receiving antenna may be performed concurrently with the reception of data via the first receiving antenna. A switch may be utilized to enable or disable scanning operations via the second receiving antenna.
US09241297B2

A method and an apparatus for providing a Local BreakOut (LBO) service in a wireless communication system are provided. In the method for providing an LBO service in a wireless communication system, after an access authentication procedure between an authentication server and a terminal, a femto gateway receives a subscriber profile including LBO service flow information from the authentication server to provide the LBO service flow information to a femto base station through initial service flow setting between the terminal and the femto gateway. The femto base station sets an LBO service flow through a Dynamic Service Addition (DSA) procedure. The terminal performs a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) procedure through the LBO service flow setting, and obtains an IP address for LBO based on the DHCP procedure.
US09241293B2

Data provided by an access point of a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) is used to assist a mobile device in cell reselection. If a serving cell of a cellular communications network is unsuitable for providing cellular service, a candidate cell co-located with the serving cell can be selected as the serving cell based on quality of service metrics associated with the serving cell and the candidate cell. The mobile device can be proactively commanded to switch to the candidate cell for receiving cellular service. In some implementations, the quality of service metrics are calculated from call logs collected from mobile devices operating in the cellular communications network. In some implementations, network information regarding serving cell performance can be used with the call logs to generate the quality of service metrics.
US09241290B2

Provided are apparatus and method for controlling handover to prevent femtocell interference. The apparatus may include an event receiving module, a handover determining module, and an inter-frequency processing module. The event receiving module may be configured to receive a control message from user equipment. The handover determining module may be configured to analyze the received control message and determine whether the control message includes a request of inter-cell handover from a first cell base station of the first cell to a second cell base station of one of the second cells. The inter-frequency processing module may be configured to perform inter-frequency handover using an unshared frequency when the handover determining module determines that the control message includes the request of inter-cell handover.
US09241283B2

The present disclosure is related to reporting channel state information associated with a downlink channel in a wireless communication system. In particular, a method of transmitting the channel state information in user equipment may include extracting one or more reference vectors having a high correlation with a channel state information vector associated with a downlink, creating one or more compressed vectors by compressing the one or more reference vectors, and transmitting the one or more compressed vectors.
US09241271B2

A system and method for restricting access to network performance information associated with communications over a packet network. A request may be received from a user to access network performance information associated with communications of data packets over a packet network. A determination as to whether the user has permission to access the network performance information may be made. In response to determining that the user has permission to access the network performance information, the user may be enabled to access the network performance information; otherwise, the user may be prevented from accessing the network performance information. The network performance information may include information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content.
US09241264B2

The invention relates to a method, an element, and a system for providing access authentication for a user using user equipment (1-2) communicating (1) in a first communications network (1-30) accepting a first type of identification to a second communications network (1-16, 1-20) accepting a second type of identification. In the invention, an identifier comprising a first part and a second part is received (5); a corresponding second part is retrieved (7) from a database (BSF) by using the first part; the received second part is compared with the retrieved corresponding second part; and if they are the same, the user equipment (1-2) is provided with access authentication to the second communications network (1-16, 1-20).
US09241263B2

Methods for associating a first and a second device. Each device broadcasts an identity, the first device stores new identities and counts them. Upon user instruction and if there just one new identity, the first device sends a request for association to the second device that acknowledges this. The second device then sends, upon user instruction, a confirmation to the first device that verifies that the confirmation was sent by the second device and acknowledges this. The method is particularly suitable for use on devices that are unable to display identities of other devices.
US09241260B2

The disclosure discloses a key sharing method for a Machine Type Communication (MTC) server, wherein when establishing a safe connection and performs safe communications with a first MTC server via a Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA) process, an MTC device may send a second MTC server a request message containing a bootstrapping identifier (B-TID) currently used by the MTC device and the first MTC server and a host identifier NAF-ID1 of the first MTC server; the second MTC server sends a Bootstrapping Server Function (BSF) an authentication request containing a host identifier NAF-ID2 of the second MTC server, the B-TID, and NAF-ID; after verifying the validity of NAF-ID2 and NAF-ID1, the BSF generates a session key KNAF according to the B-TID and the NAF-ID1, and sends the generated KNAF to the second MTC server. Accordingly, the disclosure further discloses a key sharing system for an MTC server. With the disclosure, the MTC device is enabled to perform safe communications simultaneously with a plurality of MTC servers, thereby enhancing the efficiency of network resources.
US09241259B2

Methods and apparatus provide data loss protection for mobile devices. In one aspect, data is analyzed by a data loss protection server to determine if it is authorized by data loss protection policies to be transferred to a mobile device. The time necessary to analyze the data may exceed a mobile device timeout value. To prevent the mobile device from timing out, the DLP server may send one or more portions of a response to the mobile device at a time interval less than the mobile device timeout value. Some portions of the response may be sent before the analyzing of the data is completed.
US09241258B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a request for a voice call at a mobile switching center server, transmitting a mapping query from the mobile switching center server to a database in response to the request for the voice call, route the request from the mobile switching center server to an internet protocol multimedia subsystem for facilitating establishing the voice call when the mapping query is successful in obtaining an internet protocol address for establishing the voice call with a recipient communication device, and routing the request from the mobile switching center server to a second server for facilitating establishing the voice call without routing the request to the internet protocol multimedia subsystem when the mapping query is not successful in obtaining the internet protocol address. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09241248B2

Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for a modified present signal mode for use in or with a mobile communication device.
US09241239B2

A mobile computer device obtains location information indicating a geographical location in which the mobile computer device resides. The mobile computer device produces a list based on the location information. The list specifies one or more WiFi networks present in a vicinity of the geographical location. The computer device then establishes a wireless connection between the computer device and a WiFi network as specified in the list. Thus, a geographical location of the computer device can be used as a basis to initiate connectivity to a respective network.
US09241238B2

A wireless communication system has a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus. The first communication apparatus has an information generator to generate first information associated with a mobile terminal, an encoder to encode the first information, and a first wireless communication module to transmit the encoded first information to the mobile terminal by close range wireless communication. The second communication apparatus has a second wireless communication module to receive the encoded first information transmitted by the mobile terminal and second information, a decoder to decode the encoded first information, a verification module to verify validity of the first information, and an information processing module to process the second information received by the second wireless communication module when the validity is confirmed by the verification module.
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